By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer vs Supermoto
Benelli Tre-K 899 (MY2009) vs KTM 990 Supermoto (MY2008)
Benelli Tre-K 899 vs KTM 990 Supermoto: where they split, and which one to buy.
Wind the Benelli Tre-K 899 high and it's a different bike: the needle sprints and the exhaust turns raw. The KTM 990 Supermoto's V-twin doesn't wait for revs and punches hard through its midrange. Up top, it keeps rushing.
So which one do you buy?
The Tre-K 899 has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Nose ahead: Tre-K 899
The Tre-K 899 should be a little cheaper to keep on the road. It's a small gap.
The 990 Supermoto has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Edges it: 990 Supermoto
For the ride to work, the 990 Supermoto noses ahead. Put it down to easier maneuvering in tight spots and friendlier manners. Don't let that alone make the call.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: 990 Supermoto
The 990 Supermoto nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. It's down to harder acceleration and more feel through the bars. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
What makes each one tick
Tre-K 899
Behind its tall, upright seat, the Tre-K 899 carries a triple that doesn't come alive until it's spun up. Low down, the engine sags. At corner entry the steel trellis frame drops the bike in at once, and there's no wobble once it's leaned over through the arc. Back on the straight, the front wheel tracks true.
Nils rode the Tre-K 899 in 2009 (NastyNils Testride).
990 Supermoto
There's hardly any bodywork around the upright cockpit, and the 990 Supermoto flicks from lean to lean like a dirt bike. It's already eyeing the next bend. A mid-corner bump disappears into 7.1 in (180 mm) of WP rear travel without knocking the chassis off its line. The LC8 shoves the rear tire out of every bend.
Nils rode the 990 Supermoto in 2008 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Tre-K 899 has the lower seat: 33.1 in (840 mm) vs 34.4 in (875 mm).
- The 990 Supermoto makes more peak power: 115 hp (85 kW) vs 105 hp (78 kW).
- The 990 Supermoto makes more peak torque: 72 lb-ft (97 Nm) vs 55 lb-ft (75 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for this
For a brand-new rider, both are the wrong place to start. Learn the basics on a smaller bike first.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Tre-K 899
From Nils' own saddle time
Strengths
- Triple Howls Up Top
- Planted at Speed
- Brakes Earn No Complaints
- Corners Like a Naked
- Build You Can Trust
Trade-offs
- Soft Below the Midrange
- Wants Revs to Move
- Heavy Clutch Pull
990 Supermoto
What owners say
Strengths
- Explosive V-twin power
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Tre-K 899 | 990 Supermoto | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.1 in (840 mm) | 34.4 in (875 mm) |
| Tre-K 899 | 990 Supermoto | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 898 cc | 999 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three | 75° V-twin |
| Power | 105 hp (78 kW) | 115 hp (85 kW) |
| Torque | 55 lb-ft (75 Nm) | 72 lb-ft (97 Nm) |
| Tre-K 899 | 990 Supermoto | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.5 US gal (20.7 L) | 5.0 US gal (19 L) |
| Tre-K 899 | 990 Supermoto | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 320 mm | 305 mm |
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in (180 mm) | 7.7 in (195 mm) |
| Front travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
| Rear travel | 5.7 in (144 mm) | 7.1 in (180 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Tre-K 899 | 990 Supermoto | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
