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

Specifications
  • 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."