The most smiles per mile

After 20+ years of sport bikes (GSXRs, FZRs) culminating in six years on a '98 YZF-R1, I was ready for a change. My years on a '74 Suzuki TM 125 helped to sway me towards the '06 KTM 625 SMC. While this bike was fun and handled great, there just wasn't enough "grunt", so I found myself sho...pping a year later. After pondering a "major" change of pace, I found myself at the local Bar and Shield showroom ogling a Screamin' Eagle V-Rod but the sales staff weren’t interested in selling me that and tried to turn me to a used Deuce, probably due to me mentioning something about carrying the wife occasionally. At any rate, two stops later found me at my KTM dealer eyeballing the 07 Superduke. Tom (the dealership owner) noticed and said “Why don’t you take it for a ride?” It looked intriguing, so I agreed. A short 45 minute test ride is all it took. I filled out the paperwork that day and ordered the Akropovic Titanium Evolution system with it. While the SD doesn’t have the top end of my R1 or even GSXR 750, it handles better, is more comfortable and is much easier to ride fast in the twisties than anything I have ridden. I am faster in every corner chicane and twisty-bit on the SD than I ever was on either of my previous sport bikes since I moved to this locale. The real bottom line is that I have more fun and get many more “smiles per mile” on this bike than perhaps anything I’ve owned since that old TM 125 back in the day. There’s nothing like motoring around a crotch rocket pilot mid-turn, and leaving them in the tight stuff. The next open stretch puts them back in position for a repeat. I love this bike! And it never fails to turn heads. So, for everything but 150+ blasts on the superslab, for wheelies, stoppies, hangin’ the backend out and general hooligan behavior, this thing is an “E” ticket ride and gets three “thumbs” up! Read Full Review

Unbelievable machine

I had the opportunity to spend an hour on my brothers 07 KTM SD. I came from the inline 4 world and had only brief experience on a Suzook TL1000s some years ago. So I have been used to the high rpm power band on Japanese I4s. I recently came back to bikes after a short layoff and at my brothers requ...est I threw a leg over his KTM SD. Decent riding position due to the more laid back bars, seat height was perfect for me, I am 6` tall.
He has an Acropovic Titanium exhaust (which sounds absolutely awesome) on it. I fired it up, pulled out onto the road and not really knowing what to expect, I rolled on the twister and H%@#$ S&%$ I was blown away. TONS OF POWER. TORQUE ON DEMAND. I don't care what gear, where in the rpm range you are, roll on and hold on. I have ridden some fast bikes, Hyabusa, R1 and Kawa ZX7R. All fun, but nothing compared to this V Twin rocket for sheer enjoyability, you don't have to keep the revs up to carve the apex of a corner so you can power through, just roll on the throttle and Suirt, you are there. No waiting on the power band, or "Light Switch" effect you get from an I4. Its right there all the time, confidence inspiring suspension, equally impressive brakes. I cant say enough about this machine. THE MOST FUN I HAVE EVER HAD ON 2 WHEELS after 18 yrs of riding. Looks are unique and not every one appreciates its appearance, I love it, its different. It turns an average rider into a better rider due to its linear power delivery and awesome torque on demand. It aint the fastest but I challenge you to find a more grin inspiring ride out there. Fit and finish is awesome, SS Brake lines and Clutch cable from the factory, you pay for the good stuff and I feel the KTM SuperDuke is one of the Best V Twin crotchers out there. Ducati Be Dammed..

Jon Read Full Review