| Author | Message | ||
     Spike |
So my brother in law called me yesterday and asked if I wanted to go riding. I knew something was up since he took the tags off his 999 and went track-only a year or two ago. He's been hinting at getting another streetbike for the last week or two, but I hadn't thought much of it since he usually does that every few months. I ended up riding over to his house to see this parked out front:        I hadn't really paid attention to the launch of the new superduke, so I didn't even realize these were available in the US market yet. My brother in law started looking and it seemed that these were all pre-sold like the 1098, but he found a dealer locally that had one sitting on the floor. The impressive part is that he got the bike out the door for just a hair over MSRP. I took it for a short test ride, but new tires and a host of other excuses kept me from thrashing it, so I don't have much in the way of a review. Ergos are nice, the bike has a very narrow feel to it. The motor is great. It lacks the low end of an XB12, but it revs very quickly and really rips above 5-6k rpm. 1st gear and WOT results in a power wheelie every time. The stock pipes are stealthy quiet, but the intake noise is absolutely wonderful. On my short test ride I found myself blipping the throttle unnecessarily just to hear the motor. I'd love to get in some more seat time on the bike once it has a few more miles and the suspension has been dialed in (the rear felt really soft). | ||
| Terminator |
The Duke looks like its come to bully the Buell. Real Brawny!!! | ||
| Captnemo |
Talk about an "Urban Assault Vehicle" http://www.990superduke.com/fileadmin/990superduke /media/impressions/vid/vid_1.php?disclaimer=true I'm sporting a woodrow right now !! (Message edited by CaptNemo on March 25, 2007) | ||
| Rubberdown |
Looks like Fun! | ||
| Oldog |
I would be interested in his and your impressions as time goes on please, I looked at plunking down the 14 large on the beast and decided against it just now. In 2 years I hope to find a used one in reasonable condition or a new one at a better price. | ||
| Oldog |
The specs are quite impressive, 405Lbs dry weight 118 RWHP 6 speed gear box and a parts list to give you cause to grin from ear to ear. | ||
| M2nc |
The Super Dukes are here, great bike by all accounts. I hope this will get Buell on the stick about more HP. Maybe 2008. | ||
| Bo_sox |
That thing is BAD ASS !!! | ||
| Spike |
Here are his initial impressions (posted on another forum):
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| Oddsc |
That's the coolest thing to come out of Austria since Falco! | ||
| Court |
That's the SECOND BEST thing to come out of Austria. . . that is a hot looking bike. Somehow, for my personal taste, I preferred the less angular bodywork but the bike seems to be an awesome mix of everything . . . well done. Did you ride it? Austria is known for SUPERMODELS . . . I'd say the bike is right up there on the charts! | ||
| Spike |
Yes, but not long enough to get settled in and really enjoy it. My initial impressions match his. The tall and wide bars make it really easy to flick the bike around, but at the expense of front end feel. I'm used to the Firebolt's clip-ons, which have the opposite effect, so it was hard to just hop on the KTM and slam it on its side. I don't think I'd want clip-ons for the KTM, but it would be nice to lower the bars an inch or two to get less of a "sit up and beg" feel. The motor is really snappy. It doesn't chug off the bottom like an XB12, but it's still very torquey. The transmission makes a bit of a thrashing sound when you lug it, but clears up above 3k or so. The front brake is very strong, it requires much less effort at the lever than my XB with LRB pads. The componentry on the bike is very nice. Both the clutch and the brake master cylinders are Brembo radial. The calipers are also Brembo radial. The instruments are easy to read and the digital section displays quite a lot of stuff. They've done a better job hiding the water cooling hardware than Ducati has with the S4Rs. One thing that surprised me is that the engine is actually dry-sump. The black container hanging below the radiator is the oil tank. I'd be curious to hear those that think dry-sump is a disadvantage on a motorcycle explain what KTM was thinking. | ||
| Oldog |
I know that the gear box is lubricated by the engine oil too. there is a "jet" that sprays the tranny that may be the reason the tranny growls at low revs (less oil) the PC3 is not available yet, the europeans have a gizmo called tuneboy to re map the Kehin EFI the factory has a chip (think race kit) and exhaust kit, for that sled, there is a small international community like the badwebb growing around these bikes, I am curious about problems, service issues etc there is little data out whats there, makes me believe in some parts of the world the SD riders and the BUELL guys have a lot in common in terms of tastes and Dealer issues Another reason I am so interested in the sled, If I have to put up with no parts available localy why not get some thing that kicks ass right outa the box and skip the other hassles The LC8 has been around a while and is said to be sturdy, the issues center around the water pump, starter and clutch it seems. I'm doin' my home work. Right now the insurance is reasonable. My other thought is that this closley resembles what Buell Would build if the mother ship would help rather than interfeere, and that said it boggles the mind of all the good things that would come of that .. from the kennel (work) Oldog.. (Message edited by OlDog on March 26, 2007) | ||
| Vaneo1 |
Damn that red Buell looks nice!!  | ||
| Cityxslicker |
mmmm orange dirt fighter, looks like I might get some competition out on the bendy and dirty from that one | ||
| Terribletim |
+1 Vaneo1! That red bike is top notch! How beautiful! Seriously, the Duke is not my thing, a little too angular as Court put it, but it is kinda sinister looking. Nice bike, but make him ride in the back!  | ||
| Spike |
Since you guys like the red one:        | ||
| Terribletim |
Wow! Now that's a pretty bike, huh? Buells Rule! No doubt! | ||
| Firemanjim |
European guys have the Tuneboy--I beg to differ,that comes from a friend of mine in scenic Australia, Wayne MacDonald. Met him on-line through the Triumph/turbo boards and then ended up pitted next to him at Lake Gairdner last year. Wayne is truly amazing computer wiz. He has a range of these products and is working on a Buell set-up now. I use his Tuneboy on my Triumph and it is fantastic tuning aid. Going to use one of his boost refenced boxes on my racebike.Did not see KTM on his model list http://www.tuneboy.com.au/Products/Products_Models .html | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Finally saw and sat on the SuperDuke, I like it, but I am more inclined for the 950 SM, it is closer to what I am doing with my CityX. Throw some hand guards on it, and hit the bendy and dirty  the more the merrier. Nice ride. Competition only makes us stronger. | ||
| Captnemo |
Spike, You have to do something about those wheels. Trust me on this !! I guess no one liked the video ??? . | ||
| Spike |
What should I do about the wheels? | ||
| Captnemo |
I just 86'd my amber wheels, following Gentleman_Jon's lead. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/262040.html?1172964322 http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/265335.html?1174976041 | ||
| Spike |
Brother-in-law has decided to make room for a new track bike, so his '07 Superduke is now for sale: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/386209032.html |
