KTM 990 Superduke?

[John Laverick]

I think I've pretty much settled on the idea of buying a KTM superduke. Although I struggling to bring myself to spend nearly £6k on a bike!

Any hint's or tips with these; what should I look out for? Any one got one? How reliable has it been?

[I'm after a post 2007 'face-lift' model due to the increased tank range mainly].

Something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

[Sossige]

I like that, like it a lot.

I remember reading a buying guide in an old issue of Ride that I was reading recently. I'll try and dig out the salient points for you.

S

[Ballon]

I've just bought the SMT, though it was a close call with the Superduke. The longer distance potential did it for me but there is not much in it. The chap at P & H in Crawley has toured all over France and Germany on his, Ventura luggage and a tank bag.

I had the Adventure before and wanted a more sports orientated bike without going down the sports bike route.

The KTM's the build quality is very good, imho. The engine is a belter and the brakes (SMT) are the best I have ever used.

I would go for it.

[gareth h]

John pop over to superduke.net you'll find loads of advice, a few KTMs have early teething problems but will have been sorted by the first owner and are then pretty reliable, the superduke is a bit mad! If you haven't ridden one I'd give it a try before buying, some people love them and some really struggle with them (mostly those who have been riding IL4s). The major thing to be aware of is the potential front brake issue, although not a problem if you don't ride in the salt or you pull the calipers off and clean them every now and again

[John Laverick]

Sossige said:

I like that, like it a lot.

I remember reading a buying guide in an old issue of Ride that I was reading recently. I'll try and dig out the salient points for you.

S

Yeah if you could do that it'd be appreciated.

[John Laverick]

Ballon said:

I've just bought the SMT, though it was a close call with the Superduke. The longer distance potential did it for me but there is not much in it. The chap at P & H in Crawley has toured all over France and Germany on his, Ventura luggage and a tank bag.

I had the Adventure before and wanted a more sports orientated bike without going down the sports bike route.

The KTM's the build quality is very good, imho. The engine is a belter and the brakes (SMT) are the best I have ever used.

I would go for it.

Hi Ballon,

Thanks for the info; I'm actually coming the other way. I've sold a Kwak ZX6 and a KTM 640 SM and I want to replace it with a naked 'does everything' bike. I test rode the KTM SMT at my local dealer and whilst felt it was a good bike it wasn't quite sporty enough for me. The brakes were awesome though

[andrew311]

Always loved these, was put off after a test ride by the low range and the fact the Triumph dealer where it was at advised they were a bit of an arse unless you lived near a dealer. Don't know how much truth there is in that though.

[John Laverick]

gareth h said:

John pop over to superduke.net you'll find loads of advice, a few KTMs have early teething problems but will have been sorted by the first owner and are then pretty reliable, the superduke is a bit mad! If you haven't ridden one I'd give it a try before buying, some people love them and some really struggle with them (mostly those who have been riding IL4s). The major thing to be aware of is the potential front brake issue, although not a problem if you don't ride in the salt or you pull the calipers off and clean them every now and again

Thanks I'll take a look.

I test rode a new Superduke R at my local dealer and it was a bit mental! I actually loved it but it was in no way suitable for any kind of long distance riding! I'm hoping the standard superduke will be a little more road friendly.

[ge0rge]

Had a sduke for 2 years, it was my first bike and was an 06 bike with akra cans, power commander and carbon bits. Beautiful bike, reliable(apart from bolts losening themselves - locktite sorts that). Effortlessly quick, leave it in 5/6th and twist - ride on a wave of torque. Looks cool, Sounds better. Dire on fuel - 35/40 mpg. Get a post 07 bike though as theyve got the larger fuel tank, diff dials etc. Oh and they like to get through rear rubber.
There are a couple of recalled parts on the earlier ones, ensure its had these done.

[John Laverick]

I'm deffo going for the later model as it's first trip will be touring around Spain and I don't think I could cope with a 60-80 miles range of the earlier bikes!

[Sossige]

John Laverick said:

Sossige said:

I like that, like it a lot.

I remember reading a buying guide in an old issue of Ride that I was reading recently. I'll try and dig out the salient points for you.

S

Yeah if you could do that it'd be appreciated.

No worries, found the magazine article. Do you have older issues of Ride? If you do, I'll just get it and find out which month/year it was, otherwise I'll summarise the important bits.

[humpbackmaniac]

I had one, bloody good machine, if you can get your head around spending that much money and not having a huge amount of metal. I know that seems strange but they are so slim/well designed that you can see daylight through every point and coming from an 08 Busa it just seemed very minimal. I think it all stems from KTM's dirt bike roots they know how to make a bike in a Bauhaus design, nothing there doesnt need to be.

As for riding it, I dont know your temprament, but I am a normal chap, good lady wife, live in a cottage in the country, company director etc and I went feckin everywhere on the back wheel. May just as well have taken the front one off and saved the weight it was only needed at traffic lights and for parking. Huge fun just dipping the clutch on every overtake and hoiking a second gear minger past every poor sod that dropped below my predetermined hooning speed.

Drank fuel, stalled often when in carparks at walking speed (mine was an earlier 56 plate) lovely attention to detail on all metal parts, clocks always annoyed me, yours will be the better later version but mine looked like they were Fisher Price best.
Never went wrong, and to save your time the battery is in the bellypan, took me a morning to find that out!

It is a bike that everyone should own at least once. IF you can tollerate the little Orange Devil on your shoulder!

[MarJay]

I test rode one a couple of years back... It was a mental bike, but I couldn't live with it day to day as the throttle was sooo sensitive. I'm not an inexperienced rider, but I found it hard to maintain a constant speed of 30mph. The punch from the engine was phenomenal though, and it did handle well, although the preload was set up too high for me.

[graham22]

I have an 06 model I've owned since new having previously owned GSXR1000, Fireblades etc.

The earlier ones are a little 'sharper', they softened the steering & motor a little on the 07 models but not enough to affect the character of the bike.

Early models had an issue with the torque limiter on the starter clutch, plus the clutch slave cylinder used to leak - these were sorted by the time the 07 model came out. The new clocks sometimes had issued with steaming up. Otherwise bikes are well made but as aid before, minimalistic - not just in terms of bodywork but in lightweight wires etc.

Akro pipes & a re-map help smooth out the sharp fuelling (and stalling).

Tank range isn't really an issue normally, did manage 125 miles on a tankful once which included 24 miles with the fuel light on - this was motorway use at 80ish. When hooning locally this can be 75 miles before the light.

Most people stop arount 100-120 miles anyway - Santanter to the Algarve last year on the Hayabusa we stopped every 120 instead of pushing to 160/175, only 1 more fuel stop & felt alot keener to get back on the bike each time (220 miles from Cornwall to Strencham services on a VFR800 prove I haven't got 200+ mile knee joints anymore!).

Riding position is great, seat can be firm but padded cycling shorts under leathers help.

I still love going out on mine and it gives a grin factor all of the time, have thought of replacing it but to be honest, nothing is tempting me to spend my money.

Also consider an SMT for touring, I had one as a loan bike and spent a morning on it, again this is softer than the SD but more suitable for distance.

Try and find a dealer with both in stock & ride back to back, they are quite different.

[bimsb6]

Not sure what the reserve is on the one linked to but the bin is very optimistic IMO that is a dealer price not a private sale price .

[anonymous-user]

Not much to add as the other replies pretty much cover what I'd say anyway. I've had my '05 standard bike for 3 years and it's been pretty much trouble free. Mine has a few mods such as Akra pipes, PC, lowered gearing, etc. and it is a brilliant bike for what I use it for. The handling is sports bike good, power delivery is immediate with get up and go exactly where I need it (3 to 7000 rpm), it is light, flickable and a blast to ride!

Good choice and I hope you manage to buy a good one soon!

[Sossige]

Things to look out for:

• Exhaust Y-pieces commonly corrode around the Y-piece, especially aftermarket ones.
• Check where the swingarm bolts to the frame - if the paint's marked there, then the engine has been removed at some point (not needed for routine maintenance).
• The 2007 model received significant updates, but some think the earlier bikes have faster steering.
• Watch out for ex-race bikes (particularly 05 and 06 bikes).
• The clutch slave cylinder can fail - look for leaks and make sure that the clutch doesn't drag when riding.
• Some owners swap the front sprocket for a replacement with one less tooth - gives better acceleration and smoother fuel delivery.
• The sprag clutch can be noisy, but shouldn't prevent the bike from starting. Some owners have had theirs replaced by KTM, even out of warranty.
• Faults with the instrument console are not unheard of - check all are 100%, especially the neutral light. Bikes from * 2007 are prone to water ingress in the console.
• 2006 model had revised suspension, relocated fuel sensor and anthracite colour scheme.
• Brakes are improved on the 2007 model, along with headlight mask, front mudguard, new speedo/tacho, black frame/wheels, fuel tank increased by 3.5 litres to 18.5, new mirrors, uprated suspension, revised mapping, revised steering head angle.

Servicing mustn't be ignored - first 600miles is a major, then alternates minor/major every 4500 miles. In 2009, budget £130-£250 for a minor and £250-£500 for a major.

[John Laverick]

Gents,

Thanks for all the fantastic info. I've already decided I want a post 2007 bike as I want the extra range the larger tank gives plus the bling radial calipers and improved clocks. I think I just need to wait for the right bike to come along [it must have Akra's as I wouldn't jusitfy the cost if I was buying them myself!!]

I was thinking about one of these this afternoon but the small tank range has put me off [75 miles to light and struggle to do 100]:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

[redtwin]

Have you sat on a Dorso yet?. I did and I doubt I would want to go much further than 50 miles before getting off it again.

I think the small tank range was an act of mercy from Aprilia.

[John Laverick]

redtwin said:

Have you sat on a Dorso yet?. I did and I doubt I would want to go much further than 50 miles before getting off it again.

I think the small tank range was an act of mercy from Aprilia.

I sat on one today in Leeds Colin Appleyards; I was hoping a gel seat would make a big difference