By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
KTM 990 Duke (MY2024) vs 990 Super Duke R (MY2007)
KTM 990 Duke vs 990 Super Duke R: which one to buy, and what actually separates them.
Turn the KTM 990 Duke into a bend and you'll read the grip through its front end while the chassis holds your line. On the KTM 990 Super Duke R, the steering damper doesn't fight the bars on the way in. Its nose snaps across a chicane in one quick move.
So which one do you buy?
The 990 Duke has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Small edge: 990 Duke
On the way to work, the 990 Duke asks a little less of you. Thank easier maneuvering in tight spots for that. Close enough that the test ride should settle it.
The 990 Super Duke R has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
A touch ahead: 990 Super Duke R
The 990 Super Duke R nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. The reason: stronger brakes. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
What makes each one tick
990 Duke
The 990 Duke's seat and pegs suit a fast Sunday run as well as Monday's commute, and its suspension doesn't punish a daily ride. Tall riders find its cockpit tight. On Angeles Crest Highway, there's no deflection once the suspension's dialed in. The shock soaks up a weekday pothole.
Nils rode the 990 Duke in Austria in 2024 (NastyNils Testride).
990 Super Duke R
Mid-corner, the Super Duke R's directness lets you commit early, then tighten the arc right before the apex. Load changes on the throttle at corner exit stay sharp and direct, but there's no nervous edge demanding constant attention. The fork doesn't dive on hard stops, and the rear stays planted. The suspension's hard enough to feel like a race machine for the first lap or two. Its gearbox clicks through clutchless.
Nils rode the 990 Super Duke R in Hungary in 2007, in Austria in 2008, and in the Black Forest in 2011 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 990 Super Duke R makes more peak power: 132 hp (97 kW) vs 123 hp (90 kW).
- The 990 Super Duke R has the larger engine: 999 cc vs 947 cc.
- The 990 Super Duke R has the larger fuel tank: 4.6 US gal (17.5 L) vs 3.9 US gal (14.8 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
Neither one is built for long-haul comfort. For big miles, look at a proper tourer or sport tourer.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for this
If this is your first motorcycle, keep looking. Neither one makes learning easy.
There's no real gap on running costs. Sit on both and let fit and price decide.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
990 Duke
Strengths
- A Front End You Can Read
- Clean, Predictable Throttle
- Sporty Yet Daily-Usable
- Deep, Usable Electronics
- Engine flexibility across the rev range
Trade-offs
- Notchy, Abrupt Gearshift
- Tight Fit For Tall Riders
- Brakes Are The Weak Link
- Lost the 890 R's playfulness
- Minimal wind protection
990 Super Duke R
From Nils' own saddle time
Strengths
- Commitment Gets Rewarded
- Brakes Stay Composed
- Short-Throw Clutchless Gearbox
- Easy Mid-Corner Line Changes
- No Cheap Parts Anywhere
Trade-offs
- Water Pump Seal Weeps
Known problems to check before you buy
990 Duke
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
990 Super Duke R
- Water pump failure The mechanical water pump seal on the LC8 engine is prone to leakage, often requiring replacement around 15,000–20,000 miles. Symptoms include coolant loss and drips beneath the water pump housing.
What they share
- Dry weight
- 395 lb (179 kg)
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 990 Duke | 990 Super Duke R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) | 32.3 in (820 mm) |
| 990 Duke | 990 Super Duke R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 947 cc | 999 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin | 75° V-twin |
| Power | 123 hp (90 kW) | 132 hp (97 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,500 rpm | 10,000 rpm |
| Torque | 76 lb-ft (103 Nm) | 73 lb-ft (99 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,750 rpm | 7,000 rpm |
| 990 Duke | 990 Super Duke R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 50 mpg (US) / 4.7 L/100 km | 28 mpg (US) / 8.31 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 3.9 US gal (14.8 L) | 4.6 US gal (17.5 L) |
| 990 Duke | 990 Super Duke R | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 300 mm | 320 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 990 Duke | 990 Super Duke R | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Not offered |
| Traction Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Quickshifter | Option | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
| TFT Display | Standard | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Option | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
| LED Headlight | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
