KTM dealerships have commenced bookings for the 790 Duke in India. The new motorcycle will be available in 100 units only, and it is expected to arrive at the outlets by the end of this week. Dealership sources say that the new motorcycle will cost approximately INR 8.5 lakh (ex-showroom).
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The KTM 790 Duke was recently spotted in a parking lot somewhere in Karnataka, sporting a temporary number plate. Unique to the Indian-spec version will be a saree guard, which is a mandatory accessory on all motorcycles sold in our country.
Key features of the KTM 790 Duke include full-LED lighting, Bluetooth enabled digital instrument console that gives access to incoming calls, messages and music via the switchgear. The comprehensive electronic rider aids include switchable traction control, ABS (with Supermoto mode), cornering ABS, Motor Slip Regulation (MSR), wheelie control and ride-by-wire throttle with four-riding modes (sport, street, rain and track).
Shock absorption duties are performed by WP-sourced 43 mm upside-down (non-adjustable) forks at the front and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the back. KTM may offer an R variant on its successor (890 Duke) that will benefit from an adjustable front suspension setup. Braking setup on the existing middleweight roadster comprises twin discs at the front and a single disc at the back.
The 790 Duke will arrive with a BS-IV/Euro-IV compliant 799 cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled LC8c engine that delivers 105 PS at 9,000 rpm and 86 Nm at 8,000 rpm. The motor features two counter-balancer shafts and 270-degree firing order for a V-Twin like character and sound. Linked to a six-speed transmission, the middleweight roadster packs PASC slip-assist clutch and quickshifter (both up and down).
The KTM 790 Duke will lock horns with the Triumph Street Triple series and the Ducati Monster range in the Indian market.
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The Euro-V version of the middleweight naked roadster will see a slight displacement bump, and arrive with an 890 cc engine. The updated model will debut at the 2019 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy in November (5-10), along with the rest of the 2020 line-up. Other India-bound motorcycles set to debut at the motoring event in Italy include the new RC390 and the 390 Adventure.
