Was at my local bike emporium collecting some spares for my Suzuki GSX1400 (although I actually bought Kawasaki items as they were the same thing for half the price) and ended up on the KTM stand looking at what was on offer. Sales man asked if I'd ever ridden a Superduke GT, no I said, do you want to he said (stupid question) yes I said.
So the 2020 KTM Superduke GT is their sport touring bike but has no fairing as such just a big (wide) 23 litre tank and a small screen. Out on the road the bike felt fine with plenty of grunt but the quick shifter was bloody awful so I stopped and disabled it. While looking through the menus to disable the quick shifter I noticed there are menus of menus, dealing with every setting, even heated grips and seat are controlled through the menu system. Back on the road the engine is a real peach but is quite vibey, my Ducati is ultra-smooth by comparison but it did sound good, even on a stock can. Once out of town it pulled really well and the handling is superb, I felt the front brake was a bit soft though, it pulled up well enough but just seemed a bit soft on initial bite. As is normal for me I found the screen was awful, low position was better than high but the noise and buffeting were awful. I was able to get onto an open clear road and by fuck does it go, like greased weasel shit.
The TFT was huge with loads of information displayed and more when scrolling through some of the settings, I found the bars were a bit too low for me (but I think I could have rotated them up a bit) and the wide tank did cause me some problems with comfort. The tank has large cut outs sculpted into the sides which your legs fit into but mine didn't, catching on it every time I used the brake or gear lever, it would have been worse if I had full leathers on. The seat was quite firm and was the optional high, heated seat which probably added to the problem with the tank but a lower one would not be an option for me. The biggest downside with the bike was the heat, wow it's a hot bike to ride, fine out of town on the open road but once in traffic my legs were getting bloody hot, the Ducati gets warm but this was hot.
Back in the showroom the salesman asked how I got on and I told him of all eth downsides and he said sounds like you would like the Superduke R better. It's just the same bike without the screen isn't it, I said. No it's a completely new bike for this year, different engine, chassis, brakes and electronics, it runs cooler and does not have such a big tank and has no screen, do you want to try it? (another stupid question), so watch this space as I will take it out next week.
Also very ugly, terrible looking bike.
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Quote from: grog on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 08:47 PM
Also very ugly, terrible looking bike.
What he said, not a fan, sorry
Mate of mine has a 10 ish year old 990 Superduke that I have worked on a little, oil change, brake pads, throttle ramp change and Akra exhaust, oh and changing the stupid plastic oil sight tube that cracked and pissed oil everywhere and I can't make up my mind whether I like or dislike it, poke your eyes out ugly, but surprisingly good to ride and I actually fit on it
Quote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 09:33 PM
(//)Quote from: grog on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 08:47 PM
Also very ugly, terrible looking bike.
What he said, not a fan, sorry
+1 If they sorted that baboon's rrrs of a headlight I might take a look
The original SuperDuke 1290 was an absolute weapon. It was stupid when stupid bar was higher.
As an only bike? No. As part of a collection? Yep !
Quote from: steve porter on Thursday, 17 September 2020, 12:00 AM
Mate of mine has a 10 ish year old 990 Superduke that I have worked on a little, oil change, brake pads, throttle ramp change and Akra exhaust, oh and changing the stupid plastic oil sight tube that cracked and pissed oil everywhere and I can't make up my mind whether I like or dislike it, poke your eyes out ugly, but surprisingly good to ride and I actually fit on it
Here it is, a face only a mother could love
(https://i.imgur.com/PVaLcEI.jpg)
I have to agree they're styling at KTM is an acquired taste, however the bikes do handle really well just for short rides only :hat: :hat:
My mate has a 790 Duke I find it great for our country roads.
Out on a ride today with Baby Duke.
I love bikes to look awesome, to look beautifully designed, and to have a decent pillion perch.
The KTM (in common with many `newer` bikes) is none of the above, and a whole lot worse than some :stir:.
The only `real` bike in the photo is the Bandit `12. Shame its the faired `S` example, but for my money, it takes some beating on `real world` roads :onya:
Put simply, for me the KTM is awful. I guess i`m getting old...... :whistling:
Put simply, for me the KTM is awful. I guess i`m getting old...... :whistling:
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But at least your eyesight is ok
Guess which bike is mine but it's not going to beat that little Duke on the twisties.
My mate got back to me about the year of his Superduke, its a 2005, so older than I thought, he asked what the question was about so I told him I had submitted it in the worlds ugliest bike competition, then he reminded me that I do in fact like riding it and that I said that my Ducati looks good in it`s mirrors.