KTM 790 Duke Coming To India In 2019

We expect it to be priced at around Rs 6 lakh (ex-showroom)

KTM dealers across Pune have confirmed that the 790 Duke will be making its India debut in 2019. The bike has been garnering rave reviews ever since its production version was unveiled last year at the 2017 EICMA Show in Milan.

Coming to the bike itself, the 790 Duke follows the same design language as the other members of the Duke family, ranging from the 1290 Duke to the 390 Duke. It gets the same inverted pitchfork shaped all-LED headlamp, aggressive bodywork and a sharp overall design. Distinguishing features include a new stainless steel high-mounted upswept exhaust and a slightly stretched out wheelbase.

Aggression doesn’t just end with the design, thanks to an LC8c 799cc parallel-twin engine churning out 105PS of power and 86Nm of torque. Transmission duties are handled by a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. Electronics include ride-by-wire throttle control, riding modes, traction control system with lean angle sensitivity, ABS, launch control and a quick shifter. It gets a coloured TFT instrument console, similar to the one seen on the 390 Duke, but with bigger speedo and tacho readouts. 

KTM refers the 790 Duke as 'Scalpel', for its sharp handling. It is built around a tubular steel frame, which uses the engine as a stressed member to keep weight in check. As a result, the 790 Duke tips the scale at just 169kg (dry). Braking is courtesy a 300mm disc with a four-piston radial caliper at the front and a 240mm rear disc with single-piston floating caliper. Suspension duties here are handled by WP 43mm USD forks at the front and a WP monoshock unit at the rear. 

We expect KTM to bring the 790 Duke here via the CKD route. In order to price it aggressively, the company is expected to opt for heavy localisation. Considering all this, the 790 Duke may be priced around Rs 6 lakh (ex-showroom) and is expected to come to India by next year.  However, before you get your chequebooks out, do note that the 790 Duke's on-road price may cross the Rs 8.5 lakh mark due to the recent 5-year insurance mandate. Once launched, it will compete against the Triumph Street Triple S, Ducati Monster 797, Suzuki GSX-S750 and the Kawasaki Z900.

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