KTM 890 Duke: The Scalpel Is Sharpened

  • Published January 20, 2021
  • Views : 5004
  • 3 min read
  • bookmark
Gets simpler foundations and a slightly detuned engine compared to the 890 Duke R
  • It looks exactly the same as the 790 Duke, albeit with different colours and 890 stickering.
  • The 889cc engine makes 115PS and 92Nm on the 890 Duke.
  • India arrival is likely to take place by the end of 2021 or even early-2022.

    • Ever since KTM unleashed the Super Scalpel, the 890 Duke R, at EICMA 2019, we were wondering what the fate of the 790 Duke was going to be. As time unfolded and no EU5 updates arrived for the 790, it became clearer and more obvious that a simpler version of the 890 Duke R was in store for 2021. And voila, here it is: the KTM 890 Duke.

    To put it simply, the 890 Duke makes use of simpler mechanicals but the same frame and engine as the 890 R, which in turn used the chassis and body panels from the 790 Duke. Hence, we do not see any new styling elements on the 890. Different colours and 890 stickering are obvious differences though.

    Its dry weight of 169kg is the same as the 790 Duke and 3kg heavier than the 890 Duke R. That though shouldn’t matter much as the seat height is more accessible on the 890. At 820mm, you are seated 5mm lower than the 790 and crucially, 14mm lower than the 890 R.

    Nestled in the tubular steel backbone frame is the 889cc parallel-twin LC8c motor from the 890 R. It is detuned slightly to produce 115PS and 92Nm. How different is that to the 890 R and 790 Duke? The following table will enlighten you better:

     

    KTM 890 Duke R

    KTM 890 Duke

    KTM 790 Duke BS4

    Cubic capacity

    889cc

    889cc

    789cc

    Max Power

    121PS at 9,250rpm

    115PS at 9,000rpm

    105PS at 9,000rpm

    Peak Torque

    99Nm at 7,750rpm

    92Nm at 8,000rpm

    87Nm at 8,000rpm

    As you can see, the performance has been bumped up and is now on par with the Triumph Street Triple R and the Ducati Monster. Our recent adventure with the Triple R gave us a great insight of just how good an all-rounder the Triumph naked is in 2021. Expect the 890 Duke give it a good run for its money.

    No skimping in the electronic aids department on the 890 Duke. It has four riding modes -- Rain, Road, Sport and Track -- each mode arriving with their own predetermined settings of traction control, available power, throttle response, wheelie control and cornering ABS. A bi-directional quickshifter is optional on the bike, which we guess will be standard for the India-spec 890.

    One area where we felt the 790 Duke severely lacked in comparison to the Street Triple RS (and now even the R) was in the suspension department. It didn’t offer any form of adjustability and was not as sophisticated. While the former bit of criticism still holds true for the 890 Duke, KTM claims that the new WP Apex USD fork and monoshock have been updated and are better than the 790’s suspension components.

    Get latest updates on
    the automobile community
    Login Now

    Braking hardware comprises 300mm dual rotors on the front wheel with improved radial calipers and better brake pads for more fierce stopping power. Lastly, KTM has ditched the Maxxis Supermaxx ST tyres for new Continental ContiRoads. The new rubber is said to offer better wet weather grip and get up to temperature quicker than the Maxxis tyres.

    So, when is it coming India? That’s something which we have very little idea about. Since the 790 engine is still being produced at CFMoto’s plant in China, India is likely to get a few units of the 790 Duke first. They will be homologated to meet the BS6 norms locally and will be sold in 2021. Come late-2021 or early-2022, we should see the 890 Duke arriving on our shores. It is a long wait but will it be worth it? Let’s hope it is.

KTM 890 Duke Video Review

You May Also Like

Web Stories

Web Stories

KTM 890 Duke Alternatives

See what our community has to say! NEW

India's largest automotive community

Explore Now
comminity image
×
Recently Visited