DAAAANG - that's clean! Congrats. Welcome. All that stuff!
I've ridden a few SuperDuke 1290's back and forth with my FZ10 - I gotta say I actually like the '10's engine character way more.
I’m starting to think I’m really going to fall in love with this bike.
Coming off the SDGT I was a bit nervous that any bike was going to leave me wanting more.
The 1290 Vtwin did take me a minute to get used to the power delivery. It makes good power below 5k rpm, but if you want that wild torque pull/acceleration you really need to be in the gear that has you over 5k when you whack the throttle.
From what I can tell in my limited 2 rides, I’ll get a better feel as I ride it more: From 5k-8k rpm the SD does pull harder, but the MT10 is not that far off. Everywhere else, I don’t seem to notice much difference.
Of course, mine was the GT (not the SDR) and with the mods on this new bike it probably weighs 50-60 lbs less than the GT.
Also, not sure how much power the cat delete and flash on the MT10 added, but I’m sure it was some.
Where I have really noticed the difference, and what I think is going to make me really love the bike, is in the handling (again, limited time so far and the GT does weigh more than the SDR).
On the ride home I didn’t get the chance to take it on a lot of twisty roads, just a few near my home. Went through a nice set of curves near my house that I used to take at about 70 on the SDGT (quick but not blistering speed for them) and the MT-10 went that speed through them with what felt like far less work and easier.
Hit a straight after that set of curves and whacked the throttle, hit 120 indicated in a hurry and then backed off. Bike felt very stable, but 2nd day on the bike so I’ll give it a few more rides (and a longer straight) before I push it more.
It has been around 50°F for the two rides so I held back somewhat but yet can maintain speeds in corners (where I don’t feel like I am pushing it that hard) with more ease and confidence than on the SDGT.
I can’t wait for some 85°+ days and my favorite back roads.
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Depending upon who did the flash I'd be willing to bet its closer to 150 than not (rwhp) -
When I rode the Super Dukes back and forth with my FZ10 I hadn't had mine flashed yet - Just got that done last week and have yet to ride it. And yeah I could always tell the SD pulled harder but being a twin it felt so "linear" and just...idk...boring in the WAY it delivered the power. The 10 just has a different feel with that CrossplaneCrank and the character with the way it gives you power and combines all that with the sound... it just wasn't a contest to me.
Friends and I frequent Cherohala and the Dragon - I'd imagine you make your way over there a few times being in NC?
