My first KTM, A 2020 Duke 890 R

bmac

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Mar 17, 2012
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284
Location
Florida, Wisconsin
I ride a lot of different bikes. Whenever I have a chance to ride a new bike and jump at the opportunity. Reading and watching videos is great but nothing can replace actually seat time. I am not overly brand loyal but in general prefer Yamaha's due to their unmatched reliability and quality. No bike in my possession is ever guaranteed a spot in the garage. If something better comes along out with the old and in with the new.

I came upon the 890 Duke more by chance than intent. I was seriously looking at another 1100 Tuono and quite possibly the new heavily revised 1290 Super Duke to reside next to my 2019 BMW R1250GS. The 2017 1290 I rode was not overly impressive. For a big twin it was too lumpy at low revs and its chassis was not up to my admittedly high standards. But, the new for 2020 1290 Super Duke R was, at least on paper and videos, an impressive machine. The chassis was 3 times (WOW) stiffer than the previous version and the engine has been significantly revised and will now run smoothly at low revs through town.

I stopped at the dealer to look at the Super Duke and the riding position was a bit tighter than I had hoped for my 35" inseam. It was also 20 grand and was not available for a test ride. I have a great deal of difficulty spending 20 grand for a bike I didn't ride. I have bought and sold too many bikes due to insufficient seat time before the purchase. While there I sat on the 890 Duke and found the riding position to be pretty good and actually a little better than the 1290. I left without deciding anything but when I got home did some research on the 890 Duke R. I came away impressed and started seriously looking for one. The video below from a guys perspective that carries a lot of weight with me provided the push I needed to try and find one.

KTM Duke 890 Super Scalpel review by Bike World

I found a used with low miles a state away and decided to go ahead and buy it and if I didn't like I would just move on and go back to waiting for the 1100 Tuono release.

Fast forward to today. This bike is simply amazing. It is everything I hoped it would be in a second bike for playing around. It has a stout chassis, impressive engine with plenty of torque and power, impeccable handling along with very light weight. And... I FIT ON IT. This to me was the most shocking part. This little bike is actually comfortable for me to ride for several hours. It has firmly established itself as a keeper and it will take something quite special to steal its spot in the garage. I look forward to every opportunity to take it for a spin.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Congratulations, always great to get a new toy that really grabs you.

Like you, I have a great appreciation for Yamaha product reliability. But somehow orange bikes reach you at a whole different level.

Hopefully this one continues to be "amazing" for you over the long haul. Odds are good....enjoy.
 

Jlq1969

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May 5, 2018
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1,749
Location
Argentina
I must admit that the market positioning campaign that KTM is doing is very good. They are in all the places where they have to be (from cross, dakar and moto gp) ... with good results in all and in the market, they have a range of displacements for almost all consumers. In my country, for a few years they have been assembling up to 390 cm3, last year they began to assemble the 390 adventure ... and in 2021 they began to assemble the 790 adventure. I think that "much" of this coverage of all market segments was thanks to the decision in the development of the engines and that with minor modifications, these engines become versatile. 390 who use it in naked and adventure, 790 who use it in naked and adventure, 1290 who use it in adventure and sport. Without discussing the Japanese quality, I see that both Honda and Yamaha use different engines (R6 / T7), (cbr 600 / ???) for the same segment in displacement. maybe honda with its CB 500 F / CB 500X is in that line ... Ktm should have lower production costs by using the same engine in different categories. At least in my country ... little by little the street is turning orange
 
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
I have owned a KTM and have a lot of saddle time on various models of both street and dirt. Absolutely a high performance machine that are definitely "Ready To Race". Unfortunately they require the same or more amount of wrenching as they do riding if you want them to perform.

I desert raced my KTM 300 for a few seasons and it was always a at least full day of labor and breaking out the wallet to keep it running for the next race. Same with trail riding it. Always something breaking. Unlike my Hondas, Kawaskis, Yamaha's and Beta's. These bikes get beat to crap and put away for the next ride with very little maintenance required and hardly ever breaking.

There are only a few reliable KTM models such as the RFS that won't leave you stranded if you refuse to keep up on service and repair. You already own a BMW so I'm sure you weighed the "fun to reliability" factor and decided it's worth it to you. Enjoy your new ride!!
 

Longdog Cymru

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Jul 21, 2018
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1,665
Location
Swansea, Wales, UK
bmac, the mountain roads in the video link that you posted are just 5 miles or so from my house! I have ridden them for many, many years from when I had a Norton Commando in the early 70’s until today. They used to be unrestricted but now there is a 40mph speed limit in operation.
 
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