KTM 990 DUKE

Where do I start with the KTM? I need to talk about the looks. KTM has been very open that it knows the styling of the 990 is not for everyone, and if you don't like the look of it, then buy something else.

- JOE AKROYD

I'm not a huge fan, to be blunt; I think it's frighteningly ugly and would use it to scare the kids at Halloween. I also don't think KTM has done it any favours with the full black colour option we had on test. Black doesn't really show off any of the lines or angles of a bike, and I've seen the 990 Super Duke in orange and it does look less ugly (I nearly said prettier, but I couldn't use the word pretty in the same sentence as the 990). Sorry, KTM. I also wasn't blown away with the finish of various parts: the exhaust system looks like something that's been found in a shed and used to be fitted to a Briggs & Stratton lawn mower, and some of the casting marks look a bit cheap. However, once you swing your leg over, things start to improve. Firstly, you don't have to look at that front end, and any thoughts about the finish of certain parts soon disappear.