Author Topic: Just added a Duke to the stable. (Read 4727 times)

Rich:-) · « **on:** October 11, 2016, 16:57:02 »

I decided after selling my Hornet 600 a few months ago, and having a bike shaped space in my garage, I really needed to fix that issue. Plan was to wait until next Spring before getting another bike but I was really missing having "mad hatter" to go and tear around on.

I agonized over what to get... it had to be another naked bike as I'm not into sports bikes and I need clean air past my lid to minimise wind noise.
I really liked the CB1000r so took one for a test ride, I liked it but it didn't quite tick the box, also very noisy, it was somehow channeling wind at my lid.
I wanted something that makes effortless power... so not an inline 4 screamer.
Obviously I just needed a big V-twin.

I found a nice 990 Super Duke that had been treated to many upgrades, and after a test ride I decided not to bother waiting, so I bought it.
Her she is..

and a little walk around vid

She's perfect for me, fast, easy going, bags of grunt, and best of all the air is clean where my lid is so I can nip up to double figures & back without fear of upsetting my hearing.

TLPower · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2016, 17:19:53 »

Tidy.

Enjoy.

Asmith61 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2016, 17:31:07 »

Very nice enjoy

SuzukiSte · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2016, 19:38:17 »

Love the Duke's nice bike.

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Stonec0ld · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2016, 20:01:13 »

Nice, I've always wanted one of those

.

wurzel · « **Reply #5 on:** October 11, 2016, 22:59:00 »

Lovely bike, I know how you feel about them, I have the 1290, stunning machine, and quite docile if you want it to be.

MartinW · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2016, 06:49:24 »

Quote from: Rich:-) on October 11, 2016, 16:57:02

... I can nip up to double figures & back without fear of upsetting my hearing ...

Wow, 10mph. That's fast

You must be leaving them joggers for dust.

Rich:-) · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2016, 07:46:10 »

I know.. I know....
but once I'd realised my mistake this forum wouldn't let me edit it... I just thought most people would realise I meant going a little faster than 10, but there is alway one isn't there.

Rich:-) · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2016, 08:03:00 »

Quote from: wurzel on October 11, 2016, 22:59:00

Lovely bike, I know how you feel about them, I have the 1290, stunning machine, and quite docile if you want it to be.

Yup, I only came across the 990 whilst doing research on the CB1000r, SD owners were generally not complimentary about the CB. I have not been a fan of KTM's due to the abundance of enduro bikes there are around the green lanes of this land.. so no of KTM's bikes were on my list.
Once I looked more closely at the spec I realised they were on par with (or better than) the Ducati's I'd been considering so I decided to have a test ride, just to eliminate it really.

Some suffer from poor low speed performance but mine has a custom air box, decat exhausts, has a Power Commander III and has been custom mapped on a rolling road.
It is totally sorted and a pleasure to ride, I just had to have it really.

The 1290 looks like a beast of a bike, maybe one day I'll have one of those too, as well as the 990.

wurzel · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2016, 08:59:06 »

The 1290 is a gentle little bike mostly,great for a nice bimble, good fuel range and takes a passenger well.
That just all goes out the window if you open it up without thinking, the fuel range drops off, as will the passenger...

Rich:-) · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2016, 09:27:56 »

Funny you should mention that, my Mrs isn't keen to go on the back of this one. She found it hard going on my Hornet and suspects this one will be worse, and she's right.

I also think she's just been spoilt by the comfort of Wee, plus I ride the Wee in a smoother more passenger friendly manner.

wurzel · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2016, 16:24:48 »

They are a rather invigorating machine to ride..

Lucan · « **Reply #12 on:** October 12, 2016, 19:51:40 »

Hi Rich
Looks like a terrific bike. Welcome to traitors corner with the other Duke riders.

As you will see from my post in there a couple of weeks ago I changed over to the Italian marque.. I truly hope you enjoy yours as I have mine. Done 1500 miles in last three weeks just have to ride it at every opportunity, can't get enough of it.
Done 75 miles today, back home over the Snake Pass, one of the few benifits of retirement.

Just twist the throttle and suck the horizon towards you in any gear you happen to be in, handles like a dream and oh the exhaust note crackle on the over run.. !!!
Makes me grin everytime I'm out on it, completely restored my enthusiasm for biking..

Rich:-) · « **Reply #13 on:** October 13, 2016, 11:32:19 »

Lovely bike that.
The Ducati Hypermotard 796 was on my hit list but your 939 Hyperstrada was not as it's too new and thus too expensive for my to justify.

I was also contemplation a Multistrada but that would be as a Wee replacement but could possible have fulfilled the required of both bikes.
If/when I do feel the need to upgrade the Wee then the Multitrada will be on the list no doubt but there are a lot of nice bike in that category, including the KTM 990 SMT that I hadn't really paid any attention to until recently... Bikes are great... I just want too many of them.

stuzero · « **Reply #14 on:** October 13, 2016, 18:10:09 »

Just realised what I'm trying to turn my vee into.....nice bike. Hope you enjoy

Kebabmonster · « **Reply #15 on:** October 18, 2016, 19:39:06 »

Looks similar to mine

Love mine, but it's not been without its problems. Had a fuel leak and an oil leak, both now sorted.

Makes me laugh my head off every time I ride it. It eggs you on to become a complete mentalist

Andy

Rich:-) · « **Reply #16 on:** October 18, 2016, 21:27:39 »

Nice looking bike you've got there, and in the best colours too.

I was out on mine yesterday, it rained on me (twice!) but I stayed out anyway.
I then gave her a wash before putting her away, as around here there is so much mud on the roads she looked like I'd taken her green laning.

wurzel · « **Reply #17 on:** October 18, 2016, 22:54:03 »

Here is a pic I nicked of tinternet, wow!

mr_diver · « **Reply #18 on:** October 18, 2016, 23:11:30 »

now I want one too!

wurzel · « **Reply #19 on:** October 18, 2016, 23:35:05 »

I would give my front teeth to have a blast on that one, I would think it runs like a nun with her habit on fire.