01. Engine & Exhaust

Engine
Developed from the same parallel twin that powers the KTM 790 DUKE, the KTM 890 DUKE R engine has been worked into a fire-breathing, high-performance midweight titan. With its increased bore and stroke, higher compression and higher max. RPM limit, the KTM 890 DUKE R churns out an impressive 121 HP and 99 Nm.


Engine case
The KTM 890 DUKE R features horizontally split, high pressure cast aluminum crankcases, allowing for reduced wall thickness and weight. A heavier crankshaft and flywheel setup also helps to pump up torque.


Injectors
Developed specifically for KTM by DELL'ORTO, new sensors in each throttle body measure the manifold pressure and adjust the mixture accordingly per cylinder, improving throttle response and smoothing out throttle action for more precise throttle inputs.


Cylinder heads
A new cylinder head has been developed specifically for the KTM 890 DUKE R to accommodate a set of larger 37 mm intake and 30 mm exhaust valves, while the camshafts feature increased lift and a more aggressive profile. A new balancer shaft has also been added to match the increased RPM and increased rotating mass.


PASC clutch
The slipper clutch allows riders to enter corners confidently without locking up the rear wheel under hard deceleration or when downshifting, while remaining feather-light on the clutch finger.


Ride-by-wire
Ride-by-wire processes throttle inputs with the help of electronic sensors and activates the throttle valves, electronically translating the throttle commands of the rider into the best throttle valve positions for the current riding situation. All this means more control when attacking the twisties.


Crankcase
The KTM 890 DUKE R features horizontally split crankcases, made from high-pressure cast aluminum, allowing for thinner wall thickness and added weight saving. The crankcases on the KTM 890 DUKE R have also been re-engineered to allow for the longer stroke over the KTM 790 DUKE.


Pistons
Two forged box pistons featuring three piston rings and a bronze conrod bearing work in tandem to power the beating heart of the KTM 890 DUKE R. Thanks to the box construction, piston weight is reduced by 10 grams compared to the pistons in the KTM 790 DUKE engine, despite the larger bore.


Exhaust
A stainless-steel thing of beauty. The middle damper centralizes mass and allows for a relatively small muffler that plays a dramatic soundtrack. Hundreds of test bench runs and complex simulations ensured that this exhaust system contributes decisively to the tractable torque curve and excellent emission standards.
