Back to the dealer to try out the KTM Superduke R. Sales man gave me the usual sales pitch about the all new for 2020 spec with over 90% of the old bike replaced but I wasn't really interested in all that, is it better is what interested me.
So the new 2020 KTM Superduke R is a bit more aggressive than last years model, the pegs are adjustable but start higher, the bars are adjustable but are lower and closer to the rider putting you into a very forward seating position, when I looked down I could see the front mudguard. The switch gear is all new this year with soft touch type switches, the trellis subframe has been dropped for a cast item. The TFT is bigger with a bright orange display and the headlight is even bigger which makes it quite ugly (I quite liked the look of the old series 2 bike), the new series 3 isn't a good looking bike. Out on the road the bike felt really good, it has plenty of grunt but again the quick shifter was bloody awful so was disabled (apparently they don't come into their own until there's at least 6-7k showing on the tacho). It still has menus of menus but has a two position toggle switch on the right side to select one of two pre-set settings for quick access to the menus you use the most. Out on the road the engine is better than the engine on the GT, more refined but still a little vibey, like the GT it did sound good on a stock can with a nice deep note. Once out of town the bike ran really well, the handling is exceptional, giving plenty of confidence in the turns, brakes were way better than the GT, both front and back and stopping was very easy.
The TFT displayed things very differently, giving only basic (speed, gear, revs, fuel gauge and time) information as standard but pressing a button on the new switchgear pulled up an ambient temperature gauge, water temp and trip metres, the speed read out was huge though with figures of about 1 1/2" in height with a ramp type tacho above, you will never miss what speed you are travelling at. The seat was quite firm and although high (by modern standards) is still a bit low for me, unfortunately raising the seat is not an option as the cables would not allow the bars to be raised so putting even more weight on my wrists. Unlike the GT the engine heat was much lower, even in traffic so was a much better option for in town riding. The bike was lovely to ride, sounded good and worked very, very well but its a little bit too small physically for me and it didn't take long for me to feel cramped and quite uncomfortable. The bars are too low and far back for me to get comfortable (they are adjustable but we're on there highest, furthest away position) and I was actually glad to get off it, I thought my Ducati was compact (but I can do 2 hours on that without too much problems), this is in another league (for me), a shorter rider wont have the same problem.
Back in the showroom the salesman understood what I was talking about and suggested one of their off road bikes by they all have fairings so that's out, then he suggested I try the Kawasaki H2, a supercharged 1000cc naked with 197bhp, so that's next week's dem sorted.
mjgt, looking fwd to next weeks review, Kawa. My mate, total Ducati nut, has owned lots. All the Monsters and now on 2nd Scrambler. Cafe Racer his choice now. He rode the Kawa supercharged, was impressed. A big thumbs up as hes not a jap bike person. Cant wait for your thoughts. I used to love doing the road test thing but now, most of shops have moved or closed. Was fun on Aprillias, BMW, MV, Guzzi etc. Never found one as good as 14 for my use. XJR was as close as it got.
Which H2?
There's the sportsbike one and the 'tourer' (slightly more upright streetfighter-esque) version - the latter is of more interest to me (not that i can afford one)
Forgot to add picture of the series 3 bike.
Quote from: VladTepes on Wednesday, 23 September 2020, 05:00 PM
Which H2?
There's the sportsbike one and the 'tourer' (slightly more upright streetfighter-esque) version - the latter is of more interest to me (not that i can afford one)
The naked one, or should that be the more naked one with no screen.
mjgt, older i know but have you tried Husquvarna Nuda. Totally uncomfortable, 100 bhp with 175kg. Sure can go , stop and handle. Wouldnt mind as a toy.
My mate is wheel size testing for KTM at the moment, he went through 6 sets of tyres yesterday.
Quote from: grog on Thursday, 24 September 2020, 07:12 PM
mjgt, older i know but have you tried Husquvarna Nuda. Totally uncomfortable, 100 bhp with 175kg. Sure can go , stop and handle. Wouldnt mind as a toy.
Tried one when they first came out, too small but it was fun.