Hello,

I have been perusing the forum for a while but don't post much

Looking to get a Superduke but need some advice, having done my research im not sure which to go for will hopefully have about 5.5k to spend mainly road and a few trackdays:

05-06 The original superduke, had one of these before, extensively modified could pick one up for about £3300 if I wait about BUT I would need the forks and rear shock springs replacing staright away and im thinking about getting a Maxton GP10 shock and Maxton Internals (£1300ish) could be an awesome track slag and road bike but I would still need to get a steering damper/exhausts at minimum, and long term a bigger tank.

Pros-Cheap, parts availability, can bling the fook out of it for the price of an SDR of newer SD and be just as good if not better
Cons- No steering damper, small tank, I thought the gearbox on mine was shit and worried another might be the same, needs money spending on it.

07-11 Revamped Superduke, well its arguably not as powerful but prefer the looks and like the bigger tank, probably could pick one up for 4k, suspension is also more usable for my weight so would not need new springs, but may still go the Maxton route.

Pros- bigger tank, better clocks, radial brakes, no need to get new springs.
Cons- No damper, arguably less power that 05 SD, gearbox still, would need less money spending on it than 05-06.

08> Superduke R, More POWER, upgraded gearbox, not a fan of the single seat or harsh ride though. Again suspension is suited to my weight but still tempted by the Maxton units but will now be out my price range, would still need a slipper and exhaust though, would probably get suspension sorted in another way.

Pros- More POWER, better gearbox, suspension, bigger tank
Cons- Price, no passenger seat.

Thoughts? Which do you think I should go for.

If I was you I would go SDR. You don't do huge road miles and its perfectly suited to track. You might also need that extra grunt come Crashfest

Hi Dan,
I'm from the Linc's area too,just get an SDR and be done with it. If you really need the extra power then get the 08 SDR but if you know how to ride a bike the 07 SDR will have enough power for trackdays to keep you up the sharp end

Ginge

Very very tough decision, compounded by a distinct lack of R's about

Hello and welcome to the nuthouse...........

Whats the crack with the gearbox, mine is slick apart from the clunk into 1st, I have ridden five SDs never noticed any problem with any of them either,
yea they are not as super slick as a Suzuki GSXR / TL/Busa box, but not that far off.....

Well you would like to think with my size 12's I would have more leverage but no. Had rearset adjusters but not rearsets, maybe they would have made the difference....?

I've had the odd missed gear but nothing to warrant any concern,for me i can't really fault the gearbox

I am pretty anal about controls getting the positions right, lever height/angle, linkages set up for the best action and well lubricated, these details can make a huge difference......
I would have to say I am quite impressed with my SDs gearbox even under vicious powershifts I have never had to think about shifting and I cant remember ever missing a gear,
The clutch though is not so hot, but then I have never ridden a bike with a Hydro clutch that has been any good

FINALLY you're looking again, great to hear!

I actually wanted an 08 SDR but they were too expensive and difficult to find. After doing the math I decided to go for an 07 SD because the difference in price between a MKI and MKII wasn't that great and for me the MKII had no short term need for suspension upgrade, I like shape of the tank more and I like the looks over the MKI.

I'd say, think about the difference in price between the SD and SDR and how many upgrades this will buy. I'd say get a MKI/II (personal choice) with cans and throw in an airbox and the 'free mods' first and then decide if you want to spend big on upgraded suspension. I believe revalved normal SD suspension will still be better than the stock SDR suspension.

Suspension issues?

This is what Maxton has to say, and echoed by some who have had suspension set up (especially SDR) whilst I could probably not ride the SD and diagnose the issue I would certainly and have ridden a bike with upgraded suspension and they are worlds apart.

The day i can lap Jerez quicker than the Rubber fetish King, is the day i start worrying about my suspension.

same here on the gear box, the odd false nuetral but otherwise easy to change gear, even with my size 8's

Setting up the gear pedal at the right heigt solved my false neutrals quickly.

I do pick up false neutrals on occasion, both going up and more worrying down the box but only on track. Happens if I'm not really progressive with my foot.

I had my forks re-shimmed and setup at MCT. It's maybe a tad harsh on the road but great feel on track. I can take the bike up there and get a setup pretty much anytime in on the price.

now then mr super dan . this is a question i have been asking myself alot just lately ,

thought about more power = rc8/r but looking into it , the thing just is not an sd

I wont lie fightering an RC8 loos the future but as you say its not a Superduke.

Will see whats about when I have the reddies, and see how impatient I get.

you have until crashfest and no longer.

none of this plastic rocket shit you was on last year

I say buy the bike that requires the least amount of extra work.

And about the gearbox issues, those seem to be unique to you!

good to see you made the purchase mate.

these things are animals . . they wheelie in all gears . . .