The KTM Duke 790 is expected to be priced upwards of Rs. 8 lakhs.
The wait has been long and was further extended when KTM postponed the launch of the Duke 790 due to homologation issues. However, the launch of the middle-weight motorcycle is just around the corner as dealer dispatches of what will become KTM’s flagship motorcycle for India, have started.
The KTM Duke 790 was unveiled in 2017 and you can book yours for Rs. 30,000/-. The motorcycle will be available across KTM’s expanding dealership network which will also house Husqvarna motorcycles later. Brought to India via the CKD route, the Duke 790 is expected to be priced upwards of Rs. 8 lakhs and the on-road price will exceed Rs. 10 lakhs, making it an expensive proposition considering its Japanese rivals like the Suzuki GSX-S750, the Kawasaki Z900 and the Yamaha MT-09 undercut it on price while its European contemporaries like the Triumph Street Triple S and the Ducati Monster 821 are worthy contenders.
Powering the KTM Duke 790 is a 799cc LC2 parallel-twin engine that belts out 105 HP and 86 Nm, paired to a 6-speed gearbox with a bi-directional quicker-shifter. Being the lightest motorcycle in the segment at 174 kgs and equipped with a slew of electronics including launch control, cornering ABS (can be disengaged in Supermoto mode), 4 riding modes (there is a Track mode too) and traction control system which has a lean-angle sensor! The front uses 43 mm USDs while the rear uses a monoshock, both suspensions are KTM owned WP make. The bike gets a full TFT instrument cluster and does justify its price with the hardware and performance it has to offer.
KTM is likely to receive a stellar response to the Duke 790 considering many Duke 390 owners will be tempted to upgrade. However, the number of units being brought down and the waiting period on the orange street-fighter are still not known.
KTM Duke 790 Launch
– Won’t have VFM pricing
– To act as brand builder and upgrade for existing KTM owners
– Packed with good hardware bits
– Faces tough competition from established rivals
