KTM 990 Duke: the other Austrian V-twin

[KDub]

http://www.mcnews.com.au/NewBikeCatalogue/2004/KTM/Duke_990/Intro.htm

Bring it on!

[ApexMolester]

bring it on state side!

[Ricky J]

Did the Germans design that tank to split the rider's nutsack while landing wheelies? OUCH. One of our Oz members once used the phrase "ugly as a bulldog chewing a wasp". It applies here.

[008man]

I had a deposit on the new Duke, but when I read the reviews on the Tuono Racing and saw it in person at Laguna Seca, I pulled my deposit back. I am still glad I did, as this bike will not be comming in 04 as promised, but more likely as an 05. Styling wise it sucks, and as to the claimed wet weight , I see it has already risen from the apx 380 ish lbs quoted in Motorcyclist mag, to 429 lbs. I don't think they will even hit that mark, but will probably be some where around 450 if they are lucky.

[pan]

i was excited when i first saw it last year, but a couple of friends have bought the adventure 950 which shares the same motor(just different cams and injection) and have been generally pleased but not excited to get their money worth. It has significant vibrations, and one of them had a bad clutch (KTM has recalled a batch of adventures to replace their clutches). The adventure was very expensive, 14000 euros, and the duke is expected to be even more since it has more expensive components. Besides, I get to like my tuono more and more...

[NitroArgi]

Hi all,

I think I will agree with Pan on this one!

It appears that the new KTM's have some engine problems...maybe it's the weather here in Greece!!!

Other than that I saw the SuperDuke at the NEC show in United Kingdom and I must say that although the design was great I have my doubts for the shape of the tank....It will cause PAIN!!!

Pan? Where are you located? I am from Athens too...I would love to meet and talk about our bikes!!!

Best Regards
Nitro

[DeTuono]

..it ain't THAT ugly. :p

I doubt it will be as expensive as some of you think. I was talking to my local KTM dealer, who thought it'd come in at about the same as the Adventure, which is about A$20k - about A$2k less than a Tuono.

I owned a KTM Duke II last year and it was a nice bike. Good detailing and quality fitments - like the White Power suspendies front and rear.

I see two big question marks: firstly, KTM have a real racebike mentality and their bikes need lots of TLC to keep them sweet. Expert TLC at that. Secondly, every KTM I've ever ridden has a saddle like a blunt axe.

OK, that isn't such a great simile. How about "it's got a face like a smashed crab"? I tell ya, these pithy aussie phrases just keep coming... :D

Nick

[pan]

i agree on the quality of the KTMs. I have ridden the Duke II also and has superb handling. The adventure 950 here costs 3000 euros more than the tuono so go figure...Pricing varies from country to country...

[KDub]

I also thought they were going to show their new prototype superport at Intermot much like they did the 990 Duke last year. Anyone have info on this at all?