KTM 990 SUPERDUKE (2005 - 2013) Review

Year: 2005

Great torque in all rpm range, only con is small fuel tank and too long 1st gear.

Version: R

Year: 2007

Annual servicing cost: £300

If it was happier at traffic speeds... I am 6 feet tall and cant stand flat footed so one must be taller to ride it without lowering it, which might mess with the geometry.I have been riding for 40 years and switched to harleys 10 years ago but missed the fun. This is the fun. I can ride it a while and not be exhausted so riding position and style of the standard is nice.

Buying experience: I bought it from a kid who was arrested riding it for $2000 to pay his lawyer bill. It has 6600 miles and looks good for being a 2007. so its held up well.

Version: R

Year: 2013

Annual servicing cost: £500

i have put a t28 turbo on mine without touching anything other than the air box and PVC valve (to suck all that pressure out of the crankcase)and it has been copping 22psi every day like a champ, its my daily ride n i don't have a car. and you would be correct thinking it probably goes like F&$K coz she'll light the rear up at 140 if your on the gas a little to much when your calmly passing that veggie bus that's sitting on 100 in a 110 zone.best bike Ive ever owned only time it let me down is when chain let go.... not really a problem though, can happen to any bike....

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £350

Gas tank too small on 06 model, but this bike is so much fun I don't care. bought this bike off a mate in 2009 sold it in 2015 to another mate , just bought it back again 2019 still mint. .

Year: 2007

Easy to ride, effortless in the corners. She also takes off like a bat out of hell when you spin that throttle.

i narrowed my bike choice down to a speed triple 1050 or a 990 and after testing both i bought the 990. My god. what a motorcycle. Bought an untouched 2009 with 17000 miles on the clock for £4k. Puts a massive grin on my face every time i go out on it, look at it even think about it. I am 6"4 with lanky spindle legs and it fits me like a dream, really comfy riding position. a little small for a pillion and legs get a little close to the exhaust but if you take pillions regularly then it might be enough to put you off. but my passengers have too much fun to care. the handling and brakes inspire confidence. I have michellin radials on and they have loads of grip when properly warm, takes a while to get there though. The engine is great. sounds good and loads of power throughout the rev range, being a 2009 the original ecu map is a little jerky but i am used to it now and take it as part of the charm of the bike. Only issue i have had is the water pump which is a common problem. look for rebuild recipts as they go roughly every 15000 ish miles same with any lc8 motor. easy to sort yourself if you can hold a spanner, the hardest part was getting the air out of the coolant system but loads of vids and helpful forums with walkthroughs. The repair kit was 50 sniffs from ktm. Dont buy if pregnant of have a heart condition. should be availiable on NHS as a cure for depression.

That's right you'll turn mad. The drive and shove out of corners is just addictive. You go hunting for more and more. It's like a little puppy, all excited wanting more and racing around everywhere. Jumping on its rear end is very easy but only if wanted, just keep forward and it stays down, just. Frisky is the word I've been hunting for, it's just so alive and fun. Build quality is very good. Regularly get mid 30s riding A and B roads rapidly. Servicing isn't cheap but the quality of the dealers I have found to be high. Tyre wear no different to my 1000s were, but I find more sensitive to manufacture. Think it down to the quality WP suspension making you really involved, never given a monkeys on other bikes. Corsas didn't like (but they were in last half of life), Vipers ok, Sportsmarts fab, currently on racetecs, super as long as weather dry. But back to the madness and the only disadvatage of the bike and that's the fuelling. It's so clean and smooth as long as you're accelerating but it hates being on constant throttle at low speed. You do get use to it but the riding experience far outweighs this disadvantage. Get one you'll love it

I currently ride an R1 and before riding this I was conviced I would never get off a sports bike, however I was wrong... The power this thing produces down low is awsome, its not slow by any means but it'll keep you more on the right side of 100mph and youll have more fun doing it. The handling is genuinely quicker and better than the R1 and its more comfortable, I can't fault the bike whatsoever but the only niggle is that you NEED to invest in a steering damper (Not on the R version) I had more tank slappers in 2 hours on this than in my whole biking career put together.. On the whole dont think too much and just buy one, you wont regret it.

I've rode alot of bikes, and had the SuperDuke 08 just over a year now and done 6000miles. I wanted to change it and tried everything but nothing gives me the same buzz!!!So i'm taking it to Lemans this year, We will see if my mates new speed 3R can keep up)))!!!

I have owned a few different bikes over the last 10 years and this is by far the most fun bike yet. It gets tons of looks and comments everywhere I go. No one knows what it is here in the states. It sounds mean, looks mean and is mean. Don't discount this bike because its a v-twin. It is a force to beat around the streets and a wheelie machine at that. This bike hooked me on KTM and they will have my heart until they do me wrong(can't foresee it). Test ride one if you have the chance. Brembo brakes, WP suspension and Marchesini wheels just to name a couple of high end components standard on this bike. Add a Scotts Damper and an Annatori quick shifter and you have a bike ready to do some serious riding. KTM also makes all kinds of PowerParts for the bike to spruce it up if need be. I have the +2 sprocket in the rear which is nice since Im not a top-speed kind of guy, it makes it more snappy around town and on the twisties.

If your idea of biking is for fun then look no further. The KTM Super Duke is sheer excitement, yes it is fast, but with great handling, braking and acceleration in any gear to overtake, every ride will make you smile. It makes me laugh every time i ride it.

After writing off my '07 zx-10r I felt it was time to try something a bit different. I still wanted all the fun and fine handling / braking of a top superbike, but with more comfort and individuality. Something that still looks aggressive,is well built with quality components....and most importantly! does'nt break the bank. I managed to find a brand new '08 unregistered model for £7500. Bargin....the 2010 models, which are exactly the same are now going for £10250!!! Do what I did and you'll bag yourself a cracking bike that ticks all the boxes....you wont regret it!!

I read all the reviews on the SD with interest and found them very helpful. Briefly the last bike I really had fun with was a ZX10R 05 which I sold, then a ZZR1400 07 (disappointing), tested a ZX10R 08 (for two months whilst the ZZR was getting fixed) could not work out the front end. I tried a blade and an RI and finally settled on a GSXR1000R 05. Perhaps my love affair with sportsbikes was waining but after 4 months on mixed roads and no Summer I realised that I was not enjoying my riding anymore. Enter the SD 08 which I got 2 days ago, same roads covered in mud but the fun is back. I am running it in so taking it easyish but the handling and suspension are top notch. I can honestly say for me anyway the sports rep is a thing of the past, happy days are here again!

A couple of months ago I had my CBR 1000rr Fireblade stolen. Can't live without a bike but fancied something different.. read reviews, test rides etc of a load of different bikes.... finally settled on the Superduke and bought one.. Guys... it's all about KTM now the Honda t-shirt has been burnt the baseball cap fed to the dogs and it's all about the Orange. I am aware this sounds a little weird but seriously ditch the litre sportsbike and get a Superduke they are seriously great machines. Read the reviews and what they say is absolutely spot on it'll keep up with your mates on their litre sports bikes on a ride out and on trackdays (unless they've got a massive straight - but then you ride back round them on the corners!) The best things is on the british roads, it'll ride the roads you love on the sports bike but you'll also love it in the twisties and on those roads you hate riding a sports bike on. The suspension is excellent (white power as standard - can't argue with that!) Anyway, my rant is now over... stop reading people, put your Blade/R1/ZX/GSXR on ebay and start loving everthing orange. (the orange KTM colour makes it go faster - FACT!!)

My second SD, I had an 05 but the tank was a bit small. Fuelling can be iffy but is transformed bu fitting Akra Evo's. The 07 tank range can be 130 mile before the reserve light comes on compared to 70 on the 05/06 bike. Brakes are astonishing and the WP suspension flattens UK roads. Did a trip to the Ardennes in September and it was so comfortable I could have spent all day in the saddle. Knee down, wheelies, stoppies, touring, granny-scaring; this bike does it all.

I've been riding for 32 years, and this is the best handling bike I have ever had. Better than the Gixers I've had. I'd liken it to two wheeled carting. Great fun and without the bad wrists on longer runs. Comfortable full on performance !

Where do I start? I've had various bikes over the years including VFR's an Exup & a Bimota Dieci but nothing, for me, has come close to the overall brilliance of the Super Duke. Every aspect hits the spot; the agressive looks, the instant brutal power, the ultra precice handling, the quality components, the all day comfort and the clean 'no bullshit' design. I bought the Super Duke on a finance agreement with a mileage restriction but enjoyed it so much that I had to buy a Speed Triple to use as well so I can keep within the miles allowed. Perhaps I should have bought another Super Duke.....

I absolutely love this bike, always makes me smile every time I ride it which none of my other bikes have, handling is superb and inspires confidence, I find myself overtaking in places I wouldn't have dared on my gsxr. The way it's put together is excellent, WP suspension, all hoses braided, everything tidy and unobtrusive, it's really easy to clean, you can get all round the shock and swing arm no problem, laughs at sportsbikes in the twisties and it's comfortable too.

had all kinds of sportsbikes,and others got superduke R the enjoyment this bike gives me is AWESOME and ive BEEN BIKING FOR 30YRS the confidence it gives you,grip levels,stonking motor,brill handling.BEST BIKE IVE EVER HAD...........................

...this bike is my favourite since that day long ago when I started this bike lark. I've tried sportsbikes, Offroad tourers, Supermotos, hypersports, Nakeds, two-strokes, four-strokes, heavy, light....I've tried 'em all. This bike just does it for me. Just enough power for the road, handling to die for, superb build quality, cool looks, easy to ride hard.....what else do you want ? The only possible bike to tempt me away will be the yet to be released KTM Venom....Also: I had one of the first SDs in the country and stupidly sold it in search of something 'better'. Well, 18 months, 3 bikes and a crash later, I am back on a SD. I have learnt my lesson. This bike is fantastic, succumb now - especially at the prices they are going for second hand.

I also have a ZX12 that I love and would not sell! but the SUPERDUKE is OUT OF THIS WORLD, it is the best bike I have had the plesure to own, I have convinced other sportbike riders just how good it is by letting all my mates have a go and they agree it is one very special bike! Go to your KTM dealer and have a go, it will be the best thing you do this year!!!!

Recently bought the revised 2007 model in black. Unbelieveable bike, the best I've ever ridden. Fabulous handling, plush suspension, awesome brakes, decent performance, comfortable, beautifully made, and I like the styling......different but cutting edge. Highly reccommend. One ride and you'll be in love with this machine.

Staggeringly good on all roads with perhaps the exception of Motorways at +100mph (windblast and unstable rear). Especially at home in city centres and on B-roads. Muscular looks and evil sounding standard cans. Obscene roar with Akropovic exhaust - really helps when filtering. Fuel tank microscopic but has not affected my enjoyment. The Superduke is not for shrinking violets.

I test rode one of these a short while back, what a fantastic bike. Ok, probably not the best touring bike, or the quickest sprots bike, but for just sheer riding fun it is superb. and when you open that throttle, oh boy.....

Had this a few months now...what a stunning bike, handles like it should not,great engine that loves to rev and sounds amazing with the carbon leo vinci exhausts that are on it, in the twisties even mega bikes wouls struggle to hold the same lines, brakes are superb even though standard fitment calipers are fitted, radial master cylinders make all the difference.... everyone should try one at least once, and in black its very stealth fighter esq. Strengths: Handling, brakes, motor, sound (with aftermarket cans on) smile thats bigger than your helmet can cope with. Weaknesses: Slight slow speed fuel stutter on part throttle, but can be mapped out and ridden around anyway.

Bought a new duke2 in march. Was so impressed, had to get the superduke. What a bike. Seriously, what a bike. A doddle to ride. I was cornering it harder and faster on day 1 quicker than the blade. This bike will out do any sports bike on the road easily. Talk about on rails. You feel at one with the bike after about an hour. Can go just as quick with the wife on the back. Very very smooth delivery of awsome power. Dont listen to the garbage of poor fuel tank. It does about 90 miles before light comes on giving you 30 miles spare. About the same as any other sports bike. After all, its not a tourer. Cant fault it at all. Strengths: Comfortability, handling, ride fast or slow. Easy peasy to ride, distinctive looks. Did I already mention the cornering. Weaknesses: None at all. Cant fault it. Now thats rare for me.

My other bike is a ZX12-R, which I love, but it really does want to shred my licence, plus I live in B road paradise, which is where the SJ wants to be. I wanted a bike which was a lot of fun on the twisties, and felt like a real motorcycle (not cocooned from the elements). An early oil leak upset me, but that was quickly resolved (got loaned another bike while the work was done). I love the loud V-twin rasp, the quick quick steering and the way I no longer fit into a predefined category. I've got a gel seat, so no bottom probs! and despite tests I've read get 140-150 miles per tank, and that's not pootling about. LOADS OF FUN, best I've had, and I've had loads of bikes! Strengths: Flickability, noise and sheer biking fun. Weaknesses: Mine sprung an oil leak early on, suspension a little hard on standard settings - Get the KTM (WP) steering damper.

I was looking for something with the handling and performance of a sports bike, but which would make sense at speeds below 100mph, so the SuperDuke was the answer for me. After 1000 miles it has delivered in spades. Everything about the bike is light; physically it is easy to hustle around, the controls make my Mille feel agricultural and the engine spins up more like a four than a twin. The handling too is extremely nimble. Wide bars mean little input is required, and the poise and balance of the bike feels more like a trail bike: roll up to traffic lights, stop, whistle, look around a bit and then put your foot down! Normally I take a little while to gel with a bike, but on the big Duke I was knee-down before the first service. Downsides are the sharp low-down throttle response which necessitates fine throttle control and a nice relaxed grip on the bars around pot-holed city streets and the poor tank range. Test ride one, you wont regret it! Strengths: Handling, quality components, aggressive styling, the huge Grin Factor. Weaknesses: Sharp throttle response, poor tank range.