KTM has today announced a new 2024 naked model, the 990 Duke. Featuring a parallel twin engine similar to the existing 790 Duke and 890 Duke models, the new 990 Duke displaces 947cc.
This appears to be the standard Duke model with a “Duke R” version yet to be announced. Nevertheless, the specifications are impressive. Claimed wet weight (carrying nearly 4 gallons of fuel) is 395 pounds. The suspension is adjustable for both compression and rebound in front and for rebound and spring preload in the rear.
This is nearly a ground-up redesign of the 890 Duke, with lots of other interesting characteristics/designs described in the following press material, which also includes a video at the very bottom of this article:
Heralding a massive leap forward for the KTM Naked range, the all-new KTM 990 DUKE takes aim directly at the coveted 1000 Naked bike segment – without making any excuses about why it exists.
With 2024 marking 30 YEARS OF DUKE, the all-new KTM 990 DUKE slots into the line-up as the lightest, sharpest, most performance-focused mid-class NAKED ever produced by KTM. In its quest to hit this target, the KTM 990 DUKE ticks all the right boxes mechanically, while deploying extreme new styling.
The KTM 990 DUKE makes its intentions perfectly clear. Apart from a blisteringly potent engine, an all-new chassis, and swingarm design – not to mention updated ergonomics and technology – it now sizes up to larger capacity motorcycles in both displacement and proportions.
Side-on, the new design has been modeled around the concept of an explosion held in freeze-frame, harnessing extreme energy, ready to be released. This new design is further enhanced by two colorway options in Black and Electric Orange – the latter being developed specifically to celebrate 30 YEARS OF DUKE.
At the face of it, predatory design meets reduced styling, with an evolved LED headlight being a standout feature of the all-new KTM 990 DUKE. Constructed from a carefully chosen mix of materials, the new design ensures lighting stability in all road conditions. Position and daytime running lights are located on the profile of the headlight, which also auto-adjusts in intensity according to ambient light conditions thanks to a light sensor integrated into the dashboard.
Additionally, the KTM 990 DUKE is fitted with a Coming Home light function as standard. Here, the headlight will remain on after the ignition has been switched off, offering the rider selectable seconds of light to open doors or for better visibility in the garage.
Power is taken care of by a dramatically updated version of the LC8c engine found in the KTM 890 DUKE R. Boasting 947 cc, the roaring heart of the KTM 990 DUKE receives new pistons, crankshaft, and conrod, producing fire-breathing power with a total motorcycle weight of only 394 lb (179 kg).
The KTM 990 DUKE takes its DNA from the long lineage of hard-hitting DUKE models that have come before it, adding more verve and aggression. It is a performance-oriented machine at its core, designed around a lightweight, flickable chassis that inspires utmost rider confidence.
In typical DUKE fashion, a new trellis frame and a new closed-lattice swingarm come together to welcome high-quality adjustable WP APEX Suspension components. These, together with track-proven Bridgestone S22 tires, provide SNIPER-like accuracy when it comes to cornering stability.
The WP APEX Suspension fitted to the KTM 990 DUKE features easy-to-adjust settings, encouraging the rider to push the limits comfortably. Upfront, the 43 mm WP APEX Suspension can be easily and accurately dialed in with 5 clicks on both rebound and compression. On the rear, the WP APEX Monotube shock absorber can be adjusted in 5 clicks, with manual preload adjustment also possible.
Once seated, riders are greeted by a 5-inch, anti-scratch bonded glass dashboard providing all the information a KTM 990 DUKE pilot could need. Revised graphics and menu structures are designed for faster, more intuitive access to the various features of the KTM 990 DUKE. This includes a new function that displays Lean Angle data, with an optional TRACK Mode complete with lap timer and telemetry stats. A USB-C connection is also added for device charging duties.
In short, the brief was simple; Develop the ultimate mid-class NAKED machine. In achieving this, the 2024 KTM 990 DUKE hits the mark dead center.
A full range of specially developed KTM PowerParts and KTM PowerWear are available for riders to personalize their motorcycles and get themselves kitted up in READY TO RACE
performance.
The all-new 2024 KTM 990 DUKE will arrive at authorized KTM dealers from this December onward. Discover more about 30 YEARS OF DUKE and the KTM 990 DUKE at KTM.com.
2024 KTM 990 DUKE HIGHLIGHTS
- Two new colorways celebrate 30 years of DUKE.
- New LC8c 947cc DOHC engine with PASC slipper clutch has been reworked inside and out to deliver even more asphalt-ripping power from a compact build.
- New, wider radiator for improved cooling.
- New ultralight tubular Chromium Molybdenum steel frame with new swingarm pivot adds more cornering stability.
- New stainless steel exhaust system offers centralized mass, great sound, and tailor-made looks.
- Cast aluminum subframe for weight savings houses the redesigned, high flow airbox.
- New swingarm is completely redesigned to be lighter while providing more stability and comfort.
- Selectable ride modes including Sport, Street, Rain, and optional Track and Performance modes for easy changes to engine and MTC character while optional Quickshifter+ enables clutchless up- and down-shifting.
- New optional Track mode offers 10-level adjustable traction control plus new lap time and telemetry features.
- New 43 mm open-cartridge APEX forks by WP for excellent response and stability offer 5-step adjustability.
- New high-quality, gas-assisted WP APEX shock now with 5-step adjustability to match the fork performance.
- Powerful brake system featuring twin 300 mm floating front discs with 4 piston radially mounted calipers.
- New, lighter LED headlight and LED daytime running lights with new Coming Home light feature.
- Multifunctional dashboard with full-color 5” TFT display is bright and clear and features new pictograms.
- Optional Motor Slip Regulation (MSR), Cruise Control, and KTMconnect for smartphone connectivity.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Type: Parallel Twin, 4-Stroke, DOHC
Displacement: 947 cc
Bore/Stroke: 92.5/70.4 mm
Starter: Electric; 12V 10Ah
Transmission: 6 Gears
Fuel System: DKK Dell’Orto, 46 mm Throttle Body
Lubrication: Pressure Lubrication with 2 Oil Pumps
Cooling: Liquid Cooling with Water/Oil Heat Exchanger
Clutch: PASC (Power Assisted Slipper Clutch), Cable Operated
Ignition: Bosch EMS with Ride-By-Wire
Frame: CroMoly Tubular Steel, Engine as Stressed Member
Subframe: Cast Aluminum
Handlebar: Aluminum, Tapered, Ø 28/22 mm
Front Suspension: WP APEX USD Ø 43 mm
Rear Suspension: WP APEX Monoshock
Suspension Travel Front/Rear: 140 mm/5.5 in; 150 mm/5.9 in
Front/Rear Brakes: Disc Brake 300 mm/240 mm
Front/Rear Wheels: 3.50 x 17”, 5.50 x 17”
Front/Rear Tires: 120/70ZR17”; 180/55ZR17”
Steering Head Angle: 24.2º
Wheelbase: 1,476 mm ± 15 mm / 58.1 ± 0.6 in
Ground Clearance: 195 mm / 7.6 in
Seat Height: 825 mm / 32.4 in
Tank Capacity: 14.8 L / 3.9 gal
Weight (ready to ride), Approx: 179 kg / 394.6 lb
It makes the MT-09 look beautiful.
The headlight reminds me of the Demogorgons from Stranger Things. Hey KTM, time to fire your design staff.
They’re now a few generations through moving in the direction they’re going. Clearly it’s working for them or they’d go another direction. The new 390 has also gone this direction and for as “Edgy” as that bike looks, it’s one they can’t take risks on because of it’s presumably large global volume.
With that disgusting mandibular look of the front end of the bike it is time KTM changed the name to The PUKE 990.
As for Husqvarna taking the lead in styling? Svartpilen and Vitpilen. If that doesn’t make you shudder you’re already too far gone.
ORT
Yawn. Still riding my 2005 Tuono Factory, 130 hp, 101 Nm, 410 lbs, zero riding modes…
What the heck is the story with their headlight concepts? This is actually a handsome bike except for that little “feature”. It would probably benefit in looks with the addition of a more traditional round headlight.
Do you want me to add that walrus plastic stuff. I just did not understand.
“traditional headlight”. Sounds that they did not want to. Good supermoto or whatever for the city. How Ducati try to get that KTM supermoto market that is already known by KTM.
As I have aged I find myself no longer liking the taste of orange kool aide. I think its time for KTM to let Husky try again on doing a styling make over of a bike.
Its orange and pointy …. I’m shocked
That stuff around headlight looks much like the thing that you put on a dog when it is wounded and there is a need to protect it from touching the injured part of the body.
Yes, the Cone of Shame.
All the details and numbers you could wish for, except power! Maybe, like Rolls Royce, it will be ‘sufficient’.
I wonder if it’s their way of not saying that if you pony up for the track and performance modes you get the rest of the engine’s available power too.
From another outlet:
“ KTM claims 123 hp at 9,500 rpm and 76 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,750 rpm. Compare that with the 121 hp and 73 lb.-ft. of torque it claimed for the 890 Duke R.”
Looks like KTM is getting ready for the next emissions standard. That’s what’s fueling a lot of the displacement creep that you are seeing industry wide now days.
It’s fortunate that power has been solved, more or less, now days. Most of us fossils here remember when the auto industry was clobbered by emissions standards. I can’t count the number of cars that I drove back then that couldn’t make it to the speed limit.
That’s the rumor but I don’t think it’s true. They got china production of the 790 up and running and it doesn’t make sense to have 3x platforms that are 100cc apart (and the Duke 690 is gone..).
These seem to have been a wasteful development efforts – really short life cycles. They’ve been all over the place the last several years. This series of bikes playing “musical cylinders”, the scuttling of the 490 twin project, which CFMoto has really taken off with in their 450’s.