FIRST LOOK: KTM’s 890 Duke R. Everything YOU need to know

First seen at the big bike shows towards the end of 2019, the 890 Duke R is essentially a more powerful version of the much loved 790 Duke, which was launched back in 2018. But as you’d expect, there’s much more to it than that. With a fresh engine platform, a revised chassis and a number of other refinements, KTM states that the new bike ‘intends to exploit the best virtues of the Duke platform with more torque, more rpm, more speed, more stopping power and more aggression to make for an extreme experience receptive to open mountain roads and the expanses of the racetrack’.

The parallel twin engine is based on the 790 Duke, with the motor’s output increased to 119bhp (89kW) and 73lb-ft (99Nm) of torque, sprung from lower in the powerband. This represents a rise of almost 10Nm over the 790 Duke. In terms of engine ‘architecture’, the bore has been increased from 88 to 90.7 and the stroke lengthened from 65.7 to 68.8, with compression changing from 12,7:1 to 13,5:1.

Electronics on the new bike include cornering ABS and traction control with a new 6D lean angle sensor that not only detects the side-to-side and forwards and backwards pitch of the bike, but also its drift positioning. Ride modes come as standard.

With the pillion footpegs removed and the single seat cover in place (as standard), the bike achieves a weight loss of 3.3kg over the 790 Duke.

Geometry of the 790 has not been hugely altered, but the ride height has been increased by 15mm to improve handling and ground clearance. This rise ensures that the swingarm angle is at a steeper angle to ensure better anti-squat behaviour and thus improve stability and drive out of corners. The seat height is now at 834mm as a result of a more ‘attacking’ rider position, with the pilot placed marginally higher and further forward in order to intensify front end feel.

The 890 Duke R will be available from £10,399 as soon as the borders open and the bikes arrive from Austria after the pandemic lockdown.