KTM unveiled the 890 Duke R at EICMA – a more ready to race, more aggressive version of the 790 Duke. You’re probably asking who felt the need for such a version. Well, here’s what Adriaan Sinke, from KTM’s Product Management told me: “we’re KTM, we don’t need a special reason to build a R”.
The 890 Duke R is derived from the 790. The compact twin-cylinder engine became more powerful – 125 horsepower -, while the bike is 3 kg lighter than the 790. And it’s not just that: the suspension, the riding position, the brakes, everything was tuned for a more sporty attitude. The 890 Duke R is not a city bike – it’s a track day/ twisty mountain roads companion.
We watched the unveiling at the KTM Press Conference at EICMA, and right after that we started analyzing the bike. We were lucky enough to find out more insights from Adriaan Sinke. And since the 1290 SuperDuke R was nearby, we also made a short detour. Watch the video below and get to our YouTube channel for all the major news at the EICMA. Plus: in-depth talk and interviews.