KTM has revealed the Duke 890 as a base version, which lacks the R in the nomenclature. That does not mean that the bike is low on power, it is still super and better than the Scalpel. Perhaps we can name it the "Super Scalpel".
The Duke 890 is in every manner better than the Scalpel and we cannot deny the fact that it is Super indeed. The fact that it is sharper and has more power and torque (quite obviously), adds up to the much intended tagline of being a Super Scalpel and KTM wasted no time and took the perfect slot at the EICMA 2019 to showcase the beast.
Coming to the details the bike runs on a 889cc 2 cylinder, 4 stroke parallel twin engine based on the Duke 790, now with a larger bore and stroke, that produces 113.4hp of power and 92Nm of peak torque mated to a 6 speed gearbox, as compared to the its R sibling with 119.3hp of power and 99Nm of torque. Although the body frame is based on the Duke 790, few changes have been incorporated to seat and handle the mill of the Super Scalpel. The bike currently is being deemed to offer the quickshifter as an option, but taking the current situation with all the bikes in competition, hopefully the bike will come with the quickshifter as standard.
Braking is handled by 300 mm twin-discs and four pot radially mounted calipers upfront and a 240 mm single-disc single pot floating caliper at the rear along with switchable 2-channel ABS. As for the suspension, a WP APEX 43 mm USD unit sits upfront and a WP APEX Monoshock at the rear. The bike handles the roads with the grippy Michelin tyres.
On the electronics front, the rider shall be aided with lean-angle sensitive traction control system, Motor slip regulation, ABS with supermoto mode, cornering ABS and two riding modes. The motorcycle will come equipped with a colour TFT display that shall be handling all the details on board to help the rider control the bike on his own terms along with bluetooth controls too.
True to its name "Super Scalpel" the ergonomics of the bike are more committed than the Duke 790. The bike has a seat height of 834mm, but a ground clearance of 206mm that will make the riders happy to ride the beast on all terrains. With a tank capacity of 14L the bike will be able to suffice the need of the rider, but the mileage will be revealed only post test rides which we eagerly waiting for.
Although the fact that Duke 790 did not perform as intended by KTM in Indian market, it would be interesting to see how the Duke 890 is placed. We know for sure that the bike will be priced premium and will lock horns with the likes of Triumph Triple RS and Z900. Rest only time will tell!!
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