By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Ducati Streetfighter V2 (MY2022-S) vs KTM 890 Duke R (MY2020)
Ducati Streetfighter V2 vs KTM 890 Duke R: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
Out of a slow corner, the Ducati Streetfighter V2's throttle snatches and hesitates before the revs build. The KTM 890 Duke R's chassis doesn't drift off its line.
So which one do you buy?
The Streetfighter V2 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Slight edge: Streetfighter V2
On the way to work, the Streetfighter V2 asks a little less of you. Close enough that the test ride should settle it.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Edges it: Streetfighter V2
On a winding road, the Streetfighter V2 comes out a touch ahead. The difference is stronger brakes. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
Which one's the smarter buy
Depends what you want it for
The lower sticker price doesn't settle which one is the better buy. Neither bike is the clear better value for the money.
What makes each one tick
Streetfighter V2
The Streetfighter V2's L-twin pulls hardest late, with a furious rush toward its 10,750 rpm peak. It's committed, never extreme. At corner entry you're pulling on a wide handlebar from a tall seat, and the front steers in razor-sharp. The tach needle belongs high on this twin.
890 Duke R
The 890 Duke R turns off the bar like a supermoto, light going in and neutral once it's leaned over. There's thrust on the throttle from low rpm, and the uneven firing order throbs instead of droning. It's dead steady off the exit.
Nils rode the 890 Duke R in Austria and Hungary in 2020, and in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Streetfighter V2 makes more peak power: 153 hp (113 kW) vs 121 hp (89 kW).
- The Streetfighter V2 has the larger engine: 955 cc vs 889 cc.
- The Streetfighter V2 has the larger fuel tank: 4.5 US gal (17 L) vs 3.7 US gal (14 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Look elsewhere
Big miles aren't where either one shines. You'll be watching for the next rest stop.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Neither one fits
A first bike should forgive mistakes, and these two don't do that well enough. Come back to them later.
Count running costs as a draw. The deal on the table and the condition of the bike matter more here.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Streetfighter V2
What owners say
Trade-offs
- Choppy low-speed throttle response
890 Duke R
Strengths
- Turn-in reads your mind
- Superbike brakes, featherweight bike
- Midrange that shoves
- Electronics that enable
- Genuinely competitive on track
Trade-offs
- Built for sport, not comfort
- Bars buzz at highway pace
- Top end runs dry early
- Quickshifter stiffened under load
- Excessive heat radiation in slow traffic
Known problems to check before you buy
Streetfighter V2
- Throttle hesitation / fueling dip around 5,000 rpm Many owners report a noticeable hesitation and flat spot in the power delivery around 5,000 rpm, making smooth low-speed riding challenging. Aftermarket ECU flashes often cure the issue.
890 Duke R
- OEM front brake disc warping / pulsing Front brake rotors (Galfer OEM discs) warping, causing pulsing/juddering when braking. Some owners report discs warped from factory. Replaced under warranty in many cases. Some owners switch to aftermarket discs (e.g., MetalGear) with better results. The issue concerns the Galfer discs, not the Brembo Stylema calipers themselves.
- Valve cover gasket oil weep Slow oil seepage occurs from the valve cover gasket, particularly at the half-moon sections. The weeping is most evident during high operating temperatures or after spirited riding.
- Countershaft sprocket seal oil seep Oil leaks from behind the front sprocket cover on the left side, originating from the countershaft seal. Symptoms range from minor seeping to dripping that can reach the drive chain and rear tire.
- Thermostat housing / coolant system seep Coolant seeps or leaks from the plastic thermostat housing or the hose connections at the cylinder head water fitting, typically caused by narrow original hose clamps, a fragile plastic housing, or improperly sealed cooling hoses.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 4-year-old Streetfighter V2 with a 4-year-old 890 Duke R.
- Streetfighter V2
- about $13,000
- 890 Duke R
- about $8,000
At four years old, the Streetfighter V2 sits around $13,000 while the 890 Duke R lands near $8,000. That's a $5,000 gap in the KTM's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Streetfighter V2 | 890 Duke R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.3 in (845 mm) | 32.8 in (834 mm) |
| Streetfighter V2 | 890 Duke R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 955 cc | 889 cc |
| Engine | L-twin | Parallel twin |
| Power | 153 hp (113 kW) | 121 hp (89 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,750 rpm | 9,250 rpm |
| Torque | 75 lb-ft (101 Nm) | 73 lb-ft (99 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 9,000 rpm | 7,750 rpm |
| Streetfighter V2 | 890 Duke R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 44 mpg (US) / 5.3 L/100 km | 50 mpg (US) / 4.74 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 US gal (17 L) | 3.7 US gal (14 L) |
| Streetfighter V2 | 890 Duke R | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 180/60-17 | 180/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 57.7 in (1465 mm) | 58.3 in (1482 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Streetfighter V2 | 890 Duke R | |
|---|---|---|
| Quickshifter | Standard | Option |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Option |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
