KTM SuperDuke

[Droptarotter]

The local KTM dealer had a demo day today, so I rode a 1290 SuperDuke.

What a spectacular motor!! Maybe I'm getting old but the Duke sure felt a lot more comfy than the HP2 I rode there. I might have to have a serious look at the 1290 sometime.

I also wanted to try the RC8, but they have omitted that bike from the demo days, so I got to try a 690 Duke also. I was disappointed in that bike.

Saturday I'm going to try an R1200RS BMW.
Will keep you posted on that one.









Cheers

[BaldBeemer]

Did you try the 690 after you rode the Super Duke? Maybe that's could be part of your disappointment. I'm just saying that because I'm interested in that big single and want to try it, the 390 too. I actually like a lot of what KTM is doing, just different bikes all around. I like weird things apparently.

[Droptarotter]

I rode the 690 first. Initially I really liked it. The motor was better than what I have in my 640 Adventure, but the more I rode it, the less impressed I was.

At first I could not put a finger on why I was not so impressed. It wasn't until I rode the 1290 that I realized the usual KTM quality was just not in the 690.
When I tried the 690 Enduro earlier in the year, I was really impressed by that bike. If my 640 was not so new or I did not have a big enduro, I would have purchased the enduro 690.


I also liked the looks of the 390. Thought that would be the perfect bike to get in race trim if I was still road racing.

Definitely ride the smaller bikes first if doing test rides.
Let us know what you think when you get out on them.

Cheers

[bradzdotcom]

they are (somewhat quietly) pulling the RC8 back behind the curtain.
if you want one, and can find one...snag it.
great bike and soon to be a great investment.

[shreddr]

Originally Posted by bradzdotcom

they are (somewhat quietly) pulling the RC8 back behind the curtain.
if you want one, and can find one...snag it.
great bike and soon to be a great investment.

motorcycles are not investments, just saying

[signit98]

...unless you own the likes of an MV America, Laverda 750 SFC or a 750SS or 900SS from the first model years.

Amongst a select few others.

[Chris Canning]

[jccdkc]

Rode the superduke myself, and I couldn't agree more about the motor. No other word but awesome can truly describe it. The one I rode had the Akrapovic slipon and sounded most excellent. Overall though, I didn't like the seating position. Not a naked bike fan. I wish my dealer coud get a 1200RS. They keep saying at least June.

[Droptarotter]

Well today I rode an R1200RS.

I really liked the RS motor..........pulled about as good as my HP2 but that was all I liked.

Here are a few things I disliked;

The bars put my wrists at an odd angle, and no way to change that.
Found the dash very busy........too much info and hard to see the tach part of the dash.
Windshield was not powered, started the ride with it in the high position and lowered it due to turbulence at higher speeds.
With all the adjustments on the suspension, I could not get a setting I liked....was really happy to get back on my 12S with the Ohlins set up nicely.
Worst thing was the transmission.....reminded me of my 1982 R100 with how clunky it was. That could get better with more mileage??

I really wanted to ride the R9T, but that was booked, so I stopped in at the KTM dealer to see how much the 1290 was........guess I was teasing myself as I have not bought yet, but I sure can't get the way the 1290 went out of my head!

Cheers

[slowrider]

I really loved my 2009 KTM 690. I thought about getting a newer one but I really didn't like the look and finish of the updated version.

I did get a Superduke 1290 R though, and it is awesome. I'm still learning the bike and did a trackday with a lot of the safety features still on (sport mode), but they were never intrusive. I saw the traction control light flickering, but I could barely feel it, and the bike was probably pulling as hard as the traction allowed.

What's amazing about the engine is that for all the power it has, it is super easy to ride and super easy to access that power. The most flexible rev range I've ever ridden. So much power all across the rev range.

[RIQUE]

Originally Posted by Droptarotter

Well today I rode an R1200RS.

I really liked the RS motor..........pulled about as good as my HP2 but that was all I liked.

Here are a few things I disliked;

The bars put my wrists at an odd angle, and no way to change that.
Found the dash very busy........too much info and hard to see the tach part of the dash.
Windshield was not powered, started the ride with it in the high position and lowered it due to turbulence at higher speeds.
With all the adjustments on the suspension, I could not get a setting I liked....was really happy to get back on my 12S with the Ohlins set up nicely.
Worst thing was the transmission.....reminded me of my 1982 R100 with how clunky it was. That could get better with more mileage??

I really wanted to ride the R9T, but that was booked, so I stopped in at the KTM dealer to see how much the 1290 was........guess I was teasing myself as I have not bought yet, but I sure can't get the way the 1290 went out of my head!

Cheers

I´m quite surprised and disappointed at the new RS. Had you not owned a 12S I would have not taken you seriously. I guess I will check that model off my next bike list.

[Droptarotter]

Rique;
I still own my 12S.......I rode the 12S to the demo day, because I figured if any bike was going to replace the 12S it would be an RS.

I think the RS is still a good bike, but not good enough to make me get rid of the 12S for it.

Give the RS a try.....you might just have a completely different opinion than me??

I'm still thinking of the SuperDuke, can't get the way that one went out of my head!!

Cheers

[ckcarr]

They got one of those things for sale in Grand Junction. Quite the angular bike. Not sure I'd like it.

2015 KTM 1290 Super Duke R ABS Stock: k1553 | Grand Junction BMW & KTM

[Droptarotter]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

They got one of those things for sale in Grand Junction. Quite the angular bike. Not sure I'd like it.

2015 KTM 1290 Super Duke R ABS Stock: k1553 | Grand Junction BMW & KTM

I know what you mean about the styling, but almost all new bikes do not have the nice flowing lines of a 900SS Ducati.
Funny this is all that ugliness disappeared when the bike got moving and I twisted the throttle.

Ride it and let us know what you think.

Cheers

[Mitch1100]

Originally Posted by Droptarotter

Well today I rode an R1200RS.

I really liked the RS motor..........pulled about as good as my HP2 but that was all I liked.

Here are a few things I disliked;

The bars put my wrists at an odd angle, and no way to change that.
Found the dash very busy........too much info and hard to see the tach part of the dash.
Windshield was not powered, started the ride with it in the high position and lowered it due to turbulence at higher speeds.
With all the adjustments on the suspension, I could not get a setting I liked....was really happy to get back on my 12S with the Ohlins set up nicely.
Worst thing was the transmission.....reminded me of my 1982 R100 with how clunky it was. That could get better with more mileage??


Cheers

Did it have optional quick shift? I sat on /looked over a 1200RS yesterday..ride booked, was interested also in R1200R or Nine T sure now unfaired bike would be too uncomfortable.