KTM 890 Duke R: What Else Can You Buy?

KTM India begins its second, and hopefully a more successful, spell of selling big bikes in India. And while the Beast, the 1390 Super Duke R, has landed, the 890 Duke R is going to be a more logical step up from the sub-500 cc class of bikes, where the 390 Duke is the current champ. However, the Super Scalpel has to deal with a lot of competition at that price point, especially from other genres of bikes. Here are five good price alternatives that cost nearly ₹ 15 lakh:

Triumph Tiger 900 GT: ₹13.95 lakh

Triumph’s Tiger series has been one of the most popular ADV motorcycles in the country. In its latest avatar, the Tiger 900 GT has improved in key areas. It makes quite a lot more power, the 888 cc triple now pushing out 106.5 bhp and 90 Nm. But all of it is controlled with improved electronic rider aids. It looks tall, mean and now a lot more toned than before. And the presence of adjustable suspension just makes it quite adaptable to different riding scenarios.

Ducati Monster SP: ₹15.95 lakh

In a similar vein to the 890 Duke R, Ducati’s Monster SP aims to be the fast and light street naked that makes you overdose on endorphins. The 937 cc L-twin mill is dialled up to unleash 111 Italian stallions and 93 Nm. What takes it a step further from the standard Monster is the presence of top shelf hardware. Fully-adjustable Ohlins suspension, Brembo Stylema calipers and Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4 rubber are stuff that elevate the overall riding experience from a great bike to a phenomenal machine.

Suzuki Katana: ₹13.61 lakh

An iconic name revived with an iconic litre-class engine arriving in a neo retro avatar, Suzuki really went all in with the Katana. One of the legends of the 1990s, the Katana is perhaps one of the best street friendly motorcycles with an inline four heart. And it is the hallowed Suzuki K5 mill from the old GSX-1000R. On the Katana, Suzuki has tuned it to be a lot more usable than just having a sport focus, with over 150 bhp and 106 Nm on tap. It is properly modern too with traction control, adjustable suspension, monobloc brake calipers and a bi-directional quickshifter.

BMW F 900 GS Adventure: ₹14.75 lakh

BMW has upped the ante for its middleweight adventure motorcycle: the F 900 GS. It bears a larger 895 cc parallel-twin heart that is making 103 bhp and 93 Nm, which is more on less on par with the Tiger 900 GT. What does help its case is that BMW has shaved off a lot of weight from the bike, 4.5 kilos from just the fuel tank and 2.4 kg with the revised tail section. Speaking of which, the larger Adventure trim is now more accessible with revisions done to the riding triangle, namely a lowered seat, lowered footpegs and raised handlebars.

KTM 890 Adventure R: ₹15.80 lakh

If you were hell bent on sticking to a big bike from the orange marque but want an adventure bike, then the Duke’s ADV sibling – the 890 Adventure R – should be a no-brainer. It too is similarly powered as its rivals, the Tiger 900 and the F 900 GS, making 103 bhp. The KTM’s advantage counts towards the torque aspect: 100 Nm, quite a lot more than the other two. And this being the R trim that KTM has got in India, it comes loaded with all the bells and whistles that one needs to go off-roading or touring.