VOLUME 57 ISSUE 17 APRIL 28, 2020 P43
back and you'll eventually be
met with an angry, bratty little
bike, one that throws wheel-
ies like middle fingers at a
punk concert, and when you
combine that characteristic
with beautifully quick and
smooth gearshift and the
supremely agile chassis un-
derneath you, it's impossible
not to have a good time.
It's economical, too. We
got an impressive 50.3 mpg
gas mileage on the 890, but the riding
we did was pretty open and flowing, so if
you're riding in the city with lots of stop-
and-go, you can expect that level to drop
somewhat.
The suspension is vastly improved over
the 790's, as is the ride quality with the
swingarm sitting taller in the frame. The
890 Duke R simply annihilates corners—
look where you want to go and you're
there, with the best part being that the
agility getting into the corner is matched
by the stability once you're in it. As the
bike is so light you can easily correct your
line mid-corner if you overcook your entry,
and the chassis responds well to a little
rear brake in the mid part of the turn.
The brakes are almost too powerful
for the little 890. Almost. The Brembo
MCS front master-cylinder coupled with
the Stylema calipers off the 1290, has
such exceptional feel at the lever. Trail
braking is a joy with this setup, and the
Bosch Cornering ABS system is so
unobtrusive you don't know it's working
in the background.
Overall ride comfort is good when you
consider the engineers made the rider
triangle racier with more weight directed
towards the front end. You're hunched
forward more than the 790, helping you
load that exceptional front Michelin up
to utilize all that grip. We didn't get the
chance to ride the 890 in the rain, but
we suspect those Michelins with their
The Brembo
Stylema calipers
and larger
320mm discs
offer incredible
stopping power.
(Left) KTM's
"Super Scalpel"
hunts corners
like a sniper.
