Is the Super Duke GT as fun as the R?

[gland]

As per title, does anyone have experience of both?

I borrowed a 2018 SDR for a long weekend. 500+ miles later and I was in love with the thing. Not quite as sharp a handler as my 765RS but everything else was better than the Street. Even felt slightly better protected from the wind from the chest down.

I want to try a GT but there isn't one available. It might be the more practical option but will it feel the same?

Will a GT be as fun?

[PIGINAWIG]

I’ve just completed 15,000 trouble free miles on my GT. I’ve had a load of sports bikes previously and the GT is a great bike and great all rounder. I’d say the handling is easily 95% as good as the R version. Power is down approx 10 bhp but I have a decat and Akra end can so mines probably similar on power but will be about 10-20 kilos heavier.

The 2019 has auto blipper on down shift and the new all singing all dancing dash.

Depends if you’re planning on touring. Where are you in the uk?

[Andybow]

As Piginawig has said, I don’t think you would find a lot of difference , the sdr and Gt are so similar to ride

[Andy XRV]

I also ride with someone who has the R and as said, there is hardly any difference. Because the GT has better wind protection for me it more than makes up for the very slight difference in power which I don't think I would notice anyway.

I've done a few tours on mine and I really can't see me changing bikes anytime soon.

[gland]

Thanks for all the advice. A lot of what I do might fit the definition of touring. A normal day for me on the bike is to leave the house and come back ten hours later! I've managed to run up 12k on my Street in eighteen months doing mainly that, a few track days and occasionally replacing the car.

If performance is almost identical I think I'd be happy on either. The option of proper manufacturer luggage appeals - both can have that. The change to fixed fairing might feel odd. The R looks great whereas the GT is, er, a bit marmite. Maybe better in the flesh?

I called our local dealer in Northern Ireland this afternoon and it turns out they have a GT to look at now. Happy days - I will get down asap. Will let you know what I think of it.

[GriffoDP]

This is a timely thread as I've found myself wondering the same thing.

I think I saw there are a few options on screens for the R which I suppose would move the air about a bit, but it does have less at the sides to deflect I guess. I need to find time to go and test both.

The R definitely looks more hilarious in autotrader photos!

[poo at Paul's]

They are very similar, there are slight varaitions on power delivery, but you cant really feel it on road, both are fking bonkers fast and grunty. Well overkill.

I think where the GT wins is in the all things to all men category. The R is bonkers and a proper hooligan bike, the GT is that, plus an accomplished tourer, with some trick suspenders, lots of gubbins like touring kit, heated seats, cruise etc as standard, and still utterly bonkers. it genuinely excels at everything. Yes, some sports bikes will be a bit quicker on track, but not many! Some tourers may do an extra 30 mins in the sadlle, but I genuinely see it as the best all round do anythign bike out there at the minute. Ugly as fking sin, mind, not even it's mother would love it. It's honestly the only thing I can criticise mine for, and for £11k brand new last year, it was a pisstake of a deal tbh! Are they worth £16k......well with GSs at 18k or so, I would say probably, they are that good.

[yellowstreak]

I love mine. Taking it on a track in Spain next month with some touring between days on the track. The only disadvantage I've found so far is that the Akra titanium headers made for the SDR don't fit the GT. Not that I feel it is lacking its just that I like go faster bits and they look fantastic.

[W12JFD]

I find my GT quite wallowy in corners even on the hardest suspension setting - I think the R has non active suspension which may be better.

I’ve also got a street triple and find it to be much more fun to chuck around than the KTM and not any slower on track. (When not crashing it}.

On the other hand the KTM is the best touring bike I’ve ever owned - although a 2k mile tour on the Triple was no problem with the comfort seat.

[W12JFD]

And you don’t need a blipper on the GT - gearbox is sublime, although I did have a rebuild after a failure at 29k miles. Oberon slave also transforms clutch action.

[slider2]

Agree with most of these comments. Apart from ugly as sin. Granted it’s not as pretty as the R but hey is anything with panniers really ‘pretty’? And having aerodynamic panniers is a very good thing.
I’ve had one of the first R’s and a 2016 and now 2017 GT. DO NOT buy a 2016!
The first batch had something truly wrong with the front (at least) suspension. Way too little rebound. Which is unadjustable and positively dangerous. Think bumps mid corner and it boinging up so quickly it pushes you off line big time. 2017 model has fixed this.
R model is a fab hooligan bike. Looks thé part and with a de at certainly sounds it too. You won’t be going to the Bol D’or and back in it though. At least not in the same comfort, 2 up with luggage, as on a GT. I live mine but you do get to silly speeds rather too easily.

[jdd]

To my eyes I think they look great and go great. Without the panniers not too much difference to the R. And a $600 investment worthwhile to buy a better looking / sounding / lighter can.

[PIGINAWIG]

JDD - nice bike. They’re waaaaaaaaay louder with a decat. Maybe too loud for neighbours etc...

More importantly, what’s going on with the chalk board in the back ground?! Are you involved with a cult?

[Krikkit]

I'm a KTM fan, so obviously I quite like their styling, but I think that looks great with the panniers off.

[jdd]

Ha, ignore that - some nonsense for a baby shower we hosted.