Bought another parallel twin

kawabunga

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I wasn't planning on it, I swear! Kinda strange how things work out sometimes. I was planning on getting a completely different bike but this opportunity came up and I couldn't let it pass. I got myself a 2020 KTM 890 Duke R, "The Super Scalpel". And my lord, a scalpel it is! This thing rips around corners with such precision and ease, it's unreal. Only 406 lbs wet! It has an 890cc parallel twin, the crankpins are offset by 75º with a 435º firing interval, 13.5:1 compression; this thing rips! KTM claims 121 hp and 73 ft/lb. It pull so hard in the low and mid range, it's a giggle factory for sure :)

Anyway, I know it's not a Yamaha, but I'm excited and I thought I'd share with my fellow parallel twin lovers. I'm looking for excuses to ride :bike:

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I've been eyeing the "DUKE" family for a while now. They have a 390 single that is just a bit too small and then the older models were a 690, but I see they have changed that to a 790 and 890. Everything i have read is that the torque curve on these is absolutely amazing. The only thing that I would nit-pic is the headlight, but that is just person taste. It's a bit more street fighter-ish for my liking. Would love it with a round traditional headlight.
 
Boy that looks like a ripper! Have fun with that.......and do try to keep the front wheel on the ground! :D

They also make a "SUPER-DUKE" which I believe is a 1290 CC V-twin monster. Talk about a scorcher !

Mailman, it's not possible :D

willis, I've ridden the 1290, it absolutely earns the name "The Beast". It is brutal in every sense of the word!
 
I have been reading up on the new parallel twin since its release. Nice to see you purchased one. From what I have read, they plan on putting that mill in an adventure touring model along with its 1290 adventure touring model. I sat on a 1290 at a dealer, dang nearly had to ask if they had a 4’ step ladder to get up on lol! I guess they are some light too since the mainly focus on performance engines and light weight frames. Good purchase man! I always had an eye on them and really like the look of the super duke. JC
 
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I have been reading up on the new parallel twin since its release. Nice to see you purchased one. From what I have read, they plan on putting that mill in an adventure touring model along with its 1290 adventure touring model. I sat on a 1290 at a dealer, dang nearly had to ask if they had a 4’ step ladder to get up on lol! I guess they are some light too since the mainly focus on performance engines and light weight frames. Good purchase man! I always had an eye on them and really like the look of the super duke. JC

I rode one of those 1290 Adventure R's, they are so tall! I think the seat height is like 36" or something. I'm on the short side and actually found that bike to be a bit too tall. Normally, not being able to flat foot doesn't bother me, but when I can literally only put my tippy toe down...that's a bit ridiculous lol.
 
I rode one of those 1290 Adventure R's, they are so tall! I think the seat height is like 36" or something. I'm on the short side and actually found that bike to be a bit too tall. Normally, not being able to flat foot doesn't bother me, but when I can literally only put my tippy toe down...that's a bit ridiculous lol.

I rode an Aprilla Caponard ( that was their version of an adventure bike ) it had that same powerful V- Twin motor that was in their sport bikes and it was an absolute hoot to ride, but it was the same thing, sky high seat. I had to slide off the seat to one side when I came to a stop. It was crazy!
 
I am with you guys on this. Rolling to a stop and a small patch of oil on the road....only tippy toe on the ground.....guess where it will land? Bike on its side is my guess. I really wasnt comfortable at all just sitting on it.
 
Have owned two KTMs - a fairly early 640 Duke in the 90s and later a 660SMC. Both bought new. Both fabulous bikes - well made with really nice quality touches, top-drawer White Power suspension, faultless handling, go like stink, stop on a dime.

The 660SMC - stands for Super Moto Competition - was the stripped down nutter version. No electric starter or any of that nonsense. Not a problem, because it was a first kick bike once you learned the procedure to get the engine in the right position. Akrapovic exhaust. Man, that bike was madder than I could ever be! Wanted to pass every car, hated to slow down for bends, straight over roundabouts. Only happy when being thrashed - I've been a baad girl!

Why did I sell them? Well, not very practical, narrow seats a PITA after 50-60 miles and with other bikes in the garage, the sensible option always won.

That 890 Duke looks nice, can see why you fell for it. Though also got to agree with Willis on the headlight. But hey!
 
I hear ya, Raymondo. KTM's of the past are notoriously never-not rambunctious. They've done a great job with more recent bikes, making them more livable but still very playful. This 890 is quite comfortable imo. I've done nearly 600 miles in 5 days on it and I'm ready to get back on it! It's just as happy commuting and tootling around as it is riding like a jack@ss and doing all the wheelies.

Yesterday while playing around with a friend on his Monster 1200S, I though he would walk away from me for sure when we picked up the throttle...not the case! The Duke stayed right with him! He'll eventually pull me at the top but that's after you're doing 120-130. He's got more motor, just the way things are. But the 890 kept up just fine in the twisties and he wasn't pulling away from me out of the corners. This bike is impressing even more the more I ride it.
 
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