2022 KTM 890 Duke GP First Look

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The 2022 KTM 890 Duke GP. (KTM/)

Deceptively good news for elbow-staggers: Austrian bikemaker KTM has announced the enticingly named 2022 890 Duke GP. Don’t be duped by the name, however; the 890 Duke GP is not another up-spec version of Mattighofen’s middleweight naked bike; it’s a base-model 890 Duke with bold new graphics, a passenger seat cover, and orange wheels.

When KTM teased the model name “890 Duke GP,” it was easy to get carried away with visions of a street legal mass-produced version of the KTM RC 8C. The rational mind soon intervened, pointing out that such a mythical machine wouldn’t be called a Duke. Regardless, when you tack “GP” onto a motorcycle’s name, motorcycle fanatics—easily excitable dolts that we are—will probably expect something a bit special. Or at least clip-ons. Perhaps even winglets.

While the GP suffix feels like an exaggeration, in KTM’s defense, the orange subframe and the Motorex, Pankl, and WP decals do look unique. (KTM/)

As it is, KTM’s justification for the GP name is that the orange and black livery is “GP-inspired.” The 890 Duke GP does indeed share a certain orange-ness with Hervé Poncharal’s Tech3 KTM Factory Racing RC16 MotoGP bikes, to say nothing of the 450 Rally racer ridden by two-wheeled polymath Danilo Petrucci at the 2022 Dakar Rally. But honestly, that’s neither here nor there.

By giving the 890 Duke GP a dedicated model designation, KTM may, perhaps inadvertently, create some consumer confusion. So, to be clear: The 890 Duke R, with higher-spec components and a price tag to match, remains the highest-performing, most trackworthy model in KTM’s middleweight naked bike platform.

Look (vaguely) like Remy Gardner and Raúl Fernández on the 2022 KTM 890 Duke GP. (KTM/)

Even ignoring KTM’s loose interpretation of “GP-inspired,” the base-model 890 Duke remains a potent middleweight machine that it’s difficult to be cynical about.

KTM claims the LC8c parallel twin produces 115 hp and 68 pound-feet of torque. Four ride modes, managed by a six-axis IMU, are selectable through a TFT dash and give the rider the ability to modify throttle characteristics, traction control, ABS, wheelie control, and power output. With a claimed dry weight of 366 pounds, the 890 Duke is the kind of naked bike that puts one in mind of twisty roads and summer trackdays.

That’s GP, not GT. Although, come to think of it, an 890 Duke GT would be pretty cool if it was as purposeful as the KTM 1290 Duke GT. (KTM/)

While there’s no word on price, KTM says the 2022 890 Duke GP will be available in dealerships in April 2022.

One could argue the 890 Duke R’s up-spec Brembo Stylema calipers and fully adjustable WP Apex suspension are more “GP” than a paint scheme, but naming aside, there’s never anything wrong with having more options in the Duke lineup, if you ask us. (KTM/)

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