An Even More Super Duke

Many of the launch bikes were fitted with various PowerParts accessories, including a €1,600 (Rs 1.14 lakh) Race Package of Akrapovic slip-on silencer, adjustable rear-sets, pillion seat cover and racing triple clamp. And we also got some laps on a racekitted bike that featured wavy brake discs, carbon-fibre mudguards and engine covers, Dunlop slicks, the above-mentioned yokes and rearsets, plus a near-€2,500 (Rs 1.77 lakh) titanium Akrapovic system.

The exhaust added a few horsepower and saved some weight but it was the €3,500 (Rs 2.48 lakh) of WP racing fork internals and rear shock that made the most difference. The bike felt noticeably stiffer and racier than the standard Super Duke, and totally at home at Losail. The total bill would come to about €25,000 (Rs 17.75 lakh) but for track-day use it would make one hell of a bike.