Have you ever pictured what the perfect bike is like? You know, the kind of uncompromising riding machine that, in its purest form, just speaks to how perfect engineering could give birth to something so beautiful?
Open your eyes and you're looking at the ultra-sporty KTM 990 Super Duke R->ke3018.
With its muscle-flexing V2 and perfectly controllable power, the 990 Super Duke R has been regarded as the ultimate scourge of the superbike. The bike's performance capabilities means serious business. After all, when you have a 999cc water-cooled V-engine that packs a powerful punch to the tune of 123 horsepower, you're controlling a bike that can just wallop anything it sets its eyes on. The 990 Super Duke R's engine also comes with state-of-the-art four-valve cylinder heads, each with flow-optimized ducts, two overhead camshafts, and
an electronic Keihin engine management system that regulates the modern fuel injection system on the 990 Super Duke R, focusing on maximum power, efficient, and spontaneous responsiveness.
As far as handling characteristics are concerned, the 990 Super Duke R's orange, powder-coated tubular space frame that's made from chrome-molybdenum steel with a bolted-on, light alloy subframe is as strong and sturdy as any in the market. On top of that, it provides a steeper steering head angle in the "R" setup than the Super Duke and therefore slightly less trail for even greater maneuverability. The sports bike also has an upside-down telescopic fork with TiAlN-coated sliding surfaces and a directly connected shock absorber from WP Suspension with a TiAlN-coated piston rod that allows optimum individual adjustment of the chassis to suit load, riding style, and track.
From front to rear and top to bottom, the 990 Super Duke R possesses the kind of all-world capabilities that makes it a true sports bike in every sense of the word.
Find out more about the KTM 990 Super Duke R after the jump.
2012 KTM 990 Super Duke R
- Make: Array
- Model: 2012 KTM 990 Super Duke R
- Engine/Motor: V2, four-stroke
- Horsepower: 123
- Transmission: 6-speed, claw shifted
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Engine
The Super Duke R's water-cooled V-engine packs a powerful punch with 92 kW (123 hp) and sets the benchmark for free-revving twins. Its intelligent design principle with multi-function balancer shaft makes it the lightest and most compact V2 in its class. The tried and tested power unit impresses with explosiveness and spontaneous throttle response.
Aside from optimum combustion chamber design, the major factors behind the outstanding performance of the 990 Super Duke R's V-twin with 75° cylinder angle are the state-of-the-art four-valve cylinder heads, each with flow-optimised ducts and two overhead camshafts.
Chassis and Suspension
The 990 Super Duke R's orange, powder-coated tubular space frame made from chrome-molybdenum steel with a bolted-on, light alloy subframe provides a steeper steering head angle in the "R" setup than the Super Duke and therefore slightly less trail for even greater maneuverability. The 575 mm swingarm ensures plenty of mechanical grip.
Thanks to multiple setting options, the upside-down telescopic fork with TiAlN-coated sliding surfaces and the directly connected shock absorber from WP Suspension with a TiAlN-coated piston rod allow optimum individual adjustment of the chassis to suit load, riding style and track.
Brakes
More than adequate deceleration is ensured on the 990 Super Duke R by Brembo brakes with the very finest components. At the front wheel, two radially-mounted monoblock four-piston brake calipers bite hard into floating 320 mm discs at the command of the radial master cylinder.
Steering Damper
If the road surface should ever try to stimulate the feared and very unpleasant effect of handlebar kick-back, then this is nipped in the bud by the 990 Super Duke R's high quality WP steering damper.
Specifications
Design |
2-cylinder, 4-stroke, spark-ignition engine, 75° V arrangement, liquid-cooled |
Displacement |
999 cm³ |
Bore |
101 mm |
Stroke |
62.4 mm |
Starting aid |
Electric starter |
Performance |
92 kW (123 hp) |
Engine lubrication |
Dry-sump lubrication with 2 rotor pumps |
Primary gear ratio |
35:67 |
Secondary gear ratio |
16:38 |
Cooling system |
Liquid cooling system, continuous circulation of cooling liquid with water pump |
Clutch |
Wet multi-disc clutch / hydraulically operated |
Ignition system |
Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment |
Frame |
Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel, powder-coated |
Forks |
WP Suspension Up Side Down 4860 ROMA PA |
Shock absorber |
WP Suspension 4618 BAVP DCC |
Suspension travel front |
135 mm |
Suspension travel rear |
150 mm |
Brake system front |
Twin-disc brake with radially mounted four-piston brake calipers; floating brake discs |
Brake system rear |
Single-disc brake with two-piston brake caliper; fixed brake disc |
Brake discs - diameter front |
320 mm |
Brake discs - diameter rear |
240 mm |
Chain |
5/8 x 5/16” X‑Ring |
Steering head angle |
67.3° |
Wheel base |
1,450±10 mm |
Ground clearance (unloaded) |
150 mm |
Seat height (unloaded) |
850 mm |
Total fuel tank capacity approx. |
18.5 l |
Unleaded premium fuel (95 RON) |
|
Weight without fuel approx. |
186 kg |
Quotes
Bikez----"If there´s ever been an uncompromising riding machine in its purest form then it´s the ultra-sporty 990 Super Duke R. With its muscle-flexing V2 and perfectly controllable power, it can be regarded as the ultimate scourge of the superbikes - and now there´s room for two! Its equally manoeuvrable and precise chassis is equipped with the most exclusive components - from the CNC-machined triple clamp to the steering damper or coated fork tubes."
iamabiker----"The 2012 KTM 990 Super Duke R still runs the well-known V2 engine, but now the power has been reduced from 132 hp to 123 hp. This was done in order to obtain a more favorable torque output across a better RPM range. The bike has adjustable suspensions, Brembo brakes and steering dampers to add that little extra bit for optimizing your ride. The 2012 KTM 990 Super Duke R will go on sale across international markets in February."