I think I'm in love!? (SuperDuke 1290!?!)

[PeteN95]

Anybody else think this looks awesome?!? 1290cc RC8 motor in Super Duke chassis with single sided swingarm.



http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/663/14...uper-Duke.aspx

[danny4744]

[orangebear]

it looks like it will have a better riding postion and i hope better tank size

[Hank.SD]

Looks pretty cool, but something has to be done about that rear fender.

[D.T.]

I'll take one please.



EIMCA should have the full details on Tuesday. http://blog.ktm.com/

We will see how it compares the the Ape V4 T, my current favorite.

[Minimike]

Why do the even bother with the back seat? If they aren't going to design a realistic back seat, why not just put on a small cargo rack behind a solo seat?

[kraven]

That thing is badass like Daryl Dixon.

[PhilB]

The RC8 isn't 1290cc; it's 1190cc, to fit into the literbike racing limits. I'm sure this engine would be closely related to that, but is not the same exactly. A minor point, but true.

Originally Posted by Minimike

Why do the even bother with the back seat? If they aren't going to design a realistic back seat, why not just put on a small cargo rack behind a solo seat?

Like a lot of things (including that rear fender), it's government-mandated stupidity. Bikes with two seats have a lower import duty than single-seaters for some reason, so a lot of bikes that are functionally single-seaters get vestigial passenger perches to reduce the bill to the taxman.

PhilB

[PeteN95]

Originally Posted by PhilB

The RC8 isn't 1290cc; it's 1190cc, to fit into the literbike racing limits. I'm sure this engine would be closely related to that, but is not the same exactly. A minor point, but true.

I know what the displacement of an RC8 is, that is why I said a 1290cc RC8 motor, not just an RC8 motor. It is a big bored version, likely with milder cams, but more torque, a lot more.

[WVhillbilly]

Doubt you will ever see it in the US, not after KTM nearly had to give away the last of the 990 SD.

[withiam]

Originally Posted by WVhillbilly

Doubt you will ever see it in the US, not after KTM nearly had to give away the last of the 990 SD.

My thoughts exactly. KTM is still producing the SD in an R version for Europe and other parts of the world. They just don't sell it here because they know better.
Anyway, I think an 1190 version would be fun (especially in an SM-R) but the single sided swing arm looks a little bulky. Soon we'll know.

[Pork-Chop Express]

I'm desperately hoping they do bring them to the States. Part of the reason they had to give away the 2008 models is because the recession had just hit the US and demand for all big bikes and any other type discretionary income toys went away. Big naked bikes certainly aren't as popular in America as Europe but I think KTM will want to have some representation here with their flagship street bike. They'll probably only bring them over in small numbers though so I don't expect to see any deep discounts on price.

[kraven]

Originally Posted by WVhillbilly

Doubt you will ever see it in the US, not after KTM nearly had to give away the last of the 990 SD.

Bringing them over and giving them away is one of the only ways to build a brand like KTM in the US market.
If they brought these over and basically wholesaled them, it'd do a lot for the marque in terms of taking it from being a dirt bike brand, or an invisible brand for American buyers who only see 4 or 5 brands on the road, to having a serious place in the market.

The SD is a phenomenal bike. Nearly everyone I know who has ridden one or ridden beside one is unable to forget it. The trouble is there just aren't enough of these bikes in the North American market to spread the Austrian gospel.

[WVhillbilly]

I like it that way, kept the price down for me.

[bobw]

Sadly I bet It's a dead horse for import. The Big problem for KTM is much the same as aprilia, the US has such a poor dealer network and much of that is due the poor Importer to Dealer level development, quality/retention and sound business model/practices. KTM has no street model dealers near me where we previously had a couple very competent, involved, long time shops. They either told KTM to take their shit and leave or just kept the off road models. piaggio/aprilia has their own twists and turns, but basically same type of issues. These bikes are fantastic, but no or very limited dealership access doesn't provide for sales regardless the product and it cost way too much to certify a motorcycle with no expectation of return on that investment. I hope I'm proved wrong, but it is much the same as certain offerings from various OEMs in Canada that we don't see here and they are North America certified.