KTM Duke II reviews

Riding: KTM Duke 890 R is an absolute pleasure to ride. The front feels extremely planted and gives you full confidence when you trail break into the corners. The bike is easy to flick around and feels very nimble. The power to weight ratio is perfect for street and track. With the street, sport and track (need tech package for track mode) modes, the bike can be ridden slowly with your cruiser friends or have a fun weekend ride that is a little quick. if you plan to go on a track day, this bike can keep up with faster bikes due to the confidence in the corners. One drawback on the track is the exhaust, it sticks out too much and feels uncomfortable on sweeping right turns. The heel hits the exhaust and puts your foot in an awkward position. I cannot get enough of twisted roads when I am on this bike. Comfort: I have gone on 200 mile rides on weekends and feel extremely comfortable on the bike, As any naked bike, you will feel the wind if you go above 85 mph. However, there are after market products to give you wind protection. Reliability: I had the bike for 2 years and have had no issues. I have always been ahead of the maintenance schedule and clean the chain after every ride. Show less

This is a comfortable sportbike. There can be a problem with fuel injection surging on some bikes. Mine had it very badly and it required a $300 Power Commander to clear it up. After you get past that issue, the bike is very reliable, has quality WP suspension and a strong torquey engine. I've owned almost 30 bikes and this has been one of my favorites. It's replaced my Triumph Daytona as my track bike and I'm quite happy with it (except for lack of wind protection on the high speed straights). I highly recommend, it will keep up with anybody for street sport riding, it's competitive for track days and it's quite comfortable. Show less

The SD is comfortable, stops and turns quickly, sounds amazing and looks striking. They are also relatively uncommon, and when you consider that new ones can be found for $10k and less, they are a ridiculously good value. I have the R model Superduke. There isn't another bike available within $5,000 that I'd consider to replace the SDR. The R seat isn't for everyone, but it lets you move around a lot on the bike. The regular SD seat looks much more forgiving. Show less

I've ridden many styles and makes of motorcycles. By far the Superduke 990 is the funnest, most comfortable (sportbike) I've ever ridden. I love it's style and riding position and the sound of the bike is like nothing else out there. GET ONE, YOU won't REGRET IT!! Show less

I have owned 8 bikes, all being inline 4s. This bike, the 990 Super Duke, is the best by far. This bike is raw power and a total rush to ride. The LC8 motor is awesome. After this twin I will never go back to an inline four. This bike is a true super twin. Show less

This is the best bike I've ever owned hands down! I bought mine the same day I saw it in person, and did so without a test ride. So what's to love you might ask? For starters, nothing else looks or sounds like it on the market. The bike looks great for a naked, and although I love it in black, the orange one was for me. Having owned a Duc or two, the difference in the engine, intake and exhaust sounds are huge compared to the Italian. While not too loud, I find the stock exhaust note intoxicating, and when under throttle the intake growl takes over and what a growl it is! Now that I have almost 700 miles on it, I can say with all confidence this is the finest machine of its type I've ever owned. Everywhere you look there are quality components, and nothing looks cheap or flimsy. The chassis, brakes and suspension are serious pieces, and compared to some of the junk I've seen hung on other naked bikes, this thing looks race ready out of the showroom! I suggest that anyone looking for a unique naked bike with very few drawbacks check this one out. It's worth every penny of the asking price! Show less

I have a '01 Duke II that is in pieces in my garage. I blew it up on the way back from MotoGP last year, too hot, too many miles and too few cylinders. Then I blew up my modified DRZ 440. Once again too many miles and too few cylinders. Thus the purchase of the SD. As compared to my Duke II it is indeed super, almost as flickable, way more comfortable and a ton more performance. Compared to my better halfs '06 GSXR-750 it has a much more usable power band and responds well out of corners even when a gear, even two, too high upon exit. On the other hand, I love the (stock) slipper clutch on my womans bike and the kick in the pants the GSXR gives me at 9k RPMs. The SD NEEDS a slipper. I have bounced the rear on it more times than I can count. Speaking of needs, be forewarned, finding after-market goodies for the SD is difficult at best. KTM has their nice, pretty Hard Parts catalog but almost everything in it for the SD is on backorder from the motherland. I had to settle for the LV cans because it was months before the Akro system was going to become available. I couldn't stand the anemic exhaust note from the stock set-up anymore. The stock slip on weighs a ton, no really, a ton. I'm holding on to it to use as an anchor for our yacht after we win the lotto. I got Leo Vince carb cans and a PCIII strapped on now. Had it dyno'd and mapped. Got the tickets to prove it. One real complaint; KTM should have the head of the engineer who put the oil filler cap BEHIND the right-side radiator panel. Yep, you have to remove 4 screws and the panel to add oil. Dumb! But hey, it's KTM and they never make anything easy. But I love my Dukes. I'm going to rebuild my Duke II and my Super Duke is a work in progress and will probably always be. I plan on owning both of these blast-to-ride bikes until I can no longer throw a leg over them. Show less

I bought mine for with 2700 miles. This bike is killer. Neon green with no scratches and it was immaculate. This thing performs. It was owned by a mechanic who works at a motorsports dealership before the sales guy sold it to me so that makes me #3. This wants to go fast but not really designed to be going over 100mph. With no ferring and a dirt bike feel, this bad boy will take off without you if you are not careful. At 5150 miles I am now about to replace the front brakes. It has been jetted and the stock mufflers have been modified. Man, does it sound burly! Especially when you down shift toward the red light. Cars know am I there from the sound, which I like. I would definitely recommend this for the city rider. Not really designed for a long trip but it could be done.....if you don't mind losing the feeling in your nether regions for half a day. Being a single piston machine, this bike will rattle your bones. I love it! Get one if this sounds like you. Show less

I've had bikes continuously since I was 15 years old (29 years!) and have owned all kinds over the years. The Duke II is as much fun as you can have on a street bike. It does everything well - except tour which is way beyond the scope of what this bike was intended to be used for. It is an excellent commuter - thin and nimble. Very fast despite its modest engine output relative to most sport bikes out there. I also own a very powerful sport bike (Aprilia RSV) and the Duke is more fun because it is easier to use and you feel like you are using more of the bike than with the Aprilia (if that makes any sense at all!). The engine has some vibes but they add to the character of the bike and do not detract at all. It is extremely light and agile and you can thrash it and throw it around and it just comes back for more. It feels a lot faster than it is (not that it is slow by any means) - it is more quick than outright fast. Definitely well made. Excellent suspension - compliant but stiff enough to keep it all under control. Show less

This is my first motorcycle. I have ridden quads and raced cars for years, but had never ridden a motorcycle. I've completed all the required courses and received my license about a month ago. I've finally started to lose my "death-grip" on the handle bars and working on building up the confidence. We (my husband primarily) chose this bike due to it's light weight, dimensions, KTM experience (my husband has a KTM dirt bike), and because of the style of bike. When it's dropped (yes, I already did that in a parking lot) there is minimal damage (which is true). So far, I'm pretty happy with my bike. I'm afraid I'm not up to the level of "canyon carving" (my husband waits for me at the top or bottom of the switchbacks), but it'll come. ;-) Show less