KTM 790 DUKE

THE SCALPEL

The KTM 790 DUKE is incredibly precise. The agility you’d expect from a single, blended with the meaty punch of a twin. It carves corners with surgical precision, boasting a 799cc LC8c parallel-twin engine nestled into one of the lightest and most compact chassis around. The KTM 790 DUKE is all about being fast where it counts – in the corners. Dynamically flicking from one bend to the next, it puts you bang in the middle of the action, not on the sidelines.

ENGINE AND EXHAUST

At the dark core of the KTM 790 DUKE lurks a compact 799cc parallel-twin powerplant, just waiting to tear up a mountain pass or a short circuit. This engine is supremely efficient with class-leading power and torque. It’s a lightweight force to be reckoned with.

ENGINE

Built for torque, this liquid-cooled, 8-valve DOHC unit delivers 87 Nm at 8000 rpm, almost immediately followed by a final 103 hp. Meanwhile, an advanced ride-by-wire system ensures great refinement as well as low fuel consumption and emission figures.

CYLINDER HEAD

The 8-valve DOHC cylinder head contains twin chain-driven camshafts and one spark plug per cylinder. Additionally, the camshafts in the DUKE 790 are assembled, making them even lighter than forged camshafts. DLC-coated finger followers, steel valves, and a hydraulic chain tensioner complete the cylinder head assembly.

BALANCER SHAFTS

Nobody enjoys unpleasant vibrations. That’s why the KTM 790 DUKE employs balancer shafts positioned in front of the crankshaft and in the cylinder head to ensure smooth power delivery and minimal vibration.

CYLINDERS

The coated aluminum cylinders are an integral part of the sleeveless engine casing design of this 799cc parallel twin. This open-deck cylinder design allows for optimal cooling, improved production tolerances, and reliability.

PISTONS

Forged pistons with three piston rings paired with a DLC-coated (Diamond Like Coating) piston pin allow for a lightweight piston design. This minimizes reciprocating weight, reducing rotating masses, improving overall handling, and maximizing engine revs.

CRANKCASE

The KTM 790 DUKE features horizontally split crankcases, which are crafted from high-pressure die-cast aluminum, allowing for reduced wall thickness and weight savings.

PASC CLUTCH

The slipper clutch allows riders to confidently enter corners without locking up the rear wheel during aggressive deceleration or downshifting, while remaining light on the clutch finger.

LUBRICATION SYSTEM

The engine employs a compact semi-dry sump system, where oil is actively pumped out of the crankcase, clutch housing, and gearbox. This ensures no unnecessary oil flow through the engine, reducing power loss due to friction. To cool the oil, the engine is equipped with an oil cooler similar to those found in larger LC8 engines.

RIDE-BY-WIRE

Instead of the throttle valves in the electronic fuel injection system being controlled by cables, ride-by-wire processes throttle grip movements via electronic sensors and activates the throttle valves accordingly using servo motors. However, our ride-by-wire on the KTM 790 DUKE goes the extra mile: it electronically translates the rider’s throttle commands into the optimal throttle valve positions for the current riding situation. Choking, jolting, and involuntary wheelies are a thing of the past. Voluntary wheelies, however, could easily become part of your future.

EXHAUST

Stainless steel is a thing of beauty. The mid-mounted muffler centralizes mass and allows for a relatively small silencer that produces an impressive soundtrack. Hundreds of test bench runs and complex simulations ensured this exhaust system contributes decisively to the torque curve and excellent emission standards.

AIRBOX

The airbox is snugly fitted to the subframe, with air intakes positioned on the sides, allowing the bike to stay cool while you’re pushing it hard.

CHASSIS

A large dose of the KTM 790 DUKE’s agility stems from its lightweight chassis. While it uses its compact parallel-twin engine as a structural and dynamic pivot point for quick response, it’s the tubular steel frame, innovative die-cast aluminum subframe, and swingarm that combine with performance-oriented wheels, brakes, and WP suspension to elevate the ride unlike any Duke before it.

FRAME

The incredible handling characteristics of the KTM 790 DUKE are based on a dynamic load-bearing tubular chassis design. Engineers had one goal in mind: to keep the chassis as rigid and compact as possible for sharper turns and greater lean angles, allowing it to slice through corners at high speed.

SUBFRAME

The subframe is made of die-cast aluminum and houses the airbox. No plastic covers, no extra brackets – everything is cast into two parts to reduce complexity and weight. The triangular shapes in the subframe were inspired by KTM’s trellis subframes, as they provide a strong yet simple construction.

SWINGARM

The die-cast, open-lattice swingarm is meticulously crafted and optimized for stiffness and stability while offering excellent flex characteristics. By using a direct link for the rear shock, complexity and parts are reduced.

WHEELS

The KTM 790 DUKE is fitted with ultra-lightweight alloy wheels manufactured using a low-pressure casting process. These lightweight wheels not only reduce the overall weight of the motorcycle but also minimize unsprung masses and moment of inertia, positively impacting handling and ride dynamics.

TIRES

The MAXXIS Supermaxx ST tires fitted to the KTM 790 DUKE were developed specifically for this motorcycle. With a special compound, the tires provide grip in both wet and dry conditions and strike a balance between sportiness and daily riding capability, offering riders a stable ride and excellent tire wear.

FRONT FORK

The 43 mm upside-down open-cartridge fork from WP Suspension offers a setup unseen in this segment. The fork uses split-function technology, meaning compression and rebound damping occur in separate fork legs, allowing for finer tuning of the fork’s behavior. The fork springs are progressive, providing smooth operation throughout the fork’s travel; soft for the initial stroke and firmer further down to prevent bottoming out.

REAR SHOCK

Checking the rear end is a state-of-the-art WP shock absorber with a progressive spring and preload adjustment. This ensures maximum grip when attacking twisty asphalt ribbons.

STEERING DAMPER

This reliable and sensitive WP steering damper is tuned to provide maximum feedback to the rider through the bars while keeping the front wheel uncompromised on rough asphalt. You won’t even notice it’s there until that nasty patch of road hits mid-corner.

TRIPLE CLAMPS

The stiffness of the die-cast aluminum triple clamps is tuned to match the flex of the fork, providing sporty handling and excellent feedback. The clever design of the triple clamps and handlebar clamps allows for four different handlebar positions to achieve the perfect riding position.

BRAKES

Maximum stopping power at the front wheel of the KTM 790 DUKE is provided by two radially mounted four-piston fixed calipers and two 300 mm discs. The distance between the handbrake lever and the handlebar is adjustable, ensuring the lever is easily accessible for every rider. The front brake is effectively supported by a disc brake on the rear wheel, featuring a single disc and a floating single-piston caliper. All this braking power is backed by KTM’s cornering ABS system.

ERGONOMICS AND COMFORT

Designed to deliver confidence-inspiring control for a wide range of potential riders, the sleek bodywork of the KTM 790 DUKE provides the ease of movement needed to effortlessly direct the Scalpel’s dynamic motions while riding, while also offering precise comfort adjustments – no matter your skill level.

HANDLEBAR

The 760 mm wide tapered aluminum handlebar gives you full control. It’s adjustable with four positions on the triple clamp and can be rotated in three additional positions for the perfect riding position.

FOOTPEGS

The die-cast aluminum footpegs fitted to the KTM 790 DUKE provide a comfortable riding position while ensuring maximum ground clearance for impressive lean angles. Reverse (race) shifting is possible without any additional parts. Adjustable footpegs are also available as a KTM PowerParts option for those who want to go all out.

SEAT

At a seat height of 825 mm, riders of both shorter and taller statures can enjoy the bike at full speed without losing sight of everyday practicality. The seat cover is grippy yet allows the rider to move easily on the bike. It was developed to work with both textile and leather, accommodating a wide range of riders and riding styles. The pillion seat cover is made from the same material, combining a sharp look with passenger comfort. An 805 mm seat height is possible with a lower KTM PowerParts seat.

BODYWORK AND GRAPHICS

The KTM 790 DUKE’s bold, aggressive stance intimidates anyone who crosses its path. It clearly takes some of its design cues from the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R – most notably the unique “face mask” headlight. Its distinctive sharp lines and compact 11/13 proportions are underscored by KTM’s signature graphics, leaving no doubt about its road-dominating intentions.

TFT DASHBOARD

A multicolor combination of relevant information presented in an uncluttered manner. As you rev the engine, the display bars change color, either spurring you on or warning you that the engine is still cold. The display also automatically adjusts its lighting to ambient conditions and gets vibrant when Track Mode is selected.

LED LIGHT

Form and function are fully integrated in the KTM 790 DUKE. Take, for example, the LED headlight, which emphasizes the bike’s design. It combines optimal near-field illumination with maximum light output. Daytime running lights on both sides ensure the motorcycle is better perceived and distinguished by other road users, offering significant safety benefits. The LED tail light is mounted on the license plate holder for easy removal for track days or customization.

SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICS

The KTM 790 DUKE may carry some muscle and grit, but it also comes standard with serious brainpower. Delivering 78 kW (105 hp) and 87 Nm is effectively controlled by cutting-edge electronics and next-generation rider aids. Even when you’re flirting with the limit, KTM’s combination of the most advanced software and electronics in the world of motorcycling allows you to easily select the level and degree of assistance needed to maximize your thrill factor on any ride. All you need to do is focus on the road ahead and hold on tight.

RIDER AIDS

When you suddenly find yourself at the limit, it’s good to know you have science on your side. The KTM 790 DUKE was designed to provide not only the best mechanical feedback but also the finest electronic aids.

TRACK MODE

Track Mode, as the name suggests, offers unrestrained thrills and READY TO RACE performance. It features a launch control function for quick getaways, variable slip adjustment, heightened throttle response, and the ability to pull epic wheelies by disabling Anti-Wheelie.

MOTORCYCLE TRACTION CONTROL (MTC)

Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) is quite a thrill, but it’s a vital part of the KTM 790 DUKE. MTC is a lean-angle-sensitive traction control system that reduces engine power extremely smoothly and is barely noticeable. Depending on the selected ride mode, MTC also allows for several levels of intervention.

QUICKSHIFTER +

The KTM 790 DUKE ensures seamless upshifts and downshifts thanks to KTM’s proprietary Quickshifter + system. It reads and responds to your ride under any load to ensure shifting is as fast as you are. When downshifting, the system matches the engine speed to the lower gear’s speed.

MSR

The KTM 790 DUKE comes standard with a Motor Slip Regulation (MSR), which works in the opposite direction of MTC. This means there’s no chance of accidentally locking up the rear wheel during downshifts or abrupt throttling off. MSR ensures you maintain full traction and complements the slipper clutch, being particularly effective in low-grip situations.

SUPERMOTO MODE

Supermoto Mode allows enthusiastic and skilled riders to lock up the rear wheel – a prerequisite for committed supermoto riding and deliberately executed slides. This means ABS is disengaged on the rear wheel while maintaining ABS functionality on the front wheel.

MOTORCYCLE STABILITY CONTROL (MSC) WITH CORNERING ABS

A key component of the comprehensive BOSCH MSC assistance package is lean-angle-sensitive ABS. In short, this means riders gain increased confidence during hard braking, even at extreme lean angles.

RIDE MODES

Riders can choose from four ride modes: Sport for more aggressive riding, Street for comfortable urban riding, Rain for when things get a bit slippery, and the ultimate attack mode – Track. This gives KTM 790 DUKE riders full power output, the ability to disengage traction control, smooth out the throttle, and disable anti-wheelie for rear-wheel antics.

ACCESSORIES AND LUGGAGE

You’ll find a full range of KTM PowerParts and luggage options available for the KTM 790 DUKE. Make aesthetic changes to enhance your ride, reflect your personal attitude, fine-tune functionality, and adjust performance to suit your individual riding style. Wherever you ride and however you choose to attack the corners, KTM PowerParts have you fully covered.