KTM 790 Duke India Launch Soon!

The motorcycle has been spotted in India again

[Update: KTM 790 Duke Launched In India At Rs 8.64 lakh]

• The KTM 790 Duke will be the brand’s most expensive bike in its lineup in India.
• It will enter our shores via the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) route.
• KTM has loaded the bike with features like rider aids, cornering ABS, cornering traction control to name a few.

[UPDATE: Finally! KTM India is all set to launch the 790 Duke on 23 September. Here are all the details regarding the official launch of the bike.]

We’ve come to know that KTM will be launching the 790 Duke in India on September 5. The orange colour variant of the bike has been spotted in the country, and this isn’t the first time the bike has been spied here. A black colour variant was spotted earlier in February this year. Expect KTM to offer both colours in the Indian market. 

The 790 Duke will enter the country via the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) route, and expect the motorcycle to cost around Rs 8 lakh - Rs 8.5 lakh (on-road). When launched, it will compete against the Kawasaki Z900 (Rs 7.69 lakh) and Suzuki GSX-S750 (Rs 7.45 lakh). Both prices are ex-showroom India. 

The 790 Duke would also be KTM’s most expensive as well as the most powerful motorcycle in India. Armed with a 799cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine, it generates 104.6PS and 87Nm. All that power is sent to the rear wheel via a 6-speed transmission with slipper clutch. KTM has equipped the motorcycle with a range of electronic aids, including four riding modes, cornering ABS, cornering traction control, anti-wheelie and launch control. The bike also gets engine braking control and supermoto mode which switches off ABS for the rear wheel for some sideways fun.

Since it will be a CKD motorcycle, expect KTM to localise certain components like the brakes, suspension and switchgear, among others. Although it is common for manufacturers to localise the tyres as well, this motorcycle seems to use the same Maxxis Supermax ST radial tyres on both ends as the bike sold abroad. For better practicality, the bike also gets a large single-piece grab rail, a neatly-designed swingarm-mounted saree guard and a rather flimsy-looking crash guard. The lighting system is all-LED and the bike gets a TFT instrument console as well.  

Underpinnings include inverted WP front fork and a preload-adjustable WP monoshock at the rear. The bike is anchored by dual 300mm discs with radial calipers and a 240mm disc at the rear. KTM claims a mileage of 22.7kmpl, and this coupled with the 14-litre fuel tank should theoretically offer a range over 300km on a tank full. 

The 790 Duke will have the distinction of being a lot more tech-laden as both of its primary rivals - the GSX-S750 and the Z900 - are devoid of rider modes and other sophisticated electronics. That said, the two bikes do get dual-channel ABS and the GSX-S750 also features a three-mode traction control system. Another competent rival would be the Triumph Street Triple S, but it costs Rs 9.19 lakh, which is a bit on the expensive side. But for the added premium, it comes with two rider modes and switchable traction control.