ninjette.org

Go Back   ninjette.org > General > Motorcycling News

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old April 20th, 2022, 11:52 AM   #1
Ninjette Newsbot
All the news that's fit to excerpt
 
Ninjette Newsbot's Avatar
 
Name: newsie
Location: who knows?
Join Date: Jun 2008

Motorcycle(s): only digital replicas

Posts: Too much.
[cycleworld.com] - KTM 990 Duke Spied

KTM is preparing to launch its next-gen Duke model, with a bigger 990cc displacement and a new chassis and styling.


KTM’s upcoming Duke looks completely revamped, with more power and a new chassis. (Bernhard M. Hohne/BMH Images /)The parallel-twin KTM Duke model has proven to be a runaway hit for the Austrian firm since it first debuted the company’s compact LC8c engine back in 2017. It’s already mutated from the 799cc original into the current 889cc form and spawned a higher-spec “R” version—with power rising from 105 hp to 119 hp along the way—and we’re on schedule for another big update in 2023.

The original 790 Duke appeared in prototype form at shows in 2016, with production starting the following year. The enlarged 890 was unveiled in 2019 and reached dealers in 2020. Following that pattern, the next new version should be expected at shows later this year and on sale early the next. Spy pictures taken near the company’s factory in Mattighofen appear to confirm this, with bustling activity around a parallel-twin Duke that represents a complete revamp both technically and visually.


The LC8c parallel-twin engine has undergone changes to boost power and capacity, though it’s still likely to have a 285-degree crankshaft. (Bernhard M. Hohne/BMH Images/)The latest images, seen here, appear to show the base model of the bike that’s logically expected to go under the “990 Duke” name, gaining extra performance and capacity along the way. Power still comes from the compact LC8c parallel-twin engine that first appeared in the 790 Duke, but it’s expected to get another increase in bore and stroke to push it close to a liter in capacity. Earlier prototypes have been seen with sand-cast engine cases and milled covers rather than gray, production-spec castings, indicating extensive changes to the design. The cylinders appear to be taller, with an extra bracing rib visible in the casting compared to the current 890 engine, suggesting a longer stroke.

The cylinder head is also redesigned, appearing to be slightly more compact to offset that extra height, and the cam cover is also new, sporting an additional bulge on the left side. Its purpose is unknown, but given the number of rival manufacturers adopting variable valve timing systems at the moment, such a setup can’t be ruled out.

Related: 2020 KTM 890 Duke R First Ride Review

Updated though it is, the engine is still likely to have the same, unusual 285-degree crankshaft angle of the original LC8c, giving a firing interval that mimics a 75-degree V-twin. With the rise in capacity, power is also likely to increase past the 130 hp mark for the highest-spec versions of the engine.

The next-gen Duke isn’t just about the engine though: It also gets a new chassis and styling that takes the firm’s signature folded paper look to even greater extremes. The combination of sharp creases and flat planes in the tank, side panels, and tail, with barely a curve in sight, make for a very different machine when compared to the retro-influenced rivals that comprise much of the roadster market. Like the current model, it appears that the rear subframe is an exposed, cast alloy design, with the styling integrated into the structure itself rather than achieved via purely cosmetic cladding. The bulging underside of the tail might be a hint that the fuel tank has been repositioned to the back, reducing the bike’s bulk ahead of the rider.


Expect to see a different face than the one seen on this prototype, which is likely the base model, wearing a WP Apex fork from the current bike. (Bernhard M. Hohne/BMH Images/)At the front, every prototype seen so far has shared the same, stacked headlight nose, but it doesn’t appear to be the final production component. The lights themselves look like aftermarket, projector-style lamps, and the plastic housing they’re in neither integrates with the rest of the styling nor hides the rear of the instruments. Eventually, an evolution of KTM’s vertically split headlamp setup is likely to give the 990 Duke a very different face to the one seen here.

This prototype has all the hallmarks of being the base model. Previous development bikes have been seen with the 890 Duke R’s Brembo calipers and 320mm discs, but this one has the smaller 300mm rotors and KTM-branded calipers from the standard 890 Duke. The fork is similar to the current bike’s WP Apex unit, and at the back this model has an externally braced swingarm, sharing a similar look to the current version even though it’s a completely new casting with a different brace arrangement.

On the right-hand side, it’s curved upward to clear the low-mounted exhaust, which replaces the existing Duke’s high-set pipe. Earlier pictures of the prototype for the 990 Duke R show a different swingarm with a smooth outer skin rather than the visible ribbing seen here, suggesting it has been boxed for additional rigidity.

There’s still clearly a lot of development work to be done, but if KTM is keeping to its schedule, we’d expect to see the updated Duke get an official unveiling before the end of this year, and to reach customers in early 2023.



Click here for full story...
__________________________________________________
I'm a bot. I don't need no stinkin' signature...
Ninjette Newsbot is offline   Reply With Quote




Reply




Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
[topix.net] - KTM RC8 and KTM 990 Super Duke Track Day Ninjette Newsbot Motorcycling News 0 March 21st, 2010 07:10 AM
[webbikeworld.com] - KTM RC8 and KTM 990 Super Duke Track Day Ninjette Newsbot Motorcycling News 0 March 20th, 2010 02:20 PM
[motorcycle.com] - KTM 990 Super Duke in Daytona Sportbike Ninjette Newsbot Motorcycling News 0 June 30th, 2009 10:00 AM
[sportrider - sport bikes] - 2007 KTM Super Duke 990 Ninjette Newsbot Motorcycling News 0 January 16th, 2009 01:29 PM
[hell for leather] - KTM 990 Super Duke R goes white for 2009 Ninjette Newsbot Motorcycling News 0 November 11th, 2008 11:39 PM


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


Motorcycle Safety Foundation

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:14 PM.


Website uptime monitoring Host-tracker.com
Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Except where otherwise noted, all site contents are © Copyright 2022 ninjette.org, All rights reserved.