KTM 990 Duke
2026 KTM 990 Duke: 123 hp naked bike, 947 cc parallel twin, 179 kg without fuel, €12,949 in France. Full specs and press reviews.
At a glance
The KTM 990 Duke is KTM's mid-range twin-cylinder naked bike: a 947 cc LC8c engine with 123 hp and 103 Nm, a steel trellis frame and 179 kg without fuel. The 2026 model year, priced at €12,949 by KTM France, only changes the livery of the version launched in 2024, which replaced the 890 Duke and 890 Duke R. Reviewers praise its docile yet lively engine, precise chassis and comprehensive electronics, but regret a high price, paid extras and a less playful character than the 890's.
World press review
Meta-score
7 sources
Press ratings
The spirit of a super naked but far easier to manage: hugely entertaining engine, track-worthy chassis and brakes, room for tall riders; very exposed to the wind, better suited to back roads than motorways, and expensive against rivals, especially with the electronic extras.
Punchy, linear engine, excellent handling and suspension that works on the showroom settings, roomy riding position; high price against the competition and software options that must be paid for after 1,500 km.
A sharper, stiffer "Super Duke Lite" than the 890, with a convincing engine and a price seen as a steal in the US; slightly soft brake lever feel, divisive headlight, and the 890 was more playful.
A big step forward from the 890: smoother, more refined engine and excellent electronics; suspension too firm as delivered, jerky throttle at low speed, finish judged cheaper than its rivals' and a high price.
Engine with linear power delivery, ergonomics that suit almost everyone, class-leading electronics and quality finish; must-have features cost extra, high price and a front brake that needs a firm squeeze.
Thrilling, light and well-balanced bike with excellent electronics, but more demanding and less carefree than the 890; too many steps to change modes on the move.
Effective naked with a smooth engine, precise front end and a well-judged riding position; engine character a little subdued, chassis that gets lively when pushed hard and a price hard to justify against the competition.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
All the reviews cover the 2024 model year, technically identical to the 2026. The meta score of 90/100 is based on three numerical ratings: 4/5 from MCN, 5/5 from BikeSocial and 90.5/100 from Motorcycle.com (first road test). Motorcycle.com later gave it 89% after a track test at Portimão. Visordown, 1000PS, Rider Magazine and Le Repaire des Motards tested it without a numerical score.
What reviewers like: a bigger engine that remains easy to use, both docile and very lively (MCN, BikeSocial), more refined than the 890’s (Visordown); a precise, composed chassis whose stiffer frame adds stability (Motorcycle.com, BikeSocial); a comprehensive electronics package that 1000PS ranks top of the class and Visordown finds perfectly judged; a riding position that suits most riders (1000PS, Le Repaire des Motards) and improved build quality (1000PS).
What they criticise: the price, seen as high against the Triumph Street Triple 765 and Yamaha MT-09 (MCN, BikeSocial, Visordown, Le Repaire des Motards), all the more so as the quickshifter, cruise control and Performance/Track modes cost extra (MCN, 1000PS). Several testers regret that the 990 has lost some of the 890’s playful character (Motorcycle.com, Rider Magazine). The suspension divides opinion: too firm on the road for Visordown, too soft on track for Motorcycle.com. Then come a jerky throttle at low speed (Visordown), a front brake that needs a firm squeeze (1000PS) or lacks bite at the end of the lever travel (Le Repaire des Motards), almost no wind protection (MCN) and a divisive headlight (Motorcycle.com, BikeSocial).
The debate: should you prefer the old 890? At the launch, Motorcycle.com polled the journalists present: half picked the 990, objectively better on paper, half the more playful 890. Visordown, for its part, urges 890 owners to try it, and recommends it over the 1390 Super Duke R for road riding, as it is far more usable.
Key quotes
"The Duke 990 knocks on the door of super naked territory when it comes to delivering white-knuckle excitement at road speeds, especially with its rider aids turned off."
"I had a blast – an uncomplicated and hugely enjoyable ride that genuinely delivered on KTM's marketing hype and showed yet again that you don't need vast amounts of power on the road."
"KTM met its mark with the 990 Duke. A little beast that can certainly pack a punch, the 990 Duke delivers on its promise of being a Super Duke Lite."
"So you can forgive it for being a bit expensive, a little too firm and quite Marmite in the looks department, because it's never, ever boring."
"The Duke's steady evolution from the 790 to the 890 to the 990 is obvious, but the 990 feels like it just turned 40, suddenly thrust into middle age."
"The 990 Duke is a great naked bike, and an effective one, despite a chassis that gets somewhat lively when pushed hard."
Pros
- 123 hp twin that is both docile and punchy
- Precise, stable chassis, as happy on the road as on a track day
- Low weight: 179 kg without fuel
- Comprehensive, well-judged electronics (cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control)
- Natural riding position, adjustable handlebar
- Premium Manufacturer Warranty of up to 4 years
Cons
- Quickshifter, cruise control and Performance/Track modes cost extra
- Expensive compared with the Triumph Street Triple 765 R and Yamaha MT-09
- Less playful than the old 890 Duke
- Debated suspension setup (too firm on the road, too soft on track depending on the review)
- Jerky throttle at low speed and almost no wind protection
- Divisive headlight
Our review
Which 990 Duke is on sale in 2026?
KTM France’s Naked Bike range lists the 990 Duke as a 2026 model year, alongside the 990 Duke R. Launched for 2024, it has no 2025 model year at KTM (neither a model page nor an owner’s manual). The 2026 only changes the paintwork: a white, black and orange livery, the only one offered in France, whereas the 2024 came in orange or black. Italian magazine Motorbox describes it as “technically unchanged”, and KTM’s spec sheets for both model years are identical. The 2024 reviews quoted here therefore still apply.
How much does it cost?
KTM France lists it at €12,949 (recommended retail price including VAT, excluding registration), with a promotional price of €11,449 in October 2026. The 2024 model-year page, still online, shows the same price. The price has dropped since launch: 1000PS quoted €14,895 in Germany in 2024, against €12,490 today at KTM Germany; in the UK, MCN and BikeSocial quoted £12,999, against £10,999 today at KTM UK. In the US, KTM lists $11,999 (plus $800 freight) for the 2027 model year.
Watch out for the extras: the Performance and Track modes, the Quickshifter+ (clutchless up and down shifts), MSR engine-braking control and cruise control are paid software features, usable free of charge for the first 1,500 km. BikeSocial priced this “Tech Pack” at £887 in the UK.
The 990 Duke R costs €14,949 (€13,449 on promotion): 48 mm WP APEX fork, linkage rear shock, Brembo Stylema calipers on 320 mm discs, 8.8-inch touchscreen and 128 hp according to its KTM France spec sheet (130 hp in its marketing copy). It is a separate model, not covered here.
Where does it come from?
The bloodline starts in 2018 with the 790 Duke, KTM’s first LC8c parallel twin (799 cc, 105 hp), nicknamed “The Scalpel”. In 2020 the 890 Duke R grew to 889 cc and 121 hp, with WP APEX suspension and Brembo Stylema calipers; a 115 hp 890 Duke followed in 2021. The 990 Duke replaced both in 2024, and KTM says it is 96% new. It is designed and built in Austria (BikeSocial).
How good is the engine?
The LC8c grows to 947 cc thanks to a 92.5 mm bore (up from 90.7) and a 70.4 mm stroke (up from 68.8), with new pistons, conrods and crankshaft, more aggressive camshafts, a wider radiator and a new Euro 5+ exhaust. KTM claims 123 hp (90.5 kW) at 9,500 rpm and 103 Nm at 6,750 rpm. Its 285° crankshaft (Visordown) gives it a V-twin-like sound and firing rhythm.
MCN finds it docile around town and explosive out of corners, to the point of wheelieing off the clutch in third gear. BikeSocial praises its smoothness at low revs and a very broad midrange, and Visordown finds it more refined than the 890’s. Le Repaire des Motards finds it smooth but a little subdued, and Visordown criticises a jerky throttle at low speed, in every mode.
How does it handle?
The chromoly steel trellis frame is new: according to KTM figures quoted by MCN and BikeSocial, it is 8% stiffer laterally and 5% torsionally, and its rails now run outside the swingarm. The gravity-cast swingarm, on the other hand, is 35% less stiff and 1.5 kg lighter, for better grip feel. The 43 mm WP APEX fork (140 mm travel) offers five-click compression and rebound adjustment, the shock (150 mm) preload and rebound. Braking relies on twin 300 mm front discs with radial four-piston calipers and a 240 mm rear disc. The bike weighs 179 kg without fuel and 190 kg fully fuelled.
Reviewers love it on the road: MCN says it handles and stops like a track bike, BikeSocial that the suspension works straight out of the box. Motorcycle.com calls it a “Super Duke Lite”, more composed but less playful than the 890. Opinions differ on damping: too firm as delivered for Visordown, too soft for the track for Motorcycle.com, whose footpegs touched down very early on circuit. 1000PS finds the front brake needs a firm squeeze.
What electronics?
As standard you get three modes (Rain, Street and Sport), lean-sensitive traction control, wheelie control, cornering ABS with a Supermoto mode (which disables rear ABS so you can lock the rear wheel, supermoto-style), a 5-inch bonded-glass TFT, a USB-C socket and full LED lighting. Everything else is optional: Performance and Track modes (10-level slip adjuster, 5-level wheelie control, launch control, lap timer and telemetry), Quickshifter+, MSR, cruise control, KTMconnect connectivity, tyre pressure monitoring and heated grips. MCN particularly regrets the lack of standard cruise control and heated grips.
Fuel consumption and maintenance
KTM claims 4.7 L/100 km (60.1 UK mpg, according to BikeSocial) and 110 g/km of CO2, giving a theoretical range of about 315 km from the 14.8-litre tank. We found no measured figure in the reviews consulted. The 2026 owner’s manual calls for an oil change every 15,000 km or every 12 months, and a valve clearance check and spark plug replacement every 30,000 km. Since the 2025 model year, KTM covers its entire road range with a Premium Manufacturer Warranty of up to 4 years, provided the bike is serviced within the dealer network.
Who is it for?
The 990 Duke requires a full A licence. At 90.5 kW, it exceeds the 70 kW ceiling above which a bike cannot be restricted for the European A2 licence, and KTM France offers neither an A2 version nor a restrictor kit for this model. For newer riders, the 790 Duke, rated at 95 hp by KTM France, stays below that limit. The 990 is aimed at experienced riders who want a light, sporty naked bike, comfortable enough for a good day out but better suited to back roads than motorways (MCN). 1000PS believes its electronics make it safe even for less experienced riders; BikeSocial warns of its licence-losing potential.
Recalls
One recall affects the 2024 model year: the fuel filler cap seal can crack and leak fuel, with a fire risk. The NHTSA filing (October 2025) covers bikes built between 30 October 2023 and 11 April 2024, and Transport Canada issued the same recall; the seal is replaced free of charge. No recall was found for the 2026 model year, either at NHTSA or on France’s RappelConso.
Specifications
| Displacement | 947 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 123 hp (90.5 kW) @ 9,500 rpm |
| Torque | 103 Nm @ 6,750 rpm |
| Weight | 179 kg (without fuel, KTM France) / 190 kg ready to ride, fully fuelled (2026 owner's manual) |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 1.46 |
| Seat height | 825 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 14.8 L |
| Fuel consumption | 4.7 L/100 km claimed by KTM (60.1 UK mpg) — CO2: 110 g/km (KTM France) |
| Maintenance interval | Oil change every 15,000 km or 12 months — Valves and spark plugs: 30,000 km (KTM 2026 owner's manual) |
| Engine type | LC8c parallel twin, 4-stroke, 285° crank, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid-cooled |
| Cooling | liquide |
| Transmission | 6-speed, 520 chain, slipper clutch |
| License | A |
| MSRP | €12,949 |
Engine detail
| Bore x stroke | 92,5 x 70,4 mm |
|---|---|
| Compression ratio | 13,5:1 |
| Fuel system | Electronic fuel injection, Bosch engine management, ride-by-wire throttle |
| Valve train | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder actuated by finger followers, chain-driven |
| Max power RPM | 9500 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 6750 units.rpm |
| Starter | Electric |
| Euro standard | Euro 5+ |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | Chromoly steel tubular trellis frame (engine as stressed member), epoxy-coated; cast aluminium subframe housing the airbox; gravity-cast aluminium swingarm |
|---|---|
| Rake angle | 24.2 ° |
| Trail | 100 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1476 mm |
| Ground clearance | 195 mm |
| Front suspension | 43 mm WP APEX open-cartridge upside-down fork, compression and rebound adjustable (5 clicks), 140 mm travel |
| Rear suspension | WP APEX gas monoshock, preload and rebound adjustable (5 clicks), 150 mm travel |
| Front brake | Dual 300 mm floating discs, radial four-piston calipers |
| Rear brake | Single 240 mm disc, single-piston floating caliper (KTM spec; several reviews state two pistons) |
| Front tire | 120/70 ZR17 (Bridgestone Battlax S22) |
| Rear tire | 180/55 ZR17 (Bridgestone Battlax S22) |
| ABS system | Cornering ABS (Road mode) with Supermoto mode that disables rear ABS |
Electronics & rider aids
| Riding modes | Rain, Street, Sport, Performance (optional), Track (optional) |
|---|---|
| Traction control | Yes |
| Anti-wheelie | Yes |
| Quickshifter | Two-way Quickshifter+ (optional) |
| Cruise control | No (Available as an option (software feature)) |
| Dashboard | 5-inch colour TFT, bonded glass |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth with optional KTMconnect app (navigation, music, calls); USB-C socket |
| Other features | Cornering ABS with Supermoto mode, Lean-sensitive MTC traction control, Optional Track mode: 10-level slip adjuster, 5-level wheelie control, lap timer and telemetry, Launch control (optional), MSR engine-braking control (optional), Software options usable free of charge for the first 1,500 km (demo mode), Tyre pressure monitoring (optional), Heated grips (optional), Full LED lighting, daytime running lights with automatic intensity |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Naked: upright torso, 760 mm handlebar adjustable to 4 positions, aluminium footpegs |
|---|---|
| Passenger comfort | Limited |
| Wind protection | Almost none (naked bike without flyscreen) |
| Payload | 200 kg |
| Max total weight | 390 kg |
The 990 Duke offers an upright naked-bike riding position, with an 825 mm seat (823 mm unladen according to the owner’s manual) and a 760 mm handlebar adjustable to four positions. Compared with the 890, the seat is angled up by two degrees at the front so you no longer slide into the tank, and the pillion seat is 20 mm higher for more passenger legroom (MCN, BikeSocial). 1000PS reckons the knee angle suits riders up to 1.90 m on long rides, and MCN finds it roomy for tall riders. The bike is slightly wider at the tank than the 890 (1000PS, Motorcycle.com), which helps you grip it with your knees. On the other hand, it offers almost no wind protection and is better suited to back roads than motorways (MCN); as for pillions, MCN jokes about anyone “mad enough” to climb on the back. The permissible total weight is 390 kg; at 190 kg ready to ride, that leaves about 200 kg of payload (calculated from the owner’s manual).
Ownership & maintenance
~~315 km (calculated: 14.8 L tank / 4.7 L/100 km claimed by KTM)
km
Estimated range
| Oil change | every 15,000 km or every 12 months |
|---|---|
| Valve check | every 30,000 km |
| Spark plugs | every 30,000 km |
| Chain | Tension checked at 1,000 km, then every 15,000 km or 12 months; chain, rear and front sprockets checked every 15,000 km (520 X-Ring chain) |
Average service cost
About £250 a year in the UK (MCN estimate)
Warranty
4 years / Premium Manufacturer Warranty of up to 4 years, renewed at each service by an authorised KTM dealer; no mileage limit stated
KTM’s 2026 owner’s manual specifies a first service at 1,000 km, then an oil and filter change every 15,000 km or every 12 months. The air filter is replaced every 15,000 km; valve clearance is checked and the spark plugs replaced every 30,000 km. Brake fluids are renewed every 24 months, coolant every 48 months, and chain tension is checked at every service. MCN estimates annual servicing at about £250 in the UK. On reliability, there is little hindsight yet: MCN notes that its 790 and 890 Duke owners gave an average of 3/5, citing water and oil leaks, warped discs, electrical problems, corrosion and thin paint, while the first three 990 Duke owners who responded to MCN rate its reliability 4.3/5. The 2024 model year was recalled for its fuel filler cap seal. Since the 2025 model year, KTM covers the bike with a Premium Manufacturer Warranty of up to 4 years, renewed year by year provided it is serviced by an authorised KTM dealer.
Direct competitors
Compare →| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTM 990 Duke | €12,949 | 123 hp (90.5 kW) @ 9,500 rpm | 179 kg (without fuel, KTM France) / 190 kg ready to ride, fully fuelled (2026 owner's manual) |
| Triumph Street Triple 765 R2024 | €10,795 | 120 hp | 189 kg (wet) |
| Yamaha MT-092025 | €10,999 | 119 hp | 193 kg (wet) |
| Kawasaki Z9002026 | €9,999 | 124 hp | 213 kg (wet) |
| Honda CB1000 Hornet2025 | €10,599 | 152 hp | 211 kg (kerb) |
Generations
Compare →- 790 Duke (1re version)2018 – 2020
799 cc · 105 hp · 87 Nm · 169 kg (dry)
KTM's first LC8c parallel twin (799 cc) in a naked bike nicknamed "The Scalpel"; the 790 Duke returned to the range in 2023 as the entry model, with 95 hp in its current European version.
- 890 Duke R2020 – 2023
889 cc · 121 hp · 99 Nm · 166 kg (dry)
Engine enlarged to 889 cc (90.7 mm bore, 68.8 mm stroke), fully adjustable WP APEX suspension, Brembo Stylema calipers on 320 mm discs.
Compare with this generation → - 890 Duke / 890 Duke GP2021 – 2023
889 cc · 115 hp · 92 Nm · 169 kg (dry)
Base version of the 889 cc engine, less powerful than the 890 Duke R, with KTM-branded calipers and 300 mm discs; offered as the 890 Duke GP in 2022-2023.
- 990 Duke2024 – today
947 cc · 123 hp · 103 Nm · 179 kg (without fuel)
Replaces the 890 Duke and 890 Duke R: LC8c engine enlarged to 947 cc (Euro 5+), new stiffer frame, more flexible swingarm, 5-inch TFT and new headlight; the 2026 model year only changes the livery.
| Generation | Displacement | Power | Torque | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 790 Duke (1re version)2018 – 2020 KTM's first LC8c parallel twin (799 cc) in a naked bike nicknamed "The Scalpel"; the 790 Duke returned to the range in 2023 as the entry model, with 95 hp in its current European version. | 799 cc | 105 hp | 87 Nm | 169 kg dry |
| 890 Duke R2020 – 2023 Engine enlarged to 889 cc (90.7 mm bore, 68.8 mm stroke), fully adjustable WP APEX suspension, Brembo Stylema calipers on 320 mm discs. Compare with this generation → | 889 cc | 121 hp | 99 Nm | 166 kg dry |
| 890 Duke / 890 Duke GP2021 – 2023 Base version of the 889 cc engine, less powerful than the 890 Duke R, with KTM-branded calipers and 300 mm discs; offered as the 890 Duke GP in 2022-2023. | 889 cc | 115 hp | 92 Nm | 169 kg dry |
| 990 Duke2024 – today Replaces the 890 Duke and 890 Duke R: LC8c engine enlarged to 947 cc (Euro 5+), new stiffer frame, more flexible swingarm, 5-inch TFT and new headlight; the 2026 model year only changes the livery. | 947 cc | 123 hp | 103 Nm | 179 kg without fuel |
Manufacturer figures (otherwise specialist press). Weighing conditions differ between generations: compare weights with care.
Available colors
Manufacturer recalls
Fuel filler cap seal that may crack and leak fuel (fire risk): free seal replacement. Concerns the 2024 model year (bikes built from 30 October 2023 to 11 April 2024 according to the NHTSA file), not the 2026.
Voir le rappel →