BMW R 1200 GS (K50) versus KTM 890 Duke R
BMW R 1200 GS (K50)
KTM 890 Duke R
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- has neat Wums
- extensive electronic helpers
- significantly more off-road capability than the standard version of the GS
- Power
- Precise chassis
- Brakes very powerful
- Fast Quickshifter
- Price mainly with full equipment
- Suitability for touring
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.207 mm Height : 1.412 mm
Seat : 850 mm
Weight : 244 (max: 460 ) kg
Seat : 834 mm
Weight : 185 kg
Engine
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 890 ccm
Hub: 69 mm
Hole: 91 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 125 HP at 7.700 U/Min
Torque: 125 NM bei 6.500 U/Min Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 403 km
Performance: 121 HP at 9.250 U/Min
Torque: 99 NM bei 7.750 U/Min Tank contents: 14 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 295 km
Chassis
Bridges, motor supporting (steel) Front suspension:
Telescopic fork 37 mm (travel 190 mm)
Front suspension:
Shock Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Single-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 R 19
Rear tyres: 170/60 R 17
Chrome-molybdenum steel frame, motor is structural component, powder coated (steel) Front suspension:
WP Apex 43 USD fork (travel 140 mm) Rear suspension:
WP central strut (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Alu two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70-17
Rear tyres: 180/55-17
Brakes
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 376 mm)
Double disc, Brembo Stylema Monoblock four-piston radial fixed caliper (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, Brembo single-piston floating caliper (∅ 240 mm)
Conclusion - what gets stuck
No, our high expectations were by no means disappointed – not even a bit! The R 1200 GS Rally not only made us very good, but it makes it really difficult for us to find criticisms. Well, it's quite expensive. But quality has a price. And if you look at the prices on the second-hand market, you have to say that gs keeps its value quite long. In addition, it is of course up to everyone to decide whether they really need all the equipment packages. Clearly all do their tasks reliably and well, however, drive up the price again neatly. And already in the basic equipment we have to deal with a mature, great bike!
Character-strong machine
At the end of the day it is clear that the KTM 890 Duke R is the most sporty model on offer of the Austrians, only the 1290 Super Duke R can compete. But even this model, which is superior in performance, has to be plugged in when it comes to pure curveability.
The new one is thus clearly positioned: If you want to drive corners, then drive corners and plan to push a bend later, there is hardly anything better. For anyone who is looking for a more versatile model, which should be more suitable for touring, for example, the 790 remains the first choice. It's not a scalpel from a marketing point of view, but it doesn't bother.
The test bike was provided to us by Bergmann and Söhne in Hamburg-Harburg.
