KTM 990 Super Duke Bike of the Year ??????????????????

To Motorcyclist:

On June 19, 2008 my friend and I ventured to Laconia for our annual demo rides
To our excitement KTM was there! Finally, we will get to ride the 2007 bike of the year the KTM 990 Super Duke.
We thought after the demo ride we would love it so much we would have to buy one!
My first impression was the seating position, you call tell KTM is a dirt bike company because it felt like my old dirt bike.
So as we left the parking lot to go for a ride the Zero to Partly open throttle caused the bike to be “up and down” like there was a lot of driveline lash. As we continued on the ride I tried several different ways to ride around this but nothing worked, this on/off fuel injection just would not go away and was extremely annoying when in traffic.
Then things got worse while going around a corner, as I got off the throttle, the bike surged severely!
This is the worst fuel injection on a bike I have ever experienced!
The FZ-1’s bad fuel injection was better!
The suspension on the Duke was a little harsh for rough New Hampshire roads, the seat started to cause pain on this short demo ride, and the engine power was adequate not impressive.
As a matter of fact this is one of the worst bikes I have ever ridden, and I have ridden all of the new bikes, Benelli TNT, Aprilia Tuono, Triumph Speed Triple, Ducati Monsters, GT1000, 999, Multistrada, Kawasaki Z1000, SV1000, SV650, Harley Dynas, Softails, Victory’s, and the Yamaha FZ1.
This was not the only Super Duke with these problems; my friend’s demo bike had the same symptoms.
I own a ZRX1100 and this bike has quirks also, but it would give the Super Duke a run for its money. The ZRX by “my seat of the pants dyno” as you put it made at least as much power for thousands less and the suspension was better.

How much is KTM paying you?
Did they send you to Amsterdam first before you tested the Duke, because you had to be high to pick this as bike of the year!
All of the above bikes are better.
The closest dealer in New England has a Super Duke on a pedestal and has a “do not touch” sign on them. Now I know why they do not want you to ride them.
I just want to send a WARNING!
Ride a KTM Super Duke before you spend $14,000 to 16,000, because the magazines seem to be on the payroll.

John Gonsalves  

Huh.... I test drove one twice and didnt expiriance any of those problems, had an absolute ball on it. Everything about it was awesome, like they made it just for Me. The engine did seem a bit jerky down low, this I think was because I was used to riding an inline four, But a little learning with the throtle and clutch and that disapeared. Bike felt light and nimble, brakes were awesome, power was very good ( though I think I will try to get more ). I had to have one! found one on e-bay with 308 mles on it, for less than 10k, going to pick it up tomorow. I hope it doen't have any of the issues You descibed, when I took the test drive I couln't quit grinning and found myself giggling coming out of corners. Only problem I've read about is that the water pump needs to be replaced every so often. I am hoping that Your problems were just a bad tune or something like that, Going to ride mine home (~3.5 hours) I will report back on how it does.  

Glen Cox had good things to say about his Super Duke that he ran at Pikes Peak this year: http://blip.tv/file/1141981