Middleweight naked perfection? 2024 KTM 990 Duke review

The new KTM 990 Duke promises to deliver a riding experience that's closer to the 1390 SuperDuke than the 790 - luckily I spent an afternoon riding the 990 immediately after getting off the 1390 SuperDuke R. And made a video. Which is this one. Join me to find out hard how the 990 punches, whether I'd pick it over a 1390 and whether it's up to snuff against the new Yamaha MT-09. And whether it makes you giggle…
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[@Steve-motorcycles]

A great bike and great review. I can’t wait to ride it a bit more. However, a 990 or an MT09SP for nearly £3k less and proven reliability. I would chose the Yamaha

[@SirMountainpass]

MT09 SP all day - have it optimised to 185 kgs wet (my 2020 SP weighs at 181,5 kgs wet) and tuned to 120+ whp without the factory limitations by an experienced Pro and you are definitely a force up and down any serious mountain pass 😎✌️🔥🏁

[@Steve-motorcycles]

@@SirMountainpass absolutely 👍🏻

[@Banditmanuk]

I'm a long term Yamaha owner. Their reliability is right up there. I know which I would pick.

[@banestock]

Ktm is definitely going to revise the pricing of the 990 cause they will have an R model come out later to compete with the sp.. Right now though mt09 sp all the way!

[@nicofonce]

THAT'S indeed my dilemma....MT-09 or this KTM Duke. Yamaha for reliability all the way. No doubt. KTM seems more fun. Damn, too many choices nowadays

[@henrikmattsson3869]

Great review! Ive got the 990 Duke and love it. Best bike ive had (out of like 25 bikes). The engine is awesome, the handling is awesome, the fun-factor is through the roof. 🏁😎

[@Steve-motorcycles]

Got to love KTM

[@Juuul89]

In the Netherlands they already dropped the price 1200 quid and tacked on the tech pack for free for a total of 2200 off. Still it's the most expensive bike in the class by a long shot and it's not even the R. I fear for the 990 Duke R and 990 RC R pricing.

[@tubejorrit]

they did? and still it 17.200,- without a tech pack (according to the dutch website). I really want to buy one but for 18.000,- with tech-pack it's the same price as a brand new MT-10 (yes 10!!) and they give you for 2200,- on accessoires this month, including a tail tidy and Akra exhaust! that's just mental.

[@Juuul89]

@@tubejorrit Then buy that :) it's objectively a better deal. The KTM is currently 16k, tech pack included (just call your dealer). But even that is still too expensive. I might still buy one though, nothing rides like a KTM.

[@DaxxTerryGreen]

Sweetness. I pick mine up on Tuesday night here in Asheville NC at Eurosport Asheville.

[@lanceoverton5919]

Buy a KTM and leave it at the dealership as that’s where it will spends most of its life being fixed, unreliable bags of poo

[@stevetee4145]

I do like the performance of KTM motorcycles but they are pricey and rip you off a bit with “ extras”. My main concern with them is reliability. I’m not convinced the 990 is worth the extra over an MT 09.

[@mm93249]

What a great review! “This is not a baby SuperDuke it’s more like a Teenager SuperDuke” 😂👍

[@ulrichfrey2068]

Good report and well done video. I compared the MT09/2024 and the 990 on longer test rides in the Swiss Alps. The decision was easy. I bought the 990 with total conviction.

[@SomeRandoInternetPoster]

Really hope KTM resolved cams/engines failing before the first service on 7/890 bikes with this new 990 motor. The experience has put me off owning another KTM especially a KTM parallel twin. They do go well when they work though.

[@nickmegadeth6633]

we're calling a liter bike middleweight these days? and it doesn't even make 150ps... and KTM reliability! I'd say that's a junk!

[@DuncanStace]

So I just had a 390 as a loaner while my VFR was serviced and that was quite a bit of fun. Now I want to try one of the real KTMs

[@michaelrieser9928]

I have a 2007 990 superduke and I needed an inexpensive second bike. I got a 2024 ktm 390 and it’s pretty impressive! A lot of bang for your dollar. I hope to get the new 990 but I think the 2024 390 is always going to be a bike I grab for the backroads and twisties. There is something unique about the size, weight and power, I don’t think the larger bikes can mimic that. Perhaps the light weight of the new 990 will be something special.

[@richardkostarz5783]

Rode both 990 and Mt09 a few times now. CP3 smoother and way better sound. 990 slightly punchier but way overpriced compared to Mt plus reliability historically way better on Mt. Both need an ergonomic seat in my opinion. Great bikes though.

[@Druezy]

I want to get an RC 390 and then the new 990 RC R down the road! These bikes are sick!

[@therealquaid1694]

If it also has KTMs best cams that last more than 10,000 miles it might be the best bike they have made.

[@mainand]

If you are lucky!

[@mainand]

MT09 would be my choice after hearing tales of chocolate cams with ktm parallel twins. There is even a 7200 member FB page on the subject. KTM camshaft failures 790/890 & 901.

[@mclarnonc2002]

Surely the non-factory Tuono V4 1100, second hand with 2-3K miles for very similar money is faster, looks better and won’t attract quite so many “hooligan” comments? Gosh do I really regret selling mine 😢

[@otlndsh]

I'd like a bike with worse reliability, paywall electronics, and $3k more expensive than a close competitor - said no one ever. (in addition to plenty of other considerations)

[@grenphelps7455]

Looks like a great bike, I do think on these bigger bikes (I own a 2023 mt10) that on the back roads, we are just hanging on and really not using even close to full power, something like that 990 duke really interests me...🤔

[@Icem4n84]

I bought the 1290 SDR for 15k, I don't regret that decision and won't be changing it anytime soon.

[@inked-96]

You will when it goes wrong 😂

[@kj385]

Bought my 1st gen SDR four years ago for $7500. Don’t regret one bit. Worth every penny!

[@Icem4n84]

Had it 4 years this year. One minor issue. Every bike will go wrong at some point. KTM get an unfair reputation for that which has not been my experience. Are negative vibes nice for you?

[@Steve-motorcycles]

I got the 1290 SDR with tech pack and a few nice trinkets for £14.2k last August. Great bike and I love it.

[@GameWinner85]

Well I had 2022 sdr, sold and happy, no anymore pain and issues with new bike.

[@ianplayer3329]

Nice but I’d buy and mt09 sp

[@queenslander954]

Perfection ..while the cam lobes grind themselves away & KTM shrugs its shoulders … What ?

[@mm93249]

Almost perfect review if not for the 990 vs MT-09 part. I guess you don’t want to lose either side 💰 great review tho 👍

[@pepedeespana3399]

Great video and great bike, if you can choose between hypermotard 950 sp or Duke 990, which one would you choose? Which one do you think is more fun? Thanks for a great review

[@helgejohan3604]

Feels bigger and litle more heavy then 890, but more wheelies ✊🔥

[@chrisharding7258]

I’ve been waiting for this review. Looks a great bike. I’m testing riding one on Thursday and cant wait

[@AbrasivMusic]

I would get this if it came orange with black wheels. Those orange wheels are not for me.

[@EJK1965]

Yes KTM make the best parallel twins, no doubt......when they work.

[@hagestad]

So yea - you are better of with honda or yamaha.

[@michaelrieser9928]

Went from speed triple to 675r Daytona to used 2007 990 superduke to new 2024 ktm 390 duke! Love the torque factor in all those bikes. I’m sorry but when the shoot out KZbin comparisons all pick the ktm’s as being the most fun…… believe them! Enough with the Yamaha and Honda talk. Quality bikes yes, but fun factor……. Ktm, triple, Ducati……enough said.

[@salvaquest2123]

As is always the case with KTM .. many put off by poor reliability & having to fight tooth and nail 4 any warranty claims 👎

[@DucatiDale]

Wonder if the camshafts are serviceable items like they are on the 790 and 890 it baffles me in todays day and age that a entry level car like a Dacia won’t give you any issues but a high end bike manufacturer like ktm you’re worried every time you go to turn it on or ride it

[@michaelrieser9928]

Had a 1999 speed triple and a 2007 ktm 990 superduke. I would ride those over the new mt09. That’s how much more fun they are than a Yamaha or Honda.

[@reverendhoover]

Weirdly looks like a CB500 from the tank backwards. It's not a bike that i would buy.

[@EJK1965]

Tim, what about the quality of construction materials and finishes? So few reviews ever analyse how things are actually built.....but as an engineer, I suppose I would say that......

[@TheNorfolkThunderbolt]

Mein Gesäß tut ein bisschen weh, Kumpel!

[@tolob]

It’s too ugly for me. It makes the MT09 look good though and I don’t think the MT09 is a pretty bike at all.

[@ogofog9120]

I could just about live with the SDR the single sided swinging arm & butch trellis frame look great, but that my friend is a dogs breakfast & the problem with parallel twins is that sound awful.

[@grenphelps7455]

Hey, Tim is there a follow up video for this 990 duke...???

[@RobertLeMay848]

I hope they’ve fixed the camshaft issues with this update. My 790 hardly made it 5k miles

[@Trevster65]

I bet it’s a real hoot to ride, hang onto your licence somehow.

[@dalemeadows225]

Does that £3k premium over the Yamaha include the electronics? Or are they behind their scam paywall?

[@mrnoisy4883]

UK get the tech pack thrown in and also 0% finance option.

[@Filthy_Goblin_44]

Not even. Comparable. The Mt line of bikes get outshined in every category in different makes. You get what you pay for. If you want a triple get a triumph. That's the only thing that comes close

[@TheNorfolkThunderbolt]

Mein Gesäß tut ein bisschen weh, Kumpel!

[@Blucru90]

450 mx is more punch

[@Theeunseenart]

Great bike lol daily driver KTM

[@clemfandango9534]

KTMs make me worry about impulse control. If I was noodling around on an Africa Twin I know there’s a high chance I would be alive this time next year. With a bike like this, I’d be going every where 20% faster. I can imagine the headline “fat bloke on KTM collided with a Kia Picanto which was on the white lines , had he been going 20 mph slower he would have missed it”. Damn it. Maybe I’m ready for a Goldwing.

[@Juuul89]

But they're so much fun though!

[@timrodierides]

On the flip side, if you're 20mph faster you might not be there when the Picanto pulls out...

[@clemfandango9534]

@@timrodierides That’s impressive biker logic. Cognitive dissonance working well mate !

[@didaddy]

Excellent review Tim. When are you reviewing the MT09 SP?

[@tubejorrit]

not available yet, it comes next month.

[@LonelyTreeSunset]

Mein Hintern ist ein bisschen wund, Kumpel.

[@ridewherever]

The mt09 used to look good, now it looks like ass lol. I’d go for the KTM as weird as it looks.

[@otlndsh]

You know what looks even worse? A disassembled bike sitting in a dealership service center.

[@ridewherever]

@@otlndsh lol which seems like luck of the draw these days.

[@Villani_AV]

I may have missed it, but how tall are you?

[@timrodierides]

Hey! I’m 6’3”

[@CodgerBiker]

So that 1000cc bike feels like a bigger bike. Amazing 👍😉

[@timrodierides]

Science!

[@CodgerBiker]

@@timrodierides 👍

[@darrenhall6509]

What a lovely blast road Tim. I fear it is not in the southeast..? Shame!

[@timrodierides]

Just down the road from Silverstone, so not tooooo far away.

[@darrenhall6509]

@@timrodierides Thanks Tim. If it was down here, they would probably slap a forty on it anyway. Just like all the other good roads round here now. Booooo.

[@IanTed]

Like to see a GT version…looks fun.

[@dean-does-stuff-81]

SMT with the 990 engine perhaps.

[@martyboer9740]

after i had a crash this is giving me ptsd haha

[@timrodierides]

Are you saying I'm riding like I'm gonna crash?!

[@martyboer9740]

@@timrodierides looks like it to me right now hahah

[@TheScortUK]

Cracking bike with a shite name. The Sniper... 😂

[@78Outlaw]

Raufarsenrassanhumpgufeltail

[@timrodierides]

Danke

[@riko.4174]

Is the 990 engine really made in Austria? I saw on the internet somebody mention it is made in China, but cant find any official sources.

[@Juuul89]

Only the 790 is made in China

[@DucatiDale]

Maybe china would do a better job ktm are renowned for being built poorly

[@Juuul89]

@@DucatiDale That is horsehit brother, yes they have some quality control issues but they wouldn't be europe's biggest bike manufacturer if they made shit bikes.

[@MotoGoato]

@@Juuul89 790 and 890 engines eating their own cams within a few thousand miles is a pretty big quality control issue

[@Juuul89]

@@MotoGoato ok so by that logic BMW is a horrible brand because some S1000's have engine failures, and triumph is a bad brand because some models have electrical issues.

[@jonathanr72]

No. It's not just the way the world has gone. A 950 is still a 950, it hasn't somehow become smaller while still being the same size. Litrebikes are not mid-sized and never will be.

[@sd5458]

Obligatory "look ma no hands" at 2:15 that all motobloggers do. Bro we're not your mother, keep your hands on the bars, we're not impressed.

[@timrodierides]

I'm not trying to impress anyone other than your mum, who was - incidentally - incredibly impressed

[@mbal4052]

​@@timrodierides I know his mum, she's disappointed with him 😂