KTM delays the production and release of new 990 and 1390 models

Sep 12, 2025

KTM still hasn’t returned to business as usual — or so it seems following recent production postponements.

The Austrian firm attributes the delays to “the recent restructuring process the business has completed.”

2025 has been a trying year for KTM. After filing for self-administration (to avoid bankruptcy) in late 2024, the brand removed long-time CEO Stefan Pierer from his post in February. Only after India’s Bajaj Auto saved the floundering OEM, claiming a controlling stake in the process, did KTM resume full production in late July.

Several employees assemble motorcycles in a KTM factory. — KTM may have avoided bankruptcy but it’s still grappling with the ramifications of its financial restructuring. KTM photo.

Those manufacturing delays caused a ripple effect in the brand’s release schedule, as several 990 and 1390 models slated for release in 2025 will now arrive in 2026 instead. Under the new timetable, all variants of the 1390 Super Adventure — which include the trail-focused R and travel-friendly S EVO — will now go into production in October. The 990 RC R sport bike will join the flagship ADVs on the assembly line in the same month, while 990 Duke R production will ramp up in November.

Two different riders steer the KTM 990 Duke R and 990 RC R through a corner on track. — The 990 Duke R (left) will join the base model 990 Duke in 2026. The arrival of the 990 RC R (right) will mark KTM’s return to the full-sized sport bike category. KTM photos.

To further contextualize the situation, many of the affected 990s and 1390s were announced nearly one year ago. KTM unveiled the Super Adventure S EVO and R-trim 990 Duke in October 2024 before following up with the Super Adventure R in December. The 990 RC R goes back even further, as KTM first teased the model in May 2024 (without full specs and pricing).

A rider launches the 1390 Super Adventure R over a truck while another kicks up dust on a 1390 Super Adventure S Evo. — Off-road capability distinguishes the 1390 Super Adventure R (left), but convenience and comfort are top priorities for the Super Adventure S Evo (right). KTM photos.

Of course, current KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister sees the delays in a positive light.

”This decision ensures that every model will be fully ready to deliver on the high standards our customers expect,” explained Neumeister.

The KTM 1390 Super Adventure S and 1390 Super Duke GT set against a white wall. — KTM will start manufacturing the non-EVO 1390 Super Adventure S (left) in October 2026 and the 1390 Duke GT in 2027, but neither model will ship to North America. KTM photos.

That statement may come across as spin-heavy brand-speak, but KTM is backing up Neumeister's words by offering a complimentary four-year warranty on 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 LC8- and LC8c-powered Street and Adventure models. That includes all variants of the 790 Adventure, 790 Duke, 890 Adventure, 890 Duke, 890 SMT, 990 Duke, 990 RC R, 1290 Super Duke, 1290 Super Adventure, 1390 Super Duke, and 1390 Super Adventure.

Yes, KTM still has a long way to go on its road to redemption, but moving its new 990s and 1390s into production should help it return to business as usual.