1607 RF final

Editors Notes
You can’t help but be impressed with KTM and Ducati.
Even though they are not as BIG as the Japanese and German
manufacturers, they still manages to produce exquisite motorcycles.
KTM’s all-new Superduke GT is a great blend of everything you
could ask for in a road motorcycle. It will take you a couple of rides
to fully understand the phenomenal electronics package on the GT.
There is so much available in terms of adjustment, and it is so easy
to operate and use. And finally, KTM have put a quick-shifter on their
road bike. It needs a little fine tuning but at least it’s there.
Also featured for the first time is the new semi-active WP
electronic suspension. It’s a good first attempt by KTM and WP, but
just like the shifter it could use a tweak here and there.
The 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, V 75° 1301 cm³ LC8 motor still produces
huge amounts of power, maybe even a bit more than you actually need
on a bike like this, but you have to admire KTM pushing the limits.
Although I do think it’s a bit long in the tooth now, having been used in
previous models like the RC8 and 1290 Superduke naked. I suppose
they went with the old “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” expression, and
I really do think now that they are back in MotoGP it’s only a matter
of time before we see a new “mind blowing” motor come out of the
Austrian factory. Exciting times ahead for the big oranges...
The Ducati is a gorgeous piece of art, and it goes just as good as
it looks. The same can pretty much be said for all the bikes on test
here. They all have a cheeky sporty side to them just waiting to come
out at a split seconds notice for the odd thrash, while still offering that
comfortable, satisfactory joyride that you need on a 400km plus ride
such as the one we did.
It amazes me that we do not see more of these models out on our
roads. Especially the BMW S1000XR. What a machine! While cruising
on the BMW my mind would often wonder, to me thrashing it around
the 22. Let me tell you, this bike would makes some of the best
sportsbikes on the market today blush. Zie Germans have done an
incredible job with the XR.
I have always been a huge admirer of 3-cyclinder engines, so it
was no huge surprise that I loved the Yamaha Tracer. That sound the
engines produces is sexual, and the aggressive, yet easy to handle
throttle gets the heart racing every time.
It’s a thrilling ride in every sense of the word, and was no slouch
against the 3 bigger dogs in this test, like an annoying Jack Russell
that thinks he is bigger than he actually is trying to take on dogs twice
his size. You just got to love the attitude of the bike.
thrust. Coupled with plenty of
horsepower and it is mighty
easy to get it wrong. So, from a
cautionary point of view handle
these monsters with care.
The other three in the utopian
idealist world of commuting, would
be right up there with the BMW
3 series that represents a hint of
the M4 but not the real deal. They
are all practical, reasonably priced
and fun to ride. (I am still trying to
remember if I have ever seen a
Cross Runner on the roads).
But this is a road test of
adrenaline and forbidden
performance that would make
a traffic cop blanch. The BMW
stands confidently above the rest.
It growls and can be flung around
like an experienced pole dancer,
never flinching, always inviting you,
tempting you be harder, faster and
take absolute control. It was so
popular in fact that one of the other
testers, who has been riding bikes
since Moses was discovered in
the reeds, had to be pried off the
XR, inch by painful inch (will hear
what Clive “The Relic” has to say a
bit later). The Ducati on the other
hand is like the 1st princess, quick,
pretty and will still turn heads, but
unfortunately she never gets to
wear the crown. She will always be
the bike that could have been, but
never quiet had it all.
“IN AT NUMBER THREE FOR ME IS THE HONDA.
YIP YOUR EYES ARE NOT DECEIVING YOU, ITS A
STRAIGHT FORWARD NO-NONSENSE BIKE. NOW I
RIDE ON AVERAGE 5HRS A DAY ON A MOTORCYCLE
SO I TACKLE HIGHWAYS PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC AND
SUBURBAN BACK ROADS. THE ONLY ELECTRONICS
IS THE TRACTION CONTROL, SO IN A WAY, LESS IS
MORE IT JUST DID EVERYTHING THE WAY I WANTED
IT TO FOR THE RIDING I DO. OH! AND THE FRONT
HEADLIGHTS LOOKED SO PRETTY.” Zenon
42 RIDEFAST MAGAZINE JULY 2016