SWM Superdual T Test Ride Review – Something Unique

Ergonomics – There is no special frame here as the Superdual does duty with a rigid double-cradle unit. To be honest it has been one of the most difficult motorcycles to get on, as the saddle height is as high as 893 mm. The standard seat height in India is close to 800 mm and this is almost 100 mm taller. But then, the side stand is quite sturdy making it easy to get on by climbing onto the footpeg. Me being 165 cms tall, wasn’t able to even tip-toe but the handlebar position is very close to the rider which makes it easy to maintain balance. There is space for a pillion but the seat isn’t wide or long. There isn’t much space for the rider itself and the seat cushion isn’t much to add any bit of comfort. All-in-all, the seating posture stays upright and this bike is easy-to-go for tall riders.

Performance – Powering the Superdual is a 600cc, single-cylinder motor which produces 54 BHP and 55 Nm of torque. The powerband is up high in the rev range, there is a decent low-end punch but the bike has a very strong mid-range and an enjoyable top-end. The revs don’t build up as quickly but the motor is rev friendly and redlines close to 9000 RPM. It can do 100 km/hr in the second gear and has a comfortable top-speed of 160 km/hr. It can also cruise in the 6th gear at 100 km/hr but any lower than 4000 RPM and you might feel the engine is knocking. With the lightweight and decent power figure, the power-to-weight ratio makes it quite lively in its powerband. It gets an 18-litre fuel tank and with decent fuel efficiency, the tank range is close to 400 kms.

The exhaust quite loud while it has a traditional single-cylinder note to it

The clutch is light and the gear shifts are crisp as the Superdual gets a 6-speed unit. Single cylinder units are more prone to vibrations and the Superdual has a good amount of it. There is a slight amount of buzziness from the get-go and it is rideable till 7000 RPM but then there are vibrations all over. Even with all the vibrations, the motor neither feels harsh nor are there any weird noises coming from the engine. However, you might hear the tappet noise if you have pushed the engine too much. The twin-exhaust sounds good and while it is loud and bassy, it still has the traditional single-cylinder note to it.

Riding Dynamics – Getting on the Superdual is a task but once on the saddle, it is just a toy in a playground. The dynamics are very well engineered and this being very close to a motocross has that fun-to-ride attitude. You sit high and upright while the handlebars are very close to the rider, this adds to great supermoto recipe as the feedback while leaning in is just mind-blowing. The bike holds the line well and is light making it easy to flick around the corners. The tank and the seat are quite thin so the rider can stand-up and take it to places where there are literally no roads. The ground clearance of 180 mm also comes in handy as you can jump over speed breakers or take it off-road without any worry.

Tips into corners well and holds the line too, suspension setup is very compliant

The front suspension is a 45 mm upside-down unit while the rear is a mono-shock. Both the suspension are long travel units making it comfortable to take on any kind of road. It also gets an aluminium-type swingarm for better stability. The Superdual comes equipped with a 300 mm floating petal disc at the front and 220 mm disc at the rear. While it also gets switchable ABS which turns off rear ABS, the feedback from the brakes is adequate. The front, however, nosedives a little due to the suspension while the handle twitches a little to the right under heavy braking. The bike comes equipped with Metzeler dual-purpose rubber which can do road and off-road duties equally well. The grip from the tyres is perfect for the bike but on serious off-road terrain, the tread depth won’t be enough.