KTM 890 Duke Base Model
Back in 2019, KTM showcased the 890 Duke R at ECIMA 2019. Months later, soon after the launch of the 790 Duke, KTM officially pulled the cover off the 890 Duke R in April 2020. The 890 Duke R takes everything we love about the KTM 790 Duke and takes it up a notch. From the engine, chassis to suspension, the 890 Duke R is KTM’s top middleweight streetfighter. For 2021, KTM expands the Duke range with the introduction of an all-new non-R KTM 890 base model.
Starting with the design, the entry-level 890 Duke and the high-spec 890 Duke R look very much alike. However, unlike the 890 Duke R, the base 890 Duke comes with passenger footpegs and has no pillion seat cover. Compared to the R, the seat height is lower on the entry-level 890 Duke to accommodate a wider range of riders.
Moving to the oily bits, the 890 Duke makes use of the same LC8 889cc parallel-twin engine found on the 890 Duke R. Mated to a 6-speed gearbox, the base 890 Duke pushes 113.98 hp and 92 Nm of peak torque compared to 121 hp and 99 Nm of torque on the R-variant.
In the case of chassis, similar to the 890 Duke R, the non-R 890 Duke is built around a chromium-molybdenum-steel frame which uses the engine as the stress element. Just like the 890 Duke R, the base model makes use of cast aluminium subframe with an inbuilt airbox and an open lattice diecast swingarm. As for the wheels, the 890 Duke rolls with lightweight orange coated cast alloy wheels. Compared to the 890 Duke R, the base 890 Duke weighs 3kg heavier at 169kg dry.
Moving onto suspension, the 890 Duke makes use of WP Apex 43mm inverted front fork and a fully adjustable WP Apex monoshock at the rear.
Braking is done via a twin radially mounted 4 piston calliper with 300mm disc up front and a 2 piston floating calliper with 240mm disc at the rear.
In the case of electronics, the entry-level 890 Duke gets LED lighting, TFT instrument cluster and Bosch EMS with RBW which has been carried forward from the R-variant. Other than this, rider aids such as ride modes (Rain, Street, and Sport), MTC (traction control) and Bosch 9.1 MP ABS (incl. Cornering-ABS and supermoto mode) are standard on the new entry-level 890 Duke. Buyers also have the option to add on a fourth riding mode; track mode and quick shifter.
Last but not least, pricing and availability. As of now, KTM hasn’t announced the details yet. We think KTM would officially announce these details in the upcoming week.
Source: KTM