RIDE Durban

Sharp just got a whole lot shaper, with the SCALPEL now boasting an extra 100 cc of naked fury.

One year after the KTM 890 Duke R launch, KTM has introduced the non-R monikered KTM 890 Duke to take the place of the wildly successful 790 DUKE.

As we suspected when KTM announced that it would introduce the new member of the Duke family on January 20, 2021, the new 890 rocks the same 889cc parallel-twin which features in the R model.    

The Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel frame with cast aluminum subframe that uses the engine as a stressed member carries over. As does the WP Apex suspension hardware that includes a 43mm inverted fork and mono-shock. The Duke R’s Brembo brakes are replaced by KTM-branded components and a pair of 300-mm discs upfront. The orange-coated y-spoke cast alloy wheels are now also wrapped in fresh Continental ContiRoad rubber.

In terms of design, the Duke and Duke R are pretty much twins, except for the absence of a pillion seat cover and the standard passenger footpegs on the base model. When comparing the two silhouettes, we also notice that the Non-R sits a little lower on its fork and that the handlebar is shifted slightly backward, closer to the rider. The seat is also a little lower, making the KTM 890 DUKE more accessible to vertically challenged riders. But that’s not to say it’s an “entry-level” option. This DUKE packs a hefty punch with a power rating of 115 horsepower and 67 torques.    

The KTM 890 Duke now also features the same TFT display as found on the R model and features three standard riding modes (Rain, Street, and Sport) and one optional Track mode. The bike also comes with a full suite of technologies including traction control (with nine levels of adjustment), cornering ABS, and an anti-wheelie system with adjustable throttle response.  

Pricing and availability of the new 2021 KTM 890 Duke have yet to be confirmed.