I do really like the vitpilen, pretty much the perfect bike to me personally. Reminds me a lot of my SRX600 which also is a super single and great to ride, kind of the vitpilens predecessor. I have done a similar swap on my triumph but did not keep the stock front wheel.
Dual disk
- Thread starter Actionabe
- Start date
nampus
top rider
The ktm RC8, 990 Superduke, SMT, and the 950 and 990 SM all used a very similar looking 5 spoke wheel with twin rotors.
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BISavage
champion rider
I enjoy "using" the brakes knowing that 7 bucks will cover new set of double h pads, which have the availability that comes with a fit list of like 200 bikes.
So since that is the case then maybe they just grabbed the wheels out of the available parts bin? Should make it a lot easier to swap if that is the case and it’s not unique.
My largest complaint with single disk brakes is the asymmetric loading applied to the forks. This seems to be less and less of an issue as fork stiffness has improved, but it has been an annoyance on some of my older machines.
the Vit seems to handle this twisting load with ease, and it’s performance envelope feels well suited to a single brake. That said, I do like the symmetry of a dual disc set-up, and look forward to seeing what you come up with.
The notion that the single disc harmed sales is an intriguing one, and I too remain a little surprised that the Vitpilen was marketed as a beginner machine. I find it a fantastically engaging ride, and love the directness of its feel and minimalism. Of the 60-odd bikes I have owned it offers the nicest street balance of fedback and power. That it was passed over to the point of being discontinued is sad- so few of us will get to enjoy such a nicely ballenced, competent, bare bones machine.
the Vit seems to handle this twisting load with ease, and it’s performance envelope feels well suited to a single brake. That said, I do like the symmetry of a dual disc set-up, and look forward to seeing what you come up with.
The notion that the single disc harmed sales is an intriguing one, and I too remain a little surprised that the Vitpilen was marketed as a beginner machine. I find it a fantastically engaging ride, and love the directness of its feel and minimalism. Of the 60-odd bikes I have owned it offers the nicest street balance of fedback and power. That it was passed over to the point of being discontinued is sad- so few of us will get to enjoy such a nicely ballenced, competent, bare bones machine.
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Max Kool
pro rider
nampus
top rider
I think the single cilinder was more relevant to the low sales than the single disc.
People look at the spec sheet and see 75hp when for almost the same price they can buy a 790 Duke, mt09/fz09 or triumph street triple with >100hp.
People look at the spec sheet and see 75hp when for almost the same price they can buy a 790 Duke, mt09/fz09 or triumph street triple with >100hp.
True, almost the exact same story as the srx-6 which only made it one year, you would think Husqvarna had heard about its flop but I’m glad they didn’t because the 701 is petty much the perfect bike in my opinion, maybe someone else will try another super single in 30 years.
BISavage
champion rider
They made a big hype that they could save the SuMo by updating it for euro 5...
Can correct me if I am wrong, but I havent seen a euro 5 emissions Duke 690 yet, maybe that was the reason for closing the doors on the big pilens.
Can correct me if I am wrong, but I havent seen a euro 5 emissions Duke 690 yet, maybe that was the reason for closing the doors on the big pilens.
Max Kool
pro rider
Getting an engine up to Euro 5 doesn’t mean there’s a market for a Duke 690 or Vit/Svart 701. Especially since the 790/890…
So as of now I ordered a rc8 front axle and 790 duke front axle, they look visually really close. Best bet I can think of right now is an rc8 wheel in 790 forks with the vitpilen or 790 abs tone ring, rc8 rotors and what ever brembo calipers I can find that will fit, maybe from a Ducati 848. Really need the axle measurements. Visually the vitpilen front wheel looks like it has a smaller axle and thicker bearings/spacers so If I went vitpilen wheel I would have to figure that out, I also do not know for sure if the right side of the rim is machined and tapped for the rotor instal.
Oh and I need to figure out how to modify the vitpilen fender mounts or make some custom aluminum ones, needs to look factory. As well as a new larger master cylinder, I think that’s all. Will have to see how the plan comes together over time. Btw since they look identical, anyone have any idea why the rc8 front wheel is over double the cost of the vitpilen? Because it’s a more “premium” bike?
Hello,
I did it on my 2013 690 Duke.
RC8 fork, almost a direct fit. You can keep the 690 wheel (remove platic cap and put the second disc). RC8 fork axle only.
I did it with M50 brembo caliper (from KTM RC8). You have to replace the master cylinder for a dual disc MC (Brembo for me).
The RC8 fork is too short. It should be better with the 790 fork (I don’t have the experience but it should be the same).
Since, I came back to the single disk. It was perfect for the track races but too much for my hill climbing races.
I hope it helps you.
I did it on my 2013 690 Duke.
RC8 fork, almost a direct fit. You can keep the 690 wheel (remove platic cap and put the second disc). RC8 fork axle only.
I did it with M50 brembo caliper (from KTM RC8). You have to replace the master cylinder for a dual disc MC (Brembo for me).
The RC8 fork is too short. It should be better with the 790 fork (I don’t have the experience but it should be the same).
Since, I came back to the single disk. It was perfect for the track races but too much for my hill climbing races.
I hope it helps you.
Sweet bike! Thanks for the information, it makes me feel more confident that this will work out. If all I have to swap is the front axle and it’s the same diameter as the vitpilen it will make the swap so much easier, once I get these axles and can measure everything I’ll know for sure if they changed the dimensions at all.
Did you notice the steering slow down or get sluggish after you did the swap from the extra weight both unsprung and rotational?
I can’t say because the RC8 fork was 100 mm shorter ! Despite a lowered triple, the trail was dramatically reduced which caused on the contrary an unstable motorcycle.
For you the 790 fork is only 13 mm shorter and it will moderately counterbalance the extra weight and inertia.
I assume you’ve already checked the diameters at triples and the position of cylindrical areas of the 790 fork (corresponding to triples positions).
I forgot some changes for my RC8 fork : custom made fork springs (out of RC8 range) and home made ABS sensor bracket.
For you the 790 fork is only 13 mm shorter and it will moderately counterbalance the extra weight and inertia.
I assume you’ve already checked the diameters at triples and the position of cylindrical areas of the 790 fork (corresponding to triples positions).
I forgot some changes for my RC8 fork : custom made fork springs (out of RC8 range) and home made ABS sensor bracket.
Max Kool
pro rider
Forks :
Duke 690 : 816 mm
Duke R 690 : 831 mm (but 150 mm travel vs 135 Vit and non R)
Vitpilen : 778 mm
Duke 790 : 765 mm
RC8 : 735 mm
Shocks :
Duke 690 : 364 mm
Duke R 690 : 370 mm (but 150 mm travel vs 135 others)
Vitpilen : 369 mm
Vitpilen and Duke frame, swinging arms and linkage are the same to me. Only shocks and forks are different.
You need to consider the heigth balance front/rear and the travel (not only the unload length) but the truth is that those bikes have big trail (110 or 120 mm) compare to 90 mm for sports bikes. You can lower the front a bit without problems.
I hope my English is understandable.
Duke 690 : 816 mm
Duke R 690 : 831 mm (but 150 mm travel vs 135 Vit and non R)
Vitpilen : 778 mm
Duke 790 : 765 mm
RC8 : 735 mm
Shocks :
Duke 690 : 364 mm
Duke R 690 : 370 mm (but 150 mm travel vs 135 others)
Vitpilen : 369 mm
Vitpilen and Duke frame, swinging arms and linkage are the same to me. Only shocks and forks are different.
You need to consider the heigth balance front/rear and the travel (not only the unload length) but the truth is that those bikes have big trail (110 or 120 mm) compare to 90 mm for sports bikes. You can lower the front a bit without problems.
I hope my English is understandable.
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Good info and your English is great. If I remember correctly my vitpilen forks stick out of the triple tree about 1/4” so if I put the 790 ones flush it should be pretty close... I know what you mean about being unstable, when I swapped my thruxton it lowered the front a little too much so I had to use a steering damper to provide a safety margin, not the best solution but it’s worked fine for 30k miles.
So a huge setback... I was out of town and bored so I ordered a bunch of parts. Got the 790 forks and the problem is that although they are 43mm wps forks for some reason they are about 3mm larger where they clamp into the upper and lower triple tree. I do not want to change the triple tree out since it will cause so many more headaches. So it seems the only option is to either try to find someone who can swap the fork lower clamps or try to fit the 790 lower tubes into the vitpilen upper tubes if by some miracle they fit. The only other option that would look factory is perhaps a custom upper if the stem length is the same.
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Max Kool
pro rider
If they have enough meat, you can have the stock triples machined to fit?
But yes, swapping the lower tubes over or the fork lowers may be an option too…
But yes, swapping the lower tubes over or the fork lowers may be an option too…