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...

[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

[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.

[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!

[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...

[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

[John Laverick]

Sossige said:

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.

Spot on ... just what I needed. Thanks!

[John Laverick]

old No 1 said:

Well I bought a 089 59 plate one for 6k in jan with 2900 on the clock and fitted with akros gel seat.

Initially didnt get on with it as the suspension had been set to sports and front sproket was 1 tooth less, went on a 1k hoon round Scotland in may and still was undecided as the fuel range was 110-120 at best and sometimes about 100 before a fill up

So I spent time stting the sag to my weight backed off the commpression rebound to (almost) road settings as per manual and went back to std gearing...different bike!!!
Did over 2k round spain and Portugal few weeks back and it was 37deg and never missed a beat did easy 125 to a tank (although had a 1098 in the group so stopped every 80ish miles) had knees pegs toes down and on the real twisty stuff it was the perfect bike out of multistrada,1098s,gxsr1000,new zx1000,k1300s and a fireblade

Luggage I would recommend is the Kriega us30 as it swings 180deg from the other us bags and has the new straps to fit to subframe

It killed the diablo 3 rears in max 2200m and double that for the front

Service cost me £150 from Thorne superbikes who stopped being a KTM dealer weeks after I bloody bought it but from KTM was £220

Got 6500miles on now and pilot road 3 an rear and Dunlop sport smart on the front ( needed tyres in portugal!) and TBH they are both spot on

Spot on. I'm touring Spain the first week in Sept, I've done it a couple of times before on sportsbikes and I just know the Duke would be far far more fun!

I've been into Thorne Superbikes a couple of times as my parents live just up the road; I wasn't impressed with them to be honest.

There is a KTM dealer in Dewsbury [Craigs KTM] if you need one.

[John Laverick]

Leadfoot said:

Here's mine: 08 SDR, Akras, G3 throttle cam, R&G tail tidy, Motobox airbox/secondary butterflies & SAS removed (haven't had this chance to ride it since fitting).

Should be +/- 130 bhp now.

The noise is epic.

The seat is murder on the motorway sat in the same position for any length of time.

You know you want one...............unless you want to tour on it!

I demo'd one a couple of weeks back. I LOVED the sound ... it sounded like I was riding a MotoGP bike! I couldn't live with that seat though!

[John Laverick]

mchoody said:

I've got a Superduke R for sale for only slightly more than your £6000 budget.



I must be the only person in the world that doesn't like them!

Yeah I've seen yours on ebay. Lovely looking bike but the Duke R that I rode had my arse aching within the hour so I don't think I'd cope with 3000 miles around Spain!

Looks like you may have a different seat on yours?

[John Laverick]

davethebunny said:

what's up with you lightweights

Ermmmm .... that's not an R?

[John Laverick]

Well I bought one:

[Apologies for the crap phone pictures]

[John Laverick]

hostyle said:

Even in crappy phone pics it looks good. Have fun with it!

I must admit it sounds bloody lovely with them in; I probably will try it without at some point but I don't like being too anti-social!