KTM 890 Duke R first ride.

Other than the uneventful ride from the dealer to home on the highway, this is the first run. Coming off a 2015 BMW S1000R.

[@890r6]

I went from my 2004 r1, bought new, to a 2021 890r. Super light, amazing on fuel, handles like a race bike and is an absolute blast to ride anywhere. The litre bikes are amazing but you're only using 4 gears most of the time. The 890r is a real world bike, ride it anywhere for a long time. It makes me want to ride it all the time. Good choice dude. 👌

[@MinnerQ]

Agree completely. I’m trying to find excuses to get on the bike again. Going from a 2004 R1 to the 890 R must have been an awesome feeling. Both great but so different.

[@lh5943]

I recently purchased this bike with the tech package quick shifter and cruise control. This bike is perfect!

[@MinnerQ]

It’s awesome. Enjoy!

[@The.JZA.]

I'm 6'4" and I ride a Duke 390 haha. It's obviously not ideal but it's comfortable enough to commute and to go for a blast up some windy roads. The Duke 890 or 790 will probably be my next bike but I'll stick with the 390 a bit longer. It still has a lot to teach me.

[@geoffozevans4500]

Hi Min, what a nice machine, KTM have a great reputation over here in the UK, & a very loyal band of owners, a beast of a bike. I noticed a scooter in the garage, lovely colour, be a hoot to ride no doubt. Enjoy your new bike, but don't forget Freddie Fatboy in the corner 🤭👍👍👍👌👌

[@MinnerQ]

Hey Geoff. Thanks. This thing will bring some giggles. You saw my wife’s scooter. It’s mostly on duty for riding the kids around my neighborhood. It’s fun for us big folks too ; )

[@geoffozevans4500]

Good on you Min👍

[@TheOliveradams]

Love this bike !

[@thatsecguy5896]

Picking one of these up soon! Great video

[@MinnerQ]

You’ll love it!

[@tacticalfart473]

I love mine and a SC Projects muffler makes the bike sound as agressive as it is. The biggest thing is that as a middle age beginner rider, is it can be a perfectly calm city bike and then if you poke it with a stick it will take off like s**t off a shovel.

[@MinnerQ]

Agree. I've never ridden something that can be so docile yet so capable of being ridden hard. It's a wonderful all rounder. Not sure how much trouble I'll have getting an exhaust shipped to California. We have difficult laws here but I'd like something with more sound.

[@jordan_.zx10r]

Do you have a decat or just slip on

[@tacticalfart473]

@JCBR600RR just s slip on. I heard one with the same muffler that had been decatted and it was actually too loud for me. Sounded awesome but loud af.

[@Janludvg]

Any issues you encounter from owning this since day 1? would love to see a long term review!

[@MinnerQ]

No issues but mileage is still very low.

[@Treyblodgett757]

ive never ridden a street bike before but i have ridden dirtbikes all my life on tracks and trails and i am on a 450 atm do you think i would be ok with buying this bike

[@kj385]

Yeah you will be fine. I come from dirt bike background too. And really that’s the best training for bike control and staying safe on the road. My first street bike was FZ-09. Then a super duke GT. Then a super duke R. The 890 is super fun without being the ballistic missile that is the SDR 😅

[@MinnerQ]

Agree. If you can ride a dirtbike well a road bike should be a breeze. All the electronics can keep you out of trouble while you’re adjusting.

[@theportugamer3686]

hi!! sorry the questions, i have a duke 790 year 2018, i want to know if you don´t have any problems with the engine or something mechanic?

[@MinnerQ]

I haven’t had any issues. Only about 2,000 miles so far.

[@stefaandeswert377]

I can't decide between this or the new street triple RS. I love that blue and orange on the KTM. But the triumph just has so much better finish. Not an easy choice

[@uncopino]

just forget aesthetics. go to dealerships, hop on both and consider ergonomics. you get used to the engine’s character, to the dashboard, to the handling but if you’re uncomfortable just sitting on the bike, that’s a big no no. consider mods, you might wanna swap the exhaust right away on the ktm and, if you want an akra, that’s gonna be 1000 bucks. most importantly, do you really need a weekend warrior bike? because if you plan on traveling, commuting and stuff like that. these two you mentioned might not be the ideal choice. also, how long have you been riding? i hope this is not a first bike you’re talking about

[@stefaandeswert377]

@@uncopino it is a first bike though. But I've had my license for years. Driven a lot of different models. Just never pulled the trigger on buying one.

[@uncopino]

@@stefaandeswert377 ok, a lot of different bikes but for how long? i’d get a used 390 duke, which resells really well, keep it for a year, accumulate riding time, experience how it feels to squeeze everything out of it and then upgrade next year. this way you’ll mitigate two different risks at once: the risk of crashing and the risk of spending over 10k on something you don’t like.

[@stefaandeswert377]

@@uncopino the thing is i've learned how to ride on 2017. And i got my lessons on a 650. After 8 hours i was already used to it and kinds bored of it already. And once I test drove a mt09 i just knew that's what kind of power i wanted to drive. Sounds reckless and stupid i know. One bike I consider is the rs660. But that's at the same price as the KTM and triumph so.

[@uncopino]

@@stefaandeswert377 look, getting an 890r with little experience is not reckless if you’re not reckless. with cornering ABS and LASTC and all that stuff… the bike isn’t gonna kill you if you don’t ask for it. that said, i still think it’s better to start small. it makes you a better rider and you will understand and enjoy the bigger bike more when you get it. enjoy the journey, not the destination. you’ll be ten times more satisfied. at least that’s my experience.

[@zakindi]

Being 6ft 2, how are you finding the comfort, specifically leg room, are your knees bent much or is it a relaxed riding position?

[@MinnerQ]

It’s pretty comfortable with the stock seat at my height. I was doing 2 hour rides with only a mild cramping toward the end due to knee bend. I put the power parts tall seat on and the comfort is significantly better. I think anyone 6ft or taller should get the tall seat.

[@SWFlowseeker]

Congrats…very good choice in my opinion

[@MinnerQ]

Thanks

[@davidrich4738]

Great bike !! I just got one but can’t ride it yet till spring comes can’t wait to ride it tho have you had any issues with it yet ?

[@MinnerQ]

I’ve had no issues. I’m still smiling ear to ear whenever I hop on it. Congrats and enjoy it !

[@kirkdunn1379]

Bought one back in august.....QS doesn't like 1st to 2nd and track mode the bike seems to just work better overall...qs smoother and motor seems more usable in lower rpms....I have KTM PP tall seat and am in Long Beach if you decide to need it....I am 6ft so right on bubble.....it is a bit softer than std seat

[@MinnerQ]

I’ve been avoiding that quickshifter on the 1-2 change. Had to learn the hard way. After a 150 mile ride the knee bend was adding up so that higher seat may help on these longer rides.

[@jonomasonILoveU]

Haha ya got Duked, me too, orange is addictive😁.

[@johnnyboy1586]

Man the quality of the road is shocking in some places maybe you need an adventure bike?

[@MinnerQ]

I know. I have a truck for several reasons, one of which is to not have to worry about a flat or bottoming out suspension on these roads. This area doesn’t even get snow. The KTM isn’t a pillow ride but it soaks this stuff up . Can’t help to think the SMT makes more sense on the road.

[@chilangoson]

Battery Tender Charging Port = (biker talk) Rat Tail.