I have to go for surgery.

**Lou Girardin** · 5th September 2005, 08:23

I borrowed the SuperDuke for the weekend and I can't get the stupid grin off my face. This beast has to be the most fun you can have fully clothed.
When I first rode it it felt really strange, like some overweight dirt bike. But through the first twistys on SH18, I was grinning like a loon and winding it out just to hear the overun through the Akrapovic system, which sounds like the rumblings and gurglings of hell.
I met up with Pixie and we heading up SH16. The danger with the KTM is that it makes you feel invincible. Corner tightens? Just push it down like a Motard. It gives you a choice of lines for any corner. The brakes just STOP, one finger is all you need.
The wind blast only becomes an issue over 160 (so I'm told).

The seat feels hard, but wasn't a worry, the fuel light coming on at 100 km's sees to that. There was probably 4 or 5 litres left, but I didn't trust a bike I didn't know. We came back through Kaipara Flats Rd which is all sealed now, this has some seriously tight sections that the KTM ate up and looked for more, you barely need to change gear, just roll it on and off in second.
I didn't want to get off the thing, now I'm trying to figure out how I can get owning two bikes past the CFO.

**Sniper** · 5th September 2005, 08:32

Lucky bugger. I would love to have a play on one of those.

**dawnrazor** · 5th September 2005, 08:50

Ah something for the weekend sir?

**Lou Girardin** · 5th September 2005, 09:06

Originally Posted by Sniper

Lucky bugger. I would love to have a play on one of those.

You bet, ChCh to Greymouth and back twice just for fun.

**Big Dave** · 5th September 2005, 09:11

I read the headline and thought you were finally getting something done about that sense of humour.

**dawnrazor** · 5th September 2005, 09:19

Don't think you can get a curmudgeondectomy in this country.

**zadok** · 5th September 2005, 09:28

Sounds like a great bike. I will look forward to seeing some on the road.

**Lou Girardin** · 5th September 2005, 11:17

Originally Posted by Big Dave

I read the headline and thought you were finally getting something done about that sense of humour.

Mine's curable, yours is terminal.

**Lou Girardin** · 5th September 2005, 11:18

Originally Posted by dawnrazor

Don't think you can get a curmudgeondectomy in this country.

True, but optianalectomys are available. There will be heavy demand after the election though.

**InDeSkyz** · 5th September 2005, 12:06

By the way that Lou Girardin wrote in his OP, it sounds very much like he may of had trepanation surgery performed.

**dawnrazor** · 5th September 2005, 14:37

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

True, but optianalectomys are available. There will be heavy demand after the election though.

i would have thought demand for them runs at full steam all year round

**Lou Girardin** · 5th September 2005, 16:36

Originally Posted by dawnrazor

i would have thought demand for them runs at full steam all year round

It did until the advent of Prozac.

MD · 5th September 2005, 19:39

Yesterday someone, apparently a KTM bike shop dealer from ...?, turns up at the Kiwirider trackday at Manfeild to show off the demo bike. He looked sad so I volunteered to take the bike off his hands for a spell. Shit a brick what an awesome ride that was. One word kept coming to mind to sum it up .. absolute totally FUN!
Handing the bike back was a tough call. Comfort, cool looks, light, powerful and a compulsory smile the minute you hit the starter. Then there's the fantastic brakes. Stoppies like nothing else with 2 wheels.
It would be great to ride the KTM and a Speedtriple back to back.
Why are we being tortured with so many amazing bikes to pick from.

**Pixie** · 6th September 2005, 00:08

People seem to be beginning to realise that trailbikes really are the ideal machines for the road.
(don't try to tell me the Super Duke is not a trail bike)

LB · 6th September 2005, 03:31

Originally Posted by MD

Yesterday someone, apparently a KTM bike shop dealer from ...?, turns up at the Kiwirider trackday at Manfeild to show off the demo bike. He looked sad so I volunteered to take the bike off his hands for a spell. Shit a brick what an awesome ride that was. One word kept coming to mind to sum it up .. absolute totally FUN!
Handing the bike back was a tough call. Comfort, cool looks, light, powerful and a compulsory smile the minute you hit the starter. Then there's the fantastic brakes. Stoppies like nothing else with 2 wheels.
It would be great to ride the KTM and a Speedtriple back to back.
Why are we being tortured with so many amazing bikes to pick from.

The dealer was from AFC Motorcycles in Palmerston North. Did that Akropovic (sp?) system look/sound good or what??!!