I've liked these bikes for a while, really smart. What are your likes and dislikes in comparison to the blade?
After 7 blades i had a Duke last year and sold It shortly after, as i was dazzled by the 0% offer on a SP and a few owners stories of reliability on the Duke put something in my head and an opportunity arose to sell for the same money i paid for it. The blade is a flattering bike, The SP looks stunning and very easy to ride and creates confidence, the problem for me was it was just too easy, after so long on sports bikes anything other than illegal speeds was getting a bit dull, and more Importantly uncomfortable.. never had wrist issues but the knees and shoulders after three hours were feeling it. The SD adds a bit of theatre below 90mph, the noise from the big 1301cc 2cylinder and the feeling is like few bikes on the road. You dont get that chest to the tank cornering feel like a Fireblade, but one arse cheek off the seat steering the bars into a corner as its own unique appeal. Its way comfier but its a tall bike, put the ergo seat on and at 6’2 im almost in tip toes. Its got looks only a mother could love but beyond the looks there is quite an attitude of a bike that will bite if you catch it in the mood. Added to this you have the quick shifter which is just a joy to rattle through the torque curve, Cruise control, the engine is just unreal. Yeah there is a bit of wind, yeah its a bit cooler to ride with the wind and yeah 100mph is a little different compared to a very efficient Blade. But i come home with a huge grin now, before i came home wondering if anything will come through the post for 14days. I’d describe it as the difference between riding an incredibly effective missile v and angry big Wasp.. each to their own, both stunning bikes bit in different ways. sadly not me in the first pic, but a great photo
I've not been happy on the Blade for a while, no real issues other than my hips...feck knows why; they really started to hurt after 30/40 minutes. I wanted to change and didn't want to compromise too much on power. The SD gives that blast of low down power - I kept finding myself doing absolute license shredding/prison time speed on the blade. It's so easy to hit three figures - and "fun" to go way way over double the national speed limit I decided that a naked was the way to go, you hit 80 and you really know about it with the wind blast and its a sort of psychological barrier. I've always loved the SD looks even going back to 990. I found this one as an ex-demo with less than 300 miles on it for over £1500 less than the new (old stock) 2019 model I got a decent part-ex price for the blade and here we are. Still spending a small fortune on "accessories" that serve no purpose Engine guard/Rad guard/tail tidy/bar end mirrors/pillion seat (powerparts)/tank pad/exhaust hanger/rectifier guard...etc etc. Lastly, wheelies are crazy easy ...could never do them on the blade, on the SD it's up in 1, 2, 3 with literally no effort
Couple of better pics.. I’ve got the tank pad protector pads still to add and now I keep looking at all the carbon stuff in the Powerparts catalogue...everything in there is ‘want it, want it, want,’ lol
Bought (well ordered) one of these for the SD https://shop.mircosapiodesign.it/prodotto/dashboard-cover-for-ktm-superduke-1290r-my-17-19/
i think we are ordering the same stuff. Mine is due today, ordered last week. so far Akra carbon mudguard AR V3 end can Rear seat cowl Rear tail and rear seat cowl decals KTM Side decal kit Bar end mirrors Evo Tail tidy Evo rad guard Evo rectifier cover Ergo frt seat Dash protector Dash cowl R&G paddock stand/protectors the list goes on
I’m fitting my err..nose cone thing that protects the dash today so I’ll bung up some pics too I like that front mudguard. I’m still on the lookout for the Akra slip on in Titanium....might just have to go all out and spend the £700 required
Agreed. It's brilliant kit and Reasonably priced. I have stuck their levers, rad/oil guard & tail tidy on my MT-10
Fitted the pillion seat cowl yesterday and went for a 60 miler round Kent again this morning...this bike is sooo much fun
