KTM 890 Duke R Launch In India Next Year, To Replace Duke 790

KTM 890 Duke R Features — It has more power and electronics while looking as sharp as the 790

KTM India will launch the 890 Duke R in India by next year as the Duke 790’s replacement. The firm has no plans to upgrade the 790 to comply with BS6 norms.

It was thought that KTM will upgrade the Duke 790 to meet BS6 emissions regulations until it brings the slightly bigger sibling. Now we know that will not be the case.

It looks like the Austrian brand thought it better to just launch the bigger 890 Duke R in India rather than work on the slightly smaller version.

Introduced late last year, the Duke 790, priced at Rs. 8.63 lakhs (ex-showroom), was brought in at limited numbers and had a 799cc twin-cylinder engine that put out 105 PS max power and 87 Nm peak torque.

But the KTM 890 Duke R will come with a 890cc twin-cylinder motor good for 121 HP and 99 Nm which is mated to a 6-speed transmission and has a slipper clutch as standard.

Although the bike looks almost identical to the Duke 790, it does sport changes to denote that it is the larger naked bike. The 890 Duke R also gets changes to the chassis, has more stopping power and weighs 166 kg (dry).

There is no shortage of electronics either. The motorcycle comes with Supermoto ABS, Cornering ABS, traction control with lean angle sensitivity and 3 riding modes (track mode optional).

Called “The Super Scalpel” by its maker, when the KTM 890 Duke R launch takes place in India, it will likely cost close to Rs. 10 lakhs (ex-showroom) and will rival the Triumph Street Triple RS.