Davey Sprocket
2011-03-08 11:59:00 UTC
or a even naked bike for that matter.. have stopped racing so wanted a great weekend bike.. that i could also use on the track. The dukes aggressive appearance and the reviews that raved about the handling had me hooked.
Found a great deal and jumped right in ( bought a 2007 black superduke 3500kms) but i have had some set backs. Firstly the build quality is a bit less then i am used too.. most of the bolts have rusted .
So not to be detered i replaced every one of them. The brake lever also looked abit rusted, or brake fluid had run over it and I decided to replace it..... until i called the dealer... THE PARTS ARE INSANELY PRICED.. To be honest I am the first one I know to own one..but Ducati's have nothing on our pricing....
I also had a new set of tyres fitted, Mitchelin power race 2 ---- On the way home i got an insane wobble at about 160kms /h ... I see this could be due to tyre pressure... or a weak neck bolt etc.. Will hopefully sort it out this weekend.
I love the look and reputation or the Superduke but i'm wondering if this is just "Hype" don't get me wrong i'm with you guys... i really want it to be great... just need some re-assurance it's not a lemon....
Dave
AndersH
2011-03-08 21:53:00 UTC
Rusted bolts, I don't get that, I never ride in winter.
Didnt want to waste too much time, only found the clutch lever, thats $66 USD, that's not expensive in my mind. Brake is probably the same, they look a lot like each other?
http://cyclehuttktm.com/FicheFinderNew/FicheFinder.aspx
Wobble should not occur. Could be because the tyres are not "weighted out". Sorry for my bad english, but I don't know the technical term. I just know that when I get new tyres on, my mechanic puts the wheel in a spindle and makes sure the tyre is the same weight all the way around!
I have grown to love my bike, took some time, but it's just great!
MrZ32
2011-03-08 22:44:00 UTC
that or possibly make sure that all the axle clamp bolts, fork bolts and head bolt are torqued up correctly
Davey Sprocket
2011-03-09 06:56:00 UTC
Mr KTM
2011-03-09 09:13:00 UTC
If a bike intimidates you then get rid of it and buy any other bike. Theres literally thousands to choose from. None of us "need" more than 80rwhp unless we are track day junkies. A stock SD wheelies like a maniac and should put a smile on even a blind mans face. Headshake, wobbles poor fueling, grabby brakes etc etc etc..get used to it or get rid of it.
Sorry to rain on your parade, but rider training would solve millions of complaints about this and that from the biker community. Any bike in stock form is good enough to go scratching on and have a farking ball! If theres a problem just ride around it. If you cannot ride around it then perhaps a safer sport is what is needed over a mechanical correction.
Davey Sprocket
2011-03-09 09:37:00 UTC
Mr KTM
2011-03-09 09:50:00 UTC
If you feel a bike is too much then sell it and buy another. I make a definite point of changing bikes every couple of years as there is allways something better coming out. I did the SD thing, loved it and then got a Hypermotard. Loved it waaay more than the SD. But soon there will be something waaay better than the Hyper and I'll buy that.
I get sick to death of people winging about this and that about bikes when it simply comes down to the fact they dont know enough about riding to tell the difference between a corner and a straight and what to do with either. Heard it all from what tyre do I buy to what sags should I set. Tell them exactlky what to do and they still whinge about something else.
If you can't ride a stock SD and have a shitload of fun then get rid of it and buy a 50cc scooter. Argue against that and I rest my case, stick to the scooter.
Spend more time in the saddle and all your answers will be solved.
Enjoy your SD, its one helluva bike!
Jody
2011-03-09 10:03:00 UTC
Post missing.
Davey Sprocket
2011-03-09 10:09:00 UTC
Dutch
2011-03-09 10:59:00 UTC
I would comment that you are one of the very few people I have ever come across who think that KTM's build quality was a bit under par. I've owned about 25 proper bikes over the years, 6 were KTMs, and IMO recent machines have been peerless in build quality and chassis parts (Brembo, Nekken, Marchesini, WP, Akrapovic - all OE), esp compared to Ducati, Triumph and pretty much anything without a Honda badge - although and even my Honda Hornet rusted around the bottom yoke and shock assembly in just one winter.
As for it being a lemon - you'll find most SD owners have ridden or owned most big bikes, so it's usually a very considered buy, by experienced bikers who ofetn own other bikes at the same time. We are constantly comparing it to the other big capacity streetbikes, and are smart enough to buy the best without too much blind brand loyalty - and generally speaking it still comes out as one of the very best, esp in terms of pure fun and handling.
The only common complaint is snatchy fuelling - although much more on the SDR - which also has a seat like a plank of wood (unlike your SD).
Enjoy, and be prepared to never want to part with it.
Davey Sprocket
2011-03-09 11:25:00 UTC
AndersH
2011-03-09 18:31:00 UTC
Post missing.
Mr KTM
2011-03-09 19:18:00 UTC
Post missing.
mrduke
2011-03-09 21:26:00 UTC
Grendel
2011-03-10 02:56:00 UTC
Grendel thinks that Davey picked up a used bike. Grendel's own steed is the same year and has none of the mentioned issues. Therefore Grendel thinks the original owner was a prat. didn't take care of it. Rusted fasteners are an indication of this type of neglect. There are some forum members who have had rusted fasteners due to their riding season or the storage they have, however they noticed it and fixed it.
Sounds like this bike finally has an owner that will take care of it. Davey - get through these niggles and it will treat you right in turn. Enjoy!
Davey Sprocket
2011-03-10 05:37:00 UTC
If you theory holds true then why in World Superbikes have certain manufactures always done pretty well (Ducati / Honda) and others (kawasaki) not made the podium?? I will admit that possibly Rossi can win on any bike... But beside him and yourself ofcourse, the rest of us just have to cheat and try find the best bikes to compete on...
bagsey
2011-03-29 18:19:00 UTC
I bought my Superduke from new and found it was really nervous to thrash around bumpy lanes. As I'd had a break from riding I thought it was me but after a year I checked all the suspension settings and they were way out so I put them back to stock and it transformed ther bike!
Davey Sprocket
2011-03-29 20:51:00 UTC
bagsey
2011-03-30 00:42:00 UTC
Post missing.
MrZ32
2011-03-30 01:00:00 UTC
Also are each fork tube set to the same level in the triples, spring pre load, same oil height and dampening settings? As this would make for a very unstable front end.
Willh
2011-03-30 01:18:00 UTC
My '08 was fairly slow turning until I set the proper sag. Now it handles great and only gets nervey when it's hovering the front wheel an inch or so above the ground on crap roads, which is almost all the time so invested in Scotts.
Davey Sprocket
2011-03-30 07:13:00 UTC
MrZ32
2011-03-30 08:50:00 UTC
Post missing.
Davey Sprocket
2011-03-30 09:32:00 UTC
Ducati Pete
2011-04-01 21:50:00 UTC
Yes, the opposite way to which all your mates are moving their forks.
This will increase the Trail, add a bit of stability and improve front feel - especially through very fast corners.
Ducati Pete
2011-04-01 22:02:00 UTC
I don't want to sound as though I'm teaching you to suck eggs but sometimes the obvious gets overlooked.
Ducati Pete
2011-04-01 22:04:00 UTC
Willh
2011-04-01 22:37:00 UTC
Post missing.
Davey Sprocket
2011-04-02 06:10:00 UTC
Ducati Pete
2011-04-02 16:20:00 UTC
Davey Sprocket
2011-04-03 18:12:00 UTC
ps. checked to see if i could pull the forks through a bit more but it's right up to the silver tops of the forks.
I have no doubt that it is also a matter of getting used to a more upright riding position.. As well as riding on the road again, as opposed to the track (More hazards around). Even getting used to being aware of whats behind you(never worry about that on the track..lol) ps. raced South African, Northern regionals..
Considering fitting a lsl drag bar, it will put more wieght on the front wheel which is a bit more comfortable to me.
Davey Sprocket
2011-05-21 09:20:00 UTC
Post missing.
TLS_Russ
2011-05-21 10:18:00 UTC
OldTLSDoug
2011-05-21 11:59:00 UTC
TLS_Russ
2011-05-21 12:42:00 UTC
Ducati Pete
2011-05-21 13:00:00 UTC
weigh under 80kgs to?
TLS_Russ
2011-05-21 14:35:00 UTC
Post missing.