2021 KTM 890 Duke R review | Forget your sportsbikes: this is where it's at

The KTM 890 Duke R is probably the best bike you'll never buy - it's a hardcore, angry little thing that handles better than any other road bike I've ridden. Honestly. Join me for a proper ride, a walkaround and waffle about this hugely underrated middleweight naked. It's an absolute beast!

[@GrtSatan]

In my 48 years of riding I have never ridden a better machine than my 890 Duke R."Phenomenal" doesn't begin to describe it.

[@wallycunningham5090]

Do explain!

[@GrtSatan]

@@wallycunningham5090 The engine is flawless; gobs of power and a broad range of torque. Perfect handling and superb brakes, the riding experience simply doesn't get any better. I will never sell it. KTM absolutely nailed it with this machine, the perfect synthesis of form and function, and with the Akrapovic silencer it is music to the ears without being obnoxiously loud.

[@fraz172]

Got 1, You are right about the seat it is hard. Love the bike I bought it without a test ride or even seeing it in the flesh. Best handling bike ever owned.

[@PatBloomfield]

I don't understand this obsession with soft seats if you ride for long enough parts are going to ache. I've ridden my 890 Duke R on many day-long trips and have found it to be extremely comfortable - perhaps it's the plush suspension. I've also ridden motorcycles with 'soft' seats, such as Honda CBX550, Yamaha Rd's and several Kawasaki GPz's and found them to be numbing after a couple of hours. I think the key is the forward riding position takes the bodyweight forward and you're not really sitting on your bottom. Sitting up forward close to the petrol tank is really comfortable because it's moulded and helps hold you in position, although I appreciate this may not work for taller riders. You're bang-on with the handling though, it's the first bike I've ridden that handles akin to my old Suzuki RGV250, which has been relegated to the garage now.

[@drgunit893]

This will most likely be my next bike, I've watched every video there is on this bike and I'm absolutely in love. Gonna go for a test ride soon myself and then decide if I want to buy it but I'm pretty much already convinced.

[@abymathew295]

I have riden couple of KTMs. They are the funnest bikes out there, from the Little Duke 390 to the Super Duke...i just love them...😍😍😍😍😍

[@rotoehu9266]

“As sticky as a bumblebee with its bum stuck in a 2 year old” Don’t think I’ll be checking for plagiarism 😛

[@RacerJuan42]

how do you not have more subscribers?! Awesome and entertaining review👍🏻Subscribed.

[@timrodierides]

Thanks! I feel the same 🤣

[@astrostrotch]

Just to confirm what Rabbit Stu said, the rear seat and footrests come in a box supplied by ktm for every bike. However, it seems most dealers don't bother giving them to you unless you ask.

[@vtranmoto]

Hell yes! This is what we just picked up for our project/track bike. Such a sick machine!

[@ILoveMyBikes]

I read that they come with a seat and pegs you can fit if you want. I like your channel. Pretty good stuff.

[@timrodierides]

Thanks Stu!

[@jacobevans353]

That is only for the 890 not r

[@freebehindbars8654]

They come standard on the 890R, with both seat/pegs and cover delete. The 890 comes with the seat only. I received both when I picked up my 21 4 months ago.

[@user-cn8vb9hh5z]

Great review thanks. I'm now going through all your reviews as we are similar height! So many bikes are hard to ride long when you're tall.

[@powamoto]

Yes Mate Street Fighters are number ☝️

[@shadogabbassio3785]

Great review. And what a beautiful place you have to ride! Very jealous!

[@drewmorg.]

We need some proper comparisons between these and the new MT-09 range! I'm really curious how the punchiness of the low range of the motors compare on the twins vs the triple.

[@dannygernaat9961]

Knox did a comparison between the 2

[@TK-cl1jm]

Great review! Would like to see you do one on the Tuono 660 in comparison. I've not ridden either, but from all accounts, the Tuono 660 handles like a dream.

[@timrodierides]

Yeah I've not ridden the Tuono 660 but did enjoy the RS660. By all accounts though the Tuono 660 doesn't feel hooligan enough for a naked bike...

[@helgejohan3604]

Tuono are more sporty riding position, and sound , looks better 🤙🔥🔥

[@fadetoblackMotorcycle]

I tried them both well and I own the duke 890 R (10,000 km). the tuono has a sportier position, the KTM more of a FUN BIKE engine... no match, ktm wins. suspensions, those of the tuono are FORMIDABLE for road use, they absorb everything but are also good enough for a sporty riding, those of the ktm are more devoted to the track (but they also do VERY well on the road), brakes, well the ktm is hard to beat but the tuono brakes very well. reliability. unfortunately the Aprilia seems to be MUCH less reliable than the KTM as far as the 660 is concerned, there are so many problems both serious and not (i'm from Italy and the Aprilia's assistance sucks here too). I am brutally honest, I love the 890R, but if aprilia were to make a 8/900 version of this Tuono I would probably buy it because it is aesthetically GORGEOUS and the sound is spectacular.

[@TK-cl1jm]

@@fadetoblackMotorcycle Fantastic reply, thanks very much! I definitely need to check out an 890R!

[@MaceJuanDu]

Love the looks, sound and ethos of this bike. Looking to buy one before next summer, this or an RS 660. You've tried both Tim, which would you recommend? Will be my only bike too... 😅

[@PwnstarUK]

Great Review! There is a rear seat BTW you get one and pillion pegs in a box when you buy one, but they are not fitted as standard you have to put them on yourself. I so want one of these. Better than a MT09SP ?

[@ulaskvlcm]

The dealers can install passenger seat and pegs if you want and its free! Also ı bought ergo seat and it is really good. i've been driving for about 6 months and it only consumes 4.5 liters of petrol per 100 KM. So ı think the range is around 250 KM( 155 Miles) and believe me ı rode usually fast.

[@markreynolds8630]

This is my main question in life at the moment, Duke 890R, or Hypermotard 950? Could you do a comparison video? Would be very interested to hear your thoughts one way or another ... Would love to get either of these bikes out in the Picos and rat around for a few weeks. Maybe next summer as I'm not able to return to the UK at the moment.

[@timrodierides]

Hey! Can’t do a comparison video sadly because… I’ve just sold my Hyper 950SP! The Ducati engine feels a bit more special, and it feels posher. But the KTM’s chassis is unbelievable, and it’s a lot cheaper. It’s a tricky one… do you prefer wheelies or incredible handling? KTM does the latter, Ducati the former.

[@markreynolds8630]

That sums it up nicely! Thanks...

[@volodymyrshoniia2424]

@@timrodierides sounds like you are reinforcing my decision on 890 R coming from 821 strada that is a real let down in handling compared to the street triple R that I had before, although I'm still kind of curious if I'd like 690 smc r. Heh, nice mention of the exige, I have an Elise. Only sat on 890 at a dealer since our dealers don't allow test rides on new bikes, definitely feels lower, smaller, and lighter than my hyper, ergos remind me of the 390 duke that we had for my wife.

[@freebehindbars8654]

Motorcycle.com already compared the two. The 890R has came out on top of every comparison, from legitimate reviewers that actually rode both side by side.

[@timrodierides]

@@freebehindbars8654 thanks

[@JoseSanchez-ht4cc]

Love the enthusiasm Tim, but the grand sum of all those components did not convince me on the two hour long dem ride I did. Was looking at it as a potential replacement for my Hypermotard, but no cigar. Also rode the Adventure for a couple of hours as a possible substitute for the GSA, but again no cigar. Doesn’t have the poise of the Beemer. Quality isn’t quite there yet for me either.

[@RealOrbit-Australia]

Ye ok...

[@TheRtHonJimStiffOG]

Great vid dude. Subscribed

[@timrodierides]

Thanks James, really appreciate it!

[@NudaMan]

The day I get rid of my classic 950 Supermoto, I’ll get this 👌🏾

[@perryburns6515]

Beautiful work as usual Timmy! So did you buy the wrong bike? The ktm is better than the 950 right?

[@timrodierides]

Put it this way, I sold my Hypermotard today. But what will I buy?! *clickbait video soon*

[@unenthusiast]

@@timrodierides Tuono V4?

[@abymathew295]

You can get the pillion seat as an accessory.

[@timrodierides]

Yup, my bad!

[@abymathew295]

@@timrodierides , no prob mate, i got that figured out a week ago .😀😄... Would you prefer the Street 765R or 890R...🤔

[@Yii00T]

8:06 believe it or not that looks like just hard Road use. My mate has these I have power 5 and his tyres bobble up on the road lol.

[@Youtube_Globetrotter]

It's the best bike I did buy :)

[@jameshenry7211]

Would I be crazy to sell my Streetfighter V4 to grab one of these?

[@timrodierides]

Nope, I think the KTM’s more fun on the road. Doesn’t feel as beautifully made obviously… but I have more fun on 890s than Ducati V4s

[@Telesko]

hypothetically if someone who has never wheelied before had this bike and left anti wheelie off but wanted to make sure they never ever do a wheelie because its bad and dangerous and illegal, what specific technique should they avoid using? asking for a friend.

[@Damjan25]

is it better then hypermotard 950 ? :P

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

Good vid ya silly old fool.

[@DukeOfTwist]

I own both a 790 & 890 R for reasons lol

[@timrodierides]

You don't need to explain to me!

[@joshbreen32]

How noticeable is the difference between the two? Both awesome bikes hey.

[@DukeOfTwist]

@@joshbreen32 There's comparison vids on my channel.

[@Yii00T]

We need a picture of you sat on it from a tripod lol

[@timrodierides]

The internet doesn't need that :D

[@Yii00T]

@timrodierides I need it mate to see how big you look on it. Lol. I'm 6ft but built like a gable end 🤣

[@helgejohan3604]

250km tank range✊🔥🔥

[@timrodierides]

Hope you're enjoying your bike!

[@ktkace]

I lost it at the monkey insert XDDD

[@turbodave6068]

how does this compare to the hyper buddy

[@timrodierides]

Hyper = feels more of an angry bike, the KTM feels sharper in the corners. Both are lunatic bikes, just in different ways. The KTM's more about ludicrous corner speeds, the Hyper's about wheelies everywhere... but the KTM will definitely do that too.

[@helgejohan3604]

@@timrodierides duke 890r has more brutal grunt✊🔥🔥

[@philliprobertlawman2232]

👍

[@justme9814]

💯🤙

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

I have a 390. Grrr!

[@wakajawaka44]

Same here! Very tempting isn't it?

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

@@wakajawaka44 Not for me.

[@santaisback7945]

Very nice video and review. Very nice colors but this bike it is so ugly on the tank area, it is very thin, it looks really like electric bicycle. To much ugly.

[@javierc2726]

Your mic is saturated

[@timrodierides]

Ya think?

[@coopula3387]

650 pound huh!!

[@myemailonearth6861]

It's not Fully Adjustable Suspension. This is not just a shame and also unacceptable to me for a hyper-naked in 2020! Also KTM is very greedy too!

[@timrodierides]

You’re right, it doesn’t have preload adjustment. Doesn’t make it any less of a brilliant bike though, and it’s not a hyper naked, it’s a middleweight. I’d have one tomorrow.

[@Iskibiski]

When I testeed it: The most disappointing testride I have ever experiensed..! Really don’t understand what all the Hype is about.. Dull parrallel twin engine and weird seating position..! The switchgear feels like it is China plastic..!

[@nigelwolfe6150]

THE number ONE reason to totaly boycott KTM street bikes is their TOTALLY lame decision to NOT put Sportbike fairings on ANYTHING bigger than a 390....Seriously WHAT sense is there to being afraid of FAIRINGS? They will gladly sell any fool with the money a 180hp NAKED bike and I guess if those squids die there is no guilt? But someone that bought the RC8 and foolishly died THAT just burns up his conscience?? See and the dudes that WANT a full faired sport bike? They are simply gonna buy a Ducati or a fireblade or Ninja or Yamaha R^ etc....he aint saving ANYONE by withholding aerodynamic plastic parts from his models...SCREW KTM if you ask me....It also makes me wonder with such a level of totally illogical thinking what ELSE is infected in the process of designing and building KTMs??? In fact if you ask me the CEO of KTM should feel MUCH more guilty about the tagline "Ready to Race" that comes with EVERY street legal KTM made WAY more than the RC8 Sportbikes sold in the past! Should change the tag line to something more along the lines of "Race inspired" and then start offerning sportbile style motorcycles! Ya know? With FAIRINGS for those of us that want them? Time and again everytime I am attracted to KTM road bikes I can NEVER EVER get past the naked part....I just do NOT want to own and ride a naked bike...PERIOD.....DUMB Mr KTM.....VERY DUMB

[@kirkdunn1379]

you need therapy bro, fairing therapy, lol.......just dont buy the bike plenty of other choices.....its not personal i promise