KTM 890 Duke R 2021 vs. Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023

KTM 890 Duke R 2021

KTM 890 Duke R 2021

Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023

Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023

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Overview - KTM 890 Duke R 2021 vs Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023

The KTM 890 Duke R 2021 and the Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023 are both naked bikes that offer powerful engines and advanced rider assistance systems. However, they have some key differences in terms of specifications and features.

Starting with the engine, the KTM 890 Duke R 2021 is equipped with a 2-cylinder in-line engine that produces 121 horsepower and 99 Nm of torque. On the other hand, the Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023 is powered by a 4-cylinder in-line engine that delivers 125 horsepower and 98.6 Nm of torque. Both bikes have fuel injection systems and liquid cooling.

In terms of suspension, both bikes feature upside-down telescopic forks at the front and swing arms with monoshock absorbers at the rear. However, the KTM 890 Duke R 2021 is equipped with WP suspension components, while the Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023 features Öhlins suspension at the rear. The Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023 also offers adjustable preload and rebound settings for the rear shock absorber.

KTM 890 Duke R 2021

KTM 890 Duke R 2021

When it comes to the chassis, the KTM 890 Duke R 2021 features a chromium-molybdenum frame, while the Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023 has a steel frame with a double cradle design. Both bikes have double disc brakes at the front with four-piston calipers, but the KTM 890 Duke R 2021 has larger 320 mm diameter discs compared to the 300 mm discs on the Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023. The KTM 890 Duke R 2021 also utilizes radial brake technology, while the Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023 uses petal brake technology.

In terms of advanced rider assistance systems, both bikes offer ABS, riding modes, and traction control. However, the Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023 also features ride by wire technology, which provides smoother throttle response and improved control.

In terms of dimensions and weights, the KTM 890 Duke R 2021 has a slightly longer wheelbase of 1482 mm compared to the 1450 mm wheelbase of the Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023. The seat height of the KTM 890 Duke R 2021 is also slightly higher at 834 mm compared to the 795 mm seat height of the Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023. Both bikes have the same front and rear tire widths and diameters.

Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023

Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023

In terms of strengths, the KTM 890 Duke R 2021 is praised for its high-revving and sporty engine, excellent quickshifter, great electronics package, great brakes, good chassis, and driving-friendly handling. On the other hand, the Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023 is commended for its powerful and sonorous four-cylinder engine, high-quality chassis components with Öhlins suspension at the rear, strong Brembo M4-32 brakes, good ergonomics, and easy handling.

However, the KTM 890 Duke R 2021 does have some weaknesses, including cheap buttons and switches and slightly nervous geometry. The Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023, on the other hand, lacks a quickshifter and does not have lean angle-dependent traction control or cornering ABS due to the absence of an IMU. Additionally, the Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023 has a higher weight compared to the KTM 890 Duke R 2021.

In conclusion, while both the KTM 890 Duke R 2021 and the Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023 offer powerful engines and advanced rider assistance systems, they have some notable differences in terms of specifications and features. The KTM 890 Duke R 2021 excels in terms of engine performance, quickshifter, electronics package, and lightweight handling, while the Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023 stands out with its four-cylinder engine, high-quality chassis components, and strong brakes.

Technical Specifications KTM 890 Duke R 2021 compared to Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023

KTM 890 Duke R 2021
Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeIn lineEngine typeIn line
BoreBore90.7 mmBore73.4 mm
StrokeStroke68.8 mmStroke56 mm
Engine powerEngine power121 HPEngine power125 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power9,250 rpmRpm at Max. Power9,500 rpm
TorqueTorque99 NmTorque98.6 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque7,750 rpmRpm at Torque7,700 rpm
Fuel systemFuel systemInjectionFuel systemInjection
Clutch TypeClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bathClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
TransmissionTransmissionChainTransmissionChain
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeGearshift
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders2Cylinders4
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
Valves per cylinderValves per cylinder4Valves per cylinder4
ValvesValvesDOHCValvesDOHC
CoolingCoolingliquidCoolingliquid
DisplacementDisplacement890 ccmDisplacement948 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic forkFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
DiameterDiameter43 mmDiameter41 mm
TravelTravel140 mmTravel120 mm

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSwing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock
Shock mountShock mountDeflectionShock mountDeflection
BrandBrandWPBrandÖhlins
TravelTravel150 mmTravel140 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreloadAdjustmentPreload, Rebound
MaterialMaterialAluminiumMaterialAluminium

Chassis

FrameFrameChromium-molybdenumFrameSteel
Frame typeFrame typeTubularFrame typeDouble cradle
RakeRake65.7 degreeRake65 degree

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter320 mmDiameter300 mm
PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonFour pistons
ActuationActuationHydraulicActuationHydraulic
TechnologyTechnologyradialTechnologyPetal

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
DiameterDiameter240 mmDiameter250 mm
PistonPistonDouble pistonPistonSingle piston

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Riding modes, Traction controlAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Riding modes, Ride by Wire, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width120 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height70 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter17 inchFront tyre diameter17 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width180 mmRear tyre width180 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height55 %Rear tyre height55 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter17 inch
WheelbaseWheelbase1,482 mmWheelbase1,450 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height834 mmSeat Height795 mm
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA
Stationary noiseStationary noise96 dBStationary noise97 dB

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

KTM 890 Duke R 2021

KTM 890 Duke R 2021

The KTM 890 Duke R scores with simple ingredients. Take a low weight, a modern engine with driving aids, and finally, high-quality brakes and a good chassis. The result is predictable! The Duke is an attractive machine that is a joy to ride. The low weight can be felt in every situation. A cool bike!

High revving and sporty engine

Excellent quickshifter

Great electronics package

Great brakes

Good chassis

Driving-friendly handling - low weight noticeable

Cheap buttons and switches (e.g. indicator switch)

Slightly nervous geometry

Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023

Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023

The Z900 SE is not only a successful addition to the normal Z900, but actually the better and more sensible version. Because the refined fork, the Öhlins suspension strut that is not fully adjustable but more responsive, and the snappier Brembo M4.32 brake system make the SE refreshingly sportier and are well worth the extra price - especially if you also take into account the cool look of the Prestige components! However, the fact that a quickshifter is not even available at extra cost will hurt real sports enthusiasts. If you can live with the relatively high weight of over 214 kilos, you get a sufficiently manageable naked bike.

Powerful, pleasantly sonorous four-cylinder engine

high-quality chassis components, Öhlins at the rear

strong Brembo M4-32 brakes

good ergonomics

easy handling.

No quickshifter, not even optional

no lean angle dependent traction control and no cornering ABS due to missing IMU

high weight

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price KTM 890 Duke R vs Kawasaki Z900 SE

There are a few key differences between a KTM 890 Duke R 2021 and a Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023. In terms of price, the actual average price of a Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023 is about 9% higher. Compared to Kawasaki Z900 SE 2023 there are less KTM 890 Duke R 2021 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 14 compared to 53. It takes less time to sell a KTM 890 Duke R with 99 days compared to 148 days for a Kawasaki Z900 SE. Since model year 2020 1000PS.de editors have written 15 reviews for the KTM 890 Duke R and 12 reviews for the Kawasaki Z900 SE since model year 2022. The first review for the KTM 890 Duke R was published on 11/5/2019 and now has more than 126,600 views. This compares to more than 37,200 views for the first review on Kawasaki Z900 SE published on 9/16/2021.

Price KTM 890 Duke R

Model year
Current average market prices

Price Kawasaki Z900 SE

Model year
Current average market prices

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