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We published a report yesterday that mentioned that KTM India is probably planning to launch the KTM Duke 125 in India next month. Now, according to a report on Motorcycle.com, the 2019 KTM Duke 790 is going to be unveiled in November i.e. next month. The report also states that the motorcycle is making its way to North America at around the same time.
Festive season is upon us and KTM is probably launching the Duke 125 next month. Can the Duke 790 accompany the Duke 125 as it comes to India? We think it is only natural to send an adult (790 Duke) with a kid (125 Duke). That logic is as vague as the details on the arrival of the KTM Duke 790 in India. At this point we are more hopeful than positive.
The KTM Duke 790 aka Scalpel is one of the most anticipated motorcycles in India. And the reason is that it is one of the most appreciated motorcycle (in its respective segment) the world over. 799cc LC8c Parallel twin engine with a power output of around 105 Bhp and a torque output of 86 Nm. Those seemingly humble figures are propelling a motorcycle that weighs around 169 Kg wet. To put things in perspective, a TVS Apache RR 310 weights 169 Kg! So the power to weight ratio of this mad machine is enough to necessitate adult diapers. And yet, it is recognized as one of the most easily rideable motorcycle by a lot of people. People who have the access to it we meant.
Other bells and whistles include, Twin balancer shafts control the inherent vibrations of the engine design while DOHC manage the four valves per cylinder. Ride-by-wire and a 42mm DKK Dell’Orto throttle body control the fuel mixture. A PASC (Power Assisted Slipper Clutch) controls wheel hop under aggressive downshifts. To manage the heat generated by the engine, the oil cooler contains a heat exchanger with the liquid cooling system.
The chassis is a lightweight tubular Chromium Molybdenum steel frame that utilizes a cast aluminum subframe. The front suspension consists of a WP 43 mm open-cartridge front fork while the rear is handled by a gas-assisted WP rear shock with progressive spring and preload adjustment. The swingarm is a die-cast, open-lattice swingarm unit, which has been optimized for stiffness and tuned flex. A steering damper keeps everything tame, given the sporting nature of the Duke. Finally, a wide, tapered, adjustable aluminum handlebar allows the rider full control of the cast aluminum wheels and their 120/70 ZR 17 front and 180/55 ZR 17 rubber.
The styling is predictably very KTM i.e. very radical and very aggressive. Two colors, KTM orange and Black are on offer. Looks are subjective but according it us, it looks just amazing in both the color schemes.
Another interesting thing is, that a KTM Duke 390 costs 4,699 Pounds in the UK whereas the KTM Duke 790 starts from 8,199 Pounds. In India the Duke 390 costs around INR 2.4 Lakhs. If the ratio of the UK price of the two motorcycles is considered, the KTM Duke 790 might be priced around the INR 5 Lakh mark. The bike might be brought to India via the CKD route, but if produced here at Bajaj’s Chakan plant, we can expect a whole lot of fireworks in the middleweight segment. Fingers crossed.
Festive season is upon us and KTM is probably launching the Duke 125 next month. Can the Duke 790 accompany the Duke 125 as it comes to India? We think it is only natural to send an adult (790 Duke) with a kid (125 Duke). That logic is as vague as the details on the arrival of the KTM Duke 790 in India. At this point we are more hopeful than positive.
The KTM Duke 790 aka Scalpel is one of the most anticipated motorcycles in India. And the reason is that it is one of the most appreciated motorcycle (in its respective segment) the world over. 799cc LC8c Parallel twin engine with a power output of around 105 Bhp and a torque output of 86 Nm. Those seemingly humble figures are propelling a motorcycle that weighs around 169 Kg wet. To put things in perspective, a TVS Apache RR 310 weights 169 Kg! So the power to weight ratio of this mad machine is enough to necessitate adult diapers. And yet, it is recognized as one of the most easily rideable motorcycle by a lot of people. People who have the access to it we meant.
Other bells and whistles include, Twin balancer shafts control the inherent vibrations of the engine design while DOHC manage the four valves per cylinder. Ride-by-wire and a 42mm DKK Dell’Orto throttle body control the fuel mixture. A PASC (Power Assisted Slipper Clutch) controls wheel hop under aggressive downshifts. To manage the heat generated by the engine, the oil cooler contains a heat exchanger with the liquid cooling system.
The chassis is a lightweight tubular Chromium Molybdenum steel frame that utilizes a cast aluminum subframe. The front suspension consists of a WP 43 mm open-cartridge front fork while the rear is handled by a gas-assisted WP rear shock with progressive spring and preload adjustment. The swingarm is a die-cast, open-lattice swingarm unit, which has been optimized for stiffness and tuned flex. A steering damper keeps everything tame, given the sporting nature of the Duke. Finally, a wide, tapered, adjustable aluminum handlebar allows the rider full control of the cast aluminum wheels and their 120/70 ZR 17 front and 180/55 ZR 17 rubber.
The styling is predictably very KTM i.e. very radical and very aggressive. Two colors, KTM orange and Black are on offer. Looks are subjective but according it us, it looks just amazing in both the color schemes.
Another interesting thing is, that a KTM Duke 390 costs 4,699 Pounds in the UK whereas the KTM Duke 790 starts from 8,199 Pounds. In India the Duke 390 costs around INR 2.4 Lakhs. If the ratio of the UK price of the two motorcycles is considered, the KTM Duke 790 might be priced around the INR 5 Lakh mark. The bike might be brought to India via the CKD route, but if produced here at Bajaj’s Chakan plant, we can expect a whole lot of fireworks in the middleweight segment. Fingers crossed.
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