Update - Amit Nandi, Head of KTM Motorcycles India, has told Overdrive that though the company is keen on the local introduction of the 790, the launch plans are not finalized.
If KTM dealerships are to be believed, the 2018 KTM 790 Duke will soon be launched in India. Sources reveal that the 790 Duke will be launched in the domestic market by December or January 2019. KTM has not confirmed the 790 for India.
A KTM dealership in Pune has released a teaser claiming that the KTM 790 Duke is coming soon in India. When contacted various KTM showrooms across the country, dealers replied in the affirmative with a Pune dealership confirming launch by the end of December 2018.
The dealership also revealed that bookings for the KTM 790 Duke will commence closer to the bike’s launch date. KTM India is believed to be working on CKD assembly for the 790 Duke along with some amount of localisation.
We can expect the company to import parts like engine, chassis and suspension from Austria. However, alloy wheels, tyres, lights, body panels, wiring harness, handlebar and mirrors could be sourced locally. The localization could allow the company to launch the KTM 790 Duke at an aggressive price of around INR 6 lakh (ex-showroom).
The KTM 790 Duke will rival the Suzuki GSX-S750, Kawasaki Z900, Ducati Monster 821 and the Triumph Street Triple S among others. All these motorcycles are priced between INR 7.5 lakh to INR 9.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The 790 Duke comes equipped with electronic 'wizardries,' which makes it a formidable package as compared to its rivals.
The company is also working on the KTM 790 Duke R, which is likely to debut at EICMA 2018, alongside the KTM 390 Adventure and the production-spec KTM 790 Adventure. Electronic rider aids on the 790 Duke include Motorcycle Stability Control, Cornering ABS with Supermoto mode, Motor Slip Regulation (MSR), a two-way Quickshifter, multiple Riding Modes and a TFT display for the instrument cluster.
The KTM 790 Duke also features Traction Control System, a dedicated Track Mode with Anti-Wheelie Control and Launch Control, Traction Control Spin Adjuster, and Throttle Response. Powering the KTM 790 Duke is a 799 cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin, LC8c engine that is capable of producing 103.5 bhp of maximum power at 8,500 rpm along with a peak torque 86 Nm at 8,000 rpm, mated to a 6-speed transmission with a standard PASC slipper clutch.
Also Read: KTM 125 Duke India launch may happen in November 2018 - Report
The engine receives a 270-degree firing order along with a secondary balancer shaft to minimalize vibrations. Suspension duties are handled by 43 mm USD front forks and an adjustable mono-shock at the back; both from WP. Braking force comes from twin rotors brakes at the front and a single disc at the back, with J.Juan callipers.
[Source - Overdrive.in]
