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KTM 990 Super Duke

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Make Model

KTM 990 Super Duke

Year

2006

Engine

Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder

Capacity

999.8 cc / 60.9 cu-in
Bore x Stroke 101 x 62.4mm
Cooling System Liquid cooling,
Compression Ratio 11.5:1
Lubrication Dry-sump lubrication with 2 rotor pumps
Exhaust 2 x Premium steel with three-way-catalyser

Induction

Electronic fuel injection  / electric

Ignition 

Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment
Battery 12 V/11.2 Ah
Starting Electric

Max Power

88 kW / 120 hp @ 9000 rpm

Max Torque

100 Nm @ 7000 rpm
Clutch Wet multi-disc clutch, operated hydraulically

Transmission

6 Speed
Final Drive Chain, X-Ring 5/8 x 5/16"
Primary Drive 35:67
Final Drive Ratio 16:38
Frame Chromium-Molybdenum trellis frame, powder-coated Subframe Aluminium
Handlebar Aluminium Ø 28/22 mm (1.89"), tapered

Front Suspension

48mm WP Upside down adjustable
Front Wheel Travel 135 mm / 5.3 in

Rear Suspension

WP shock, fully adjustable
Rear Wheel Travel 160 mm / 6.3 in

Front Brakes

2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers

Rear Brakes

Single 240mm disc 1 piston caliper

Front Tyre

120/70 ZR17

Rear Tyre

180/55 ZR17
Rake 24°
Trail 103 mm / 4.0 in
Wheelbase 1438 mm / 56.6 in
Seat Height 855 mm / 33.6 in
Ground Clearance 165 mm / 6.4 in

Dry Weight

186 kg / 410 lbs

Fuel Capacity

18.5 Litres / 4.8 gal

Consumption Average

12.6 km/lit

Standing ¼ Mile  

11.5 sec

Top Speed

236 km/h
Reviews Motorcycle-USA  / Motorbikes Today  /  1000ps.at 

The traditional orange livery of KTM says it all. It isn’t a posh Hermès orange or a trendy mid-century citrus. Rather, it is a shade that recalls highway workers clad in DOT-approved reflective garb. The color is all function with a dismissive nod to form, which is fitting, as the Austrian manufacturer has spent the last 73 years building durable off-road bikes better suited to pavement-free adventures than aggressive urban jaunts. But no longer.

The new 990 Super Duke represents Austrian KTM’s first undiluted road-going effort. Being thrust against such worthy Italian contenders as the Ducati Monster S4R and the Aprilia Tuono 1000 R is the perfect occasion to defy tradition, ditch the conventional color, and clad it with go faster bits and custom trim from the KTM PowerParts catalogue, which can be ordered at the point of purchase. (Click image to enlarge)

This Super Duke’s custom parts not only distinguish it from stock KTMs, but also from a sea of similarly ambitious naked bikes. The key here is discretion. Rather than baring engine, pipes, cables, and all the visual detritus necessary to make a motorcycle function, this personalized Duke hides enough to maintain an air of mystery, just like a seductive woman. The stock fuel tank appears as though it were chiseled from a slab of obsidian, blacked out modifications, lending the Super Duke the sleek angularity of a stealth bomber and the special order carbon fiber heat shield, spoiler, and rear seat cover lend the bike an even more assertively poised angle of attack. Dual titanium Akrapovic slip-on mufflers provide a bump in power, while the dramatic aural amplifications offer an appropriate complement to the bike’s dramatic appearance. More subtle details include a carbon fiber brake reservoir cap, rear fender, clutch and ignition covers, and front and rear chain guide protectors, a carbon fiber swingarm shield and covers for the airbox and footrests. Racing suspension and five-spoke Dymag carbon fiber wheels, which reduce unsprung weight and aid handling as they contribute to the bike’s distinctive styling, round out the factory custom package.

 

In any guise—custom or stock—the Super Duke proves its sporting intentions on the track, where it performs with a level of potency on par with its direct competitors. The 75-degree DOHC V-twin is torquey and flexible, and the 999cc engine provides plenty of smooth power, with only the slightest hint of a raw edge. The second-generation LC8 powerplant fires up on a reassuringly aggressive note, and while the Super Duke’s 120-horsepower twin may not accelerate with the thrust of a 4-cylinder liter bike, it provides more than enough front wheel-lifting grunt, putting it in the league of its comparably powered counterparts. Power delivery is manageable and quite controllably smooth, creating levels of performance that should satisfy most aspiring streetfighters who also appreciate a modicum of delicacy with their throttle response. The 990 may not have many, or any, parts in common with KTM’s MotoGP 250 and 125 race machines, but the competitive lessons have been learned. (Click image to enlarge)

Also satisfying are the Super Duke’s ergonomics, which incorporate a comfortable seat and an untaxing riding position; characteristics that make it more of an upright sportbike than a detuned superbike. Exemplary WP suspension components enable excellent dynamics, and the bike’s rider-friendly suspension settings make it easy enough to live with on punishing road surfaces. Turn-in is sharp, and the bike doesn’t drop unexpectedly, nor does it demand several chops in order to negotiate direction changes. Braking is commensurate with handling, thanks to front 4-piston, radially mounted Brembos, which bring the bike’s mass of just over 400 lbs to an efficient halt.

One mildly weak link in the bike’s track performance is the gearbox, which required careful foot movement to engage gears. It tended towards a false neutral or two and occasional missed shifts between 3rd and 4th gears; it will be interesting to see how much this issue manifests itself on the road. Other than that, the Super Duke produces outstanding supersport performance, delivering a linear, torquey motor and wonderful handling in an easy-to-ride, confidence-inspiring package. (Click image to enlarge)

 Real world demands go beyond knee scraping and threshold braking, and if KTM’s road-bound trajectory is any indication, the manufacturer is just beginning to explore the possibilities of what it can do with high-performance bikes on public pavement. While their upcoming, fully faired RC8 model should further exploit this visceral and potentially lucrative genre, the Super Duke is a bold entry whose distinctive styling is sure to push the design zeitgeist in a more sharply creased, angular direction. If it doesn’t, KTM can enjoy basking in the knowledge that its superb products stand alone as uniquely sculpted forms that are as distinctive as the company’s trademark orange hue.

Source motorcyclingmag.com