Does anyone have a new 990 SuperDuke? Cause I am hooked on them. How does it run? I want a torquey bike, not interested in top speed. I want a bike I can toss around like my 625 SMC in traffic but have more beans then the single but not lose that light fun, do anything feel to it. I have sat on one at the dealer and it fits me perfectly, although I wish the bars were a little taller. Pics and your feedback would be appreciated.
A couple folks here have filed reports on the new SD - search should bring them up. For the most part, they seem to like them a great deal, although a few have complained of snatchy FI and there has been at least one clutch failure which I believe is the subject of a recall. I test rode one and thought it was a barrel of monkeys, but also thought it was a very one-dimensional motorcycle that was lacking in versatility. Other than a small tank bag and a back pack, I didn't see any way to carry anything on the bike, so it would be a tough bike to take a trip on. And I didn't like the way the bike was carrying its electrics in the tacked-on chin fairing. But if you just wanted a bike to roost around on, it looks like the one to have. - Mark
Had one, sold it. You have to ride the bike balls out or it isn't happy - below 55 and its a drag. Wonderful bike for a thrash tho.
Sounds like you should look at the 950SM. Coming from a 625SMC you should feel right at home on that bike. I test rode the duke and concluded that it'll get you in trouble real fast with all its power and the snatchy FI. The 950SM was more comfy, has tons of torque down low and is a hoot to ride-also alot more forgiving than the SD.
I agree...the FI in the SD I test rode was snatchy. I don't remember the carb'd 950 engine being that sensitive to throttle inputs and it was disconcerting for me to ride it (the SD) in stop/go traffic surrounded by impatient cages...but once out in the open it was better. For a strictly street rider like me, I found the acceleration from the bottom towards the top surprising for a v-twin, but I had just come off of my ZX-12 for the 45-minute test ride. I think that if/when KTM cleans up the FI's niggles, it'd be an awesome engine in the SD or perhaps a future model that could be called the 990SMR Also, if you like th ergos of your 625SMC, you'll probably like the erogs of the 950SM better than the 990SD. Good luck!
I have a SD and love it. No problems whatsoever with fuel injection in fact it's the best I have ever ridden. I think some people mistake the fact that this big twin spins very little mass and revs up so quickly thus extreme responsiveness for a problem with the FI. Or maybe some of the bikes have something funny going on that mine does not. Last Sunday I rode 560 miles with relative comfort. It is a mad man in the curves to the point that a skilled rider can hang with if not walk away from almost anything. I would think it would go about 145 mph or so but have not tried it. The bike does like to be ridden hard and the faster you go the better everything works.
I have one and love it. Lots of beans. Very torquey engine. Engine runs perfectly. Ultra responsive handling. A hard bike to be a "good boy" on. Accelerates like a bat out of hell. Stops on a dime. Turns in the blink of an eye. Very comfy. A very fun bike to ride. It isn't "relaxed" in the sense that you can easily just putter around on it. It definitely likes to be pushed and it feels a little bit like a thouroghbred horse in that respect. Ride it hard and/or aggressively and it is very happy. Piddle around on it and it and it isn't the most relaxing ride on the planet. The throttle response straight off the showroom floor is a bit twitchy and needs to be tamed a bit with a new fuel map or a Power Commander, but this isn't a big deal. The suspension feels stiff out of the box, but loosens up considerably over the first 500 miles or so and is really excelent once broken in. The seat is easy to sit on for extended periods. The SM has similar performance but differs in the following ways: the seating is more upright, which can be more comfy for slow riding around town but which can be less optimal when going faster the seat is much narrower and softer and IMHO much less comfortable the engine is carbed and throttle response is less snatchy and a bit easier to live with, but the engine isn't quite as powerful the wheelbase is longer and the head angle is a bit more relaxed, so the handling, while very crisp, isn't quite as crisp as on the SD ths suspension travel is halfway between a supermoto bike and a street bike, which makes it better at sucking up bumpy pavement but which also slightly compromises it when the pavement is smooth and the turns are flowing. YMMV. Suspension setup makes a big difference. So does riding style and personal preference. If you can, try one out and see if you like it. You will know very quickly.
I agree entirely with what Kirk said although I am still fairly new to mine. The only issues, if you can call them that, are the snatchy feeling down low. The bike feels a bit stifled around town. Im hoping that with the 600 mile service and Akras/mapping things will be less tight. In saying that I think that the throttle response is indicative of the bike. One just needs to adjust riding style a bit. about three hundred of my miles where done in a single ride which had heavy traffic, a bit of four lane, big sweepers, and tight mountain twisties. The bike made me seem a much better rider than i am despite some twitchiness in the front end when slinging out of an apex (I suspect high pressure tyres and stiff front). The seat is remarkably comfortable and the ergos suit me fine (im 6'1"). With two young kids my rides have become more and more condensed so the SD fits me fine. You can have an incredible amount of fun in 1-2 hr pulses rather than 2+ days on a grand tour. In closing, I dont think that the 2007 model is as tightly focused as the previous one written up in the European press. Obviously the newer tank range helps tremendously. Not quite an all rounder but fine for an all day jaunt. As you can tell I'm still pretty enamored with it although the newness hasnt worn off yet. Parts situation isnt the greatest but is apparently getting better. It has become a cliche but for some reason when you get on the damn thing you cant help but ride like a squid. Im a pretty slow, cautious rider around town but this thing has you looking for openings in traffic wherever possible and turns traffic into a big game. Its a bit too easy to get into trouble. Anyway, it puts a huge grin on my face within minutes of putting it in gear. My wife hates it.
I have an 07 SDuke. I do not ride it much in the city but enjoy it best at track days and on my favorite twisty roads. I am 5,7" and it is slightly tall (even taller than my 12gs) but being a lighter machine makes it manageable at stops, the seat is also surprisingly comfortable. In general I could ride at 60mph or 100mph with no drama what so ever, the SD stay planted on the highway. Power wise I don't think i need any more than stock (talk to me in a years time, i may have changed my mind) The linear power a/w the torque down low is why this V twin motor works for me. I could easily see myself doing a long weekend trip with this unit, maybe longer, time will tell. The engine sound great with the stock exhaust. I can totally relate to others who say they can't ride this bike slow, cause you can't!! The SD is going to stay in my garage for many years to come. Why-fast enuf-handles great- suspension works for me-reasonably comfortable-good mix with my other bikes-I like the looks (especially black). Only things to fix would be the low speed FI issue (not that big an issue, cause I rarely go slow)
Guys thanks for the replys. Interesting perspectives all. I have to say I think the bike is beautiful. Its an interesting concept as brought up by fixinbones regarding the 950 SM. It definitely wouldnt be as competent on the street however it adds back some more fun factor if you want to play havoc jumping curbs (oh, like my current ride!) but its heavier and has less horsepower. It may however sit better and be better able to putt around. I guess the real question becomes what I would be looking for as right now I want to keep the 625. I have it set up for both street/dirt with a 19" front wheel and TKCs on it and switch between the 9 and 18L tank/seat combos depending on how much road vs dirt. I dont think I really want a 950 for offroad as picking up the 625 is enough and it has plenty of power. That would mean we are talking strictly street duty. Which would you choose and why? 950SMR 421lbs 98HP approx 7 in wheel travel, 990 406lbs 120HP 5in wheel travel.
They are both pure street bikes. The SM is not really intended for any off road duty. Which is best for you really boils down to personal preference. The SM is a bit less aggressive in performance and handling but still exceptionally good at both. It has a more comfortable seating position, but a less comfortable seat. It is a bit taller. The fueling is smoother and easier to live with. The suspension sucks up bumps better than the SD, but it still has a taut suspension and doesn't wallow terribly under hard braking or acceleration. It is probably easier to live with on a daily basis. The SD is more agressive and harder edged. It is a better track bike and is a more high performance ride. It likes smooth pavement. Give it the right enviornment and it is hard to imagine that a bike could be any more fun. It encourages naughty behavior. On cross town rides home in traffic, you will go for holes in traffic that you would never think of on another bike...not because you need to, but because you want to. But in less than ideal conditions, it can be a bit annoying. Bumpy pavement, stop and go traffic and the like are not where it wants to be. One other thing to factor in: the price. The SM has been out for a while and I believe that the sales on them is quite soft. Prices for the standard model are around $12K in my area. The SD is still a hot item and is selling pretty much for MSRP, which is around $14K. A few dealerships seem to be willing to sell for around $13K, but they are few and far between. The SMR is in a tough spot in the market. There are relatively few of them out there, and they are listed for $14K. Since the SMR is little more than the SM with a different color scheme and a slightly smaller gas tank, it is pretty hard to justify the $2K price differential between the two SM models. Unless you just love the way it looks (and I do.) The only way you will be able to choose between these bikes is to ride them and decide which appeals to you the most. If you happen to be in SF, Scuderia West has demos of both the SM and the SD. There may be a dealership near to you that does too. Good luck.
Sat on both today, Yes I like the SM quite a bit, better upright seating position. The also had a superenduro and a 990 adventure. Adventure is too much fairing, etc for me. The superenduro is probably the biggest dirt bike I have ever sat on. 33" inseam and I was on the toes. I would be afraid to ride it off road, especially to have to pick it up :eek1 cant find a place that does test rides though and that would be the final deciding factor.
Willis, too funny. So hows the comparison? Why do you have those two? My 625 is now a dual sport. I switch back and forth between 18L tank and 9L depending on what kind of riding I am going to do. The one thing I have come to love and dont want to lose on any other bike is that agile, cut through traffic like a knife through butter feel of my 625. It gives me a confident feel that I have an edge with the superior agility as compared to most other mounts to avoid the cages but maybe part of this is the light weight?
I've spent a bit of time on the 07 model and it's an awesome ride. Loads of fun and I find it so much more comfortable to spend time on than a sports bike (of course) I am a dirt bike rider at heart so sitting on the 990 is very familiar... Great engine and looooong legs and great brakes. I don't have anything bad to say about it..