If you needed any further evidence that the middleweight naked category of motorcycles is where it’s at right now, KTM has just announced their entry-level model, the 890 Duke. And it looks a proper beastie, indeed.
Slotting in beneath the “Ready to Race” brand’s 890 Duke R (and spelling the end of days for the 790 Duke line) this new Duke is powered by the same 889cc, LC8c, parallel-twin engine, however this model of KTM’s scalpel has been blunted a touch to 85 kW (115 hp), with 92 Nm (68 lbs-ft). Despite the detune, this Duke still offers some of the highest performance numbers in its class.
Other changes include some slight ergonomic shifts that tailor the rider triangle to a slightly more relaxed position, which includes a lower seat height and adjustable handlebars that have four integrated triple-clamp positions as well as three rotational settings. There are also a set of (removable) pillion pegs and the front brake calipers are no longer Brembo units, having been replaced by KTM branded binders. These changes add about 3kgs to the Duke’s mass which now sits at 169kgs. So, like most of us during this pandemic, this Duke is a little heavier, a little softer and ready to welcome the presence of others.
The suspension at both front and rear come courtesy of KTM’s in-house brand, WP. Specifically, a set of 43mm APEX, open-cartridge, USD forks can be found up front, with reworked internals that include new progressive springs, to deliver better road feel. In the rear, a single, adjustable (preload, compression and rebound) mono-shock is mounted up to the open-lattice design swingarm.
2021 KTM 890 Duke
2021 KTM 890 Duke
2021 KTM 890 Duke
A multi-colour TFT dash sits up front and centre and enables control of KTM’s suite of rider aid software. ABS and traction control along with active cornering versions of both comes standard as do four rider modes (Street, Sport, Rain and Track), wheelie control and ABS Supermoto mode (which kills the ABS to the rear). Best of all, as your riding levels progress, you can opt out of having the e-nannies interfere. You can also pair and control your phone via KTM’s My Ride App.
Pricing has yet to be announced for the KTM Duke 890 but given the R model sells for $12,899, I’d expect this one to start just north of eleven-thousand loonies.