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EICMA 2023: KTM 990 Duke Arrives As The Latest Unhinged Naked Weapon From Austria's Orange Brigade
KTM has just unveiled the brand new 990 Duke naked motorcycle., The KTM 990 Duke is the firm's new mid-range naked sports bike option and succeeds the highly-regarded 890 Duke.
The KM 990 Duke promises an adrenaline rush whether on a race track or a winding country road for its riders and embodies KTM's commitment to creating bikes that are absolute weapons on the streets that thrill on every corner.
The heart of the 990 Duke is a Euro5+ compliant 947cc DOHC parallel twin engine derived from the 890's powerplant, that pushes out a blistering 121.4bhp at 9,500rpm and 103Nm of peak torque at 6,750rpm.
This latest Duke's engine benefits from new pistons, a redesigned crankshaft, and conrods compared to the outgoing 890 and comes paired with a 6-speed gearbox which is aided by a quickshifter.
The KTM 990 Duke sports five riding modes. Three are standard - Rain, Street and Sport, with the latter two allowing access to full power. The first of the optional modes - Performance - allows for a certain amount of customization and offers both launch and cruise control while also allowing riders full access to the KTM Connect suite.
The final riding mode is Track mode. This mode is meant for the race track and disables cruise control and the KTM Connect suite. Launch control is enabled for perfect race starts and the TFT display shows lap times and telemetry data as well.
The parallel-twin engine acts as a stressed member within a brand-new steel frame that is paired with a new closed lattice swingarm. This setup is hung off adjustable WP Apex suspension which includes a 43 mm WP APEX open cartridge USD fork at the front and a monoshock at the rear.
The new Duke 990 rides on 17-inch rims that will be quite familiar to owners and fans of the 1290 Super Duke R. However, the rims are slightly different from the Super Duke's units thanks to the presence of the double-sided swingarm. The wheels come shod with 120/70 R17 (front) and 180/55 R17 (rear) Bridgestone S22 tyres.
To bring the new 990 Duke to a halt in double quick time, KTM has fitted its latest naked with twin 300mm floating discs at the front that are clamped down by 4-piston radially mounted callipers. The rear end sports a 240mm single-disc unit. The brakes are aided by KTM's SuperMoto ABS setup.
As expected from KTM, the 990 Duke is packed with advanced technology. Riders can benefit from a three-stage lean-sensitive traction control system, ensuring optimal performance regardless of the riding conditions. The TFT dash provides essential information at a glance. A USB-C charging port adds a touch of modern convenience, allowing riders to keep their devices charged on the go.
In terms of aesthetics, KTM has given the 990 Duke a properly redesigned headlight unit. The Position and Daytime Running Lights are located along the edges of the headlight and are auto-adjustable thanks to an ambient light sensor. The actual headlight turns on automatically when it gets dark.
One of the standout features of the new 990 Duke is its 'electric orange' design. This vibrant colour scheme pays tribute to the original 2005 990 Super Duke V-twin and helps the new model stand out when it flies past on the road.
Thoughts About The KTM 990 Duke
The KTM 990 Duke is a promising addition to KTM's lineup and is the final stepping stone to the lineup's ultimate boss, the 1290 Super Duke R. It promises to deliver the performance and agility that KTM's bikes are known for, which means that whether you're an experienced rider or looking to step up from a smaller machine, the 990 Duke is worth keeping an eye on.
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