2021 KTM 890 Duke R Review

As far as streetfighters and especially naked bikes go, the 2021 KTM Duke 890 R has a narrow focus. But that's no criticism, because what the KTM 890 Duke R does, it does incredibly well. 

The ‘R’ suffix says it all. Denoting the Austrian brand’s take-no-prisoners, high-performance line that fully embraces the company’s ‘Ready to Race’ ethos, the KTM 890 Duke R was never going to be a humble commuter. 

Yes, it will happily tackle the daily grind if required, but to do so is bordering on an insult, because this high-spirited thoroughbred was born to run. 

Formidable family 

The KTM 790 Duke launched in 2018 while the KTM 890 Duke R arrived in May 2020. And while the 890 Duke R might lack the tyre-shredding might of its big brother (and 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year winner), the KTM 1290 Super Duke R, it certainly amps up the performance over its sibling, the standard 890 Duke. 

While the same basic 889cc engine format and tubular chromoly frame are shared by both the 890 Duke and the 890 Duke R, the latter puts out an extra 6hp and 7Nm, producing maximum outputs of 121hp (89kW) at 9250rpm and 99Nm at 7750rpm in a package weighing 3kg less. That sees the KTM 890 Duke R tip the scales at a featherweight 166kg (dry). 

The ‘R’ also scores premium fully adjustable WP Apex suspension front and rear, higher-spec Brembo Stylema front brake calipers, and stickier Michelin Power Cup 2 rubber, while its seat height is 20mm higher, at 840mm. Oh, and that bright orange chassis and rims are R-spec extras, too. 

But it all comes at a $2905 premium, the KTM 890 Duke R yours for a cool $19,090 ride away ($16,185 ride away for the standard 890 Duke). 

That compares to rivals spanning the new Yamaha MT-09SP ($17,299 ride away), Suzuki GSX-S750 ($14,390 ride away), Kawasaki Z900 ($14,327 ride away), Triumph Street Triple RS ($19,800 ride away), Ducati Monster ($18,200 ride away), BMW F 900 R ($16,645 ride away), and – at the upper end of the pricing scale – MV Agusta Brutale 800 Rosso ($24,390 ride away). And there are many more, if you want to look further up (or down) the power-to-weight scale... 

Fast features 

So, what’s on offer for your bucks? Well, before you go hitting up your bank manager, you might as well factor in the extra $1175 for KTM’s optional Tech Pack, which was fitted to our test bike. 

This includes a bi-directional quickshifter, Motor Slip Regulation (an electronic system that smooths power delivery during aggressive deceleration), and an extra ‘Track’ ride mode, the latter allowing you to customise various rider assistance settings and deactivate wheelie control. So, all the stuff that anyone who buys an ‘R’-spec model is naturally going to want... 

That pushes the price to $20,265 ride away, although KTM Australia points out that, at the time of writing, the model currently has a promotional price of $17,695 ride away, while stocks last. So get in quick and you can have that Tech Pack for nothing, and still save an extra $220! 

The KTM 890 Duke R comes standard with Rain, Street and Sport modes, all of which have markedly different characters, along with cornering ABS and traction control, and wheelie control. And there are two ABS modes – Road ABS and Supermoto ABS – the latter deactivating ABS on the rear wheel for supermoto-style ‘back-it-in' action, if that’s your thing. 

There’s a compact TFT instrument display with all the usual info plus a comprehensive trip computer, with menu navigation via a four-button keypad on the left-hand switch block. And it’s LED lighting throughout, with a daytime running light around the upper perimeter of the bike’s almost ‘insectoid’ headlight. 

On the road 

I wish I could preface this paragraph with ‘On the track’, because the KTM 890 Duke R would surely be an absolute riot on any tight circuit, but even so it’s still an amusement park on two wheels on the road too. 

Naked bikes, even more performance-oriented streetfighters, often serve as excellent all-rounders, and I place my own daily ride, a Honda CB900F Hornet, in that category. Likewise the Honda CB600F Hornet and Yamaha FZ1 I owned before that. 

But this KTM 890 Duke R hones in on corner carving with total precision. KTM refers to this model as the ‘Super Scalpel’, and it’s an apt tag. You sit high and forward on the Duke R, as it’s all about getting as much weight over that front wheel as possible, as you swoop from one corner apex to the next. 

That said, the ergonomics will still prove comfy enough for a wide range of riders. Legs wrap neatly around the bike’s svelte midsection, and despite the footpegs being placed further up and back compared to the original 790 Duke, there’s still decent legroom, with only a mild forward lean required to reach the handlebar. 

The handlebar is broad and provides excellent leverage, not that much is required to tip this light and nimble machine on its ear. 

The engine feels very refined for a twin – vibration is well suppressed – and it loves to rev, with a torquey midrange melting into a hard-charging top end. By way of a shift light, the tacho on the TFT display switches from black to KTM orange, with redline indicated at 9500rpm. 

Trundling along at 100km/h in sixth sees the mill ticking over at a leisurely 3900rpm, so the 890 Duke R is only as frenetic as you want it to be. Actually, sixth is probably a touch tall for our open-road limits – I found I was largely in fifth on the highway, which lends a little more punch to fast overtakes. 

But with 121hp and 99kW, it’s no slouch – it just doesn’t have the same wallop as say a superbike-based naked, or the 180hp/140Nm 1290 Super Duke R, for that matter. 

The fueling is spot on. Tailoring the bike’s throttle response produces tangible results, but even on the sharpest settings it’s possible to maintain smooth, steady progress around town – there's no hunting or jerking through the driveline. 

The quickshifter works a treat when pushing on, while the (slipper) clutch is super light. Add in the crisp throttle response, and this is a precision tool – it's certainly no sledgehammer. 

The sentiment is echoed by the Brembo Stylema calipers, which are just magic. So much power yet so much feel; these are superb stoppers. 

The suspension and chassis combo continues the winning recipe; the KTM 890 Duke R rails through bends with religious conviction – it's so planted, yet also so easy to flick through chicanes. The WP Apex package is decidedly sporty but you can feel the quality. I like the hand adjustors for compression and rebound on the fork, but you’ll need tools to alter the settings on the monoshock. 

The Supermoto ABS mode provides a big clue to the KTM 890 Duke R’s nature: on a winding road, it really does feel like an oversized supermoto. Of course, that won’t be to everyone’s liking, but then if you’re after a milder-mannered all-rounder there’s the base-model 890 Duke. 

If you can only have one bike in the shed, that might be the better bet (and you’ll save a fair whack of cash too). 

Tackling the tech 

The TFT display is on the smaller side and looks a little dated in some respects, given the big strides made by the ‘fancy-pants’ layouts of some bikes in recent times. 

The layout on the 890 Duke R is simple but also easy to read and digest, although I think the bike could do with a dedicated ride mode button. You can change ride modes on the fly, but it takes multiple presses of the handlebar keypad to get there. At least the buttons are backlit, for easier operation in low light. 

But there’s no Bluetooth connectivity, nor anywhere to store (or charge) a phone. 

And having to spring for the Tech Pack to deactivate wheelie control or tailor traction control settings seems stingy. Personally, I’m not really one for circus stunts – an aversion to hospitals, repair bills and broken bikes has always tempered my enthusiasm to learn – but if ever a bike was made for such antics, this light and lively twin is it. At some stage most KTM ‘R’ buyers will invariably want to switch wheelie control off, I’d wager... 

As for fuel economy, the 14-litre tank isn’t huge but I averaged 5.3L/100km over a mix of roads and riding. That’s good for a safe range of around 240km – not heaps, but good enough for this style of bike. 

The verdict 

If you live for carving corners, but you place handling and agility above outright horsepower, you’ll love the KTM 890 Duke R, which will have you cackling with glee as you slice and dice your favourite roads. It’s pricey, and you’ll want that optional Tech Pack too, but damn it’s good at what it does best – stringing bends together with gymnastic poise, and laser precision. 

Specs: 2021 KTM 890 Duke R 

ENGINE 
Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke DOHC parallel twin 
Displacement: 890cc 
Bore x stroke: 90.7mm x 68.8 mm 
Compression Ratio: 13.5:1 
Fuel system: DKK Dell’Orto (throttle body 46mm) 

PERFORMANCE 
Claimed maximum power: 121hp (89kW) at 9,250rpm 
Claimed maximum torque: 99Nm at 7,750rpm 

TRANSMISSION 
Type: Six-speed 
Final drive: Chain 
Final drive: 16:41 
Clutch: Cable, slipper 

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR 
Frame: Powder-coated CrMo-steel with stressed member engine 
Subframe: Powder-coated aluminium 
Front Suspension: WP APEX, 43mm USD fork, adjustable for compression and rebound 
Rear Suspension: WP APEX monoshock, fully adjustable 
Front brakes: 320mm discs with radially mounted four-piston Brembo Stylema calipers and Bosch cornering ABS 
Rear brakes: 240mm disc with floating Brembo caliper and Bosch cornering ABS 
Tyres: Michelin Power Cup 2, 120/70-17 front, 180/55-17 rear 

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES 
Claimed dry weight: 166kg 
Seat height: 834kg 
Wheelbase: 1482mm 
Ground Clearance: 206 mm 
Fuel capacity: 14 litres 

OTHER STUFF 
Price: $19,090 ride away 
Bike supplied by: KTM Australia 
Warranty: 24 months