Super Duke R 1290

[digitalSniperX1]

Originally Posted By: john_pifer
Originally Posted By: digitalSniperX1
I want one! A poor man's Diavel I hope.


Get it on a crooked road and it'll embarrass a Diavel.


With 180hp, in the straights too. Just hoping it's affordable.

 

[Mik]

The pic in the first post was of the SMT, here is the 1290R (in case you didn't use the link):

 

[Cujet]

I love all motorcycles, all brands, all types. They are all fun, and to me they represent freedom.

With that in mind, I am partial to high performance V-Twins. I loved the Buells and especially love Ducati and KTM V-Twins.

I had really hoped Buell would bring the super high performance, short stroke, 2 valve, high RPM XBRR race engine to the street line of bikes. 150HP, light weight and simple.

 

[Mik]

The XBRR would have been neat (and unique). It`s a shame Harley pulled the plug on Buell as he finally had an engine (the Rotax 1125) he could take into battle. He may get the last laugh, however, as he has found a partner with an Indian company and may yet get to buld the bikes he has always wanted, and in a volume he dreamed of. Will be interesting to watch.

Moto Morini, in its most recent incarnation, also offered some pretty sexy twins, though I think the company has gone under (again).

I still say I hope KTM offers this mill in an SMT variant.... would be a fun and practical bike.....

 

[DuckRyder]

It is a neat looking bike, the whole "streetfighter" kind of trend the one thing that never seems to look quite right is the headlight.

Seems that the streetfighter trend is going away at least to an extent, I notice the only Ducati streetfighter left is the smaller one, BMW killed the naked Kbike...., seems the Super Motards and Muscle Cruisers are taking over the segment...

Wonder if this motor will make it into the Adventure...

Alas, my lower back has ended my sport bike and cafe racer days... Thinking about a Monster or (Gasp) Wide Glide...

 

[Reg# 43897]

Would have preferred a nice, round headlight pod, but that's me... VERY interesting motorcycle. After my old SRX I keep on hankering after sporty singles, though. I'm weird. I know it. I like odd-numbered cylinder counts in my toys. The FJR being the exception to the 'rule' I guess!

As regards the HA's... I've made one cry & another one stink his shorts. They put on quite the show in a crowd; they're like every other low life when in an interrogation room. Still waiting for their self-appointed apologist. Might be waiting a long time Mik. Hah!

Off Topic. You have been warned!

A goon who chooses to ride a motorcycle, irrespective of what sort, is still just a goon. As I approach him from the other direction, I still wave as I have no clue as to who or what he is. It's after I've gone past & have noticed that he didn't wave back with all of his fingers that I confirm it. As I sit here thinking about it, since I started riding back in 1986, the oonly people to ignore my friendly greetings have been 'lifestyle' types. True story. Make of that what you will...

John.

 

[Mik]

Originally Posted By: Reg# 43897
Would have preferred a nice, round headlight pod, but that's me... VERY interesting motorcycle. After my old SRX I keep on hankering after sporty singles, though. I'm weird. I know it. I like odd-numbered cylinder counts in my toys.


a road-going version of the famous Ducati Supermono would have been the ultimate sporty Single, but alas, it never made it into full production (likely too expensive to produce).

as for odd numbered cylinders, check out the dyno sheet from the new FZ-09 (courtesy of Cycle World)... pretty nice stuff.... I am looking to taking one for a test ride.... a nice bike and for the price, can't be beat.....

 

[Reg# 43897]

Now that's interesting. I'm a tuning fork fan from waaayyyy back. Have a Yammie triple right now but it sparks each time around...! (two-stroke sled in case I'm being too obtuse) That would be a good bike, methinks. One of these days when I grow up ('if', I s'pose) & buy a 2nd bike, I can one of those under me. I guess that they will be a Spring release?

John.

 

[Mik]

I was told by a Yamaha rep that they will be coming into dealerships in the coming weeks (may already be in in some dealerships). I am going to try to arrange a ride next spring (with DM, as opposed to doing so at a dealer ride).

as for the sled, won't be too much longer before we can start to enjoy winter motorized sports

Toys for all seasons I say!

 

[rraiderr]

Looks promising.

 

[Mik]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ktm/2014-ktm-super-duke-r-review-first-ride.html

 

[Indydriver]

This is the most exciting street bike introduction from any manufacturer in YEARS. I hear KTM will enforce a strict MSRP of $16,999 in which case, I will put down a deposit sight unseen.

The initial press reports are very positive, especially for those of us who are large of frame.

 

[Cujet]

Originally Posted By: Mik
Originally Posted By: Reg# 43897
Would have preferred a nice, round headlight pod, but that's me... VERY interesting motorcycle. After my old SRX I keep on hankering after sporty singles, though. I'm weird. I know it. I like odd-numbered cylinder counts in my toys.


a road-going version of the famous Ducati Supermono would have been the ultimate sporty Single, but alas, it never made it into full production (likely too expensive to produce).

as for odd numbered cylinders, check out the dyno sheet from the new FZ-09 (courtesy of Cycle World)... pretty nice stuff.... I am looking to taking one for a test ride.... a nice bike and for the price, can't be beat.....

I "like" the idea of the FZ09, and the "idea" of my Suzuki SV-1000s V-Twin (both make exactly the same HP)

But, it seems to me that the European V-Twins are seriously trumping the Japanese in the HP department. Rumor has it that many of these Euro V-Twins can easily perform 4th gear power wheelies! Whereas, my SV cannot do a power wheelie at all, unless it's cold out and the stars are aligned just right and the exact RPM is picked carefully.

I'm a HP junkie and I really do enjoy a bike that does what you ask of it! I really have to wonder why many of the Japanese bikes have fallen so far behind...

 

[Mik]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
Originally Posted By: Mik
Originally Posted By: Reg# 43897
Would have preferred a nice, round headlight pod, but that's me... VERY interesting motorcycle. After my old SRX I keep on hankering after sporty singles, though. I'm weird. I know it. I like odd-numbered cylinder counts in my toys.


a road-going version of the famous Ducati Supermono would have been the ultimate sporty Single, but alas, it never made it into full production (likely too expensive to produce).

as for odd numbered cylinders, check out the dyno sheet from the new FZ-09 (courtesy of Cycle World)... pretty nice stuff.... I am looking to taking one for a test ride.... a nice bike and for the price, can't be beat.....

I "like" the idea of the FZ09, and the "idea" of my Suzuki SV-1000s V-Twin (both make exactly the same HP)

But, it seems to me that the European V-Twins are seriously trumping the Japanese in the HP department. Rumor has it that many of these Euro V-Twins can easily perform 4th gear power wheelies! Whereas, my SV cannot do a power wheelie at all, unless it's cold out and the stars are aligned just right and the exact RPM is picked carefully.

I'm a HP junkie and I really do enjoy a bike that does what you ask of it! I really have to wonder why many of the Japanese bikes have fallen so far behind...


I think you can point to the relative collapse of motorcycle sales both in the US and Europe for that. I have read that Europe, long time mainstay of the sportbike market, has ground to a halt. You are seeing some movement in the adventure bike market, however, though hp numbers are not all that important in this market. I also enjoy the sensation that comes from riding agile, potent bikes, but with real-world ergonomics. For this reason, I think that bikes such as the Multistrada 1200, new Monster 1200, new BMW S1000R, new Ninja 1000, FZ-09 and said Super Duke 1290 are fantastic choices. High-powered sportbikes, like the S1000RR, Panigale 1199 and the like are great on the track but offer little in the way of real-world practicality....

 

[Cujet]

Originally Posted By: Mik

I think you can point to the relative collapse of motorcycle sales both in the US and Europe for that. I have read that Europe, long time mainstay of the sportbike market, has ground to a halt. You are seeing some movement in the adventure bike market, however, though hp numbers are not all that important in this market. I also enjoy the sensation that comes from riding agile, potent bikes, but with real-world ergonomics. For this reason, I think that bikes such as the Multistrada 1200, new Monster 1200, new BMW S1000R, new Ninja 1000, FZ-09 and said Super Duke 1290 are fantastic choices. High-powered sportbikes, like the S1000RR, Panigale 1199 and the like are great on the track but offer little in the way of real-world practicality....


Poor sales may be part of the problem. However, the Japanese KNOW how to make HP, and yet, don't. There is no secret to tuning an engine to perform properly. They do it on many bikes. But the pedestrian offerings are still "down on power" . FZ09, Ninja 1000 and so on. In fact, the Ninja 1000 was compared to the original Ninja 900 from 30 years ago in the latest Cycle World mag. Guess what? Adjusted for displacement, performance has NOT significantly improved. That's pathetic in my opinion. "Great choice" or not, I don't find last years Ninja 1000 satisfying at all. And neither did my neighbor who sold his nearly right away after purchase. The promise of performance in a comfortable package was there. But, in reality, it was neither comfortable, nor did it perform all that well.

As I mentioned, I ride a lightly modified SV1000s. It's a joke compared to the Multistrada I rode at bike week.

 

[Mik]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
Originally Posted By: Mik

I think you can point to the relative collapse of motorcycle sales both in the US and Europe for that. I have read that Europe, long time mainstay of the sportbike market, has ground to a halt. You are seeing some movement in the adventure bike market, however, though hp numbers are not all that important in this market. I also enjoy the sensation that comes from riding agile, potent bikes, but with real-world ergonomics. For this reason, I think that bikes such as the Multistrada 1200, new Monster 1200, new BMW S1000R, new Ninja 1000, FZ-09 and said Super Duke 1290 are fantastic choices. High-powered sportbikes, like the S1000RR, Panigale 1199 and the like are great on the track but offer little in the way of real-world practicality....


Poor sales may be part of the problem. However, the Japanese KNOW how to make HP, and yet, don't. There is no secret to tuning an engine to perform properly. They do it on many bikes. But the pedestrian offerings are still "down on power" . FZ09, Ninja 1000 and so on. In fact, the Ninja 1000 was compared to the original Ninja 900 from 30 years ago in the latest Cycle World mag. Guess what? Adjusted for displacement, performance has NOT significantly improved. That's pathetic in my opinion. "Great choice" or not, I don't find last years Ninja 1000 satisfying at all. And neither did my neighbor who sold his nearly right away after purchase. The promise of performance in a comfortable package was there. But, in reality, it was neither comfortable, nor did it perform all that well.

As I mentioned, I ride a lightly modified SV1000s. It's a joke compared to the Multistrada I rode at bike week.


You are correct, the Japanese know how to build power, so why aren't they doing it? Similarly, why have replacement cycles gottten much longer (used to be the next gen would come out in 2-3 years, no longer the case now). They are businesses, their sole purpose it make money, so if they are NOT building ever increasing power, it's because there is no real economic sense in doing so (ie. will not drive up sales).

The Ninja 1000 was never meant to be a hp leader, whereas the 1984 Ninja 900 was. The new ZX-10R (especially the Euro version which is not strangled to meet EPA regs) is indicative of what Kawaskai can accomplish, and has proven to be right up there with the S1000RR at well over 170 rear-wheel hp.

The hp race was driven solely by the need to create a sales advantage, and with that incentive largely gone, it's hardly a surprise that the hp numbers have cesed to climb. Also, given the state of tune and tech involved in modern sportbikes, extracting further hp (while meeting ever-more stringent emissions and noise regulations) is not simply a matter of recalibration. New designs have to be developed, and it simply no longer makes economic sense to do so..... If it did, profit-driven companies would be doing it.......

Finally, one has to put the hp race into perspective. The S1000RR makes very impressive peak numbers. However, in developing the S1000R, BMW cut top-end numbers by 35hp, opting to boost power below 9500 rpm, the end result being a claimed average 7 lb-ft advantage at speeds below 9.5K. While the RR would certainly be faster on a track (where it couild stretch its legs and use it top-end advantage), in the real-world, most would likely enjoy the R more, for its ability to out-accelerate the RR practically everywhere (but the longest of stretches).

 

[LoneRanger]

The Super Duke is bad*** for sure, I like that the riding position is not pure sport bike lay-down. But that also makes me wonder about being able to stay on the bike at the speeds it can easily master, at least for taller riders, given the lack of faring and more upright position. But I get it-- it is intended to be the baddest near-naked out there, and is.

Loving my Multistrada, it does everything I want pretty well. Just got cruise control installed last month. No physical equipment needed just an inexpensive software update, really enhances the touring role. Unlike a throttle friction lock, it holds speed through ascent and descent of hills, tap either brake or clutch to release, etc. It's after market but given the ease of application, I look for Ducati to arrange something with the developer and eventually offer it as a factory option.

 

[Mik]

Pretty hard not to like the Multistrada......

 

[Cujet]

Originally Posted By: Mik
Pretty hard not to like the Multistrada......


Umm, you used the wrong word. LOVE is more like it.

I had a budget of $3000 and got a "good enough" bike for my money. But there really is no comparison. I can't wait to be able to afford a more powerful twin!

 

[JetStar]

I like the 1290R. I have not drank the ADV Kool Aid yet, maybe I need to ride one.