Hey folks,

Wannabe 'duker in New Zealand here. I've been looking for a nice 990 since my Tuono died a graceless death a couple of months ago. I'd always fancied a Superduke since some happy hooligan rolled up to a group ride on one, but was I more than happy with the Tuono.

Now I have the chance to make the change, and it's not for trying that I haven't yet found one - there just aren't any for sale in this fine land. Obviously they are such a great bike no one wants to part with them, from comments on other forums in NZ even those buying a 1290 are keeping hold of the 990.

Spring has sprung and the weather is starting to brighten and I need to get out on those roads. I just missed out on a mint 2007 with all the bells and whistles, and the only 990 left for sale is a number at a dealers that looks like it's seen better days (some bolts a bit rusty, paint fading on leading edge of side fairings, rusting on underside of exhaust heat-shields). Basically it's been living outside, and starting to show it.

Thing is - patience has never been a virtue of mine, so I'm wondering if I should just nab this one and spend a little coin on doing it up, or if I should bide my time, bite my nails and start trying to hassle any 990 riders I happen across into selling up.

So - What are your experiences of difference between 05/06 models and 2007+? I've read articles on line so know that fueling/throttle response was smoothed our for 2007+ and it got a bigger tank (which is a major draw), but what else should I know?

(I did a search here but came up empty handed, is there a better way to refer to these different models? In Tuono land we called the models Gen 1, Gen 2, etc)

Only other comment to make is - seeing all the delicious dukes for sale in the US makes me sick - if import costs weren't so prohibitive I'd scoop one up in a second. You lucky b*stards!

Have a peek fella, it'll give you the differences.

No,I haven't. But from what I have figured out/learned, mine is twitchier than the 07+ due to the steering rake and unrefined engine. But in turn, this makes it a "livelier" bike and the newer feels a bit neutered in comparison.

Then you have the SDR, which takes the liveliness on from the 05/06 in every sense.

I've put the larger tank onto mine and done mod which have smoothed out the throttle jerkiness (although I never thought it was as bad as some make out), so the differences are even less than standard.

TBH, if you find a good example of either, I'm pretty sure that you won't be disappointed. Both have their merits and disadvantages over the other.

We, the U.S.of A. never got the generation 1 model. There were a few scattered about in the early years. Mostly moved down from Canada. I can tell you that it has been an ongoing topic of conversation with not much resolve. I would not wait for another to show up. Sort of the bird in the hand is worth two in the bush concept. It sounds like the 06 could be had at reasonable cost and you could modify it to your hearts content. You have to ask yourself if the larger tank is really needed ? Most rides on a Superduke type machine are not taking you out to no petrel station lands and It may not be a big deal. You could always trade sideways when and if the opportunity presented itself. I say sideways as I doubt it would be considered an up or down trade, they are both worth owning. My biggest problem with the 06 is that you end up with the ugliest color in titanium

I had an 06 bike for 5 years and I have just bought an 09 SD with all the bells and whistles fitted so I'm in a good position to compare.

My 06 bike was black, had round arka's and lowered gearing but was otherwise standard. I loved it, wheelies off the throttle in second, 135 - 140 flat out but amusingly violent acceleration at the flick of the wrist, great brakes, good handling and zero problems throughout my ownership. In brief I loved it and would have kept it permanently had the chance to get a highly modified SD not presented itself. Click on the crashfest thread and you can watch it trundling round Cadwell Park.

The new bike is 09, has Rotty airbox, secondary flies removed, custom map by the go to man in the UK (+20% RWHP on the Dyno) , slipper clutch, steering damper, race suspension at the rear and re valved front forks, an SDR single seat conversion (as well as the dual set stuff so I can swap to either) gear indicator, loads of cosmetic stuff like tail tidy, levers, oberon clutch etc etc.

Here is the thing, I liked the 06 bike better to ride!! It's more abrupt power delivery suited me and in the 50 - 110MPH area on twisty roads I was never seriously challenged on the road in the whole time I had it. The new one is geared a bit taller so that could explain the difference but trust me, pre and post 07 bikes are essentially identical and I doubt you will be disappointed regardless of which side of the divide you end up on.

If you find a nice one at the right price jump on and have fun

+1. Had an 05, Now have an 07 SDR with thousands chucked at it. Wish I still had the 05.

05/06 with 07 tank is the perfect compromise.