Had some time to ride on the new SuperDuke now and take a few more pics/gather some thoughts. I traded in my 2014 BMW S1000R for the KTM and after 2 days do not regret that decision. The SDR inspires far more confidence, perhaps it because I am more used to a more upright position. Perhaps it's the non-electronic suspension on the SDR compared to the S1000R. It might be the Metzler M7RRs. Or a combination of a load of things. I fell far more comfortable, far more planted and faster on the SDR.
I was a little concerned about smoothness. coming from the BMW IL4. I need not have been. The new SDR fueling is absolutely black magic. Even slow speed, 1st gear, hairpin exit roll-on is smooth. I was concerned these sorts of scenarios were going to be plagued by super snatchy throttle. It's not the case at all and KTM have done a fantastic job, even in the face of EU4.
The stock can does a pretty good job. Although I am not a fan of it's looks (It could be worse I guess) videos do not give you a true sense of it. It's pretty loud for a stock can and it makes all the right noises. With the Performance Pack Quickshifter+ it pops, bangs and burbles. The first upshift crack/bang caught me off guard - it was furious.
The quickshifter and auto blipper is sublime. The S1000R did a great job on upshifts and the SDR is just as good. The downshift autoblipper is perfect, every time, from any gear. Even 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 1st quickshifts/auto blips are positive and smooth. The auto blipper also handles downshifts with the throttle still held open.
The Motor Slip Regulation (MSR) does an absolutely fantastic job of ironing out the engine braking you might expect from such a large CC V-Twin. You still have a nice degree of engine braking in the stock setting that you can modulate off a bit of speed with throttle off but not "I felt like I just slammed on the front brake" feeling you might otherwise have without it.
I was not sold by the LCD dash in pictures/videos. But in practice it's excellent. It's clear, super vivid and sharp. It turns what would otherwise be a NIGHTMARE menu system into an easy to use mobile phone like experience. Customization of a favourite menu etc etc make it a joy to use.
Anyway, some pics:
I was a little concerned about smoothness. coming from the BMW IL4. I need not have been. The new SDR fueling is absolutely black magic. Even slow speed, 1st gear, hairpin exit roll-on is smooth. I was concerned these sorts of scenarios were going to be plagued by super snatchy throttle. It's not the case at all and KTM have done a fantastic job, even in the face of EU4.
The stock can does a pretty good job. Although I am not a fan of it's looks (It could be worse I guess) videos do not give you a true sense of it. It's pretty loud for a stock can and it makes all the right noises. With the Performance Pack Quickshifter+ it pops, bangs and burbles. The first upshift crack/bang caught me off guard - it was furious.
The quickshifter and auto blipper is sublime. The S1000R did a great job on upshifts and the SDR is just as good. The downshift autoblipper is perfect, every time, from any gear. Even 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 1st quickshifts/auto blips are positive and smooth. The auto blipper also handles downshifts with the throttle still held open.
The Motor Slip Regulation (MSR) does an absolutely fantastic job of ironing out the engine braking you might expect from such a large CC V-Twin. You still have a nice degree of engine braking in the stock setting that you can modulate off a bit of speed with throttle off but not "I felt like I just slammed on the front brake" feeling you might otherwise have without it.
I was not sold by the LCD dash in pictures/videos. But in practice it's excellent. It's clear, super vivid and sharp. It turns what would otherwise be a NIGHTMARE menu system into an easy to use mobile phone like experience. Customization of a favourite menu etc etc make it a joy to use.
Anyway, some pics:
High quality stuff, the tail tidy took the longest to sort out but so worth it with totalling invisible cabling.
