ktm superduke - TOO MUCH TO "HANDLE"

Bought my superduke a month ago.. and having second thoughts. I never owned a KTM before (some previous bikes - "07" r1, "06" gsxr750, "05" r1,)
or a even naked bike for that matter.. have stopped racing so wanted a great weekend bike.. that i could also use on the track. The dukes aggressive appearance and the reviews that raved about the handling had me hooked.

Found a great deal and jumped right in ( bought a 2007 black superduke 3500kms) but i have had some set backs. Firstly the build quality is a bit less then i am used too.. most of the bolts have rusted .

So not to be detered i replaced every one of them. The brake lever also looked abit rusted, or brake fluid had run over it and I decided to replace it..... until i called the dealer... THE PARTS ARE INSANELY PRICED.. To be honest I am the first one I know to own one..but Ducati's have nothing on our pricing....

I also had a new set of tyres fitted, Mitchelin power race 2 ---- On the way home i got an insane wobble at about 160kms /h ... I see this could be due to tyre pressure... or a weak neck bolt etc.. Will hopefully sort it out this weekend.

I love the look and reputation or the Superduke but i'm wondering if this is just "Hype" don't get me wrong i'm with you guys... i really want it to be great... just need some re-assurance it's not a lemon....



Dave

When it's great - it's really great! But when it fooks around I'm getting so pissed at it.. Had lots of trouble with my bike, but now it seems to work and I love riding it!

Rusted bolts, I don't get that, I never ride in winter.

Didnt want to waste too much time, only found the clutch lever, thats $66 USD, that's not expensive in my mind. Brake is probably the same, they look a lot like each other?
http://cyclehuttktm.com/FicheFinderNew/FicheFinder.aspx

Wobble should not occur. Could be because the tyres are not "weighted out". Sorry for my bad english, but I don't know the technical term. I just know that when I get new tyres on, my mechanic puts the wheel in a spindle and makes sure the tyre is the same weight all the way around!


I have grown to love my bike, took some time, but it's just great!

have you considered winding the rebound back a click or two? as on accellaration if there is too much rebound (becomes more apparent at higher speeds) it can get a shimmy

that or possibly make sure that all the axle clamp bolts, fork bolts and head bolt are torqued up correctly

Will do.. thanks for the advice !! Hope that things turn around this weekend!!! Sure things will be better once i've done a few more km's

FFS the Superduke is not some missile from another planet! Just like a Hypermotard/SMR is nothing flash. Any bike will perform as well as the rider demands of it. The hyper/Superduke/motard is not better than any sportsbike in any corner. It is purely down to rider control that dictates how a bike handles.

If a bike intimidates you then get rid of it and buy any other bike. Theres literally thousands to choose from. None of us "need" more than 80rwhp unless we are track day junkies. A stock SD wheelies like a maniac and should put a smile on even a blind mans face. Headshake, wobbles poor fueling, grabby brakes etc etc etc..get used to it or get rid of it.

Sorry to rain on your parade, but rider training would solve millions of complaints about this and that from the biker community. Any bike in stock form is good enough to go scratching on and have a farking ball! If theres a problem just ride around it. If you cannot ride around it then perhaps a safer sport is what is needed over a mechanical correction.

Hi Mr ktm.. thanks for the info... It Sounds like you're saying the Superduke is a crap bike but if i'm a good rider I can overlook its faults..?? I really hope that's not the case ??

Theres almost no such thing as a crap bike these days. The SD is a brilliant machine, like all other bikes. It comes down to the rider and what they can get out of their respective bike.

If you feel a bike is too much then sell it and buy another. I make a definite point of changing bikes every couple of years as there is allways something better coming out. I did the SD thing, loved it and then got a Hypermotard. Loved it waaay more than the SD. But soon there will be something waaay better than the Hyper and I'll buy that.

I get sick to death of people winging about this and that about bikes when it simply comes down to the fact they dont know enough about riding to tell the difference between a corner and a straight and what to do with either. Heard it all from what tyre do I buy to what sags should I set. Tell them exactlky what to do and they still whinge about something else.

If you can't ride a stock SD and have a shitload of fun then get rid of it and buy a 50cc scooter. Argue against that and I rest my case, stick to the scooter.

Spend more time in the saddle and all your answers will be solved.

Enjoy your SD, its one helluva bike!

Thanks for the point Jody.. i'm sure it's just the uncertainty of somthng new!!! I 'm sure it will be AWESOME!!

Welcome to the KTM asylum. Glad to see you enjoying your machine.

I would comment that you are one of the very few people I have ever come across who think that KTM's build quality was a bit under par. I've owned about 25 proper bikes over the years, 6 were KTMs, and IMO recent machines have been peerless in build quality and chassis parts (Brembo, Nekken, Marchesini, WP, Akrapovic - all OE), esp compared to Ducati, Triumph and pretty much anything without a Honda badge - although and even my Honda Hornet rusted around the bottom yoke and shock assembly in just one winter.

As for it being a lemon - you'll find most SD owners have ridden or owned most big bikes, so it's usually a very considered buy, by experienced bikers who ofetn own other bikes at the same time. We are constantly comparing it to the other big capacity streetbikes, and are smart enough to buy the best without too much blind brand loyalty - and generally speaking it still comes out as one of the very best, esp in terms of pure fun and handling.

The only common complaint is snatchy fuelling - although much more on the SDR - which also has a seat like a plank of wood (unlike your SD).

Enjoy, and be prepared to never want to part with it.

Hi Dutch, I was drawn to all the trick bits of the superduke (wp, brembo) .. doing alot of trackdays i was planning and eating up some of my mates on bikes you just described... The rust only seems to be on the engine bolts.. etc... frame and big componants look great... Was just a bit worried when I googled wobble.. and alot of posts can up about the superdukes handling... I don't need crazy power.. but handling is a must if i hope to skin some yamaha r1's, BMW R'S and a fair amount of Ducatis!!

hey mrktm .... you havin a bad day or what ?????

Grendel is not hearing that Davy is a novice and thinks a SD alone will slap down other bikes. Grendel hears concerns about an unknown bike and wonders if they are endemic of the bike, or just his.

Grendel thinks that Davey picked up a used bike. Grendel's own steed is the same year and has none of the mentioned issues. Therefore Grendel thinks the original owner was a prat. didn't take care of it. Rusted fasteners are an indication of this type of neglect. There are some forum members who have had rusted fasteners due to their riding season or the storage they have, however they noticed it and fixed it.

Sounds like this bike finally has an owner that will take care of it. Davey - get through these niggles and it will treat you right in turn. Enjoy!

Thanks for all the interest guys... As i said KTM guy.. i'm not new to riding... have been riding 12 years and being doing track schools for 5 years and raced 1 season..... It seems you feel pretty obsessed by my riding ability, and as far as i remember there was not a minimum rider experience requirement in the ktm owners manual.... As for having a good machine... i don't believe in taking a knife to a gun fight..

If you theory holds true then why in World Superbikes have certain manufactures always done pretty well (Ducati / Honda) and others (kawasaki) not made the podium?? I will admit that possibly Rossi can win on any bike... But beside him and yourself ofcourse, the rest of us just have to cheat and try find the best bikes to compete on...

If you are finding your Superduke is a bit wobbly at speed I would suggest getting your manual out and checking all the suspension settings.
I bought my Superduke from new and found it was really nervous to thrash around bumpy lanes. As I'd had a break from riding I thought it was me but after a year I checked all the suspension settings and they were way out so I put them back to stock and it transformed ther bike!

Yip.. thought that might be the case... Unfortunately even set to stock feels pretty nervy..the smallest input.. even just changing gears can bring on a wobble.. Checked tyre pressure (2.4) , Checked Neck bolt.. loosened all front fork bolts and re-tightened.. If i shake the bars i can induce a head shake with no effort at all... As i'm writing this, it does seem suspension related.. maybe even wrong profile tyre.. better double check in the morning..

try adding a few clicks of rebound to the rear

Also are each fork tube set to the same level in the triples, spring pre load, same oil height and dampening settings? As this would make for a very unstable front end.

My 640 came with preload washers set at different levels from right to left in the forks and the triple clamp pinch bolts for the forks weren't torqued right. It was a right mess. After getting things straightened out it handled much better. I suspect that there's something wrong with your set-up.

My '08 was fairly slow turning until I set the proper sag. Now it handles great and only gets nervey when it's hovering the front wheel an inch or so above the ground on crap roads, which is almost all the time so invested in Scotts.

Checked everything except preload on front fork.. need to invest in size 24 wrench.... First did basic, but prefer slightly harder set up, so did sport setup?? Will check front preload tonight.. otherwise i have suspension guru who helps with me race bike.. maybe i should ask him to have a look..

According to manual it's a 24...

For track use push your forks down through the yolks so they are flush with the top yolk.

Yes, the opposite way to which all your mates are moving their forks.
This will increase the Trail, add a bit of stability and improve front feel - especially through very fast corners.

Also make sure you don't have a death grip on the bars, any input into them is amplified because they are so wide, a lot of head movement is transmitted into the bike from the riders.

I don't want to sound as though I'm teaching you to suck eggs but sometimes the obvious gets overlooked.

What did you race BTW? Which club?

I thought that made the bike turn faster, and de-creased stability?

No, I'm suggesting you push your forks down through the yolks, not the other way 'round.

HI Pete.. ok finally got a 24 wrench and set the fork preload to 6 turns out (std) seems to have improved the stability slightly ...think it was uneven..

ps. checked to see if i could pull the forks through a bit more but it's right up to the silver tops of the forks.

I have no doubt that it is also a matter of getting used to a more upright riding position.. As well as riding on the road again, as opposed to the track (More hazards around). Even getting used to being aware of whats behind you(never worry about that on the track..lol) ps. raced South African, Northern regionals..

Considering fitting a lsl drag bar, it will put more wieght on the front wheel which is a bit more comfortable to me.

Yip.. i agree... I have started to love the duke.. it's no good in traffic (Due to the throttel / on or off switch) .. but it's a awesome on a blaze up the road..... A few people have taked about the duke sous.. I thought it was rubbish... but i have to say.. it always makes me smile

Relax....................... keep it nailed and giggle

That is the key to owning a Super Duke, it makes me smile. I can ride it on the way home in the heat and in traffic, but when I pull up and open the garage door, I am smiling. The RC8R, gets close, but the little bastard Super Duke ALWAYS makes me giggle at some point when I am riding it. I am 230 pounds, I have short legs, so I tiptoe on the Super Duke, I set the sag, about 40 mm in front, about 35 mm in the rear and put on some Michelin Pilot Powers. The thing handles almost as well as my GSXR 750 did at the track. She is pretty quick steering and I ride with rearsets up and back from stock, forces me forward slightly. But overall, the Super Duke is fun at my 52 yr old pace at the track. The RC8R will be another level or so up, but the Super Duke is fun. I got to outbreak my buddy that was riding my old SM 610 in a slow corner, block pass him and power out. It was sweet with the rear stepping out as stuff. Super Duke is the business, keep tweaking her. Mine has the forks up about 4-5 mm in the triples. Fantastic toy.

I smell fish...... Michelin tyres

weigh under 80kgs to?