Has The 990 Duke Taken The Throne?

Follow Me on Instagram! - / samvbikes
Follow Me on Facebook! - / samvbikesyt
Follow Me on Patreon - / samvbikes
DISCOUNT CODES AND LINKS BELOW!
Get RoadSkin Jeans with this link!
10% off with code 'SamVincentKZbin'
roadskin.co.uk...
Get yourself a MotoProWorks decal kit here!
www.motoprowor...
Discount code - SAMV15 for 15% off
Get 10% Off Custom Fit Guard's moulded ear plugs with code
'SAMV10'
customfitguard...
Bikestop Discounts!
5% Off over £50 - Code SAMVV
10% Off over £300 - Code SAMVX
www.bikestop.c...
Get 5% Off Innovv Products!
innovv.co.uk/s...
Discount Code for 5% off at Checkout! - SAMV
Get a Monimoto Tracker with this;
monimoto.com/r...
Grab a LiteLok here with this;
www.litelok.com/samvincent
Gear;
Helmets - Arai Tour X4
Summer Gear - Knox Urbane Pro Mk2 Mesh Jacket and Roadskin Taranis Elite AAA Jeans
Casual Gear - Halvarssons Racken Jacket and Roadskin Paranoid-X AAA Jeans
Touring Gear - Halvarssons Gruven Jacket and Laggan Trousers
Boots - Daytona Roadstar GTX, Sidi Adventure 2 and Daytona AC Classics in Brown
Gloves - Halvarssons Ljusdal, Knox Handroid Pod Mk5, Goldtop Predator, Gerbing XR heated gloves
Camera Set Up;
Main Camera - GoPro Hero 11 Black
Face Camera - GoPro Hero 9 Black
360 Cam - Insta360 One X2
Sound Recorder - Zoom F2 BT

[@PAD32]

Can't say for the 990 vs 1390. However I own a 790 and tried the 1290. Yeah the big one is impressive and give a smile when cracking the throttle. But in the end, the 790 is so flickable, and the engine is still explosive enough for the twisties. For me is the sweet spot.. I like the fact that you can actually use the power. The only downside for me is the rear shock that is a bit soft when riding hard. If you need 1km straight line to actully use the power of the bike, that's fun once, and then it's pointless for actual riding.

[@grindvik]

Hahahaha! This is me summon every single reason why i gott the 990. Thank for making me being able to describe the fun you get ´;.)

[@SamVBikes]

Haha you're welcome! What an awesome bike

[@alanung]

Enjoy watching your videos, Sam, especially your signature infectious giggle... 🤣

[@SamVBikes]

Haha thank you!

[@philwoods2534]

Managed to have a play on one and a 1390 last weekend......I think I'd prefer the 990 which is a Jekell and Hyde bike exactly as you wish it to be but a lot easier to punt about tighter locations. Everyone should have a go on one........

[@SamVBikes]

It's definitely a much more usable bike on the road isn't it! Lighter, more nimble and plenty of power

[@philwoods2534]

@@SamVBikes amazed at the size, yet power and handling are stunning....a pocket rocket!!!

[@tanishqb385]

real

[@Steve-motorcycles]

Seems like a retrograde step to me.. I certainly don’t think it’s better handling than the 890R. Hopefully it has 96% less reliability issues though.

[@GhostHammerX]

Have you ridden both to compare?

[@bmwm3man]

​@@GhostHammerXThanks. I was just about to ask them

[@Steve-motorcycles]

@@GhostHammerX yes. Although since writing the above comment I have had a little more time on the 990. I also only can compare with the 890R. It does handle like a bigger bike, much more like my 1290 SDR. It is very good but not as light, quick or as sharp as the 890. It has different characteristics. I can imagine it would be quicker doing lap times on the track but maybe not quite as much fun on the road. The electronics, user interface is better and it does have a little stronger midrange shove than the 890. The brakes are definitely not as good, I guess that will change on a R model whenever KTM decide to release that. At this point in time, I would not swap an 890R for the 990. Is the 990 better, it is in some aspects but possibly not much overall.

[@Ktm.Blazed]

The giggles and laughs of a true kid biker who’s falling in love 😂😂👌🏼

[@SamVBikes]

😂 followed by the silence which is the debating if buying one would be bad for my license haha

[@Ktm.Blazed]

@@SamVBikes I be tempted now more thanks to you lol. I’ve just got a 390 from them boys last November after passing my das in August. Only issue is money and because insurance would be £300+ than the £100 I’m paying a month 😂 Maybe in a few years time I can have one.

[@SamVBikes]

Haha! If it makes you feel better.. insurance for me was still very expensive! With 6 years no claims, owning other bikes and locked garage etc it was over 2k a year!

[@Ktm.Blazed]

@@SamVBikes damm gonna probably be similar then, I’ve thankful I’ve got a garage now but that’s crazy for that. I’m only 2 years in total and getting 3k+ for anything bigger. At least I ain’t on a 125 I’m happy lol

[@CPUspeed]

I understand that this 990 Duke is more up to date than the 890 SMT. But strictly talking egos and comfort which one do you prefer?

[@SamVBikes]

For a longer trip the SMT wins hands down. The 990 is very comfy but it's a duke so it's still quite aggressive. I'd happily take either on a trip though!

[@Toxicdemon2]

those giggles 😂. That's how I always feel riding my bike

[@SamVBikes]

Haha it's involuntary! Just such a great bike you can't help it ha

[@flexdiaz]

990 or 1390 - Which one would you pick?

[@SamVBikes]

I think I'd go 990 for the road. My super adventure is stupidly fast and the 1390 makes that feel slow. I think I'd enjoy owning the 990 more

[@4tech69]

Waiting for the R.

[@99Apit]

Or u could change apex pro suspension , gp4rx calipers , rcs mc , dymag up7x & u get yourself a Double R 😅

[@SamVBikes]

More R = Betterer 😂

[@cpuuk]

Any sniffs on when a new 1290S is coming?

[@SamVBikes]

Best I've heard is "wait for EICMA" followed by a wink ha

[@jaystarmini]

Love to see more of Joe's Africa twin. Have a cb500x and do take notions of one them or a honda 800x crossrunner. My only problem is im tall but no meat on me so not the strongest of people 😅

[@SamVBikes]

I'll get a review done on it in the coming months! It's a great bit of kit

[@jaystarmini]

@@SamVBikes be good to watch. You got to try the nx500 honda aswell

[@SamVBikes]

Yes! The CB500x was a great bike so keen to see what the NX is like!

[@jaystarmini]

@@SamVBikes can't fault my 2018 model. Came from a suzuki gsx750w and before that a import 400cc bandit. Garage now has cb500x, honda dax Chinese copy with a 140cc engine in it which is an animal and so much fun

[@SamVBikes]

Haha sounds awesome! Can't wait to have the Monkey in a slightly more ridiculous set up

[@michaelmclarney1994]

Looks like great fun Sam, top review as always. You always manage to communicate how much fun a bike is! 👍

[@SamVBikes]

It was a really good laugh bud. Almost tempting me away from the 1390!

[@michaelmclarney1994]

@@SamVBikes wow! That is good! As men we always need more power, just because we do!

[@SamVBikes]

Haha yeah I don't think my tiny manhood and ego would let me walk past a 1390 to buy a 990 😂😂

[@michaelmclarney1994]

@@SamVBikes I know that feeling, I always want the most powerful and even more important, more torque! When I bought my FJ1200 it had more torque between 5000 and 7000 rpm than the others at the time such as the ZZR1100, CBR1000 and BMW offerings which was the main competion. Just where you want it on the road!

[@SamVBikes]

That's it mate! I've become obsessed with the torque more than anything in the last few years. That's why I love the KTM.. it's just a monster!

[@SouthWest-jj8yu]

Looks like a fun bike Sam and looks really small. All the tech is that permanent or does it move to subscription after a certain mileage?

[@SamVBikes]

I'd assume the latter like their new models. Although KTM are currently doing a free tech pack offer on the 990 which is very tempting

[@SouthWest-jj8yu]

@@SamVBikes I rode a CFMOTO recently I ride for the Blood Bikes and we just got two from the local dealer. They said KTM had now taken over acting like a parent company for dealers etc.

[@61greybeard]

Great video Sam especially with Mark making a cameo appearance 😊. That 990 engine in the SMT might tempt me away from my 1290 gt but I still love 1290 engine 👍👍 keep the reviews coming Sam 👍👍

[@SamVBikes]

Yeah KTM took over UK and IRE distribution of CF Moto in early 2023 I think it was. I think there are a few other brands in there too

[@SamVBikes]

Cheers bud! Haha will be expecting an appearance invoice in the post 😂

[@johna6968]

Iv tried but I can't cope with this guy's annoying laugh.

[@theinnerdreamer7043]

Did you pay extra for camshaft lubricant?

[@multitaskchef]

The cackling during wheelies was so annoying. It’s a great bike. But MAN UP & ride. With the schoolgirl giggles.

[@SamVBikes]

😂😂

[@stephenmeek3128]

Got me considering moving over to a KTM from triumph. Question is, this or the 890 SMT?

[@SamVBikes]

Depends what you use the bike for. Both are definitely comfortable enough to do some trips on but the SMT would work better if that's the focus. The 990 has more tech on it and the updated switchgear etc so that's a big plus!

[@stephenmeek3128]

@@SamVBikes I think they are missing a trick not updating the SMT with more powerful engine and new equipment of the 990. The SMT suits me well but it's tough to buy a lesser engine.

[@SamVBikes]

I'd assume based on previous model history that there will be an SMT-R in the relatively near future. There always seems to be an R model which follows so I'd hold out for that

[@stephenmeek3128]

@@SamVBikes good shout thanks

[@Unclefacts]

/laughs in 4th gear power wheelies

[@SamVBikes]

😂😂