Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1241562
2020 K TM 890 DUKE R R I D E R E V I E W P38 short, light shift action. We didn't ride the 890 without the Quickshifter+ system, but the gear- shift was so good we'd insist if you were in the market for an 890 Duke R, shell out the extra $ and have KTM turn the system on. Chassis And Running Gear The 790 Duke forms the basis for the 890's chassis with the tubular steel construction (a trademark for all KTM street bikes). Painted orange for the 890 R model over the 790's black, the chassis itself is essentially as it was, but it's the suspension and what's not on the 890 that makes it interesting. KTM's in house suspen- sion partner, WP, takes care of the springers, with the fork upgraded from an unadjustable 43 mm Apex fork to one that now has adjustable compression and rebound damping, but strangely not preload adjustment. At the rear, WP has fitted their fully adjustable (including high- and low- speed compression damping) shock that's gained 10mm of wheel travel for 5.9 inches. Much like the 2020 1290 Super Duke R, the 890's swingarm has been placed higher in the chassis (ride height has been increased by 15mm) to give better anti-squat properties to help keep a tighter line when hard on the gas while also improv- ing ground clearance. The rider utilizes beefier footpegs and sits higher up and closer to the bar than on the 790— which, itself has been placed a little lower on the top triple clamp—putting more weight on the front helping to in- crease turn speed and feel for the front tire. The pegs are positioned higher up and further back on the chassis, again, to place more weight towards the front, while the seat height has also grown from 32.5 to 32.8 inches. For the first time on any Duke model sold in the U.S., this 890 will not come with pas- senger pegs as standard fitment. KTM claims their absence, along with the fitment of the single seat cowl, takes a hefty 7.2 pounds off the sprung mass, helping the engineers get weight down to a claimed 365 pounds dry. Another first for the Duke range is the fitment of Michelin tires as standard, with the Powercup II units. The previous 790 came out with Maxxis rubber, while the new 1290 came out with Bridgestone S22 tires. When we spoke to Jeremy McWilliams at the 1290 launch in Portimao, he mentioned the Michelins Notice something missing? The 890 does not come standard with a passenger seat or pegs. (Above) The switchblock does not come with cruise control as standard. If you want that, you've got to visit the PowerParts catalog. (Below) The swingarm sits higher in the frame than on the 790, helping maintain good chassis balance for when you crank it over and start feeding the power in.