KTM vs Ducs

[digitsu]

Just got my oogata license (in japan you need a separate license for big bikes) and looking to get a new bike. I realize such open ended questions are bound to trail a mile of cruft, but I'm going to open myself up to it. I'm looking at the monster s2r, hypermotard, compared to the ktm superduke or the upcoming aprilia shiver. I'd like to hear what experienced duc riders have to say about the general characteristics of duc vs ktm's vs aprilia in terms of build quality, reliability of bikes, and maintenance costs. I have a friend who has a ktm 950SM and a smaller 450ex motocross bike, and swears by ktm reliability, but I don't like the plastiky feel fo the bike. Never seen an aprilia in the flesh, but I hear that they are all of top quality and finish. I know that Duc's carry the most 'sexy factor', but that aside, how to the manufacturers measure up?

any opinions?

[marklprice]

Originally Posted by digitsu

Just got my oogata license (in japan you need a separate license for big bikes) and looking to get a new bike. I realize such open ended questions are bound to trail a mile of cruft, but I'm going to open myself up to it. I'm looking at the monster s2r, hypermotard, compared to the ktm superduke or the upcoming aprilia shiver. I'd like to hear what experienced duc riders have to say about the general characteristics of duc vs ktm's vs aprilia in terms of build quality, reliability of bikes, and maintenance costs. I have a friend who has a ktm 950SM and a smaller 450ex motocross bike, and swears by ktm reliability, but I don't like the plastiky feel fo the bike. Never seen an aprilia in the flesh, but I hear that they are all of top quality and finish. I know that Duc's carry the most 'sexy factor', but that aside, how to the manufacturers measure up?

any opinions?

I own both a 2006 KTM Superduke and a 2005 Ducati 749R with Leo Vince race pipe. Been riding for about 12 years, couple of track days under my belt - far from an expert but an ok rider. I am soooo much faster on the Superduke. The 749R is gob smackingly beautiful and the handling is fantastic. However, probably due to my age and creaky joints I cant fling it around fast enough to hang with Duke - benchmark is a buddy of mine on a K1200S who rides like a demon and he just cant get away from me in the twisty stuff when I'm on the KTM. If I was a better rider, I guess I would be able to get the 749 in exactly the right RPM range, but there you go.

Ducati is not that expensive to maintain, very reliable. KTM I feel is just bullet proof. Checked out the Tuono when I looked at the Superduke and never regretted my decision for a second. Hope this helps!

Cheers!

[jeffreyc]

I like the KTM better, but everyone has different opinions. The SuperDuke is my next bike.

I live in Tokyo and ride an MT-01 now.

[digitsu]

Haven't seen many MT-O1's around in tokyo. The only one I've seen is one in the parking spot beside mine... but never one on the road.

I liked the muscle look of the mt-01 as well, and to an extent, the v-max. Too bad the next vmax is a v-4. I'm set on a twin.

I'll give the superduke a spin, and see how it feels like. I'm not big on the plasticy build though. but I do like the decepticon like angles.

[everiman]

I have a KTM and I love it. I ride the wheels off it. I talk to Ducati riders and they say they love their bikes, but none of em have any miles on em. So if you don't want to wear out your bike buy a Ducati.

[marklprice]

Just took a 950R Supermoto for a spin... I think I'm going to have two KTM's in the garage... Not as fast as the Superduke but without doubt waaaaay more fun than the 749. I'm turning orange...