Kawasaki Concours Forum

Riding => It's not a Concours - other Bikes => Topic started by: stevewfl on May 31, 2014, 12:18:24 PM

Title: Superduke 1290 R..... 1 arrived in Tampa
Post by: stevewfl on May 31, 2014, 12:18:24 PM: I've very kindly asked my friends to talk me out of going to the stealership and looking at this :(

http://youtu.be/A8heeP16TIc (http://youtu.be/A8heeP16TIc)]http://youtu.be/A8heeP16TIc
Title: Re: Superduke 1290 R..... 1 arrived in Tampa
Post by: gPink on May 31, 2014, 01:54:50 PM: Your true friends would want what's best for you, Steve.
Title: Re: Superduke 1290 R..... 1 arrived in Tampa
Post by: JoeRau on June 06, 2014, 06:33:55 AM: Quote from: stevewfl on May 31, 2014, 12:18:24 PM
I've very kindly asked my friends to talk me out of going to the stealership and looking at this :(

http://youtu.be/A8heeP16TIc (http://youtu.be/A8heeP16TIc)]http://youtu.be/A8heeP16TIc

I rode the SuperDuke yesterday. That thing is a beast!

Very light nimble little bike. Controls where very predictable, clutch and brakes felt great. Turn signal control was a bit different, and after a few times using it, I like it better than my C14's. Mirrors where ok, I would change them since I had to move my arm to see anything in them. On the ride, first and 2nd gear put me well above any speed limit in Minnesota, and a 3rd gear roll at 60 brought the front wheel up- only for a second, then the traction control put it back down. The power really comes alive at about 4500 RPMs. I did pass a few other vehicles on the road, very easy without shifting. One of just a few naked bikes I have rode, but this one had the right air movement. Not loud, no buffeting, and good in cross wind and when meeting oncoming vehicles.
Complaints... I know I am spoiled on my C14, but that thing had a lot of vibration. I know V twin motors have more than inline 4's, but this was more than the few HD's I have rode. Vibration was worse on rolling the throttle with load at under 5K RPM. My right arm was numb in 15 minutes.

I also rode (before the Superduke) the Adventure 1190. Loved the suspension. Vibration was better than the Superduke - more like a HD, but lacked the power I expected.
Title: Re: Superduke 1290 R..... 1 arrived in Tampa
Post by: Rhino on June 06, 2014, 06:42:54 AM: I'm your friend Steve so I'll help:
DO NOT listen to me TEST RIDE and buy THAT BIKE
Title: Re: Superduke 1290 R..... 1 arrived in Tampa
Post by: martin_14 on June 10, 2014, 03:49:40 AM: Quote from: JoeRau on June 06, 2014, 06:33:55 AM
... Not loud, no buffeting, and good in cross wind and when meeting oncoming vehicles...

I don't know of any bike that is good at meeting oncoming vehicles. Or walls, but walls do not come.
Anyway, Steve, your soul is begging you. Buy it.
Title: Re: Superduke 1290 R..... 1 arrived in Tampa
Post by: Son of Pappy on July 18, 2014, 08:38:53 PM: Steve, you couldn't handle that bike :P
Title: Re: Superduke 1290 R..... 1 arrived in Tampa
Post by: martin_14 on July 20, 2014, 11:15:54 PM: Steve, I had the chance to try one the last weekend. You-need-it :stirpot:
The front wheel on that thing wants to go airborne in 4th. It's sick.