KTM Super Duke tested

KTM’s Super Duke goes straight to the top of the ‘super nakeds’ tree. That’s our verdict after the world first test ride on the first 100% road-focused bike from the Austrian firm.

Our full report, in the MCN issue which came out on Wednesday, November 17 answers 11 critical questions but leaves one remaining – why can’t all bikes be this good?

We love the funky styling, the 999cc motor and the 22bhp more it makes compared to the KTM950 Adventure. We’re stunned by its light weight (179kg dry) and reckon it has got what it takes to stick like glue to the hardest ridden race reps on twisting roads.

The fuel injection is smooth, the suspension has a quality feel and it’ll show nearly 140mph on the clock. We like!

See below to watch a video of it in action (not ridden by MCN!)

We say it’s better than Aprilia’s Tuono, MV Agusta’s Brutale S, Ducati’s Monster S4R, Triumph Speed Triple, Benelli’s TNT, Kawasaki’s Z1000 and pretty much anything else out there in its class.

Price will put a few off. It’s available from February 2005 at around £8345.