2020 KTM 890 Duke R: All You Need To Know

KTM is known for making motorcycles which are fast, get plenty of equipment and purchasing one doesn’t necessarily mean breaking a bank. And for 2020, the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer revealed the KTM 890 Duke R. But wait, doesn’t KTM already have the 7990 Duke on sale internationally and India too? So, where does the 890 Duke R fit in? Will it replace the KTM 790 Duke? Or stay as a standalone model? Here is everything you need to know about the latest naked middleweight from KTM, or ‘The Super Scalpel’ as it is being called.

Engine

(It is expected to comply with the upcoming BS6 norms and could possibly replace the 790 Duke in the Indian market).

So, the engine on the KTM 890 Duke R uses the same parallel-twin motor on the 790 Duke. The capacity increases from 799 cc to 890 cc and the engine now makes 119 bhp of peak power along with 99 Nm of peak torque. This is an increase of about 15 bhp and 14 Nm over the KTM 790 Duke. The higher state of tune on the 890 Duke R is thanks to larger valves, aggressive camshafts and an increased compression ratio. KTM also says that the mid-range and the bottom-end have become better in comparison to the 790 Duke. It also means that the power and torque output is now in line with its biggest rival, the Triumph Street Triple ₹ Boy! That is going to be one tasty comparison! So much anticipation already!

Cycle Parts & Electronics

(The KTM 890 Duke R uses the same engine as the 790 Duke but makes more power and torque)

Lots of changes here! The KTM 890 Duke R gets 43 mm WP upside down forks at the front, which can be adjusted for compression and rebound. At the rear, there is a fully adjustable WP Apex monoshock unit with a linear spring and preload adjuster. The brakes too have been uprated. The front end gets 320 mm discs which are gripped by dual four-piston Brembo Stylema Monobloc callipers along with a Brembo master cylinder. While the rear gets a 240 mm disc with a single piston Brembo calliper. The motorcycle is now shod with stickier Michelin Power Cup II tyres. So, the 890 Duke throws out all the cost-cutting bits on the 790 Duke like non-adjustable suspension, maxxis tyres out of the window. The KTM 890 Duke R also gets an impressive electronics package which includes lean-sensitive traction control, wheelie control, cornering ABS, optional quick-shifter, multiple riding modes and an additional track mode as well.

The seat height has also been increased from 825 mm on the 790 to 834 mm on the 890 Duke R. the riding geometry has been changed as well and the footrests now sit higher and the ground clearance has been increased too. The best part, you ask? The weight of the 890 Duke R is 3 kg lesser than that of the KTM 790 Duke. Even with all the additions. And almost half of the weight saved is un-sprung mass.

Is it coming to India?

The motorcycle made its debut at the 2019 EICMA Motorcycle Show and there is a possibility that it could make its way to India. Some reports suggest that KTM is already conducting a feasibility study or will conduct one for the KTM 890 Duke R India launch. There are no confirmed details on the launch of the motorcycle and whether it will replace the 790 Duke or will both models co-exist together. But we are keeping our fingers crossed and hope it comes to India soon.

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