KTM to launch Super Duke in India
KTM (Kronreif, Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen) is one of the world renowned off road motorcycle manufacturers. They are based in Austria. It was founded in 1934 as a metalworking shop and didn’t start producing bikes until 1955.
Throughout KTM's history, they have been on the leading edge of motorcycle technology. They were the first manufacturer to produce a liquid-cooled four-stroke motorcycle engine for an off road motorcycle, a design which has since been replicated by all other manufacturers (KTM even supplied radiators to Suzuki in their early water-cooling days). In 1986 KTM became the first motorcycle manufacturer to include both front and rear disc brakes on an off road motorcycle. Then in 1998, they offered the first motorcycles with a linkless rear suspension, dramatically reducing the un-sprung weight of the bike.
They were also the first to offer hydraulic clutch mechanisms on all models of motorcycles, and were the first to offer a competition-ready supermoto bike. In 2006 they became the first to produce a competition-class motocross bike with electric start, eliminating the kickstart lever from the engine design entirely.
RACING HERITAGE
KTM specializes in making off road bikes and they have more or less ruled the Paris Dakar (now know only as the Dakar Rally) for many years.
But recently, they ventured into making a bike for the road. The Super Duke 990 is the top of the range bike on sale from the Austrian bike maker.
The name is misleading though. It actually has a 999cc engine
Technical Specifications
Displacement: 999.00 ccm (60.96 cubic inches)
Engine type: Single cylinder
Stroke: 4
Power: 118.00 HP (86.1 kW)) @ 9000 RPM
Torque: 100.00 Nm (10.2 kgf-m or 73.8 ft.lbs) @ 7000 RPM
Compression: 11.5:1
Bore x stroke: 100.0 x 72.0 mm (3.9 x 2.8 inches)
Fuel system: Carburettor
Fuel control: DOHC
Ignition: Kokusan DC-CDI
Starter: Electric
Lubrication system: Pressure lubrication
Cooling system: Liquid
Gearbox: 6-speed
Clutch: Wet multi-disc clutch, operated hydraulically Physical measures
Dry weight: 184.0 kg (405.7 pounds)
Seat height: 855 mm (33.7 inches) if adjustable, lowest setting.
Overall width: 990 mm (39.0 inches)
Ground clearance: 165 mm (6.5 inches)
Wheelbase: 1,438 mm (56.6 inches) Chassis and dimensions
Frame type: Chromium-molybdenum, powder-coated
Rake (fork angle):23.5°
Trail: 103 mm (4.1 inches)
Front suspension: WP-USD 48 mm (1.89 inches)
Front suspension travel: 300 mm (11.8 inches)
Rear suspension: WP – Monoshock
Rear suspension travel: 335 mm (13.2 inches)
Front Tyre dimensions: 120/70-ZR17
Rear Tyre dimensions: 180/55-17
Front brakes: Double disc
Rear brakes: Single disc
Rear brakes diameter: 240 mm (9.4 inches)
Exhaust system: Stainless steel with controlled catalytic converter Speed and
acceleration
Power/weight ratio: 0.6413 HP/kgOther specifications
Fuel capacity: 15.00 litres (3.96 gallons)
Official website:
KTM 990 Super Duke
REVIEWS Quote:
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The sharp lines will not appeal to all and tend to polarise peoples views into the love it or hate it camps, but the same is true of many bikes on the market these days. As with most bikes, fashion dictates that the bike has two brushed stainless silencers exiting under the seat. These are fed by a two-in-one exhaust header feeding a three-way catalytic converter.
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Its direct competitors are bikes like the MV Brutale, the Ducati S4R Monster, Triumph Speed Triple, Cagiva Raptor, Benelli TNT and the Buell XB12R and it leaves them all trailing in its exhaust gases on the road! However, it lacks the name on the street compared to say MV, but that is surely going to change in a very short time!
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So, this isn’t a direct competitor to the Japanese hyperbikes like Hayabusas, Yamaha R1s, Kawasaki’s Ninjas and Honda Fireblades.
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But can it deliver in reality? The answer is a resounding Yes!
You realise the moment you fire it up and it instantly thunders its zest for life straight at your five senses that this far more than an Adventure in street clothes. The sound from the rear is superb and you will not need to change the cans to get a sound as good as a Harley when pottering through town!
Snick silently into first gear and feel the punch from the motor and you just know you are going to have fun. However, after riding it for a while you begin to realise you have been making progress without fuss and drama and not having to think about things. It’s almost a case of the bike reacting to your thoughts, rather than your actions.
The gearbox is one of the smoothest on the market and it never clonks when engaging first gear or misses a change. The new clutch is light in operation and complements it well. Likewise the fuel injection is well matched to the bikes power characteristics. Every little twist of the throttle is immediately turned into forward thrust, whether that be on the open road or around town. The power is smooth and progressive from just a whiff of throttle and there are no steps or glitches, all of it is useable. It is almost like there is a telepathic connection between the throttle and the rear wheel at times.
Despite its civilised nature, it will provide a challenging ride on the open road and will top 140 mph providing you are hanging on tightly to deal with the wind pressure at these speeds. Take it onto a set of challenging bends such as the coastal and mountain roads that abound on Fuerteventura and you realise why the bike has been built. These are plenty of bikes that can emulate it around town and on the open road, but up the ante and the challenge and the bike really comes into its own. Bends can be attacked with belief that nothing can challenge the bikes ability to deal with them. Its quick-reacting chassis ensures plenty of safety reserves in combination with the superb braking provided by the Brembo's. The bike can be thrown into either single bends or a series of
curves and it is always ultra-precise and agile.
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According to Overdrive,
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Torque Motorcycles in Mumbai would be KTM's official dealer in India. KTM has decided to test waters in India by launching their 990 SuperDuke. This bike is undergoing homologation currently. Torque motorcycles owner Sumesh Menon is hopeful that if all goes well there would be more models that would be homologated for the Indian market including the company flagship model, the 990 Adventure.
Sumesh Menon and his team of technicians have already undergone training in Austria at KTM's factory on running the dealership as well as servicing KTM Motorcycles.
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The bike’s success in India depends on the pricing. Also, it remains to be seen if the Indian people who have always dreamt of Japanese superbikes take to this unconventional European naked streetbike well.
After so many years, it is heartening to see at least one international bike maker step into India. For the sake of India’s motorcycling enthusiasts, I hope the KTM launch is a success and that it opens the floodgates for all the other international bike manufacturers to come to India with their high end bikes.
Pics of the bike
WALLPAPERS
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Sources :
KTM Superduke Main Page - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia