VOLUME ISSUE MARCH , P113
With a claimed wet weight
(that's including a full 3.9-gal-
lon tank of gas) of 394.6
pounds, the Duke R's ability to
navigate twisty switchbacks is
unquestioned. Compared to the
Heavyweight 1390 Super Duke
R, the 990 is at best a Super
Middleweight, light on its feet
but efficient in its power and
speed, zipping you from corner
to corner but having the chassis
to back it up.
Much of this character trait is
down to the Michelin Power Cup
2 rubber, which provides excel
-
lent edge grip, braking stability,
and more than holds its own
when you open the throttle. You
really have to try hard to get the
Michelin to step out, certainly
harder than I would be comfort
-
able with on the street, although
I can't yet comment on wet-
weather performance.
Transfer the 990 Duke R to
the track, and things get a little
spicier. Slap on some hard-
compound R7 front and R8 rear
Dunlops, and things get spicier
still. Funnily enough, the Duke
R's corner-slicing performance
on the street didn't directly
With a claimed wet weight
(that's including a full 3.9-gal-
lon tank of gas) of 394.6
pounds, the Duke R's ability to
navigate twisty switchbacks is
unquestioned. Compared to the
Heavyweight 1390 Super Duke
R, the 990 is at best a Super
Middleweight, light on its feet
but efficient in its power and
speed, zipping you from corner
to corner but having the chassis
to back it up.
Much of this character trait is
down to the Michelin Power Cup
2 rubber, which provides excel
-
lent edge grip, braking stability,
and more than holds its own
when you open the throttle. You
really have to try hard to get the
Michelin to step out, certainly
harder than I would be comfort
-
able with on the street, although
I can't yet comment on wet-
weather performance.
Transfer the 990 Duke R to
the track, and things get a little
spicier. Slap on some hard-
compound R7 front and R8 rear
Dunlops, and things get spicier
still. Funnily enough, the Duke
R's corner-slicing performance
on the street didn't directly
The 990 Duke R will make an exceptional
Super Hooligan bike once the initial setup
gremlins have been exorcised.
