Earlier this year, the Austrians unleashed an all-new 947cc parallel-twin LC8c engine that debuted in the 2024 KTM 990 Duke. The brand’s latest middleweight sport bike left a positive impression on several levels while leaving us wondering if more was on the way with respect to a few components.
Well, KTM never leaves well enough alone, and with Ready To Race being the company slogan, it likes a good R model as much as any thrill-seeking motorcyclist. Meet the 2025 KTM 990 Duke R, replete with upgraded WP Apex suspension, high-quality Brembo brakes, revised electronics, and, yes, more horsepower. This pushes the 990 Duke platform further into the sporting realm. Now, onto the Fast Facts.
- More ponies are pushing the middleweight Duke. Mechanically, the 947cc engine found in the standard and R Dukes are identical. The six-speed gearbox is matched to a slip-and-assist clutch that returns unchanged for another tour of duty. However, KTM engineers massaged the Duke’s mapping to net a seven-horsepower increase for the R. With a few keystrokes, staffers raised the redline a smidge, increasing the claimed performance figures to 130 horsepower at 9500 rpm and the same 76 ft-lbs of torque at 6750 rpm. After all, it is an R model, so some dyno gains aren’t unexpected.
- New electronic features join recalibrated rider aids via a massive 8.8-inch TFT touchscreen instrument panel. KTM is reworking things down to the ride modes, including the usual standard Rain, Street, and Sport modes, followed by a new Custom mode that allows riders to alter a limited number of settings. True to KTM form, those wanting to adjust all rider aid settings must purchase the optional Tech Pack, which includes the customizable Track Mode. The Tech Pack unlocks all optional electronic features, including on-the-fly traction control adjustment, five-level wheelie control, launch control, throttle adjustment, an up/down quickshifter, MSR (Motor Slip Regulation), cruise control, a lap timer, and dash-viewable telemetry. In addition, two fully customizable Custom ride modes are unlocked.
- There are now four ABS Modes—Cornering (Formerly Road), Sport, Supermoto, and Supermoto+. Until now, we’ve seen most KTM road machines with two distinct braking settings: a standard cornering-enabled Road ABS and a cornering-disabled Supermoto ABS that also deletes rear ABS intervention for track riding. ABS is more nuanced on the 2025 KTM 990 Duke R, bridging the gap between those two extremes. The new Sport ABS setting allows higher lean angles and brake pressures while retaining full ABS, rear-wheel lift mitigation, and cornering functionalities. Meanwhile, Supermoto+ takes it a step further by enabling the rider to lock the rear wheel for limited amounts of time and slide approximately eight degrees sideways, effectively helping riders back it in. However, this less restrictive setting removes rear-wheel lift detection and cornering ABS support.
- Suspension and chassis upgrades are what make this an R model. The 2025 KTM 990 Duke R gets a larger-diameter 48mm damping-adjustable WP Apex fork held on by a beefier forged aluminum triple clamp with a 32mm offset, said to be 34 percent stiffer than the standard’s 43mm fork. The new open cartridge internals are also tuned to accommodate a sportier mindset. The tubular-steel frame remains roughly the same as the non-R model, though updates are made to the frame and swingarm to accommodate linkage for the fully adjustable WP Apex shock. Compared to the standard Duke, the geometry is updated due to slightly longer front suspension travel and the new linkage setup, which has increased the swingarm angle by three degrees. That also raises the whole bike 0.6 inches, netting better cornering clearance while lifting the bike’s center of gravity for more aggressive handling.
- Sportier ergonomics push the athletic narrative. KTM literature says that the rider triangle is being canted in a more aggressive posture for this single-seated naked machine. That begins with the two-position handlebar being kicked forward and down while the rearsets are nudged up and back, allowing extra space for the rider’s heels. Reflecting the leggier suspension, the seat height has increased about a half-inch to just over 33 inches.
- Brembo components replace standard 990 Duke’s J.Juan hardware. One of our few gripes about the standard 990 Duke is its braking system. Though not terrible by any means, there is room for improvement. KTM engineers bolted on 20mm-bigger 320mm rotors that are clamped onto by a set of Brembo Stylema calipers, and it’s all hooked up to a snazzy ratio-and-span adjustable Brembo MCS master cylinder.
- Michelin Power Cup 2 rubber is standard. Michelin is being tapped as the OE-fitment aboard this performance-minded model, with DOT-compliant track-ready Michelin Power Cup 2 tires in 120/70 and 180/55 sizes. As with the standard model, the middleweight Dukes use nearly the same cast-aluminum wheels as the mighty 1390 Super Duke R Evo.
- Availability is scheduled for early 2025. Pricing for the 2025 KTM 990 Duke R has not yet been announced, but we will update the story accordingly.
2025 KTM 990 Duke R Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Parallel twin
- Displacement: 947cc
- Bore x stroke: 92.5 x 70.4mm
- Maximum power: 130 horsepower @ 9500 rpm
- Maximum torque: 76 ft-lbs @ 6750 rpm
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 vpc
- Engine management: Bosch ride-by-wire
- Lubrication: Pressure lubrication w/ 2 oil pumps
- Cooling: Liquid and oil
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: PASC slipper clutch
- Final drive: 520 X-ring chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Chromoly steel w/ die-cast aluminum subframe
- Front suspension; travel: Damping adjustable WP Apex open-cartridge 48mm fork; 5.6 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted fully adjustable WP Apex shock; 5.5 inches
- Wheels: Cast aluminum
- Front wheel: 17 x 3.50
- Rear wheel: 17 x 5.50
- Tires: Michelin Power Cup 2
- Front tire: 120/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 180/55 x 17
- Front brakes: 320mm discs w/ radially mounted 4-piston Brembo Stylema calipers and Brembo MCS master cylinder
- Rear brake: 240mm disc w/ single-piston Brembo caliper
- ABS: Bosch 9.3 MP; defeatable w/ Cornering ABS and Supermoto mode
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 58.3 inches
- Rake: 24.1 degrees
- Seat height: 33.1 inches
- Fuel tank capacity: 3.9 gallons
- Curb weight: 418 pounds
2025 KTM 990 Duke R Price: $TBA MSRP
2025 KTM 990 Duke R Photo Gallery
