BMW R 1250 R vs 2024 KTM 990 Duke
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Scores, summary & seat (optional) Estimates and auto text from specs — open if you want them.
Technical score (estimate)
Weighted mix of power, torque, power-to-weight, top speed and lighter weight within this comparison only. Not a real-world verdict — riding style and roads matter.
Usage fit (estimate)
Rough scores for city riding, touring, sporty riding and new riders — mix of specs and bike category. Same caveats as the technical score: traffic, skill and tyres matter.
City / commute
Touring / long rides
Sporty riding
New rider friendly
Seat height (cm)
Figures are as in the database; boots, suspension sag and road surface change how tall the bike feels.
- BMW R 1250 R 82 cm Lowest seat here
- 2024 KTM 990 Duke 82.5 cm Tallest seat here
Spread in this comparison: about 0.5 cm.
Rough guide: comfortable flat-foot reach often needs inseam roughly in the same ballpark as seat height (varies a lot by ergonomics).
Auto summary from specs
Generated from the numbers in the comparison — not a review.
- Power spans 123 hp (2024 KTM 990 Duke) up to 136 hp (BMW R 1250 R).
- Torque spans 103 Nm (2024 KTM 990 Duke) up to 143 Nm (BMW R 1250 R).
- Weight spans 198 kg (2024 KTM 990 Duke) to 221 kg (BMW R 1250 R).
- Displacement spans 1000 cc (2024 KTM 990 Duke) to 1100 cc (BMW R 1250 R).
All values look the same; turn off the filter.
| Specification | BMW R 1250 R | KTM 990 Duke |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | BMW | KTM |
| Model | BMW R 1250 R | KTM 990 Duke |
| Engine size | Above 1000cc | 1000cc |
| Power | 136hp | 123hp |
| Torque | 143nm. | 103nm. |
| Cylinders / valves | Twin cylinder, 8 valves | Twin cylinder, 8 valves |
| Weight | 221kg | 198kg |
| Front brake | Twin disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 320 mm, 4-piston radial brake caliper | 2x radially mounted 4 piston caliper with 300 mm discs |
| Rear brake | Single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, 2-piston floating caliper | 2 piston caliper, brake disc with 240mm disc |
| Seat height (cm) | 82cm | 82.5cm |
| Front tyre | 120/70 ZR17 | 120/70ZR17 Bridgestone S22 |
| Rear tyre | 180/55 ZR17 | 180/55ZR17 Bridgestone S22 |
| Cooling | Liquid cooling | Liquid cooling |
| Front suspension | Upside-down telescopic fork | WP APEX 43 |
| Rear suspension | Cast aluminum single-sided swingarm with BMW Motorrad Paralever, WAD shock absorber, spring preload continuously adjustable hydraulically by handwheel | WP APEX - Monoshock |
| Motorcycle type | Naked | Naked |
| Top speed | 245km/h | 250km/h |
| Fuel capacity / consumption | 18 L – 5.5 L/100km | 15 L – 4.7 L/100km |
| Service network | ||
| Service quality | ||
| Parts availability | ||
| Price | $14995 | $12500 |
| Brand price lists | View BMW price list | View KTM price list |
| Extra features | -TFT colour display with BMW Motorrad Connectivity, Full LED headlight, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) -Integral ABS Pro (lean-optimised ABS), 3 riding modes (Eco, Rain, and Road), Hill Start Control (HSC) -USB charging socket, Intelligent emergency call, Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) |
-5 inch TFT display and connection, 5 different ride modes, traction control -Launch control, track mode. |
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2023 BMW R 1250 R vs 2024 KTM 990 Duke: listed specifications
The 2023 BMW R 1250 R and 2024 KTM 990 Duke differ on the listed specifications: the R 1250 R has more displacement, peak power and torque, and the 990 Duke has a lower listed weight.
Engine displacement
R 1250 R has a larger listed engine displacement (1100 cc vs 1000 cc).
Peak power
R 1250 R has a modest listed power advantage (136 hp vs 123 hp).
Torque
R 1250 R has a clear listed torque advantage (143 Nm vs 103 Nm).
Listed top speed
R 1250 R and 990 Duke have very similar listed top speeds (245 km/h vs 250 km/h).
Cooling
Both motorcycles are listed as liquid-cooled.
Weight and seat height
990 Duke is notably lighter on the listed weight (198 kg vs 221 kg). R 1250 R and 990 Duke have very similar seat heights (82 cm vs 82.5 cm).
Conclusion
The measurable differences are therefore concentrated in displacement, peak power, torque and weight, while listed top speed and seat height remain relatively close.
Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of BMW R 1250 R vs KTM 990 Duke?
KTM 990 Duke is listed at 250 km/h (155 mph) vs 245 km/h (152 mph) for BMW R 1250 R.
Which has more horsepower, BMW R 1250 R or KTM 990 Duke?
BMW R 1250 R has 136 hp compared with 123 hp on the KTM 990 Duke.
Which is lighter, BMW R 1250 R or KTM 990 Duke?
KTM 990 Duke is lighter at 198 kg vs 221 kg for BMW R 1250 R.
Which is better, BMW R 1250 R or KTM 990 Duke?
It depends on your riding style. Compare top speed, weight, fuel use and price in the table on this page, then vote for the bike you prefer.
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