KTM 890 Duke R 1000 mile review

Ok so Ive had the bike for a thousand miles of smiles and thought you may find this helpful if you're considering getting the KTM 890 Duke R.

[@davidberry2410]

Hi Steve, great vid and agree awesome bike. I've got the 21 model (white) with all the mods you mentioned. I put a decat dual exhaust from black widow on before the summer. It is LOUD but looks amazing! Any louder and I would have to take it off. Everyone at the TT this year was loving it though.. ! keep up the good work, Dave

[@stevesherlockrides]

Cheers Dave, do you get unwanted attention also? I love the dusl pipe look

[@johnDukemaster]

Well done. Read a comment that you've sold it. Sorry for your loss!

[@stevesherlockrides]

I do tend to rotate my bikes as always keen to ride new ones

[@TheScortUK]

Not sure 1000 miles will throw up much in the way of issues, but thanks for the review nontheless - I'm wanting something a little less committed than a naked superbike, for my B road tours - and liking the look of the 890R

[@stevesherlockrides]

OK I'll do another in 3000 miles lol

[@RobbieBLFC1]

Great review Steve, let me know if you ever get over to J&S in Northwich on the KTM 890 or your other bike, be nice to have a chat and look at the KTM - Cheers Robbie.

[@stevesherlockrides]

I do yes and happy to meet up. Might be selling if interested

[@RobbieBLFC1]

Possibly when I pass my MOD1 & 2 next year Steve, not quite ready yet……😢

[@thejudge3040]

I de cat mine with the akrapovic slip on , i had to put the baffle back in because it literally drowned in my helmet on idle. But with the baffle it still sounds epic. Junction 33 developments is the man to see for a map, mine is 121 bhp at the rear wheel so 128ish at the crank 🤷 feels good, he can also raise the rev limiter and also adjust fuel cut in each gear if you want I wouldnt decat without a map they run so lean it gets sketchy

[@stevesherlockrides]

Thanks for that pal. J33 mapped my MT10 so a great guy

[@mikealls8938]

Really interested in this as a second bike ( i have a Suzuki GSXS GT) for winter/ commute/wkend blast. The main reason is the apr at the moment is very low and seems a lot of bang for your buck. I only worry about reliability with KTM but is that because i watch too much KZbin? Has your other KTM been reliable? 1000miles probably not enough to judge.

[@stevesherlockrides]

Hi and thanks for the Q. I haven't had a single issue with the bike other than too many smiles. I've had the bike a year and keep the battery on conditioning charge. My other bike is the GT.

[@coreychamberlain87]

Hi Steve, great review. What are your thoughts on this compared to the MT10 and s1000r? I’m thinking of getting rid of my gsxr750 for a naked and these three bikes are top contenders at the moment. Also considering a tuono or 1290R. Cheers

[@stevesherlockrides]

I've had all 3 bikes so summarise as s1000r refined smooth, longer wheel base means not as nimble, good build quality but little emotion when riding. MT10 a beast, great engine, very thirsty, Transformer looking but to easy to be stolen as mine and brothers both went on the same day. KTM 890r the best by far, lazer like steering, fast, economical but not a tourer and not the best looker, very economical but best chassis and suspension by far. 990 dune r might be out this year so 890r might be a good by unless you will want the 990. Hope this helps?

[@chriswest2290]

Hows the reliability been ?

[@avrc9285]

good one, enjoy and stay safe. the 890 r is on my list (unfortunately a long list)

[@RobbieBLFC1]

Also Steve which Optimax charger did you buy please. I liked your other recommendation so I’m picking your brains again 👏🏻😂

[@stevesherlockrides]

It was the 4 model. Will give more detail in the morning

[@stevesherlockrides]

Hi Robbie yes just checked and it is the Optimax 4

[@stevesherlockrides]

Don't buy one for a lithium battery though as that's wrong

[@RobbieBLFC1]

Yes 100% Steve, you can increase your audience and add pictures clips and videos 🏍️👍🏻

[@stevesherlockrides]

How do you link Instagram with your YT channel though?

[@stevesherlockrides]

Hi Robbie thanks for you insta message re unwelcome female followers, have been removed now

[@kirkdunn1379]

Did you take out bar end weights for your mirrors?, hows it ride for vibration....i fitted mine with the weights but bar is a little wide.....I do like the mirrors though

[@stevesherlockrides]

Yes they came off I believe although the dealer fitted them on purchase so can't be 100% sorry

[@roadrunner5555]

732 miles on mine quickshifter packed in .then oil shaping out of rocker cover .junk sold it

[@stevesherlockrides]

Wow that sounds so terrible and must be a rogue manufactur. I've sold mine also but miss it terribely

[@chriswest2290]

​@@stevesherlockrideswhy sell it?

[@stevesherlockrides]

@chriswest2290 the bike was ace but wanted the ducati multistrada so it was a finance driven decision

[@MotojannuRidervlogs]

Super bike

[@davidbeattie6466]

Why does it need the suspension sorting?

[@stevesherlockrides]

Because I'm 15.5 stones lol. It bogged down a little under hard acceleration

[@hansswift3141]

What's involved in sorting? Springs?

[@stevesherlockrides]

Everything gets sorted as every bike is made to a single set up and usually not like me. Lol

[@serhiiprokofiev1048]

The bike is good. It's very very fan to ride but prepare yourself to issues with it. 😮

[@stevesherlockrides]

Had a year and no issues whatsoever. I also have the 1290 GT and again no issues. What issues have you had?

[@johnDukemaster]

@@stevesherlockrides Probably a non-owner who "heard stories".

[@Yii00T]

10:18 mate.... that was a bit of a silly overtake was it not🤣🤣🤣

[@stevesherlockrides]

Seemed a lot closer on film than in reality

[@Yii00T]

@@stevesherlockrides lol was an overtake when thst focus was passing🤣🤣. Some lad 🤣🤣🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@BrianMcCann421]

14:38 letting the side down mate doing things like that 👎

[@stevesherlockrides]

I know but as you know one chapter leads to the next.

[@BrianMcCann421]

@@stevesherlockrides it sure does

[@wobblyrod779]

Have to agree... dodgy overtakes, overtakes on solid lines and speeding very evident. People are now being prosecuted by using their own videos against them. The latest is some fella filming a driver on their phone and the cyclist filmer allegedly was allegedly riding in the wrong lane... you are bang to rights... get editing and stop overtaking like a twit (sp?)

[@stevesherlockrides]

Fair point

[@RobbieBLFC1]

Thanks Steve, are you on Instagram?

[@stevesherlockrides]

I'm not pal sorry, do you think I should?

[@stevesherlockrides]

I e just set up an insta account stevesherlockrides, would you mind seeing if you can find it and follow please as not familiar with how it works? Cheers pal