2021 KTM 890 Duke First Look
Rennie Scaysbrook | January 20, 2021
Last year, one of our absolutely favorite machines was the KTM 890 Duke R. The middleweight monster is one of the best bikes on the market today, but it is a little hard-edged, so KTM has sought to rectify this by producing the replacement to the outgoing 790 Duke, in the 2021 KTM 890 Duke.
If the 890 Duke R is a little spicy, KTM’s got the base model ready for you in 2021.
As the name suggests, the new Duke gets the 889 cc motor and a power increase to 114 hp, although weight has thankfully been kept to the same as the 790 at 372 lb dry.
There’s more torque on tap, now registering 68 lb-ft, and you’ll get the full suite of electronics in the three riding modes of Rain, Street and Sport, a six-axis IMU, Cornering ABS, traction and wheelie control, and there’s an optional Track mode that gives you nine-level TC, launch control, up and down quick shifter and you can disable the ABS—which is essentially the same package as the higher spec 890 Duke R.
The suspension comes in the form of the WP Apex 43 mm inverted fork and shock, although KTM doesn’t actually say the level of adjustment on offer.
Braking comes in the form of the twin 300 mm discs clamped by radial-mounted four-piston calipers, and the base model differs from the 890 R by coming standard with Continental ContiRoad rubber compared to the 890 R’s Michelin Power Cup 2 tires.
KTM USA has yet to announce when the 2021 KTM 890 Duke will be available in dealers and at what cost.
From KTM:
KTM 890 DUKE – MODEL HIGHLIGHTS
- Larger displacement from 789 cc to 889 cc
- Increased engine horsepower and torque
- Unmatched power-to-weight ratio and agility
- Updated APEX WP Suspension technology
- Updated electronics package with a 6D lean angle sensor and optional TRACK MODE
- Improved braking performance, thanks to system upgrade
- Distinctive, functional and stylistic aesthetics embody the DUKE spirit
- New high-performing Continental ContiRoad tires
