Good you didn't get an ORANGE one,, the're even faster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations on a good choice but I have to wonder, how did you pass your test if you've never ridden a bike?

Yeah, I'm not sure if this post is real or a troll, but if this is real, I'd recommend that you take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's beginner riding course. It will teach you the basics of riding a street bike (on a bike less than 250 ccs - there bike) and, if you pass, you'll get your license and an insurance discount.

The SD is a great bike, but one of the least forgiving beginner bikes I could think of. Good luck.

Ive said it before, here in the states we should be adopting the same learner laws that you guy's in G.B. have. It makes SENSE,, However if
you use your head Hex, and don't ride this thing over your head, and ability, until you feel comfortable, you will make it through O.K. ,. GET A GOOD HELMET, GLOVES and such,. Is it out of the question to pick up a
small bike on the cheap just for awhile? My cuz had a Kaw, 75, to learn clutch, brakes, slide, tech,, then jumped right to a H.D. Fat Boy,.with no ill
efect,, he's doing it.! Keep everyone posted on your progress huh? Track day school would be a def. pos.,,

Hex, all these guys who told you to get some professional training and even a smaller bike for awhile are 100% correct. Part of the reason I invited you out to ride was hopefully to give you some pointers on that beast, but that's no replacement for professional training. I've been riding for 14 years and it's just a collateral duty in the military, but I'm what they call a Motorcycle Safety Officer on my ship. I help our new sailors who insist on buying 600cc sportbikes with no previous experience mostly, but I schedule professional training for all the riders at my command too. Those CBR600's and R6's might as well have training wheels compared to starting out with the SD. When I first wanted to learn, I paid $350 for a 1981 Honda 450. It was junk, but taught me how to shift, brake and control a throttle. It was priceless.

BTW, part of the California test is riding in a VERY small painted circle. It tests your throttle control control at slow speeds. I am sure I would have an easier time passing that test on my 716lb Harley than the Duke. Precise throttle control at very slow speeds is NOT what this bike was designed to do. I also just took the Military Sportbike Course again because I wanted to do it on my new SD. I had a very hard time with it due to slow speed throttle control. On my Yamaha FZ1 I had no problems. If you take a Basic Rider Course sponsored by CHP and MSF, you will not have to take the CA DMV riding test. I think the course costs about $300 and takes a Sat and Sun. Sat is all classroom and Sun you get out on something like a Honda Rebel 250 and perform maneuvers in a parking lot.

I also hope you invested in some good quality riding gear. Especially the helmet. Hit me back and I'll help you out all I can.

Normally I would agree the bike only goes as fast as you want it to, unless it's a Superduke! But hey, if you can ride of of these, you can ride anything. It's not about the numbers. I've ridden bikes with 179HP that had smoother throttles.

To be honest I don't know much about track schools. That Skip Barber Superbike school uses KTM's and it's a little dream of mine to go someday. I think they might be a little more advanced though. The basic courses I was talking about teach you how to ride, and how to ride in traffic. I think you should get those skills down before you go to Superbike School. Maybe someone who has been to a track school can chime in here now and give you some better info.

I bought a '08 black in late December and after using the free track day at Sears Point (Infineon) I have decided to rarely if not never ride on the street again. I have put 1000 miles on my bike at the track and am doing some important mods. Scott steering damper, GP shift, G2 Throttle tamer, Sliders and am now trying to do a 520 conversion. Anyone know a good place to get the stuff needed? My main problem is getting a rear sprocket that isn't all steel. Otherwise I would just buy the stuff from KTMTwins.com, who are local for me. KTM called to ask how the track day went, I hit them up for some swag. They sent a huge banner and a bunch of stickers. Good folks! For all my Brothers in the UK, I wish I could do a track day at Donnington. The only times I have been there I was completely pissed at the Monsters of Rock in '84-'85! Great track! I have been riding for 40 of my 45 years and this is one of the best bikes I have owned...and I have owned many!
Look forward to keeping up with everyone here on the forum.
Rob

Welcome.... How can you resist not riding it every day. My truck sits in the drive way know

I'm with Jay. I ride every weekend and sometimes during the week too. I'm hoping to get a track day or 2 in this year. I have never been in 8 years of riding. Where in Cali are you? on on the central coast.

I am about 20 minutes from Sear's Point. I guess that makes track days easier for me. I took the 2 day Novice track school with Keigwin's and it was worth every penny! 45 on the track and 45 minutes in class. Non stop two days in a row at Thunder Hill. I am going again to Sears Point on June 1st.
You meet many people there that have stopped riding on the street. I plan on going 10 more times this year and buying a 20 track ticket pack for next year. It is expensive but cheaper than pulling myself out of the front of a Winnebago (that is a huge caravan to the rest of the world!) I plan to race AFM next season and a track bike is not fit for street use. My bike is slowly morphing... There is only on guy racing a SD (he of course has two of them). People can't believe that the get passed by a "naked bike". As Jack Burton says " It's all in the reflexes, Wang. It's all in the reflexes."

Greetings, all. I've been lurking here for awhile and have finally pulled the trigger to get my 990 Superduke. I have traded in my multistrada as a down payment and am in the process of selling my 690 Supermoto to complete the deal. I can't believe I am willing to sell my beloved 690, as I REALLY love that bike. One ride on a 990, however, and I have found myself willing to do whatever it takes to acquire one, even if it means selling my 690. I will post pics in the (hopefully) near future when I get my bike. I can't wait!!!!

-Aaron

Edit: I got it!!!!!!! Here are a couple of pics:

Welcome. Where in Cali are you?

Right on, sounds like a plan. I wouldn't be opposed to zipping down to where you are now for a ride, if I can find the time. We shall see. First, I need to get my grubby hands on the SD....

I dont like tepesque because it is barely 2 lanes wide and in some places not even. There are driveways all the way up the road so you never know when someone might unknowingly pullout in front of you. Also the last time I was out there they had resurfaced part of it and it was slick as fook. If I just want a quick jaunt I hit up Foxen Canyon. It has some fun corners. Bumpy as heck on the straights though.

Welcome Reznor,
Concord here. There are a few of us Bay Area Dukers around. Keep an eye out for ride proposals and as always, check for the AFM races at Infineon. There'll be one or two racing, possibly three this season.

Hey!

I picked up a 2008 KTM SD R with Akrapovič exhausts. After not riding for a few years I pulled the trigger as I wanted to enjoy commuting again. I've owed quite a few bikes over the years, plastic rockets, triples and old stuff but never owned a big twin... I have to admit it's a challenging bike for me. I barely have to touch the brakes on it when coming into the corners! I went for the SD as I lusted after them when I lived in the UK and decided that I didn't need to do 150+ mph anymore; and needed something nimble enough to move through traffic. There are some amazing twisties near me too!

Ben

Welcome Ben - have always had that flat spot/hesitancy at 5k on both my '08 SDRs but almost indiscernable once OE airbox junked and/or loading up James's (Jocke's) map - not sure if this map is OK for the US spec bike, though.

Best advice would be to get any mods done, particularly airbox, and take it to tuner for custom map.

Welcome to the forum comrade.

Welcome Spankey!

Welcome!

Welcome in Spankey.

A few years ago there was an extensive write up in MCN about fuel filter/pump replacement on a ktm 690 that would also apply to the 990 as the parts are interchangeable (the authors words) you might be able to find it online at www.mcnews.com.

Welcome in!

Hello everyone. I just picked up a beautiful 08 990r. This bike is tons of fun. Not nearly as fast as the bikes I am use to riding but damn it is comfortable, torquey, and nimble. I have been riding and wrenching for over 20 years and this is my first KTM.

I looking forward to getting to know you all and learning about this bike.

Glad you've been wrenching for 20 years, you're gonna need it

Welcome to the madness!

Welcome aboard the orange train JP, enjoy the ride (and the spannering, you’ll find they use top quality components and the kit is generally well designed)

Welcome in. Where in Ca. are you located? How long did it take for you to come to a purchase conclusion? Had you been eyeing an SD before? How many miles are on the bike? what did you pay for it? It appears from another post that you are having tach issues. It also appears that the ubiquitous line " be sure and use search before asking questions" will not need to be stated judging from such aforementioned or should that be previously mentioned post. Good luck with the new bike it is a crackingly good ride that will also keep you scratching your head wondering "whathefuckiswrongnow"

Welcome from Bris-Vegas