Ktm 990 reviews

This is a bike for riders who like sporty bikes, but like a more upright riding position, along some leg room to the pegs. It turns with the best of them, is nimble in town and is still nice for the highway. It even comes with side bags in most cases. The Fat back tire fits with the aggressive styling and even works good as an adventure tourer on dirt/poor roads. I really like the way the power is so usable and not reserved for having to wind it out to perform. Show less

This is a comfortable sportbike. There can be a problem with fuel injection surging on some bikes. Mine had it very badly and it required a $300 Power Commander to clear it up. After you get past that issue, the bike is very reliable, has quality WP suspension and a strong torquey engine. I've owned almost 30 bikes and this has been one of my favorites. It's replaced my Triumph Daytona as my track bike and I'm quite happy with it (except for lack of wind protection on the high speed straights). I highly recommend, it will keep up with anybody for street sport riding, it's competitive for track days and it's quite comfortable. Show less

This is a FUN bike! The V-twin engine is extremely powerful and the twin pipes make it sound like a flat-head Ford. Marchesini wheels, fully adjustable White Power suspension, powerful Brembo brakes and a stiff chassi make this bike handle like a dream. Add to all this a comfortable saddle, an upright riding position, a small windscreen that does a pretty decent job and removable soft luggage. This is a fast, fun, light weight, comfortable sport bike that you can tour on. Show less

The SD is comfortable, stops and turns quickly, sounds amazing and looks striking. They are also relatively uncommon, and when you consider that new ones can be found for $10k and less, they are a ridiculously good value. I have the R model Superduke. There isn't another bike available within $5,000 that I'd consider to replace the SDR. The R seat isn't for everyone, but it lets you move around a lot on the bike. The regular SD seat looks much more forgiving. Show less

I've ridden many styles and makes of motorcycles. By far the Superduke 990 is the funnest, most comfortable (sportbike) I've ever ridden. I love it's style and riding position and the sound of the bike is like nothing else out there. GET ONE, YOU won't REGRET IT!! Show less

Just turned 12k miles with this bike. Recently returned from a great south to north zig/zag run up the entire state of Wisconsin. Ran mostly county roads but did bomb down gravel, sand and a short stint of tight dirt/mud single track. Still running the stock tires and it handled everything very well for being loaded down with camping gear. Sand and mud will give any larger bike a problem but a steering stabilizer would have helped. I love the performace of this machine. Great off the line go (dropped a tooth on countersproket) and it handles the twisties without a hiccup. Powerful brakes slow the machine effortlessly too. My complaint? Seat is as hard as a clay brick. Recently purchased AirHawk seat and this is no longer a problem. I rode 8+ hours a day with no soarness/numbness. The clutch also chatters due to its dry design and it being a V twin. I do appreciate the hydraulic operation, no adjustments other than the ocassional fluid change and bleed. Being a tall rider the wind screen is way to short causing serious buffeting especially with a visored helmet. Overall a GREAT bike for me allowing me to tear up the twisties and tackle the dirt. Show less

I previously owned a Suzuki 1000 VStrom but was looking 4 something allowing me more off road as Costa Rica is a nice place to enjoy both off and on road bikes. I bought my 990 adv a couple years ago. The difference was amazing in terms of handling and true off road capacity. The bike is very good on every dirt road, sand and rivers. Recently we went north to Guanacaste region and had a chance to see both my KTM and a 1200GS from bBMW. Sorry BMW bikers but if you are really adventurous, the KTM is no match on dirt, beach and sandy roads. I improved the comfort by adding a gel seat which made a lot of difference for my bottom. I just recommend to lift the handle bars if you are serious on off road. Otherwise, nothing to say, my Adventure is a winner. Show less

I have owned 8 bikes, all being inline 4s. This bike, the 990 Super Duke, is the best by far. This bike is raw power and a total rush to ride. The LC8 motor is awesome. After this twin I will never go back to an inline four. This bike is a true super twin. Show less

This is the best bike I've ever owned hands down! I bought mine the same day I saw it in person, and did so without a test ride. So what's to love you might ask? For starters, nothing else looks or sounds like it on the market. The bike looks great for a naked, and although I love it in black, the orange one was for me. Having owned a Duc or two, the difference in the engine, intake and exhaust sounds are huge compared to the Italian. While not too loud, I find the stock exhaust note intoxicating, and when under throttle the intake growl takes over and what a growl it is! Now that I have almost 700 miles on it, I can say with all confidence this is the finest machine of its type I've ever owned. Everywhere you look there are quality components, and nothing looks cheap or flimsy. The chassis, brakes and suspension are serious pieces, and compared to some of the junk I've seen hung on other naked bikes, this thing looks race ready out of the showroom! I suggest that anyone looking for a unique naked bike with very few drawbacks check this one out. It's worth every penny of the asking price! Show less

I have a '01 Duke II that is in pieces in my garage. I blew it up on the way back from MotoGP last year, too hot, too many miles and too few cylinders. Then I blew up my modified DRZ 440. Once again too many miles and too few cylinders. Thus the purchase of the SD. As compared to my Duke II it is indeed super, almost as flickable, way more comfortable and a ton more performance. Compared to my better halfs '06 GSXR-750 it has a much more usable power band and responds well out of corners even when a gear, even two, too high upon exit. On the other hand, I love the (stock) slipper clutch on my womans bike and the kick in the pants the GSXR gives me at 9k RPMs. The SD NEEDS a slipper. I have bounced the rear on it more times than I can count. Speaking of needs, be forewarned, finding after-market goodies for the SD is difficult at best. KTM has their nice, pretty Hard Parts catalog but almost everything in it for the SD is on backorder from the motherland. I had to settle for the LV cans because it was months before the Akro system was going to become available. I couldn't stand the anemic exhaust note from the stock set-up anymore. The stock slip on weighs a ton, no really, a ton. I'm holding on to it to use as an anchor for our yacht after we win the lotto. I got Leo Vince carb cans and a PCIII strapped on now. Had it dyno'd and mapped. Got the tickets to prove it. One real complaint; KTM should have the head of the engineer who put the oil filler cap BEHIND the right-side radiator panel. Yep, you have to remove 4 screws and the panel to add oil. Dumb! But hey, it's KTM and they never make anything easy. But I love my Dukes. I'm going to rebuild my Duke II and my Super Duke is a work in progress and will probably always be. I plan on owning both of these blast-to-ride bikes until I can no longer throw a leg over them. Show less