By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
KTM 990 Duke (MY2024) vs MV Agusta Brutale 800 (MY2016)
KTM 990 Duke vs MV Agusta Brutale 800: which one's easier to live with every day.
Squeeze the KTM 990 Duke's front brake and the front end talks: you can read it, and it doesn't push off line. On the MV Agusta Brutale 800, the lever bites with real force and it's easy to meter. It'll haul down from speed in a hurry.
So which one do you buy?
The 990 Duke has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: 990 Duke
For the ride to work, the 990 Duke noses ahead. Most of that is simpler maintenance and lower running costs. Don't let that alone make the call.
Keeping running costs low
Nose ahead: 990 Duke
Day to day, the 990 Duke works out slightly cheaper to own. The saving is small.
What makes each one tick
990 Duke
A hard session and the daily commute both sit comfortably on the 990 Duke, whose seat and suspension don't beat you up on the ride home. The shifter's the rough spot, and every gear clunks home with a notchy jolt. There's no guesswork at corner entry: the bars feed back what the tires are doing as the bike turns in. The chassis stays planted mid-corner.
Nils rode the 990 Duke in Austria in 2024 (NastyNils Testride).
Brutale 800
The Brutale's counter-rotating triple pulls across the rev range, and it's at its fiercest near redline. The exhaust's note is its own. Each bump on broken pavement comes straight through the seat, since the firm damping doesn't soak much up. The short wheelbase snaps it from bend to bend.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 990 Duke makes more peak torque: 76 lb-ft (103 Nm) vs 61 lb-ft (83 Nm).
- The 990 Duke has the larger engine: 947 cc vs 798 cc.
- The Brutale 800 has the larger fuel tank: 4.4 US gal (16.6 L) vs 3.9 US gal (14.8 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
Long-haul comfort is a weak spot for both. If you tour, shop with that in mind.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for this
Learning on either of these is the hard way. A gentler bike will make you a better rider sooner.
Look at twisty roads and you'll find two bikes doing the same job equally well. Fit is what breaks the tie.
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
Brutale 800
What owners say
Strengths
- Characterful inline-three engine
- Superb braking performance
- Top-shelf components and finish
Trade-offs
- Firm suspension over rough roads
- High purchase and running costs
- Limited comfort for long rides
- Aggressive throttle response
Known problems to check before you buy
990 Duke
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Brutale 800
- Electrical gremlins (switches and sensors) Intermittent electrical issues include failing sensors, warning lights, and occasional starting problems. Often linked to poor connections or sensor failure.
What they share
- 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 | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) | 32.7 in (830 mm) |
| 990 Duke | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 947 cc | 798 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin | Inline-three |
| Power | 123 hp (90 kW) | 118 hp (86 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,500 rpm | 11,500 rpm |
| Torque | 76 lb-ft (103 Nm) | 61 lb-ft (83 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,750 rpm | 7,600 rpm |
| 990 Duke | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.9 US gal (14.8 L) | 4.4 US gal (16.6 L) |
| 990 Duke | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 300 mm | 320 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 990 Duke | Brutale 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Quickshifter | Option | Standard |
| TFT Display | Standard | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Option | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
