2007 KTM-modified Super Duke, Robb Report Motorcycling, June/July 2007
KTM's traditional orange livery says it all. It isn't a posh Hermés orange or a trendy mid-century citrus, but rather a shade that recalls Caltrans workers clad in DOT-approved reflective garb. The color is all function with a dismissive nod to form, which is fitting since the Austrian manufacturer has spent the last 73 years building durable offroad bikes better suited to 'round the world journeys than aggressive urban jaunts.
The new 990 Super Duke represents KTM's first undiluted roadgoing effort, and being thrust against such worthy contenders as the Ducati Monster S4R and the Aprilia Tuono 1000 R is the perfect occasion to resist tradition, ditch the conventional color, and clad it with go fast bits and custom trim from the KTM Powerparts catalogue, which can be ordered at the point of purchase.
This Super Duke's custom parts distinguish it from KTMs, not to mention the sea of similarly ambitious naked bikes. The key here is discretion: rather than baring engine, pipes, cables, and all the visual detritus necessary to make a motorcycle function, this personalized Duke hides enough to maintain an air of mystery, just like any seductive woman might. With the specially ordered carbon fiber swingarm cover, footrest and airbox cover, these blacked out modifications lend the Super Duke the sleek angularity of a stealth bomber; the fuel tank appears as though it were chiseled from a slab of obsidian, and the sharply angled heat shield, spoiler, and rear seat cover lend the bike an even more assertively poised angle of attack. Dual titanium Akrapovic slipon mufflers provide slight bumps in power, while their dramatic aural amplifications offer a fitting complement to the bike's dramatic appearance. More subtle details include a carbon fiber brake reservoir cap, rear fender, clutch and ignition covers, and front and rear chain guide protectors. Rounding out the custom KTM's package are racing shocks and forks and carbon five-spoke Dymag wheels, which reduce unsprung weight and aid handling, while contributing to the bike's distinctive styling.
In any guise, the Super Duke proves its sporting intentions on the track, where it performs with a level of potency on par with its competitors. The 75-degree V-twin is torquey and flexible, and the engine provides plenty of smooth power, with only the slightest hint of a raw edge (naming the Super Duke after its 999cc engine displacement would create obvious copyright issues, so KTM rounded down to 990.) The second-generation LC8 powerplant fires up on a reassuringly aggressive note, and while the Super Duke's 120 horsepower twin may not pull with the thrust of a Suzuki GSX-R 1000 or a Kawasaki ZX-10R, it does provide more than enough front wheel-lifting grunt, putting it in the league of its comparably powered counterparts. Power delivery is manageable and quite controllable, creating levels of performance that should satisfy most aspiring streetfighters who also appreciate a modicum of delicacy with their throttle response.
Also satisfying are the Super Duke's ergonomics, which incorporate a comfortable seat and an untaxing riding position-characteristics that make it more of an upright sportbike than a de-tuned superbike. Exemplary WP suspension components enable excellent dynamics, and the bike's relatively softly sprung but firm behavior make it easy enough to live with on punishing road surfaces. Turn-in is sharp, and the bike doesn't drop unexpectedly in turns-nor does it demand several "chops" in order to negotiate direction changes. Braking is commensurate with handling, thanks to front four-piston, radially mounted Brembos, which bring the bike's 406 lb dry weight to an efficient halt. If there is a vexingly weak link in the bike's performance, it would be the shifter, which requires a pronounced foot movement to engage gears, and tends towards false neutrals and mis-shifts between 3rd and 4th gears. Other than the flaws of the gearbox, the Super Duke offers outstanding performance, providing plenty of speed and competent handling in an easy to ride and confidence-inspiring package.
Real world demands go beyond knee-scraping and threshold braking, and if KTM's road-bound trajectory is any indication, the manufacturer is just beginning to explore the possibilities of what it can do with high-performance bikes on public pavement. While their upcoming, full-fairing RC8 model should further exploit this visceral and potentially lucrative genre, the Super Duke is a bold entry whose distinctive styling is sure to push the design zeitgeist towards a more sharply creased, angular direction. If it doesn't, KTM can enjoy basking in the knowledge that their products stand alone with their uniquely sculpted forms that are as distinctive as the company's trademark orange hue. Of course, opting to depart from the traditional coloring seems to be an a propos way to distinguish the Super Duke from KTMs of the past, which begs the question as to whether or not the trend will stick-offering an entirely new meaning to the saying "once you go black, you never go back."
Basem Wasef
info@basemwasef.com
323.791.8560