KTM Super Duke (2005-current)

I test rode one of these a short while back, what a fantastic bike. Ok, probably not the best touring bike, or the quickest sprots bike, but for just sheer riding fun it is superb. and when you open that throttle, oh boy.....

Had this a few months now...what a stunning bike, handles like it should not,great engine that loves to rev and sounds amazing with the carbon leo vinci exhausts that are on it, in the twisties even mega bikes wouls struggle to hold the same lines, brakes are superb even though standard fitment calipers are fitted, radial master cylinders make all the difference.... everyone should try one at least once, and in black its very stealth fighter esq. Strengths: Handling, brakes, motor, sound (with aftermarket cans on) smile thats bigger than your helmet can cope with. Weaknesses: Slight slow speed fuel stutter on part throttle, but can be mapped out and ridden around anyway.

Bought a new duke2 in march. Was so impressed, had to get the superduke. What a bike. Seriously, what a bike. A doddle to ride. I was cornering it harder and faster on day 1 quicker than the blade. This bike will out do any sports bike on the road easily. Talk about on rails. You feel at one with the bike after about an hour. Can go just as quick with the wife on the back. Very very smooth delivery of awsome power. Dont listen to the garbage of poor fuel tank. It does about 90 miles before light comes on giving you 30 miles spare. About the same as any other sports bike. After all, its not a tourer. Cant fault it at all. Strengths: Comfortability, handling, ride fast or slow. Easy peasy to ride, distinctive looks. Did I already mention the cornering.
Weaknesses: None at all. Cant fault it. Now thats rare for me.

My other bike is a ZX12-R, which I love, but it really does want to shred my licence, plus I live in B road paradise, which is where the SJ wants to be. I wanted a bike which was a lot of fun on the twisties, and felt like a real motorcycle (not cocooned from the elements). An early oil leak upset me, but that was quickly resolved (got loaned another bike while the work was done). I love the loud V-twin rasp, the quick quick steering and the way I no longer fit into a predefined category. I've got a gel seat, so no bottom probs! and despite tests I've read get 140-150 miles per tank, and that's not pootling about. LOADS OF FUN, best I've had, and I've had loads of bikes! Strengths: Flickability, noise and sheer biking fun. Weaknesses: Mine sprung an oil leak early on, suspension a little hard on standard settings - Get the KTM (WP) steering damper.

I was looking for something with the handling and performance of a sports bike, but which would make sense at speeds below 100mph, so the SuperDuke was the answer for me. After 1000 miles it has delivered in spades. Everything about the bike is light; physically it is easy to hustle around, the controls make my Mille feel agricultural and the engine spins up more like a four than a twin. The handling too is extremely nimble. Wide bars mean little input is required, and the poise and balance of the bike feels more like a trail bike: roll up to traffic lights, stop, whistle, look around a bit and then put your foot down! Normally I take a little while to gel with a bike, but on the big Duke I was knee-down before the first service. Downsides are the sharp low-down throttle response which necessitates fine throttle control and a nice relaxed grip on the bars around pot-holed city streets and the poor tank range. Test ride one, you wont regret it! Strengths: Handling, quality components, aggressive styling, the huge Grin Factor. Weaknesses: Sharp throttle response, poor tank range.