I was considering a change to the SMT a short while ago as I needed a better two up bike but in the end I kept the SD and bought a ZZR 1400 instead.

I did post a bit about it in a thread on selecting the touring bike but it occurred to me that some people here not interested in that subject might still be interested in how the SMT compares to a Superduke.

To establish a base line my SD is an 06 model with round Arka’s and sportier gearing. I don’t think it’s anything special and I have never bothered with maps or the dyno but it tops out at about 140 MPH and wheelies off the throttle in second which suits me just fine.

The SMT I rode was a current model, it had the carbon Arka’s all the touring gear and as far as I know was completely standard other than that.

I rode it about 40 miles solo and then the same again two up. I will skip the two up it and focus on the hooning part of the equation. I expected it to be a taller, more comfortable and slightly softer SD but basically to be very similar. It wasn’t.....

Well it was taller and a bit softer but actually I was very disappointed overall. I didn’t find it much more comfortable than my SD if at all, the sound was very muted but most of all the engine response was dull in comparison to the SD. I’m guessing it must have been the combination of slightly more mass and higher gearing but the net effect was to knock the edge right off. It fuelled smoothly and was nippy but a long way short of exciting. It wouldn’t power wheelie in second (didn’t try first because everything will wheelie in first) and while it wasn’t slow it lacked the immediacy and urgency that makes the SD such a hoot to ride.

It did handle well, the brakes were good (but not as sharp as those on my old SD) and there is grin factor in swinging a tall bike about but overall for me it lacked any sparkle. Heresy to say it here but if I was going to have one of these big pseudo adventure type bikes I think I would take the GS over the SMT as it offered more comfort and a completely different feel to the SD as opposed to a watered down version of it.

My concept had been to replace the SD with the SMT and have one bike that could do solo and dual trips but on this evidence there is no way I would want one as my only road bike. It’s only my opinion obviously, some people rave about them but if you’re thinking it’s an SD in a frock then sorry but it just isn’t!!

Yeah, I was similarly underwhelmed. It is fast, it's just a lot more subtle in getting there. Agree with the handling. Can't comment on comfort, as I didn't really spend long enough on one.

I was considering the same move sd to smt....... now I am not, thats for the insight.
Time to get saving ...keep the sd and look at a tourer for next years trips.

I've ridden the SMT on a couple of occassions now and I don't like it. Mainly because of the riding position. I find it crucifyingly uncomfortable. The SD is far more comfortable for me over any distance. As a tourer I have a CB1300 which is much better comfort wise and it pulls like a freight train when you crack the throttle. Although its a big old bus it'll loft the front in 2nd. Much more fun.