‘I reckon I’ll be looking for an ex-demo 890 Duke R next year.’
“Everything is less effort on the R,” Ben concludes. “I was anticipating the 890 to be my bike but with more torque but it is a very different machine and I love the engine and ride quality. I like the blend of sports and fun that you get on a supernaked such as the KTM 890 Duke R.” It sounds like Ben might be about to make a trip to his local KTM dealer...
“The issue I have with my 790 Duke, and one that does worry me a bit, is that its two-year manufacturer warranty runs out in January before my PCP plan expires in November. I don’t expect it to have a major issue but where on a Japanese machine I wouldn’t be bothered, with the KTM I am slightly concerned. Also, I tend to swap bikes quite regularly so by the middle of next year, I reckon I might start to be tempted to trade if the deal was right.
“I got mine for £2599 less than the RRP and I know KTM is chopping £1500 off new 790 Dukes now, so if a similar reduction was happening on the R, or I could find an ex-demo at a good price, then for me it is all down to the monthly amounts. £31 a month for the 790 was too good to refuse, so I’d probably max-out the deposit and see what that does to the monthly payment.
“I find it a bit disappointing that the R doesn’t come with ‘Track’ power mode or an up/down quickshifter as standard. Both are on the 790 Duke and cost £650 extra to add to an R. Although if an exdemo came with them both fitted...”