The All-New KTM Duke 790 Promises a Thrilling and Functional Ride

The EICMA event in Italy had concluded just recently, and Austrian manufacturer KTM had unveiled an exciting new motorbike there - the brand new 790cc Duke.

(All images taken from KTM)

From the all-LED lighting to the TFT dashboard, the Duke appears to take quite a bit of inspiration from the Super Duke. The multicolored LCD display can also adapt its illumination to different light intensities, and comes with various ride modes - Sport, Street, Rain, and Track, as well as an option to connect to the KTM MY RIDE from the user’s smartphone.

Duke 790 also features adjustable handlebars, WP steering damper in front, and a quality 2-in-1 exhaust unit that is supposedly one of the best to be integrated into a production model. Bar-end mirrors and Akrapovic exhaust units with carbon-fiber ends are also available, though are optional.

With the “clarity and the promise of a radically thrilling ride”, this orange two-wheeler is sharp, fast, and powered by a new and compact 799cc parallel-twin. This engine is said to easily reach 105 hp and 63.5 torque, and features a four-stroke DOHC unit with eight valves.

Equipped with some pretty neat technology, such as the DLC-coated finger followers, electronic fuel-injection, balancer shafts, semi-dry-sump lubrication with oil cooler and a six-speed transmission, the Duke 790 also boasts one of the best power-to-weight (at about 193 kg!) ratios compared to other bikes in its class.

Braking is supported by KTM’s Cornering ABS while the lightweight alloy wheels come from Maxxis Supermaxx ST tires, which provide a firm grip in both wet and dry weather conditions.

The icing on the cake comes with the electronic rider aids; the Duke 790 reportedly comes with motorcycle stability control (MSC), lean-angle sensitive traction control, quick shifter, motor slip regulation (MSR) and launch control.

All these state-of-the-art features will surely make the Duke 790 an enjoyable and thrilling ride to any motorcyclist.