KTM is evaluating bringing the Duke 890 R in India and it could launch sometime in the middle or end of 2021 with an expected price of Rs 10-11 lakh.
KTM debuted the Duke 890 R at the EICMA 2019 and the motorcycle is still being readied for sale in international markets. Now, according to a report by Autocar India, KTM is also evaluating of bringing the Duke 890 R to India. It may be launched in the country sometime in the middle or end of 2021. Now has KTM has already launched the Duke 790 in India and it has not done so well as the company would have liked. That’s primarily because the motorcycle comes as a CKD and is quite expensive thus. The Duke 890 R would follow the same path but it also has much more under its skin.
The KTM Duke 890 R is powered by a new 890cc parallel twin engine that is in fact based on the 799cc engine of the Duke 790. KTM has done several modifications to the engine – increased the bore and stroke to increase the displacement, increased the compression ratio, increased the rev ceiling by 250rpm. They also have made several internal changes to the engine with a new crankshaft, new connecting rods and pistons – all of which has resulted for a peak output of 121bhp and 99Nm of torque, up from 105bhp and 87Nm of torque of the Duke 790.
As for the chassis, even that is based on the Duke 790 but again with some tweaks. KTM has sharpened the steering rake angle by a tiny bit, and the trail figure and wheelbase have both gone up slightly as well. The ground clearance has taken a huge jump at 205mm, up from 186mm of the Duke 790. The ground clearance by the way is even higher than the 390 Adventure and consequently, the seat height is also quite high at 834mm.
And that brings us to the riding position which is slightly more committed than the Duke 790. The Duke 790 has quite an upright and comfortable riding position but the Duke 890 R in comparison is slightly more forward set. The handlebars are lower and flatter and the foot pegs are also slightly more rear set and higher than in the Duke 790. With the high ground clearance, you also sit considerably high on the motorcycle.
The KTM Duke 890 R is suspended by fully adjustable WP suspension at both ends and braking duties are taken care by Brembo Stylemas – the absolute best in class. You’d be surprised to know that inspite of added displacement and equipment, KTM has still managed to shave off 3kgs from the 187kg kerb weight of the Duke 790 and that’s really commendable. The Duke 890 R comes shod with track-focused Michelin Cup 2 tyres as opposed to the Maxxis tyres seen on the Duke 790.
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In terms of electronics, the 890 gets a 6-axis IMU unit as opposed to the 5-axis IMU unit seen on the 790. This added layer of sensitivity will enable more finely controlled slides while applying power with the bike leaned over. The electronics suite otherwise includes all the other features seen on the 790 Duke, including riding modes, wheelie control, launch control, multi-stage traction control and more. The up/down quickshifter and tuneable Track mode are however optional extras on the 890 whereas they come as standard on the 790.
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The KTM Duke 790 is sold in India for a price of Rs 8.64 lakhs and considering by the prices of the Duke 890 R in the UK, it will be about Rs 1.4 lakh more expensive than the 790 in India. The 890 R addresses all the short comings of the Duke 790 and considering all the extra kit you get, this is well worth the money. The Duke 790 is already a very rewarding machine and with the added equipment and power on offer, the 890 could very well be an extremely potent machine. We believe that this bike could launch in India sometime in the second half of next year at a price between Rs 10-11 lakh.
