I'm 70 I have rode 250 class dirt bikes up to Harleys. It's been 5 years since I sold my Harley. I'm buying an 890 KTM Adverture S. I can not wait until next week when I get on the KTM. Plan on padding up and slowly growing into the 890.

 

...Whatever you do, ride within your limits and wear full gear!...

Leave $$ in your budget for good protective gear. At minimum, the best helmet & gloves you can afford.

Google ATTGAT cheers, M

 

890 duke is a well behaved great bike to start on for some one mature and tall to flat foot it. Gone are the days of start on slow bike blah blah etc Newer bikes have well sorted safety package, ability to turn down the power during your initial learning curve and then with more experience you can keep upping the game and still keep the same bike without having to sell and buy etc. 890 is light and easy to ride and get used to.

 

805Duke nailed it!

 

I spent two years, 22,000 ish miles on a sv 650. Beginner bikes have beginner suspension and brakes and electronics. The difference fron the sv to my now 2022 890r. Is amazing. Go 890 and stay out of track mode and you'll be fine

 

I've had my 890 GP for over a year now. I love Track mode haha

 

In my opinion, it's not crazy to shoot high for a bike, especially if it's something you've been interested in for a while and you feel confident in your abilities. Keep in mind that the 890 and 790 are high-performance bikes and they can be quite powerful. However, it's important to consider your own riding experience and comfort level when making a decision.

You mentioned that you have never owned or ridden a street bike before, but you grew up on 2-stroke dirt bikes. That's a great start, you already have some experience on a motorcycle. However, it's important to keep in mind that riding a street bike is quite different from riding a dirt bike. The 890 and 790 are designed for sporty and fast riding, and they require a certain level of skill and experience to handle.

I suggest you try renting or test-riding a few bikes before making a decision, that way you can get a sense of what you're comfortable with.

 

The 890 Duke is not only not a beginner bike, it is a bike for an experienced rider. It doesn't mean you will end yourself if you do buy it, but I'm sure you will have a lot more enjoyment on a lesser bike.

 

My rule of thumb for first motorcycle:
If you wanna have fun and learn to use it to its fullest asap 40-50hp is going to give you the most adrenaline

If you want a commuter & not have to worry about upgrading later - the 890 adventure "S" is the way to go. A bike that you can enjoy on sideroads, but will be good for highway miles.

I don't suggest the Duke 890 as it's 100lbs lighter and 10hp faster, the Duke790 is an option though for commuting. but since theDuke is only 360lbs - your going to be blown around a lot on highways.Since the Duke is a naked bike - you'll have 0 wind protection on your body or helmet.

under 105hp for commuting (like every day commuting, not once and a while), under 50hp if it's a toy.

the perfect route is > Used Husky 401 > wait till you get bored of it > Sell it & buy 790/890/990of either duke or adventure.

But at the end of the day, if you respect traction & when there is none. You'll be fine on anything.

Sources:
5000 miles on an 890 adventure, passed my test the week before getting the bike. Only other experience was when i was 13 riding dirtbikes.Vehicles are only fast if the driver wants it to be; so if you try to be a fastboi - you will fastboi yourself up the yeet tree. If you respect the yeetability of a motorcycle you'll never worry about it.But no matter what you get, you should spend the first few hundred miles learning how to hypermile the bike, pretend like your breaking in the bike for the first time, even if its used. This will give you a proactive driving mindset as you will be constantly trying to keep the rpms under 4000rpms (on the890 adv)

 

This is my first road bike and I just love this 890.
Buy it, you won’t regret it.

 

CRF2KTM has a valid point. I first got the 390 (I've been out of street riding since the 1980's). I was looking for more a year later. My 890 GP is a weapon when I get on it, and tame and so easy to ride when I don't.

 

Fast on a slow bike is better than slow on a fast bike maybe go somewhere in the middle. The 690 is a good looking bike. If you buy a 390 you will surely be bored and feel like you wasted money.

 

Welcome

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

Welcome. I’d say go for the 890 as most people who have bought a less powerful bike quickly want to upgrade once they’ve been riding for about a year. It is a naked bike so it will be more comfortable on your wrist and easier to handle than a true sports bike IMHO. You can always flick the power switch on “rain” mode too to limit the power while you learn and keep the throttle delivery smoother.
Whatever you do, ride within your limits and wear full gear!

 

i was looking at one this weekend trying to get it, the dealer told me that the gp wasnt saling very fast im on the east coast.

 

Here in central Florida my dealer got 4 of them in late June and they all sold within the week. They currently have none in stock.

 

Very slick.

 

If you were a friend of mine asking me. I would suggest that you pick up a smaller cheaper bike and make your mistakes on that. Ride for a year it or two then get what ever you heart desires. You can pick up a nice used bike up here for $2K. Tipping over on a 2K bike is much easier. With all that being said everyone has an opinion and they are just that opinions. You do you,
I do see the supply chain issues getting better so I think bike prices will drop soon. Again opinion.

 

Having just ridden one recently, I would not recommend an 890 as a first bike. A 390 would be a great learner or even a 70-hp 690, if you really need something you can roll on the Interstate with. The 890 has as much power as my old Suzuki GS1100, and not a lot of weight. Unless you shoot squirrels with a .45, stick to something more inline with your needs, transportation-wise and learner-wise. Try to snag a demo ride on a 390 or a 690.

 

But they don't make a 690 Duke new in the US and 390 seems like I'd outgrow it fast

 

Did you get the 890 man I'm curious cause I'm wanting to get one and it would be my first bike I rode some smaller minis a few times but I've never owned a motorcycle and doesn't curious for the first time writer is it a good choice or should I go with a 390

 

I still own a 790 and it was my first bike. I Recomend it as it is so easy to ride and a really fun bike. I really wanted to own a superduke some day but wanted to gain experience on a smaller bike. Thats what I did on the 790 and now I own both. If I could go back in time I would defenitly buy the 790 again.

 

 

I have a 690 SMCR and a 890 Adventure S. I recommend the 890 adventure for you. Buy comp and collision coverage. These bikes are expensive to repair. You live near a great riding area for the 890 adventure. The S model and the R model are very different. I'm 5'8 170 lbs and find the S model is the right size for me. My ride buddy is 6 feet tall, R version fits him better. The S has less suspension travel and the front forks are not adjustable. I ride 80% asphalt but like having good dirt road capability. I paid an extra $550 to have the Rally Pack turned on. This includes heated grips and seat capability activated but you have to buy the grips and seat extra.

 

Since you have prior experience riding dirt, I would say get the 890. It's very rider friendly, and has some great rider aids to keep you out of trouble. I would encourage you to take MSF course first and get your M endorsement before hitting the streets if you haven't already.
And like Mohawk said, you can leave the bike in rain mode until you feel you're ready for all the bike has to offer.

Good luck and stay safe out there.

 

You will be as fine on the 890 as on the 390 or any other smaller starter bike. Just run it in Rain Mode till you get the feel for it.

 

Hey Chevyguy,
I know this has nothing to do with bikes but I figured you might appreciate my new L.S. that I’m putting in my Jeep. Good luck on your bike decision. Can’t go wrong with a KTM. Get the 890!😬

 

Your biggest battle will be throttle control.
Similarly my dad started me young on dirtbikes and grew into 450's and eventually went on a riding hiatus for 5-7 years.
My road bike journey began on an FZ09 4-5 years ago so its not completely irresponsible to start on something that you can grow into.