The day has come... Selling the SDR

Hey fellas,

Well, the day has finally come where I have decided to sell my beloved SDR.

As you know I'm a 6x KTM owner, and on my second superduke and third LC8-engined bike. I love these machines, and I love the KTM brand... but I've been hanging on to this bike for all the wrong reasons, almost out of nostalgia and not being able to bring myself to leave the Superduke fold. It's such a great bike to own, even if you're not on it. LOL.

Reasons are complex, but basically my riding is changing.

The SDR is the best bike for the old me. Aggressive, loud, in a fooking hurry, and grinning like the devil on PCP... but as time goes by I'm becoming less angry and prefer to ride smooth instead of fast. As some of you noticed, I picked up a (cough, splutter) for slow summer rides (85-bhp at the wheel, LOL) and to my horror, I've discovered that not only am I faster round Brands Hatch on it, but that it's also better through town, and it's even easier and less demanding to ride as an every day bike, despite being an air-cooled, twin-shock retro roadster. It corners faster too.

This isn't about the bike tho, it's about me. When faced with both sets of keys I opt for jeans, piss-pot lid and the Ducati keys. Also, I'm 45, with 2 kids, and my biking tastes are becoming more about lifestyle than the latest power commander, TuneECU, or which widget will give me another 3 bhp. I want timeless biking, not this year's latest bike. I don't really care about a 1200 SDR, and that's weird.

Also, the Dutchess was knocked off her Buell a few weeks ago, and though she's on the mend, it reminded more how mortal we all are, and while any bike is dangerous, I'm well aware that the super duke has always made me ride like a cnut. Time to chill a little, I think, and you just can't chill on an SDR.


So... I still love my Superduke, and if I was a little more financially stable I'd keep it, just to hang on to a modern classic, but it's crazy to hang on to such a high spec machine as a "second bike" while I spend my bike-money on an old cafe racer.

I'm not in a rush to get rid of it and I want the right price (the mods and spec are ridiculous), so as this isn't the best time of year to sell, I may still have it through winter. ...and if you'll let me, I'd love to hang out here still, and keep meeting up with the mates I've made on road and track.


One final comment: Out of all the biker-types out there, Superduke riders are the maddest, quickest, and most opinionated, individualistic, loonies I have ever met.
So many good riders, so many decent fellas, so much knowledge, trust, passion...
I'm more distressed about leaving a brotherhood of like-minded nutters than I am about losing the bike. It's a very exclusive, very special club. I will definitely have regrets, and I can barely bring myself to press the Submit button.

old fart

I kinda felt you'd get here after your shall I, shall I not thread! Biking is a very personal thing, and when its time to move there's no looking back. It's been great sharing threads & the occasional TD with you Dutch, I look forward to sharing another soon.

The other duke is looking beaut BTW

I picked up a GT1000 Duc recently. COMPLETELY different bike than my Supermoto 990 R--a nice bike. Got it up to 92 RWHPs with MWR air filter lid and Tuneboy custom tune/Termis. I can ride two-up on it and it just burbles along. Not giving up my SMR tho..... Anger still fuels my fire.

Hang on a min didn't we see this same thread 2 months ago. On that occasion a ride out on the beast cured any thoughts of parting company. maybe a last blast out of the year will see her still adorning your garage come spring??

An air cooled motor will bring the best out of anyone as it did for you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Totally unrelated but i've go the same lid as you but with a white stripe. Cracking quality aint they. Super light too, hardly feels like your wearing one.

Love the Spirit of the 70s along with Bike EXIF, kinda why I got the Z. Have to admit I've also had the occasional look at air cooled Duc's as well.

I've been fancying the look of cafe racers too lately I think my taste are changing. I really like the look of the new Norton Commandos, but I think as a second (maybe third) bike I can only afford a Triumph Thruxton.

Since my son was born (exactly one year today Happy Birthday) I have slowed down considerably. I'm gonna try to hang on to the SD, but I think I'll get back into dirtbiking in a year or two with my son and start riding with him.

Wow Dutch, it's pretty interesting how our tastes change with time and what life throws our way. I've got 15 years on you and I just got my SD this spring because I needed something outrageous. I've been riding my R1150RS since new; it's a great bike, travels well, doesn't need much attention, but... It's been awhile since I've had anything fast.
I rarely ride the SD to work, the beemer is much better for that, but when I need to get my ya-yas, nothing else does it like the Duke. I always come home with a smile on my face and feeling much better than when I left. I don't ride it like an old fart either, it makes me do things I never would have considered on other bikes.
A few years down the road when you're done with the kids you will probably find your tastes changing again, and who knows what will push your button at that point, bicycle touring, fly fishing, or whatever.
BTW, I love the stuff on Bikeexif, I have an old R100 that is going to get some kind of cafe treatment after I figure out what I want it to look like.

I have read many of your posts brother.I have enjoyed them.I am sorta new here.But I am sure you have made many Friends just because you don't have a duke does not change that.I sold My Ape I still drop in the DD forum and chat with the fellas.
I get where your head is at.At 56 I still love my harley days with the wife and other couples.But the duke is made me go on another direction I am back to going real fast.Got a track day comming in Nov first one in 20 years.In fact If the TD goes well I will do many more.I ride with guys that have CBR1000RR's I can get them in turns but they blow by me in the straights.I really don't like that .So I am giving thought of an RC8 God help me.I hope TD gets that out of my system and I just do some fun laps at Chuckwalla.I really don't need to go 180+ I love my duke .Of all the bikes I have owned it is the one that make it so easy to go fast.with such little effort. I can't wait to see what it does when I don't have to worry about cops and blue haired old ladies trying to kill me. It's funny I almost bought an SDR went for the standard thought I would just ride the street.Now I am going to be a track junkie.Who knew?
What ever you decide just know make your self happy we are only here once.I have had two major health scares in the last couple of years. It could have changed everything.
I am living for me now I have raised my kids it is my time now I want to go out doing what I love with no regrets.
Good luck my brother you will always be a duke guy no matter what you ride you have earned that for sure.Enjoy yourself
Vic
I wish I knew how to post utube stuff my bro did some cool video with the footage from our rides with my go pro.I think he is at chriscrash488 on u tube the parker run or topock if you can check it out The first one I was still a little gun shy from my 30 over ticket the second one I took off my tank bag and went for it.I would love to post it for you guys but I am not good at puter stuff.
Once again good luck bro BTW that duc is very nice

Thanks for all the replies guys.I really appreciate your comments, and yes, as for my mates, those are always gonna be there. I'm still on two wheels after all.

It's not so much an age thing. At 45 I feel pretty young for my years and I intend to keep riding for as many years as possible, it's more about the fact that a new type of biking has come onto my radar, that is even more about the lifestyle, and ticks boxes that one-model and one-make can't tick. I've also lost my passion for outright bhp, and gained a new passion for lightness and handling. The Superduke is a big bike (ok, I'm only 5'9") and while it's brilliantly flickable in a SuperMoto kinda way, it's limited.

I've also lost interest in owning the newest thing out there. The Tuono leaves me cold, as does any bike that needs rider-aids to keep it upright. It's like the Eurofighter - turn off the computers and it's not even aerodynamic. Most modern bikes bore me to tears. I'd rather own something bespoke; fast, light and basic with timeless design and no sell-by date - where I don't have to get the latest model to be relevant.

If the Ducati wasn't such a good bike I would NEED the SDR too, but since it's surprisingly good and practical it's made the SDR slightly redundant. If the Duc had been slower - or if the SDR was a bit smoother and more practical - then I'd probably have room to keep both bikes in my stable.

For anyone who likes the cafe racer vibe, but doesn't fancy a lardy old cement mixer like the Thruxton, or the stunning but overpriced Norton, the Ducati Sport Classic 1000 is about 179kg (...that's Italian kg, dry) and extremely flickable, with Brembo brakes and decent suspension (ok, it needs new springs - but so did my SDR) even the rear twin adjustable Marzzochis are pretty good. It's like a 1000cc Monster with Clipons and more style.

When I did my first trackday at Brands on the Duc I made the mistake of entering in the Novice group (slow and retro, right?). To my surprise (and I'm not exaggerating) I lapped everyone on every session, except my bro on his K1300R - who I still easily passed. Ok, they were crap slow townies on bikes they couldn't ride, but you get my drift. (If you've ridden with me you know I'm probably Mr Average, so it was the bike, not me.)



Anyway, the SDRs not gone yet.... Let's see if anyone is even buying bikes at this time of year!

Was worth it to see the picture of Bic as a lesbian though

One scary point dutch is faster on the Ducati ??? doesn't that pose the question.... is the SDR and SD that good on the track? Is the power and brutality really usable on the track???

I love the duke..... but is it the the track tool we think it is??? Planning on doing my first track school next month, concidering the amount of powerslides i've had on the road... i'm crapping myself at the thought of it!!!

ps. best of luck with the duke, don't be a stranger on here - sure us noobs can definately gain from your experience.

Hey Dutch, think of bikes as time machines. You can most always come back, you just have to search harder. If your SDR was a bit much, get the SD next round. Short shift it and be happy to know if you really need to clean the cob webs out, it' just a twist of the wrist away. And more bikes in your shed, the better. And don't forget to look in to different types of bikes. Dual sport bike are a real kick, and yea I got my eyes on a 06 SM with the origional rear tyre still on the bike
Thanks for your input on my build. Stay tuned man.

Hey I recognize your SC from Ducati.ms.I've been following its transition with great interest as I acquired one too this summer.Lurking here for a while learning about Superdukes before I purchase one.See you in the future.

Hey you should be looking at the Duke, not my youthful fit body and those cute Frank Thomas booties! But whatever gets you hot.

Fook. Two mods biting the dust in less than a week. Is this a mutiny?

And slowing down? I bought my SD to slow down. I spent too many rides going mach snell on the GSXR to think about. That damn thing always had me creeping over the tonne. With the SD, when the wind hits me at 90 mph its a big wake up call. Time to slow the fook down. That said, I think when I have to get a bike with less performance than the SD, I'll likely quit all together. That has nothing to do with me though. I'm slow as molasses in the winter. I just won't own a bike that will not out run a hot rodded pick em up truck that's trying desperately trying to run my fat BALD ass over. No more SV650s for me. Too many psychos in pickups on the road around here.

Dutch, none of that crap applies to you. Everyone has to live their own lives and do the things that make them happy. And hey, if you want to ride around on a circa 1970's farm implement who am I to fault you?

Seriously, I do love the look of that Duc. I've scratched and sniffed a few times, but haven't done anything serious about it yet. Who knows. Maybe one of these days . . ..

PS. I do think you'll be back though. Truer words than Agent Orange's have never been spoken. See below.

Nostaliga brings me back to this,,,flat out at the ton,,,crazy skinny roads,,,trees,,stone walls,, hills and dales,,,,,keeping it on the pipe ,, WFO everywhere,,,if I could I would buy her back,,,and learn how to ride again and keep up the momentum,,,air cooled and simple,,but then again this wouldn't be slowing things down,,,just speeding up in different places,,,,
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Got inspired tonight and started looking for some inspiration.

And of course... one of the best looking Ducati ever created....

From: https://www.harris-performance.com/webs ... _Kits.html

Sorry to here your leaving us Dutch.

Here is a Supermono body kit for '90s SS's http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/duc ... 991-97.htm .
I wanted to do the kit to my 750SS but it was stolen before I could. Maybe not retro but nice all the same.

Thought about selling the SD to fund the completion of my '68 Norton P11 but just can't do it. I love my SD. Have some ideas and parts stashed to make the SD even more mine, to make it fit me and the way I use it better. Yes, what if they had a SD back in the day to customize, we have them now and the depreciation hit has passed so might as well have some fun with them. '68 is on the back burner, SD gets some attention this winter.

All this lament, lust, mourning and what have you ... too bad you can't put a price tag on any of it, and sell it.

Other than the shitty situation of it being a buyer's market at the moment, I'm glad for you that you're selling your bike. You read that right: glad.

Not so much glad that you'll no longer own it (not personal), as that there will be a new guy (let's be honest, statistically, it will be a guy) who will be super stoked to own it, and thrash it just as you once did. He'll set it up to his liking, buy accessories for it, and hopefully even see some track time with it.

Think of it as the rebirth of a bike. A bike meant to be ridden.

This IS what Café was, and is all about. The "streetfighter" thing is a myth, just another label - more contemporary perhaps - for "Café". Its something you can't just buy - its only something you can make. It looks like you took your SDR in a certain direction, and the next owner is likely to change things. Its a good thing. The bike will get the energy it deserves. It will make someone happy.

Garage queen and "show" bikes are pointless. You want art? Go to a museum. If you can afford to collect it - more power to you. But Motorcycles are for riding. And riding mercilessly. Even the best ones are relatively inexpensive (you all know what a comparably performing car costs ... ), and when in the right hands, they really go. Sure there's risk involved, and not just to the rider. When you don't want to do that any longer on a particular bike - regardless the reason - its good to give it up. Otherwise, you're just throwing money away, and not getting the joy from doing so.

The real bike guy owns it all, not just the wheezy nostalgia-trip that doesn't leak as badly or require the maintenance of the real-vintage-deal. He's got his hooligan toy, a track whore, and the retro/vintage/cafe pig-of-yore. He might even own a "sport tourer", you know, something that not only turns well, but has a fairing, bags, and all that crap.

Again, I'm glad you're selling your SDR, and I'm glad you're enjoying whatever it is you're riding more of now.

BTW - for you queer on the ridiculously expensive Supermonos, there are folks (including a local guy) who are building similar bikes (single conversion with con-rod balancer) out of 848s, 1098s, and 1198s ... to get in to certain race classes. Just sayin' - you can too.

It's all good Dutch...till you feel the need to buy a Harley and get a set of assless chaps.

Woah that Duc looks loverlie! ... and so does the SDR by the way. Ahh to have such options!

I'm approaching 40 myself with a daughter and still loving the nose bleed excitement of the SD. But you are making me wonder how I'll feel bout it all in 5 years time.

I will say the the thought has crossed my mine on occasion. I do not have the disposable income to keep the garage filled with all riding pleasures and can see how you pick for replacement excited you.
It is not as if you went to three wheels or stamp collecting. I am wondering how it is that an air cooled twin that had a racing heritage and symbalizes nostalgia of the cafe race era differs from assless chaps playing on their air cooled twins. It may be sideways but it is certainly not another story altogether. The very first introduction to the racing heritage XR1200 was first introduced by your way and the Spaniards have made a barbeque race series out of them. There are few bikes that I do not want to ride on or experiance and even the Ural, an air cooled twin has nostalgic value. Let us celebrate the twins as much as bic would have us and leave the doors open for all and ride on.

Chap
informal(chiefly Brit.)
a man or boy.
Yes yes Harley has a heritage of racing and it predates the XR1200
Ask Pascal Picotte or Chris Carr.
Only bring out that it is not rediculous to enjoy heritage in many shapes and forms.

Dutch. Good luck Buddy. Choice. It's a privilege that a lot of people in the world just don't have. Good luck on the path, bike and lifestyle that you've chosen. For now at least.... Just wait till that 1200 comes out, you'll get twitchy. ...

The real heritige ofthe XR Harley didn't start in 1970,,,,,time to read up on some history of the brand dude,,,,the KR was there before,,and thats how the thing evolved,,,be serious,,,,and Ducati kinda got serious with the intro of the desmo triple cam 125 RR,,,in,"1957" or something, ,,,just a small bike that screamed,,,won't get into who rode the thing,,,but believe me they were sombody's in the sport,,,do some research,,,,then back in the 70's or somthing a guy named Paul Smart took the Imola race by storm,, on a "small" 750 desmo air cooled twin , ( I thinked it leaked oil too,,wonder if was worse than an LC8 ) to some that could be when they started to win,,,but really that's why we have "evolved" V-twin Duc's today winning in SBK,,,,,,the latest and greatest,,,ain't always the best or better than tried n' true or simple and uncomplicated,,,,this week has been full of to many "throttle jockeys" for me,,,,,,,,,and Dutch,,,your the coolest

Love this thread. It's great to see a proper debate raging - and about bikes too...

I knew my decision would be polarising. Bike ownership can get pretty tribal and for a while I could't even hear anyone say anything about KTMs or Superdukes that was negative...

If had a big garage and unlimited funds I would absolutely keep the Superduke, and I'm lucky that I can have two bikes and a car, but I am sticking with the European trellis-framed V-twins, and in many ways the Ducati Cafe Racer has the same heart and soul as the Superduke, it just does it in a timeless way... with no sell-by date.

Speaking of sell-by dates, what I realised is that I'm NOT getting twitchy about the 1200 Supeduke. That was the wake-up call. I just wasn't interested. I prefer the heritage and class of the original SD and what it stood for. The idea of a new fly-by-wire version with traction control and ABS just doesn't interest me at all. Not saying it shouldnt interest all of you guys. ...and maybe when I see it I'll want one after all, but to me it's probably just going to be another modern bike driven by marketing & press vs EU regulation.

For those who didn't see any of the Spirit bikes, here's a shot from my visit at the weekend. The Yammie on the right is an 850 triple, and the Streettracker (which is light and flickable - and has an optional kickstarter ) is a 650. They oooze class and character and don't look old or retro in the flesh. They just look custom built, with anodised billet parts, clamps & brackets everywhere, and quality components from quality brands.



I'm still hooked on lighter, newer engines, and I like fatter rear wheels, USD forks and the stuff that make bikes nimble and quick, so I made some enquiries about the feasability of turning a 1995 900ss into one of these, and what it might cost:



Modern running gear, simple engine, lightn & flickable, timeless design... What's not to love?

Your in good company Dutch, Obi Wan role an SC!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3216186.htm

Dutch
I really like the old style Ducati's with the new components on as well, but when you said the sdr was approaching its sell by date ......I dont agree that the sdr has a sell by date ? 1200sdr on the horizon or not, if the new one has all electronic trickery and 180bhp it will more than likely help cement the sdr as a classic , did a gsxr k5 have a sell by date ? or a well sorted 97 tl1000s ??
My old man had a racing Rudge Ulster 500 with bronze heads and I would love to have one of them in the shed and he chopped it for an ex gpo van
Dont get me wrong I love the look of that kind of bike and see the appeal .....but I wouldnt ride one( yet )...... it all depends on who you are,how you ride and where you are on your journey

The Radical specials are rather sweet as well

As the people who rode them know t he first few generations of the road bikes took huge strides but now its not much more than fiddling.