The world’s fastest growing motorcycle company is at it again. After a booming year of new metal for 2017 including a three-pronged 1290 Super Adventure range, two 1090 Adventures and updates to the 1290 Super Duke R, Duke 125 and Duke 390, the Austrian’s have today introduced the 790 Duke.
After more than 12 months of teasing with an epic video and a prototype on show since last November, the new bike is finally seen in the flesh.
Nicknamed ‘The Scalpel’, KTM’s middle-weight naked streetfighter has the likes of Yamaha’s MT-09, Kawasaki’s Z900 and Ducati’s 821 Monster in its sights but aims to take the plaudits with its combination of lightweight chassis and brand new parallel-twin 799cc motor. The ‘LC8c’ as it’s known produces 102bhp @ 9,000rpm which is a significant boost over the 73bhp from the single-cylinder belonging to the 690 Duke and the new machine is expected to be far sportier with extreme lean angles on offer.
Familiar WP suspension comes in the shape of 43mm USD forks, a steering damper and an adjustable shock while the cornering ABS with ‘Supermoto’ mode is one we’re looking forward to trying. Four configurable riding modes, launch control plus quickshifter+ for up and down shifts.
An A2 licence option will also be available and the 790 Duke is offered in two colours (black or traditional orange) while 30 accessory parts allow for customisation. Two pre-defined set-ups are on offer, named RACE and STYLE.
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