Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM has introduced a new middleweight street naked motorcycle, the KTM 890 Duke R. Called ‘The Super Scalpel’, the 890 Duke R traces its origins to the 790 Duke. That’s exactly what we promised you earlier! An agile motorcycle with even more punch.

At the heart of the KTM 890 Duke R is an 890 cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled mill. Coupled to a 6-speed gearbox, the engine produces 121 PS of power at 9,250 rpm and 99 Nm of torque at 7,750 rpm. In comparison, the 790 Duke produces 105 PS of power and 87 Nm of torque. The new powertrain gets a quick shifter, shift assist, ride by wire and slipper clutch.


The suspension duties on the KTM 890 Duke R are performed by fully-adjustable 43 mm split-open cartridge upside-down WP Apex fork up front and fully adjustable monoshock at the rear. Besides that, the Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel frame uses the engine as a stressed member of the chassis.

The subframe is made of cast aluminium, while the swingarm is a die-cast, open-lattice unit optimized for stiffness, increased stability and flex. KTM has also brought in the Brembo Stylema from the 1290 Super Duke R which bite over twin 320 discs up front with radially-mounted 4-piston callipers. The rear brake is a 240 mm disc with a floating monobloc calliper.


The KTM 890 Duke R gets an increased seat height of 825 mm, a ground clearance of 186 mm and a 169 kg weight (dry). The handlebar is 760 mm wide, lower than the 790 Duke's, and is adjustable, with 4 positions on the triple clamp. It can be rotated in three further positions for the perfect riding position. Tyres are Michelin Powercup 2 at both ends. Electronic riding aides include a lean-angle sensitive traction control system which is switchable, four riding modes (Sport, Street, Rain and Track) and an engine slip control.

There is no official confirmation as to if and when KTM will launch the 2020 KTM 890 Duke R in India.