SV650.org - SV650 & Gladius 650 Forum

Forewords: this is my "indulgence" bike a present I promised myself when some kindly driver decided to destroy my knee 3 year ago, Only had two days riding on it so far, but will update over time.

The Review.

What is it.
Make KTM
Model Superduke
Year 2008

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Engine:
Engine Type V Twin (75’)
Cylinders 2
Engine Stroke 4-Stroke
Displacement 999 cc (60.96 cubic inches)
Valves 8
Valves Per Cylinder 4
Valve Configuration DOHC
Compression Ratio 11.5:1
Starter Electric
Cooling Liquid
Fuel Type Petrol
Transmission:
Transmission Type Manual
Number Of Speeds 6
Primary Drive (Rear Wheel) Chain
Wheels & Tires:
Front Tire (Full Spec) 120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire (Full Spec) 180/55 ZR17
Brakes:
Front Brake Type Dual Hydraulic Disc
Rear Brake Type Hydraulic Disc
Technical Specifications:
Top Speed 140
Insurance Group 15

Model History

Release in 2005, updated in 2007 (white available from 2008.)

Interesting info
LC8 engine developed “in-house” by KTM themselves after taking on several engineers from Rotax.
Originally in 950cc for the Supermoto and adventurer and now as the 990 used in the RC8.

Performance
Standard spec
Power 120bhp (on standard pipes)
Torque 75.2/100 Ft Lbs / Nm @ 7000 rpm
0 – 60 3 sec
Top Speed 140/225.3 mph / kph

Handling & Chassis
Frame - Chromium-molybdenum, powder-coated tubular
Rake - 23.9°
Trail - 101 mm (4.0 inches)
Wheelbase - 1,450 mm (57.1 inches)

Engine & gearbox
999cc 75 degree V twin engine, pressurised oil feed type (dry sump), Wet multi-disc clutch, operated hydraulically, 6 speed gearbox.

Suspension & Brakes
WP fully adjustable USD 48mm front forks, WP fully adjustable monoshock
Twin front 320mm discs, radial mount monoblock brembo callipers,
Single 240mm rear disc, Brembo calliper.

Instruments
Analog rev counter, digital LCD speedo, “idiot” lights and a multi function LCD screen*
* graphical temp gauge, clock, trip counters**
**changeable between two standard trips, also switches to a count-up trip when the fuel light comes on.

Modifications & Add-on’s
Twin Akrapovic Evo system
P& P rearsets
16 tooth front sprocket
R&G crash bungs
KTM spindle bungs, front and back
Evotech Tail tidy
Touring screen
KTM rim tape
LED ind’s
Quick Throttle with 4 changeable cams (50/200/300/400)
Meta 357t-v2 Alarm
Datatag security marking system

Impressions

An Imposing look greets you when you see this bike, knife sharp edged design is the order of the day, the white panels on the black give a striking appearance.
Physically a talk machine (855mm seat height), throwing a leg over the seat gives a supermoto type riding position, very wide armed/broad chested/straight backed posture, the bike is waisted so your legs are straight as opposed to splayed out (as can sometimes be the case), in front of you is the wide tank giving you that "big bike" feel, the bars are the fat type and fairly neutral and flat, fully adjustable levers help make sure everything is to hand and comfortable.

Lifting the bike off the sidestand you note is doesn't lean over far (so it'll take a bit of extra care when parking to make sure it's firmly down), the bike is surprisingly light, turning the key brings the dash to life, the analog rev counter needle does a sweep around and returns, the LCD screen shows the front wheel diameter (the speedo can be calibrated for different wheel sizes) briefly before showing the clock and trip and large speedo above them, the whole display is back lit orange and the rev counter needle is blue.

The starter button rewards you with a very satisfying deep engine rumble; this is a baritone bike that's for sure, the rev gauge shows tick over to be around 1250 or so, a quick blip of the throttle sends a shiver through the bike and an almost physical wall of noise out the exhaust, wonderful.

On lifting my left leg onto the rearset I note the position is surprisingly relaxed (to the point I won't need to add an adaptor plate to it), I squeeze the front brake and pull in the clutch before selecting first, a bit "clonky" but goes in well enough, I'm wondering if this'll be the case throughout the gearbox?

Increase the revs and let out the clutch and I'm away, this is no sheep in wolves clothing, it's the real thing; "SHARP" is the word that comes to mind, you can almost hear the bike say "respect me or I'll bite", this isn't an easy bike to ride, it'll demand you concentration all the time and punish mistakes.

You sit very much up to the tank, which is just as well as the front wheel would quite happy reach for the skys without to much provocation, the power delivery could be described as "fierce" and a light hand is called for to keep things smooth.

The suspension is excellent; you don't get any better on a road bike, it's firm but compliant, once again the bike surprise by feeling very light in motion (feels like the CCM and that's 119kg), the whole bike is naturally biased forward and tipping into the first corner confirms the razor handling, the wide bars lift the bike equally as quickly as it turned in and a hint of throttle is all it takes to fire you out of the corner down the road, I'd say this is one of the few bikes you could actually justify fitting a steering damper to.

Power is everywhere, not once in any gear did I find the engine lacking; a fairly short stroke I'd judge and free reving, the gearbox just seems to be there as some sort of volume control really (and unlike selecting from neutral it's smooth and light), first gear will see 60mph with ease if you want to, but also pulling away in 4th is do-able, but the cream is 30-70mph it's scary fast, I'm going to have to watch my license with that! (On my private test track....Officer) it'll pull cleanly to 130*, but in all honesty you wouldn't really want to and if you never took it into triple figures I doubt you'd miss much.

Now the bad bits, as mentioned the sidestand is a bit upright and care has to be taken when parking, absolutely no wind or weather protection at all, the engine oil level is viewed easily enough, but topping up requires removing a body panel, which is a bit of a pain, but by far the biggest is economy, now I know it's a play thing and admittedly it's been tuned for power; but the light came on at 92 miles and by the time I filled up at 101 miles it drank 17.5 ltrs...:smt118

In summary, this is one serious bit of kit, not so much difficult to ride; as focused I'd say, doesn't have the top end rush of the Speedtriple or an inline four, but big buckets of power everywhere you'd want, I'd run it against even the most extreme of sports bikes in the real world and would lay good money on it "keeping up" on all but the longest of tracks, it has curb appeal to; nine times yesterday car drivers dropped their windows to tell me "lovely bike mate" or alike. Quality ? well it looks to be well made, it's so new only time will tell but as the new price shows there is nothing cheap on this bike,an awesome machine by any yard stick.

Looking forward to many fun filled miles in the future.

* I haven't had it over that yet, but it did have more to give, just hard work on a naked bike.

Cheers Mark.