890 Duke R

Our favourite bike of 2018, but with extra everything

WHAT IS IT?

Remember the KTM 790 Duke debuting all of about five minutes ago? Remember how KTM said it was the ‘ultimate street weapon’ and ‘devastatingly accurate’? Remember how it was our 2018 Bike of the Year? It’s gone one better – or 100 better – as the 890 R. The 790 remains in the range, mind; this is an addition, not a replacement.

WHAT’S NEW?

There’s more engine. Capacity has been bored and stroked from 799cc to 889cc. The 890’s headline figures are 119bhp and 73 lb.ft, up from the 103bhp and 64 lb.ft of the 790 – so there’s more power and torque per cc as well. The higher state of tune comes from an increased compression ratio, larger valves and aggressive camshafts with more lift. Remarkably, it even revs higher than the 790. Don’t expect it to be peaky though – there’s a boosted bottom-end and a meatier midrange. Imagine the 790’s power curves, just yoinked vertically up the graph paper. Cost-cutting components evident on the 790 Duke are gone. The 890’s suspension is posh adjustable WP kit, brakes are top-end Brembos and near-slick Michelins replace mediocre Maxxis. The 890 R sits higher than the 790, with seat height, footrests and ground clearance all raised up. Worried all this extra stuff has piled on the pounds? Nope – KTM say the new chassis parts have saved weight. The 890 is 3kg lighter than the 790, almost half of it saved as all-important unsprung mass. That should mean a true fully-fuelled weight of 184kg. Tie it to something solid if you leave it out in a stiff breeze.

WHEN IS IT IN THE UK?

Shortly after the new 1290, at the end of February. Price is £10,399. And yes, that’s a lot more than the 2019 Duke’s £8799. Those upgraded chassis parts ain’t cheap.