2024 KTM 990 Duke

The middleweight sector of motorcycling can be confusing, and we admit that the definition keeps changing no matter how hard we try to pen it in. KTM hasn’t helped make it any clearer by calling its new Duke 990 a middleweight at just shy of 1,000cc of displacement. But what we do know is that at least in KTM’s range of naked motorcycles it does hover somewhere in the middle between the monstrous 1390 Super Duke R Evo and the smaller-displaced 250, 390, and 790 Dukes.

For 2024, gone is the former 890 Duke (that displaced an actual 889cc), which is replaced by this supersized middleweight that is a flashback to the original 990 Super Duke of the early 2000s. While that machine used a V-twin sourced from the 990 Adventure, the new 990 Duke utilizes the LC8c platform that powers a ton of KTM’s midsize machines.

In this case the bore has been increased to 92.5mm (from 90.7) while the stroke has also increased to 70.4mm (from 68.8) giving a displacement of 947cc. Power and torque numbers get a modest bump, the 990 producing a claimed 123 hp at 9,500 rpm and 76 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,750 rpm. Compare that to the 890′s 121 hp and 73 lb.-ft. of torque. Internally the engine has new pistons, rods, crankshaft, and cam timing.

A full suite of rider aids includes up to five ride modes, with Street, Sport, and Rain standard, and Performance and Track optional. The standard modes have preset parameters for traction control, wheelie control, power, throttle response, while the optional modes allow you to optimize them to preference.

The chassis features an all-new steel-trellis frame and die-cast aluminum subframe. The swingarm is a gravity die-cast aluminum unit that actuates the WP Apex shock that has provisions for preload and rebound damping adjustability. The fork is a 43mm WP Apex unit and offers rebound and compression damping adjustment. Radial-mount four-piston front calipers and 300mm discs highlight the braking package and offer Supermoto ABS functionality.

The 2024 KTM 990 Duke is available in orange or black starting at $12,500.