Purveyor of fine hooligan bikes, KTM has launched the KTM 890 Duke R 2020 technical specification, also known as the “Big Scalpel.”
The 890 Duke R will not replace the 790 Duke but will be sold separately. And catering for the rider who needs a compact middleweight sports naked motorcycle.
Touched as a cornering tool for accuracy. So, the 890 Duke R comes with a range of improvements from the 790 Duke. Among these are the Brembo Style Monobloc calipers clamping 320 mm discs, an improvement over the 790 Duke’s 300-diameter brake disks.
With the whole configuration being 1.29 kg smaller, combined with a Brembo MCS master cylinder with customizable sound.
Power took a similar leap from the 890 cc. With the liquid-cooled two-cylinder engine, 9,000 rpm from the 790 Duke’s 105 hp. And so 87 Nm torque at 8,000 rpm to 121 hp at 9,250 rpm and 7,750 rpm torque at 99 Nm.
It is done by using an intake of 37 mm and exhaust valves of 30 mm. Within a new cylinder head with power going lower in the frequency band.
Another improvement is the Super Scalpel power transmission. Which KTM claims is more reliable at the part and continuous throttle. A new crankshaft with 20 percent more spinning mass smooths out power distribution, especially during cornering, without giving away anything in agility handling.
The 890 Duke R now has a bigger radiator. With higher lift camshafts and short skirt pistons to shed the excess heat produced by the extra horsepower. A fast gear shift gives easy and accurate gear changes. KTM says, but the Quickshifter+ is an optional extra.
Handling achieved with fully adjustable upside-down forks with WP Apex 43 mm in diameter. While the rear end of the 790 Duke R features a fully adjustable mono-shock with independent high and low-speed damping control.
Furthermore, the riding stance made it more physical. With lower handlebars and higher seat height and footpegs placed a little further back for better ground clearance.