By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Yamaha MT-09 (RN69) vs KTM 890 Duke (MY2021)
Yamaha MT-09 vs KTM 890 Duke: which one's easier to live with every day.
Coming off a closed throttle, the Yamaha MT-09 pulls thick from low revs, and its intake howl doesn't let up. On the KTM 890 Duke, that same grip brings a sharp punch through the middle of the range. Then it's still revving freely near the top.
So which one do you buy?
The MT-09 has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Slight edge: MT-09
Over a year of riding, the MT-09 noses ahead on running costs. A neglected example would wipe that out.
The 890 Duke has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: 890 Duke
The 890 Duke is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. Put it down to more feel through the bars.
Which one's the smarter buy
Value's a wash
At these used prices, neither bike comes out ahead as the clear better buy for the money. The small price gap doesn't tip the scales toward one over the other.
What makes each one tick
MT-09
Torque arrives early from the MT-09's three-cylinder engine and doesn't let up as the crank spins higher. Its crossplane crank pairs a big twin's low shove with a four's rush up top. With little weight to haul down off the brake lever, it'll tip into canyon bends and city corners without a fight. The bars swing through walking-pace U-turns.
Nils rode the MT-09 in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
890 Duke
From low rpm the 890 Duke's engine picks up cleanly, and it's eager to spin all the way to the top. Corner entry doesn't take much from the bar: the steel trellis frame snaps the bike onto its line at once. Up the Angeles Crest Highway, the bars flick it from one bend into the next. The cast swingarm holds its line.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- Manually Adjustable Front Suspension: standard on the MT-09, not offered on the 890 Duke.
- Quickshifter: standard on the MT-09, option on the 890 Duke.
- Smartphone Connectivity: option on the 890 Duke, not offered on the MT-09.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Neither one is built for long-haul comfort. For big miles, look at a proper tourer or sport tourer.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Look elsewhere
Neither of these is a sensible first motorcycle. Learn on something smaller and lighter, then come back.
They come out level on commuting. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
MT-09
What owners say
Strengths
- CP3 engine character
- Class-leading electronics package
- Light wet weight
- Reliability rating from owners
Trade-offs
- ABS abrupt under hard braking
- Cosmetic build niggles
- Mirror vibration above 6,000 rpm
- Mode 4 power cap effectively unusable
- Standard seat is firm and "slippery"
890 Duke
What owners say
Strengths
- Punchy, characterful parallel twin
- Lightweight, agile handling
Trade-offs
- Reliability concerns and oil/fluid leaks
Known problems to check before you buy
MT-09
- Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) wear causing unstable idle/stalling (recall 25V-248) Recall 25V248000 Worn TPS due to excessive brush sliding from improper ECU programming leads to unstable idling, throttle hesitation, and stalling. Yamaha recall (NHTSA 25V-248) requires TPS replacement and ECU reflash for affected units.
- Engine stalling due to ECU programming (recall 22V-130) Recall 22V130000 Improper ECU programming can cause engine to stall unexpectedly, particularly when clutch lever not pulled fully or at small throttle openings from idle. Affects all 2021-2022 MT-09 models; Yamaha recall issued March 2022 for ECU reflash.
890 Duke
- Warped front brake discs Some owners have experienced warped front discs, possibly due to uneven mounting surfaces on the front rim.
- Premature camshaft wear Excessive wear on cam lobes has been reported on LC8c engines, leading to noise, power loss, or failure. KTM addressed this with wider cam followers from 2021 onward and a goodwill repair program for affected bikes.
- Coolant leak from thermostat housing Coolant can seep or leak from the plastic thermostat housing joint. Retightening or replacing the clamp often fixes the issue.
- Counter shaft seal oil leak The countershaft seal can leak oil, especially on early production units. Typically fixed under warranty with an updated seal.
- Valve cover gasket oil leak Several owners report oil weeping from the valve cover gasket area. Usually resolved by replacing the gasket.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 5-year-old MT-09 with a 5-year-old 890 Duke.
- MT-09
- about $8,000
- 890 Duke
- about $7,500
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 3.7 US gal (14 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| MT-09 | 890 Duke | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) | 32.3 in (820 mm) |
| MT-09 | 890 Duke | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 890 cc | 889 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three | Parallel twin |
| Power | 119 hp (88 kW) | 115 hp (85 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,000 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| Torque | 69 lb-ft (93 Nm) | 68 lb-ft (92 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 7,000 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| MT-09 | 890 Duke | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 47 mpg (US) / 5 L/100 km | 50 mpg (US) / 4.74 L/100 km |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| MT-09 | 890 Duke | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| 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.
