I started out focused on getting the FZ-09, I went to check it out and was impressed by its simplicity and weight balance. However at my dealer they have a 2007 SD 990 and I'd never seen one before, it struck a chord with me. Now I'm torn between the 2 bikes. What I want is a daily commuter bike that isn't gutless and performs well. I also hope to enjoy it some on weekends. I'm 43 and won't be doing wheelies in traffic or any other tricks for that matter, but performance is important. I grew up riding motocross bikes and prefer light and nimble machines with good power but don't care for riding position of a sport/GP style bike. In 2001 I got my first street bike, an HD Sportster 383 Hugger, it was okay, not to heavy but LOW on power and VERY uncomfortable on any trip over 20 mins or on the interstate. So I sold it after less than a year and thought that'd be my last street bike. Then I noticed the street fighter/naked bike movement and that got my attention but I was waiting for something to inspire me. The FZ looked exactly like what I wanted, but then came the SD 990 and now I'm torn. Any input, experiences or comparisons are welcome. On paper they seem similar, weight, height HP, but I here the Mpg is less on the SD and the upkeep is higher. Lay it out for me, which should I choose?
Super8
FZ, no contest. Super Duke will be much more hassle in terms of maintenance, parts availability, reliability, etc.
If you like riding more and tinkering less....the choice is Yamaha.
The KTM is 3 yrs old, chances are, it had a rough life (it's a superduke).
At 43 you probably won't enjoy the ultra-firm dirt-bike style seat for very long.
My $0.02
The KTM is 3 yrs old, chances are, it had a rough life (it's a superduke).
At 43 you probably won't enjoy the ultra-firm dirt-bike style seat for very long.
My $0.02
I have been riding KTM dirtbikes since 1997 (Before they became mainstream again) and never had any real issues with the 5 I have owned. Personally would stay away from the streetbikes though, read too many people complaining about the lack of refinement and known issues on their street motors. Personally I was looking into the Superduke 1190 before picking up the FZ but after seeing the MSRP I bailed.
If you have local dealer support it is an option, otherwise stay away. My Aprilia was an awesome machine but too many issues and lack of dealers around factored in to me selling it.
If you have local dealer support it is an option, otherwise stay away. My Aprilia was an awesome machine but too many issues and lack of dealers around factored in to me selling it.
That's because KTM is lyin' on their ass with a so-called "dry weight "number of 410 Lbs.
Dry weight means no fluids such as gas, oil, or coolant. Sometimes, even no battery.
I had a 2009 SD and it came in at 454 with a full tank of gas. Sold it 2 years ago.
In comparison, a 2008 Duc Hypermoto came in at 442.
The FZ 09 is the 1st bike I have seen where the real world weight with a full tank of gas was
even close to advertised weight. ___ 414 ads vs 417 on the same scale I weighed the SD.
The tank on the SD does hold about 1 gallon more gas, however.
Get the FZ 09, and this is from somebody that just turned 62.
The Duke vibrates almost as bad as a Harley. Like Harley's, Duke screws like to come loose at the most inopportune times.
The SuperDuke is one of the few bikes that I like the looks of more than the FZ-09, and I love the exhaust note too. But really, in terms of practicality & reliability the FZ-09 should win hands down. I wish I could own both though. But I'm just saying, if an 883 Sportster felt very powerful to you, you're in for a HUGE shock once you ride either of these rockets!
I looked for the Ktm as well, last spring, but the comfort wasn't me when sitting on it. I then realised that service was every 4k miles, and heard on the ktm forum how rubbish the fuel economy is.
Having had the MT(FZ) for nearly 4 months and 2000 miles later, my smile have only become bigger and bigger.
The Yamaha is a Fantastic fun and versatile bike. I've planned a trip to the Alps this summer, so really looking forward to test it for touring as well. For commuting it is great, call it superb.
The engine is just amazing and gives the play and able to do the hard work for you at any given time, whatever you throw at it.
Having had the MT(FZ) for nearly 4 months and 2000 miles later, my smile have only become bigger and bigger.
The Yamaha is a Fantastic fun and versatile bike. I've planned a trip to the Alps this summer, so really looking forward to test it for touring as well. For commuting it is great, call it superb.
The engine is just amazing and gives the play and able to do the hard work for you at any given time, whatever you throw at it.
I wouldn't call the FZ brakes soft- they may fade on a track but in the city I have no problems getting the right grab. The rear is almost too instantaneous. Stopping is not dangerous at all.
As for your dilemma, I am not sure a 7 year old, 14k miles old SD could stand up to a brand new, more reliable FZ. I love KTMs and my ideal bike is the SMT- touring meets supermoto fun! The sticker price kept me away.
KTM streetbikes have vastly improved over the years and the character they possess is second to none. I had the baby Duke 200 and it blows away every single 250cc machine in the market- you need to ride it to believe it. If you want hooligan fun and dont care about service intervals and long term reliability and want something that has "character" (however you define it), the SD is for you. If you want a similar hooligan fun but with added versatility comfort and reliability of a newer Japanese machine, the FZ is a no-brainer. You could take the SD out to tour but not sure you will be as comfy. The ergos are almost similar as well- though the KTM is a bit more hard edged I would say. In the end, its about what you want from your bike.
However, if price is not a factor and you had to choose between the FZ and the new SuperDuke 1290, I would say go for the latter.
As for your dilemma, I am not sure a 7 year old, 14k miles old SD could stand up to a brand new, more reliable FZ. I love KTMs and my ideal bike is the SMT- touring meets supermoto fun! The sticker price kept me away.
KTM streetbikes have vastly improved over the years and the character they possess is second to none. I had the baby Duke 200 and it blows away every single 250cc machine in the market- you need to ride it to believe it. If you want hooligan fun and dont care about service intervals and long term reliability and want something that has "character" (however you define it), the SD is for you. If you want a similar hooligan fun but with added versatility comfort and reliability of a newer Japanese machine, the FZ is a no-brainer. You could take the SD out to tour but not sure you will be as comfy. The ergos are almost similar as well- though the KTM is a bit more hard edged I would say. In the end, its about what you want from your bike.
However, if price is not a factor and you had to choose between the FZ and the new SuperDuke 1290, I would say go for the latter.
Oh, I forgot the seat-bit.
Yes you would have that impression at first. Move an inch back and it gets comfy. Move an inch forward, and you go Supermoto style, so feel free to flick it into A-mode and have tons of fun
Yes you would have that impression at first. Move an inch back and it gets comfy. Move an inch forward, and you go Supermoto style, so feel free to flick it into A-mode and have tons of fun
Just curious, not comfortable in what way on the Duke?
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FZ09
90 USD for front spring set + 50 dollar fork oil change ?
ZX6/10R shock
100 USD ECU reflash
for less than 8500 you get one hell of a bike
you can take out the spring from the equation if you weight 140-160 pounds.
FZ09 is a no brainer if you live in the states.
90 USD for front spring set + 50 dollar fork oil change ?
ZX6/10R shock
100 USD ECU reflash
for less than 8500 you get one hell of a bike
you can take out the spring from the equation if you weight 140-160 pounds.
FZ09 is a no brainer if you live in the states.
I just got my FZ09 YESTERDAY! I have never risen a KTM but the fz09 has a monster engine. Suspension seems a bit soft. I have not tried to adjust. Seat is a also firm. The KTM is way more $. Yamaha hit as home run here!
I had a 08 Superduke R. Now the R is set up for the track, stiff suspension, 10 more hp. The 09 feels a lot lighter. The superduke r felt like a track bike and the fz felt like what it is. The SD definatly has more motor. With out a doubt hands down. The suspension and brakes are better to be expected. The SDR was one of those bikes that I never jived with. I was never 100% comfortable on it so it got sold. I'm now in the process of buying a FZ! As far as ktm parts goes...Anyone who says parts will be hard to get is full of it. My local parts store who isn't a KTM dealer got me a new seat pan for my SDR in 3 days...They only imported 50 of them to the US. Id say that's not bad. I've never had an issue getting any KTM part for any of my bikes.
I had an 07 bought it new and liked it I also had nine other bikes at the time. I traded the sd for a moto guzzi got sideswiped on the freeway by a lady not paying attention and the bike was totaled as well as me almost. Tne new fz reminds me of the sd but at a smaller out of pocket exspense, I would assume the sd more power have not got the fz delivered but has been bought. Either I would suspect to be a real good bike. I took all the carbon fiber of my sd before trading it in if there is anyone on here that has one and wants some cheap carbon fiber send me a pm. Can't wait to ride the FZ.
Tried a superduke 990 yesterday, doesnt have the low end torque of the fz, but does pull strong from mid to top end. Great handling, slightly stiffer suspension, and the seat and legroom is awesome. Not to mention the sound (even stock). If I get a great deal I might make the switch just cause Im such a fan of big twins. If I could Id keep the FZ too. If I dont go for the duke, Ill just have to wait for yamaha to launch a new MT-01.
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excellent..i just turned 57 and am lusting terribly over the FZ....my whole life I have been able to learn-up quickly and feel excited about learning the FZ...or is it too late for me?
Same age here!....I tested one Super Duke some years ago, and I liked it, BUT it didn't make me crazy like the FZ/MT09. The KTM turns very well, brakes very well, but I am always afraid about their maintenance, parts availability, reliability....
Please, test both first. I LOVE MY 09 :eagerness:
Please, test both first. I LOVE MY 09 :eagerness:
Sold the FZ-09, going to get the 2007 Superduke 990 later today. Wish I could keep both but one has to go...I really loved the FZ-09 but missed my Monster 1100's engine (not it's reliability). So hopefully I get a bit more reliability then the Ducati, but with the big v-twin character I love and I think it aged quite well for a 7 year old bike and the one I found only has 14000km on it, my 2014 FZ-09 is already at 10000km hehe.
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Still love the FZ-09 and would recommend it to everyone, awesome bike, tank-like reliability, good ergos (though bad seat), low maintenance, just cheap simple fun
Still love the FZ-09 and would recommend it to everyone, awesome bike, tank-like reliability, good ergos (though bad seat), low maintenance, just cheap simple fun
If you go
My FZ-09 is awesome. When street riding the twistiesI normally use B mode or rain mode with a throttle tamer. You may want a new 2021 MT-09 with the slipper clutch. Be sure if you get the Yamaha you get one with a slipper clutch. My FZ-09 Yamaha riding consecutively is getting 55 mpg plus. If you could ride the SD990 conservatively it has a larger tank may get good gas mileage. I installed the FZ-07 Yamaha rubber foot pegs with the FZ-09 drag screws. An old SD could be a maintenance nightmare and parts for the Yamaha are easy to find. I prefer the lighter Yamaha MT-09 to the heavier, wider, hotter, MT-10 in the Smoky Mountains. If you like the big roads buy the MT-10.
My FZ-09 is awesome. When street riding the twistiesI normally use B mode or rain mode with a throttle tamer. You may want a new 2021 MT-09 with the slipper clutch. Be sure if you get the Yamaha you get one with a slipper clutch. My FZ-09 Yamaha riding consecutively is getting 55 mpg plus. If you could ride the SD990 conservatively it has a larger tank may get good gas mileage. I installed the FZ-07 Yamaha rubber foot pegs with the FZ-09 drag screws. An old SD could be a maintenance nightmare and parts for the Yamaha are easy to find. I prefer the lighter Yamaha MT-09 to the heavier, wider, hotter, MT-10 in the Smoky Mountains. If you like the big roads buy the MT-10.
In the past year and a half I've owned two KTMs.. one of which was a brand new 2019 690 smcr out of the crate. Both bikes put fairly large metal chips on the drain plugs.. I went back to my roots and bought a Yamaha
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