South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

hi all
just want to know if there reliable ect im thinking about getting 1 but dont want something that needs a service by the time i get it out of my shed, or break down 5mins up the road. i've looked all over the net but cant find a big pile.
thanks alot mark

Graham 22 on the forum has one ask him
Merv

Try http://www.ktmforum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=138 or http://www.superduke.net/forum/ for a sightly biased opinion. I've had a 990 SMT for nearly 18 months and covered about 15000 miles on it from new. Had problems with the regulator/rectifier but other than that its been very good. Superdukes need servicing every 4.5k miles alternating between a small and a bigger (valve check service ) at about £200 and £350 respectively (dealer prices)depending on where you take it. Can suffer from snatchy throttles if you're use to something softer and front brakes seizing. ( need cleaning and some copper grease to sort that out)Parts are reasonably priced and they stop go and handle pretty good aswell.(enough to embarass sportsbikes riders if you're brave enough.) You can get them over far enough to grind the engine casings if you're confident enough. Engines get better with mileage and there's quite a few around with 40/50 k on them. I found them too hard for my liking so plumped for the SMT. They need setting up (suspenders)to get the best out of them but most people who have them ,love them. Smilers (much) better half Ant has one (Had?)

As Merv's pointed out I have one.

Scorcher has covered most bases quite well. I've owned mine from new and had a rev-counter and clutch slave cylinder replaced under warranty - the later was a newer revised part. Other than that it's been OK, 2500 miles rear tyres/4000 front, Pirelli or Mich Pilot Sports/2CTs.

Services are not cheap at the main dealer but there's little alternative. Burn a little oil when new but not now (currently 15k miles).

Akra pipes, remap & correct throttle cable adjustment sorts out snatchiness.

Not sure what bike you're coming from but the power delivery is quite brutle compared to my previous GSXR1000 and even my Hayabusa. I rode mine back to back to a friend's TL1000 and that being a bonkers bike, it felt flat in comparisom! If you're coming from a SV650 or similar expect to be surprised.

Best to take one for a decent test ride as they are a bit marmite, JDs in Saltash normally have a demo. Also consider the SM950/990 or the SMT990 as they are both a little softer.

and to show your dad how it compares to a Buell:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqiCnJsCU0o

And if you do get one, be sure to invest in titanium toe sliders so your friends can giggle as they follow you round the bends , I think graham wore his out last time we came back from Plymouth bike night ..

not sounding as bad as i thought! about the same as the buell for service's ect.
coming from a gsxr 600 so its going to feel like riding a pit bull with adhd....... well i hope.
cheers for the replys this time in 2 months i should be on a big orange machine

Make sure you go for a decent test ride to make sure you're happy.

Coming from a previous generation smoothly carb'd 600 you, like many others, may not like the fuelling - I think this is were people are coming from saying it's snatchy, I personaly just think it's aggressive but alot of people don't like it.

And please stop comparing it to a Buell, the KTM has a motor who's roots come from the Dakar race, not American Chopper!!

I have one love it to pieces. I had a 07 r1 before which was pretty quick but wanted something a little differenet of which the duke is.
If you have enough funds go for 07 model onwards as they have a bigger tank better range plus a few other mods.R model has a few extra ponies but you give up the comfort. Been on a few track days with it and although it hasn't got straight line speed it holds its own in the twisties.

Drop a tooth on the front spocket set of dunlops and a set of akro's is a must. All you want to do is listen to the music that the pipes make ain't no better sound !!Other than that let it do its thing Never had any issues apart from a battery !

Servicing Ain't to bad but i take it to my local bike shop.If you get one believe me your always have a grin from ear to ear.

graham22 wrote:Make sure you go for a decent test ride to make sure you're happy.

Coming from a previous generation smoothly carb'd 600 you, like many others, may not like the fuelling - I think this is were people are coming from saying it's snatchy, I personaly just think it's aggressive but alot of people don't like it.

And please stop comparing it to a Buell, the KTM has a motor who's roots come from the Dakar race, not American Chopper!!

The engines are certainly leaps and bounds ahead of the Buell ( I had a xb9s) and servicing should be cheaper. Most stealers were quoting £700 for the 10k service on my Buell as the engine had to be dropped to change the plugs. I sold it before it got that far.

i dont think i'll beable to have a test ride, as there all miles away i'll just learn to love it i supose.
has any1 got 1 i can sit on? just to make sure i dont feel like a monster on it, im a lank with legs like 7foot long. dont fancy going 2-300 miles and realise im to big and feel a twat
cheers for all the replys.
mark

Where abouts are you?

Albion in Exeter should have something surely? Speak to Gary! We are prob too far for a sit on one (top of Somt!)

Yes my "much" (pah!!! Scorcher!!!!) better half has one, loves it, a right hooligan bike. Never had any issue with it either

Go have fun

Bridge have got one
Tango

EVILSON wrote:i dont think i'll beable to have a test ride, as there all miles away i'll just learn to love it i supose.
has any1 got 1 i can sit on? just to make sure i dont feel like a monster on it, im a lank with legs like 7foot long. dont fancy going 2-300 miles and realise im to big and feel a pregnant goldfish
cheers for all the replys.
mark

Seriously advise a test drive, worth going to Bridge in Exeter or JD Racing in Saltash.

You're welcome to try mine for size- I'm in Falmouth. They have quite a high seat anyway, compared to a SRAD you won't feel cramped.