KTM 890 Duke 2021 vs. KTM 890 Duke R 2021

KTM 890 Duke 2021

KTM 890 Duke R 2021
Overview - KTM 890 Duke 2021 vs KTM 890 Duke R 2021
The KTM 890 Duke 2021 and the KTM 890 Duke R 2021 are both naked bikes with similar technical specifications. They both have an inline engine with a displacement of 889ccm and 890ccm respectively. The engine power of the 890 Duke is 115 HP, while the 890 Duke R has a higher engine power of 121 HP. The torque of the 890 Duke is 92 Nm, while the 890 Duke R has a higher torque of 99 Nm. Both bikes have a fuel injection system and a liquid cooling system.
In terms of suspension, both bikes have an upside-down telescopic fork front suspension and a swing arm rear suspension with a monoshock absorber. The suspension components are branded by WP, a well-known suspension manufacturer. The rear suspension of both bikes has preload adjustment and is made of aluminum. The chassis of both bikes is made of chromium-molybdenum and has a tubular frame.
The braking system of both bikes consists of double disk brakes at the front with a diameter of 300mm for the 890 Duke and 320mm for the 890 Duke R. Both bikes have four-piston calipers and radial technology for improved braking performance.

KTM 890 Duke 2021
In terms of advanced rider assistance systems, both bikes are equipped with ABS, riding modes, and traction control. The 890 Duke R does not have cornering ABS, launch control, ride by wire, and anti-wheelie features, which are present in the 890 Duke.
Both bikes have similar dimensions and weights. The front and rear tire widths are 120mm and 180mm respectively, with a diameter of 17 inches for both. The wheelbase of the 890 Duke is 1476mm, while the 890 Duke R has a slightly longer wheelbase of 1482mm. The seat height of the 890 Duke is 820mm, while the 890 Duke R has a higher seat height of 834mm. The dry weight of the 890 Duke with ABS is 169kg, while the 890 Duke R is slightly lighter at 166kg. Both bikes have a fuel tank capacity of 14 liters.

KTM 890 Duke R 2021
In terms of strengths, the 890 Duke is praised for its rev-happy engine, lively handling, buttery-smooth quickshifter, and comprehensive electronics package. It is also mentioned that the 890 Duke does not leave the rider desiring the R version on the country road. On the other hand, the 890 Duke R is praised for its high-revving and sporty engine, excellent quickshifter, great electronics package, great brakes, good chassis, and lightweight, which contributes to its driving-friendly handling.
As for weaknesses, the 890 Duke is mentioned to have a quickshifter at an extra cost, while the 890 Duke R is criticized for its cheap buttons and switches, such as the indicator switch, and slightly nervous geometry.
In summary, both the KTM 890 Duke 2021 and the KTM 890 Duke R 2021 have their strengths and weaknesses. The 890 Duke offers a great overall package with its rev-happy engine and smooth quickshifter, while the 890 Duke R provides a more sporty and performance-oriented experience with its higher engine power, better brakes, and lightweight.
Technical Specifications KTM 890 Duke 2021 compared to KTM 890 Duke R 2021
KTM 890 Duke 2021![]() | KTM 890 Duke R 2021![]() |
Engine and Drive Train
Engine type | Engine type | In line | Engine type | In line |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bore | Bore | 90.7 mm | Bore | 90.7 mm |
Stroke | Stroke | 68.8 mm | Stroke | 68.8 mm |
Engine power | Engine power | 115 HP | Engine power | 121 HP |
Rpm at Max. Power | Rpm at Max. Power | 9000 rpm | Rpm at Max. Power | 9250 rpm |
Torque | Torque | 92 Nm | Torque | 99 Nm |
Rpm at Torque | Rpm at Torque | 8000 rpm | Rpm at Torque | 7750 rpm |
Fuel system | Fuel system | Injection | Fuel system | Injection |
Starter | Starter | Electric | Starter | Electric |
Clutch Type | Clutch Type | Multiplate in oil-bath | Clutch Type | Multiplate in oil-bath |
Transmission | Transmission | Chain | Transmission | Chain |
Transmission Type | Transmission Type | Gearshift | Transmission Type | Gearshift |
Number of gears | Number of gears | 6 | Number of gears | 6 |
Cylinders | Cylinders | 2 | Cylinders | 2 |
Strokes | Strokes | 4-Stroke | Strokes | 4-Stroke |
Valves per cylinder | Valves per cylinder | 4 | Valves per cylinder | 4 |
Valves | Valves | DOHC | Valves | DOHC |
Cooling | Cooling | liquid | Cooling | liquid |
Lubrication | Lubrication | Forced | Lubrication | Forced |
Displacement | Displacement | 889 ccm | Displacement | 890 ccm |
Suspension Front
Front suspension | Front suspension | Upside-Down telescopic fork | Front suspension | Upside-Down telescopic fork |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brand | Brand | WP | Brand | WP |
Diameter | Diameter | 43 mm | Diameter | 43 mm |
Travel | Travel | 140 mm | Travel | 140 mm |
Suspension Rear
Suspension | Suspension | Swing arm | Suspension | Swing arm |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shock absorber | Shock absorber | Monoshock | Shock absorber | Monoshock |
Shock mount | Shock mount | Deflection | Shock mount | Deflection |
Brand | Brand | WP | Brand | WP |
Travel | Travel | 150 mm | Travel | 150 mm |
Adjustment | Adjustment | Preload | Adjustment | Preload |
Material | Material | Aluminium | Material | Aluminium |
Chassis
Frame | Frame | Chromium-molybdenum | Frame | Chromium-molybdenum |
---|---|---|---|---|
Frame type | Frame type | Tubular | Frame type | Tubular |
Rake | Rake | 66 degree | Rake | 65.7 degree |
Brakes Front
Type | Type | Double disk | Type | Double disk |
---|---|---|---|---|
Diameter | Diameter | 300 mm | Diameter | 320 mm |
Piston | Piston | Four pistons | Piston | Four pistons |
Actuation | Actuation | Hydraulic | Actuation | Hydraulic |
Technology | Technology | radial | Technology | radial |
Brakes Rear
Type | Type | Disc | Type | Disc |
---|---|---|---|---|
Diameter | Diameter | 240 mm | Diameter | 240 mm |
Piston | Piston | Double piston | Piston | Double piston |
Assistance Systems
Advanced Rider Assistance Systems | Advanced Rider Assistance Systems | ABS, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Launch-Control, Ride by Wire, Traction control, Anti-wheelie | Advanced Rider Assistance Systems | ABS, Riding modes, Traction control |
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Dimensions and Weights
Front tyre width | Front tyre width | 120 mm | Front tyre width | 120 mm |
---|---|---|---|---|
Front tyre height | Front tyre height | 70 % | Front tyre height | 70 % |
Front tyre diameter | Front tyre diameter | 17 inch | Front tyre diameter | 17 inch |
Rear tyre width | Rear tyre width | 180 mm | Rear tyre width | 180 mm |
Rear tyre height | Rear tyre height | 55 % | Rear tyre height | 55 % |
Rear tyre diameter | Rear tyre diameter | 17 inch | Rear tyre diameter | 17 inch |
Wheelbase | Wheelbase | 1476 mm | Wheelbase | 1482 mm |
Seat Height | Seat Height | 820 mm | Seat Height | 834 mm |
Dry Weight (with ABS) | Dry Weight (with ABS) | 169 kg | Dry Weight (with ABS) | 166 kg |
Fuel Tank Capacity | Fuel Tank Capacity | 14 l | Fuel Tank Capacity | 14 l |
License compliancy | License compliancy | A | License compliancy | A |
Stationary noise | Stationary noise | 93 dB | Stationary noise | 96 dB |
Pros and Cons in comparison
Pros and Cons in comparison
KTM 890 Duke 2021

The predecessor 790 Duke already proved that KTM knows how to build a mid-range naked bike for the road. The new 890 carries the torch with a puffy chest and once again lives up to its scalpel nickname. Lively, it pulls the radii and gives off a certain nervousness that can be interpreted as a wild character. The equipment is almost complete - but only almost. Why do you have to pay extra for the quickshifter when it was standard on the predecessor? It is all the more annoying that the clutchless upshifting and downshifting functions as smoothly as butter and that one would not want to do without it.
KTM 890 Duke R 2021

The KTM 890 Duke R scores with simple ingredients. Take a low weight, a modern engine with driving aids, and finally, high-quality brakes and a good chassis. The result is predictable! The Duke is an attractive machine that is a joy to ride. The low weight can be felt in every situation. A cool bike!
Price Comparison Avarage Market Price KTM 890 Duke vs KTM 890 Duke R
There are a few key differences between a KTM 890 Duke 2021 and a KTM 890 Duke R 2021. In terms of price, the actual average price of a KTM 890 Duke R 2021 is about 15% higher. Compared to KTM 890 Duke R 2021 there are more KTM 890 Duke 2021 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 21 compared to 10. It takes less time to sell a KTM 890 Duke with 78 days compared to 100 days for a KTM 890 Duke R. Since model year 2021 1000PS.de editors have written 11 reviews for the KTM 890 Duke and 15 reviews for the KTM 890 Duke R since model year 2020. The first review for the KTM 890 Duke was published on 1/19/2021 and now has more than 37,400 views. This compares to more than 126,100 views for the first review on KTM 890 Duke R published on 11/5/2019.