KTM 890 Duke (2021+, non-R) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for the KTM 890 Duke (non-R), sometimes called the Duke 890, announced in early 2021 for the same model year.
The KTM 890 Duke is part of the 890 series of motorcycles. It shares a platform with the KTM 890 Duke R, though the base model 890 Duke came slightly afterwards.
The KTM 890 Duke is based on the same 889cc DOHC liquid-cooled parallel twin as in the 890 Duke R, but has slightly lower power output, as well as lower-spec suspension, brakes, and tyres. Plus, it has a more relaxed rider position. It’s also cheaper!
All in all, the 890 Duke is a friendly and yet fiery alternative to the KTM 890 Duke R.
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KTM 890 Duke Service Intervals
Overall, the service intervals for the KTM 890 Duke are 15,000 km (9,300 mi) or annually. At every service, you change the oil and oil filter, and do a host of other checks per the schedule below.
The major service (valve service & new plugs) is every two 30,000 km / 18,600 miles.
Since the Duke has a chain drive, you also need to regularly maintain the chain — keeping it clean and lubricated, and adjusting the tension.
Finally, make sure to regularly refresh fluids, including coolant and brake fluid.
What you need to service your KTM 890 Duke
Apart from basic motorcycle maintenance tools, here are a few spares, fluids, and consumables that will help you service your KTM Duke motorcycle.
KTM recommends using Motorex items. Motorex is a Swiss brand.
| Part | KTM 890 Duke spec |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | The manual specifies Motorex Power Synthetic 4T 10W/50, or another SAE 10W/50 fully synthetic engine oil that meets JASO T903 MA2 spec. |
| Oil filter | Use part number 61338015200 or K&N part KN-650, a popular equivalent. (This oil filter is used in most KTM adventure bikes.) |
| Fork oil | The manual recommends SAE 5 fork oil, preferably Motorex 5W Racing Fork Oil. |
| Brake fluid | The manual requires DOT 4 or DOT 5.1, recommending Castrol DOT 4 or Motorex DOT 5.1 brake fluid. |
| Air filter | Part number for the air filter is 64106015000 and it’s highly effective (and not often changed). |
| Coolant | KTM recommends Motorex Coolant M3.0 or other “high-grade, silicate-free coolant with corrosion inhibitors”. |
| Spark plug | Use an NGK LMAR9AI-10 to change spark plugs. |
| Chain maintenance | Maintain the chain with a Motorex chain cleaner and Motorex chain lube. |
Maintenance Schedule for the KTM 890 Duke
Below is the maintenance schedule for the KTM 890 Duke, adapted from the manual.
The original manual for the KTM 890 Duke separated out “required” and “recommended” service. But we always thought it was all required (items like “replace the coolant” are required by most manufacturers). Anyway, later manuals combined it.
Maintenance Schedule
Notes:
- Follow the earlier of time-based or distance-based service intervals.
- After the end of the service schedule, keep repeating it in this pattern.
| miles x 1000 | 0.6 | 9.3 | 18.6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 1 | 15 | 30 | Every |
| Standard annual service checklist (see below) — Perform all items | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the engine oil (Motorex Power Synthetic 4T 10W/50) Oil drain plug torque: 20 Nm / 15 lb-ft | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the oil filter (HF650) Oil filter cover screw torque: 6 Nm / 4.4 lb-ft | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Clean the oil screens | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Years |
| Check the chain, rear sprocket, engine sprocket, and chain guide. (Motorex chain cleaner and Motorex chain lube) | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |
| Check all hoses (fuel, coolant, bleeder, drainage etc.) and sleeves for cracking, leaks, and incorrect routing | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |
| Check the cables for damage and routing without kinks | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |
| Check/clean the oil nozzle for clutch lubrication | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check the headlight setting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Change the air filter (64106015000) and clean the air filter box | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Clean the dust boots of the fork legs | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check the swingarm bearing for play | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check the wheel bearing for play | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Change the spark plugs (NGK LMAR9AI-10) Spark plug torque: 11 Nm / 8 lb-ft | ✓ | |||
| Check the valve clearances | ✓ | |||
| Check the frame | ✓ | |||
| Check the link fork | ✓ | |||
| Change the brake fluid, front and rear. (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | |||
| Change the coolant (Motorex Coolant M3.0) | 4 years |
Standard Annual Service Checklist
Below is the standard annual service checklist for the KTM 890 Duke. Do these items at every service.
Items marked [Dealer] need specialist tools.
| KTM 890 Duke — Standard Annual Service |
|---|
| [Dealer] Read out the fault memory using the KTM diagnostics tool. |
| [Dealer] Program the shift shaft sensor. |
| Check that the electrical system is functioning properly. |
| Check the front brake pads. (FA447HH to replace) |
| Check the rear brake pads. (FA213HH to replace) |
| Check the brake discs. |
| Check the brake lines for damage and leakage |
| Check the front brake fluid level. |
| Check the rear brake fluid level. |
| Check the free travel of the clutch lever |
| Check the free travel of the foot brake lever |
| Check the shock absorber and fork for leaks. Perform service as needed and depending on how the vehicle is used. |
| Check the steering head bearing for play. |
| Check the tire condition |
| Check tire pressure |
| Check the chain tension |
| Check the antifreeze and coolant level. (Top up with Motorex Coolant M3.0 as needed) |
| Check the cables for damage and routing without kinks |
| Check the fuel pressure and the absorbing elements of the fuel tank bracket. Not required at break-in service |
| Check that the radiator fan is functioning properly (when motorcycle has warmed up |
| Empty the drainage hoses |
| Grease all moving parts (e.g. side stand, hand lever, chain) and check for smooth operation |
| Check the tightness of the safety-relevant screws and nuts which are easily accessible. |
| Final check: Check the vehicle is roadworthy and take a test ride. |
| [Dealer] Read out the error memory after the test ride using the KTM diagnostics tool. |
| [Dealer] Set the service interval display. |
| [Dealer] Make a service entry in KTMDealer.net |
Chain Maintenance
Regularly clean and lubricate your 890 Duke’s chain. KTM doesn’t specifically recommend how often you should maintain the chain, but the general consensus is usually around 500 miles / 800 km, or after riding in the rain or dirty conditions. Use Motorex Chain Cleaner or Motul Chain Cleaner.
To check chain condition, measure the distance along 18 chain pins (first one is 1, last one is 18) with the chain taut (pulling on the chain with a standard 15 kg / 33 lb weight). The distance should not exceed 272 mm / 10.71 inches. If it does, replace the chain as well as the sprockets, as worn sprockets will wear a chain more quickly.
Checking chain slack
To check chain slack on your KTM 890 Duke R, follow these steps.
- Put the motorcycle in neutral and on a flat surface.
- Elevate the rear of the motorcycle.
- Find the chain sliding piece.
- At 2.5 cm / 1 inch from the chain sliding piece, push the chain up towards the chain sliding piece.
- Measure from the flat part of the swingarm directly above the chain to the chain. This is the chain tension.
Target chain tension (distance from swingarm when pushed up per the guideline): 2-5mm (0.08-0.2 inches)
If the chain slack is out of spec, you need to adjust it. Refer to the image below and follow the below steps.
Adjusting chain slack / tension
To adjust the chain slack on the KTM 890 Duke R, follow the steps below. As with measuring chain slack, make sure that the motorcycle is on a level surface on its kickstand, in neutral, with no weight on it (no saddlebags / luggage), and elevate the rear wheel.
- Loosen the rear axle and the adjuster lock nuts on either side of the axle.
- Turn the adjuster nuts to tighten (or loosen) the chain. Keep checking the chain tension to see if it has come within spec.
- Keep an eye on the adjuster alignment reference marks on either side of the axle. Make sure that the adjustment is to the same point.
- When you’re done, tighten the axle to 90 Nm / 66 lb-ft.
- Re-check the chain slack again to make sure it’s still within spec.
- Lower the rear wheel and check chain tension again.
Wheels and Tyres for the KTM 890 Duke
Below are tyre sizes and recommended pressures for the KTM 890 Duke. It ships with Continental ContiRoad tyres stock, a more street spec tire than the Michelin Power Cup tires of the 890 Duke R.
These are specifications recommended for specific tyres and assumed weights; adjust them based on your own weight, riding conditions, and so on.
| Wheel | Tyre size | Tyre pressure (cold) |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 ZR 17 M/C (58W) TL (J) | 33 psi (2.3 bar) |
| Back | 180/55 ZR 17 M/C (73W) TL (G) | Solo: 36 psi (2.5 bar) With passenger/luggage: 38 psi (2.6 bar) |
About the KTM 890 Duke
The KTM 890 Duke is a middleweight naked sport bike. Like other Dukes, it’s not explicitly based on a fairing-equipped racer.
Say KTM 890 Duke and people expect to hear an “R” on the end, but the 890 Duke is just that — the base model of the 890 Duke R, with no R.
The KTM 890 Duke replaces the KTM 790 Duke, which was already a game-changer for KTM (two pistons in a Duke, rather than just one!). But the 890 takes it a step further.
The 890 Duke continues the same spirit of the “middleweight” Duke motorcycles: an alternative the blistering Super Duke R, in a lighter but still very exciting package. The Duke range are not upright tourers, but nor are they committed sportbikes — like the Speed Triple and Street Triple from Triumph, they’re sportbikes with handlebars.
The 890 Duke is a slightly down-spec, more affable, and cheaper version of the 890 Duke R. But those considering the savings needn’t worry too much — despite the lower spec, the base model Duke is still a very capable machine.
Here’s what’s changed with the 890 Duke (base model) compared to the R:
- Peak power: The non-R makes 86 kW (115 hp) @ 10500 rpm, vs the 89 kW (119 hp) @ 9250 rpm
- Peak torque: 92 Nm (68 lb-ft) @ 8000 rpm, vs 99 Nm (79 lb-ft) @ 7750 rpm
- Suspension: WP Apex suspension front and rear, with only preload adjustability in the rear. The 890 Duke R has WP Apex Pro suspension that’s fully adjustable.
- KTM engineered front brakes (vs. Brembo Stylema on the R) on 300mm calipers (20mm smaller) and rear brake
- Continental ContiRoad tyres, vs. Michelin Power Cup 2 tyres on the R
- Lower ground clearance/lean angle and seat height
- Slightly more relaxed rider triangle
From the other perspective, the higher-spec 890 Duke R seems like a bargain for only US$1000 extra considering the higher grade of components, especially suspension and brakes. However, not everyone will need those nor get the most out of them.
Manual for the KTM 890 Duke (base model)
The above maintenance schedule comes from the user’s manual for the KTM 890 Duke.
The 890 Duke’s manual is for some reason in portrait (vertical) format, different to most other KTM manuals…
You can get the user manual directly from KTM’s website.
