Morning everyone.
Had a great holiday weekend. Just wanted to post up my impressions of ‘God’s own motorcycle’ - KTM Superduke for doing distance runs rather then hooligan blats. I’ve done all over Europe on my GSXR’s before but never done a long run on a naked bike.
Got a call from some mates who had use of a holiday home down in Rock (opposite Padstow in Cornwall) late on Friday saying why don’t you come down for a night or two. I was sleeping on a couch in Thames Ditton at the time after a ‘ahem’ few bevvies with another friend. Quick brekkie on Saturday, then down to Hove to stuff a backpack with some essentials and hit the road.
Very busy along A27 until M27 at Portsmouth, then cleared but already started to notice the wind noise and neck pump (had to keep dropping to below 80-85), from no fairing. That said, the filtering at beginning was quicker due to the commanding position and a bit less wristy. Hit A31 to Ringwood, then via Dorchester to Honiton to Exeter to Launceston to Wadebridge to Rock.
Took 5 hours with fuel (3 stops that day - she’s a binger…) and the occasional smoke break. Traffic not too bad and some of those A roads are a dream, looooong lines of traffic despatched and some good bends - towns can be a bit of an annoyance to the clutch hand as you have to feather in 2nd on the S/Duke to prevent snatch, promote smoothness.
Positives - Low down lazy grunt and drive, glorious noise, high seating position - good views, un-cramped legs, mirrors, presence (car drivers and bikers alike can hear you coming and she is sooo mean looking.), A Roads, Twistys, Traffic light minger. Oh and all those posh Fulham ladies giving me the eye as a sinister black visored, noisy biker turns up in their la-di-dah village 
Negatives - Bit thirsty (pah! still cheaper than the train), Wind noise, neck strain on motorways. Hard Seat gave my bum/sack a little bad news after a few hours. Bit cold and showery yesterday though.
All in all - good job done and I will never look at another bike for the road. I may invest in a tank bag and perhaps a higher lipped screen if doing another.
Hope y’all had some good rides (except Chr1s on another thread I read it seems)
