#PimpMyDuke: Part 1 – Lots of driving fun for little money

#PimpMyDuke: Part 1 – Lots of driving fun for little money

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I like to screw. And while half the two-wheeled world is going completely crazy because the KTM 1290 Super Duke R is practically burning everything to the ground, I sometimes think to myself: Great, but the new box - with a few ticks in the online configurator - quickly costs over 20,000 euros. Unfortunately, I'm neither a financial genius nor a software guru, so 40 purple 500 euro bills are unaffordable for me. I am also firmly convinced that there is a similar amount of driving fun for less euros. And since we can't write test reports over the winter months anyway, we have to produce other content. So why not put a great bike on the tires for little money and have a good time next year? A simple idea that also appealed to my boss. And so our renovation project starts in the Automotive Academy.

Motorcycle choice

Why a KTM 990 Super Duke? Because I'm a two-cylinder fan, like to sit upright in the saddle and have always liked the rough, mangy nature of the Super Duke. And because you can currently pick up the brilliant street fighter quite cheaply on the used market. We paid 4150 euros for the basic motorcycle. The key data: Year of manufacture 2007, almost 27,000 kilometers on the clock, probably a crash on the left, Akrapovic Race mufflers, short rear, old, rock-hard tires, mediocre condition. In short: The perfect basis for turning it into a fine old-school naked racer. Why old school? No ABS, no traction control. No safety net, just an agile chassis, snappy brakes and hopefully always enough grip underneath Bridgestone S21 Sports rubbers. Since the Super Duke comes with a fully adjustable WP chassis and decent Brembo brakes as standard, there are no higher investment costs for, for example, new fork interiors or a new shock absorber. The alternative to the 990 Super Duke would have been a 690 Duke III. Since the additional price over the Super Duke was so low, we decided straight away to go with the naked two-cylinder surface-to-surface rocket. The only sticking point: the accessory parts market is no longer quite as plentiful due to their advanced age.

Suspension tuning

Since we will be using the bike for various purposes next season, including attending various driving safety training courses, photo and video rides, product tests and race track appointments, the Super Duke will be given a makeover over the next few weeks and months. The production model is great anyway, but there is always something more that can be done. And since the good one has already seen eleven seasons, there are some areas where we urgently need to work, for example on the chassis. The condition of care and history do not indicate that the spring elements have ever been serviced. Ergo, an ancient fork and shock absorber oil is probably in use. We will also have the chassis individually adapted to my needs at this opportunity. Robert Wilhelmer – My trusted suspension guru – is the right man for the job. And yes, a chassis service is extremely important and turns an old bike into a completely new motorcycle within just a few hours of work. Really. But more on that in a few weeks.

New paint

We also have to help with the optics. Firstly, the orange clashes badly with our Apex colors - the orange has to go, a completely new coat of paint will be put over the plastic panels and other parts. Rating: extra eye-catching. It has to be, Apex is supposed to grow and thrive. Since I assume that the Apex Duke will be in contact with the ground next season, it will be provided with an adequate crash pad and crash protection package. For this I primarily choose products from the house GBRacing decided. The pretty one shouldn't have to go back to the painter within a few kilometers. We will also take and test various brake components. And since there is no ABS on the Apex Duke, the differences should be clearly noticeable.

Childhood illnesses

The Apex Duke is currently doing faxes: We will have to look at the well-known problem of suddenly increased idle speed (up to 3000 revolutions) together with a specialist workshop. The forums are full of experience reports and several solutions could lead to the goal. Let's see whether we can get out cheaply or expensively. If all goes well, the Apex Duke will be completely prepared and ready to drive in early March, just in time for the start of the 2018 season. Until then, we'll keep you updated under #PimpMyDuke. We look forward to any feedback. Winter can come, let the screwing and pimping begin. 

With kind support from TOTAL Austria

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