Rennie Scaysbrook | October 31, 2024
KTM’s been copping it from all angles of late with the camshaft saga so it’s nice to see some good news coming out of Mattighofen with the announcement of the new 990 Duke R for 2025.
Based off the stupendous 990 Duke we tested in Spain earlier in the year, the Duke R is more than just an update to brakes and suspension, as can be the case for many manufacturers who release up-spec versions of their models.
The 947cc parallel-twin four-stroke gains more seven horsepower while maintaining the same 76 lb-ft of torque, and a higher rpm limit of 10,500 rpm via a remapped ECU. Claimed wet weight also remains the same at 394 lb.
Chassis details are interesting in this is the first LC8c-engined nakedbike to come with a linkage construction for the rear suspension and swingarm for increased mechanical feel while on the side of the tire. That swingarm now sits at a steeper angle than on the base 990 Duke and gives the Duke R a 15mm taller seat height at 840mm/33 in.
The suspension gets beefed up with 34 percent stiffer, larger 48mm (up from 43mm) fully adjustable WP APEX Open Cartridge forks with the wheel travel increased 3mm to 143 mm/5.6 in. The rear gets a new WP APEX shock although its travel has been reduced 10mm to 140mm to compensate for added parts to allow for the swingarm linkage.
The forks come with an almost excessive 30 clicks of adjustability for both compression and rebound and are held in place by a new forged aluminum triple-clamp. The rear gets three turns of high-speed compression, 30 clicks for low-speed compression and rebound (each) and 10 mm of preload adjustment. And the wheelbase has been extended by 5 mm over the base model to 1481 mm.
More than just a pretty paint job… The 990 Duke R should be quite the spicy ride.
Braking comes in the form of Brembo Stylema monoblock calipers gripping 20mm larger 320mm discs and a Brembo MCS master cylinder is utilized on both ends with the wheels wrapped in Michelin Power Cup 2 tires.
The 990 Duke R comes with a plethora of new electronics that are all accessed by the massive 8.88 in. H88 (horizontal) color TFT touchscreen dash that offers a handy split screen mode in much the same fashion as the dashes on the recently released Can Am electric bikes.
Via a new switch block arrangement, you’ll be able to access the four standard ride modes of Rain, Street, Sport and Custom, and the optional Track ride modes, navigation system and play around with the new Sport ABS and Supermoto+ ABS systems. Track mode allows you to set wheelie control to one of five levels, and there’s the Launch Control system as well so you’ll always win the traffic light GP.
Finally, styling takes inspiration from the 2011-2013 second generation Duke models, with a predominately white side panels and bright orange subframe.
KTM USA hasn’t released price details yet but deliveries are expect in Q1 of 2025.
2025 KTM 990 Duke R Specifications
| MSRP: |
$TBA |
| Engine: |
Parallel-twin, four-stroke, DOHC |
| Displacement: |
947cc |
| Bore x stroke: |
92.5 x 70.4mm |
| Fuel injection: |
Bosch electronic fuel injection system, 46 mm elliptical throttle bodies, Ride-by-Wire throttle |
| Compression ratio: |
N/A |
| Exhaust: |
2-1 |
| Transmission: |
6-speed |
| Clutch: |
PASC (Power Assisted Slipper Clutch), Cable Operated |
| Chassis: |
CroMoly Tubular Steel, Engine as Stressed Member |
| Front suspension: |
48 mm WP APEX inverted fork, fully adjustable, 5.6 in. wheel travel |
| Rear suspension: |
WP APEX monoshock, fully adjustable, 5.5 in. wheel travel |
| Front brake: |
Dual 320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Stylema monobloc four-piston calipers, Cornering ABS |
| Rear brake: |
220 mm disc, Brembo single-piston caliper, Cornering ABS |
| Front tire: |
120/70 – ZR 17 |
| Rear tire: |
180/55 – ZR 17 |
| Wheelbase: |
58.3 in. |
| Seat height: |
33 in. |
| Fuel capacity: |
3.9 gal. |
| Weight (wet, claimed): |
394.6 lb |
For more KTM news and reviews, click here
