10 Things You Didn’t Know About The 2020 KTM 890 Duke R
KTM’s 790 Duke is known for its agility and the motorcycle manufacturer turned it up a notch with the KTM 890 Duke R. This is a punchier rendition that fails to compromise when it comes to delivery of the required power whether on the race track or on windy mountain roads. It’s one of the most desirable new racers to hit the market in recent months. In preparation for your trip to the dealership, here are 10 things you didn’t know about the KTM 890 Duke R.
1. The handlebar is ergonomic and made for comfort
We begin with the tapered aluminum design of the handlebars with a flatter positioning that moves them forward to give you more of a feel of the front tire in the ideal racing position. The reach is also customizable. This is thanks to the triple clamp with 4 positions and three rotational adjustments for a tailored reach to the handlebars.
2. You can add extra power parts
The Duke 890 R is an amazing naked bike as is, but there are some great power parts you can opt for to enhance performance even further. The heated grip is an additional control that you can add to keep your hands warm in cold weather. A few more notable optional power parts you can purchase include brake lever protection to prevent damage in case of ground contact for a nominal cost of just under $52. Other options include clutch lever protection for just under $49, a USB Power Outlet kit to keep your electronic devices charged, a combination switch for activating cruise control and handlebar ends for covering up open ends.
3. The KTM 890 Duke R offers optimal illumination
The KTM 890 Duke R is designed to provide the best possible near-field illumination with LED headlights that provide the maximum output of light. Running lights for daytime use makes you visible on the road so oncoming traffic can see you more easily. This is just one more premium feature that KTM saw fit to throw in.
4. The TFT Display is impressive
When you’re riding, the only information that you need is what is relevant for you at the time, but it needs to be legible. The TFT display on the 890 Duke R is multicolor to separate the info and present it in a way that is straightforward and easy to decipher. Each rev of the engine spurs a display of colored bars that lets you know if the engine is still cold. You’ll also get information about ABS and anti-wheelie modes on the display. Another notable feature is the adaptable display that automatically adjusts the illumination to the ambient light.
5. Rider Aids are included
Electronic rider aids give you better performance, control and they make riding a lot more enjoyable. With the Duke 890 R, you get to choose among four ride modes for comfort, performance, and safety. the optional Track mode is for racing with launch control for fast advances, more throttle response, and variable slip adjustment. This is the mode to be in when you what to flip a wheelie but make sure you disengage the anti-wheelie function first. The Rain function gives you more control when it’s wet outside, and Sport is designed for when you want to do some more aggressive riding. Finally, the Street mode is made for greater comfort when you’re riding in town.
6. It comes with MTC
Motorcycle Traction control is the technology that gives you lean-angle sensitive traction. It’s another control that gives turns the reins over to you for smooth and seamless leans and perfect execution for less slipping. This is an important feature for safety and greater fun in riding on KTM bikes.
7. The KTM 890 Duke R is loaded with premium parts
What makes the KTM 890 Duke R stand out the most over its predecessors is that it’s lighter, the bike is faster, and it comes decked out with an abundance of premium components without jacking up the price to unreasonable levels. The 8890 Duke R was stipped down to max its potential for high performance and to lighten the bike.
8. A more powerful engine
The powerplant driving the 890 Duke R is a DOHC parallel-twin 889 cc and it’s based on the engine used in the 790, but the two are not the same. The redesign increased the bore and stroke and it has a higher compression ration with a nudge of 1,000 rpm bump at the redline. A redesigned cylinder head was necessary to fit the larger valves and camshafts that by the way feature increased lift.
9. The brakes deserve as much attention as the bigger engine
The KTM 890 Duke R has a more powerful engine with a stripped-down physique that makes it faster, but what good is going super-fast if you can’t slow down fast? It’s worth noting that KTM made a big step by upgrading to Brembo bits. The J. Juan piece has been replaced with a Brembo MCS master cylinder and now the rider can adjust the lever ratio. They also let the J. Juan calipers go and replaced them with Brembo Stylema calipers and put them on 320mm discs upgraded from 300 mm. While the engine is certainly something worth talking about it’s important to give credit where it is due and KTM made a smart move by upgrading the brakes.
10. Available now
The KTM 890 Duke R is currently available in showrooms. The manufacturer’s suggested retail selling price is $11,999, but some vendors may offer it at a hair under or over. This beauty is available for your inspection and if you check with the dealership online you can find out about all of the wonderful optional features that are available as add-ons, that is unless you prefer to maintain that ultra-light stripped-down quality that makes the bike lightning fast.
