disclaimer

The views represented in this and all other pages in this web site - are merely ones expressed by the author.They are not to be taken as definitive information on either the technical specification, behaviour or charateristics of any of the motorcycles mentioned. Should any impending legal action be taken against the author on the grounds of misrepresentation etc the author will be claming insanity due to the Duke 'messing with his head'.

famous quote:

' if one goes round saying the truth - it is only a matter of time before one is found out '

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It's fair to say, that most sports motorcycles offer the rider a mostly rewarding riding experience, however, I can safely conclude that too much compromise (Read budget)  mainly in suspension and component quality has always been a major turnoff.

The Japanese have made some wonderful motorcycles but then finished them in rudimentary colour schemes and with basic suspension components and fittings. Exhausts and rust, particularly spring to mind.

When paying for example £ 5,000 (£8,000 US $) for a bike can they quantify selling you a mild steel exhaust system that will start to perish and discolour the 1st day you ride it ?

Of course they can - they look forward to selling you a replacement in due time.

Also, the constant and somewhat unrealistic search for higher and higher top speeds, have rendered many bikes to be simply not much fun at all, at slower speeds. 

Too have stability at very high speeds renders super-sports as cumbersome, tiresome and perhaps even boring at lower speeds.

ie The kind of speeds you & me will reach on read roads in real conditions.

The Beef, as they say...

In this I mean that, for example:- Yes, a CBR600 will be great on smooth, open roads, but easily becomes compromised by its relatively poor suspension and lack of agility on bumpy, uneven surfaces. 

Its' weight becoming more apparent as you enter a slower tighter curve, and its riding position becoming uncomfortable as you ride through a heavily congested city. Add together a combination of these, ie bumpy road turning into a slow sharp corner and you will soon suffer from rider fatigue.

However, the same could be said of the Duke if you were to use it on fast, long straight roads. You would also quickly suffer from fatique, discomfort and pain. Not to mention excess vibrations at constant revs.

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So it is vital that you decide what you want your motorcycle to be and do before you decide on which model to purchase.

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The Duke is in many ways a head-bangers tool. For the relief of built up frustration, there is nothing better than a blast down a twisty road. Except of course for people in Britain - in which case a 'sunny and warm' twisty road would be far better. Oh well - we can dream can't we !?

Europeans just style that much better ( A reflection on their more liberal and emotive lifestyles ? ), but on the road something like a 916 is a frustrating waste, you just cannot use it as designed for. 

This site is dedicated to bikers who want their bike to be just a fun toy and too have fun at lower and therefore safer speeds. Speed freaks will find talk of top speeds of 90mph as silly and laughable, which again is fine. Freedom of choice.

Compromises everywhere !

Motorcycle design is mostly about compromise. 

What to add and what to take off. Japanese factories work on strict financial targets, in the design and development of a new machine. They will try to offer the least and market it as: 'the most, for less' ! KTM own WP suspension, and use it extensively on their sales bikes. YAMAHA own OHLINS suspension, but almost never use it on their sales bike. 

Why so ?

 Quality costs. In a world where quantity rules over quality - there simply doesn't exist a sophisticated enough market of buyers, who demand or can appreciate such quality. Or more to the point - who are willing to pay extra for it.

Bikes are also about personalities, and this where the personalities of the KTM Duke shine through.

The Duke - The Why ? & The How ?

Why ?

For so many years, people have been converting motocross bikes to so called 'supermotos', by fitting road suspension and brakes.

Why ? Simply because lightweight singles, with their narrowness, forgiving chassis geometry, punchy engines and good riding position, offer awesome handling, fanatastic fun factor and are versatile for many different roads and conditions. Their relative low power outputs, means that you don't have to worry about punching out too much power, sliding the rear and losing control, instead, you can use throttle to power out of corners, let the handling amaze you and basically have so much fun, that a full on sportsbike seems tame and quite pointless on the road.

If you believe that a 180mph super-sports-bike is what you need to have fun,

 then you're either:

a) a professional racer

or

b) new to biking

All  KTMs  are designed and made for people who appreciate hiqh quality engineering and want to be proud to own a motorcycle that is of extra high quality and that is built to last and perform to the very highest standards.  

The Duke was designed as a cost no-compromise concept bike. Its main concept was one of pure undiluted fun, power and control. A motorcycle for those who enjoy the riding more than the destination.

How ?

The Duke offers all of the above, by a means of a rather simple recipe.

Take a superbly crafted off road chassis (LC4) add a highly tuned performance 4 stroke single cylinder engine, add the very finest quality (WP) suspension front and back, tune the frame geometry to offer outstanding balance, handling and ultra fast response, add ferocious brakes (Brembo GP Gold) and give the bike only the finest quality ingredients, with every detail being individually monitored, without compromise. Finally give it a unique styling, coat it in the finest paint and laquer and sprinkle it with garnish. Not forgetting to lace it all with stainless steel and quality lightweight aluminium.

The proof's in the riding...

The Duke is about fun, lightweight and aggressive riding, taking it all close to the limit, in total control and in high levels of safety. 

It's about chucking it in, on a country road, opening the throttle mid corner and rocketing out the other end. Its about being able to lift the front simply by using the throttle, such is the power delivery.

About being able to ride on such poor roads that would have other conventional sports-bikes wobbling dangerously out of control.

It's about the ultimate control of a 2 wheeled cycle. The power response is instant and can be very aggressive if you wish it to be, every input from your body is obeyed and the Duke will not easily suffer fools at the command. 

This is a bike for riders with experience and natural ability, with strong personalities and cat-like reactions.

IF YOU JUST WANT A BIKE FOR A CASUAL RIDE ON LONG STRAIGHT ROADS - DO NOT - REPEAT - DO NOT CONSIDER PURCHASING A KTM DUKE

Lets just say that the Duke is great for people who'd love to say no to an over ruled, over exploited society. It's for back to basics freedom with none of the hype, stupidity and outright danger that faces 140 mph+ riders and the like.

Its not about 140 mph speeding in 70 mph limits. It's not about braking laws of decency and safety. 

Safely safety ?

Dukes offer tremendous amount of safety, as although they allow you to get away with the crazy, hooligan type stunts, they do so with the quality of suspension, braking and agility that keeps you in control. 

Last note

Oh - in case you're wondering there are also a few other bikes that I appreciate. These include the following machines, in no particular order;

Honda NX250 / 650 Dominators

Yamaha TDR-250

Kawasaki KMX-200

Honda BROS / HAWK

Ducati Monster S4

BMW R1150-GS (shame it so BIG)

Yamaha TDM850** 

**( The Dukes older, grown up, calmed down, long lost cousin ?)