KTM 790 Duke Spotted In India

[Update: KTM has launched the 790 Duke in India. Know prices and more details here]

• The 800cc naked bike was spotted at the Bajaj factory.
• It will be brought to India as CKD units from Austria.
• Expected to launch in March; some KTM dealerships have started accepting bookings already.
• Expected to be priced around Rs 7 lakh (ex-showroom).

While speculation has been rife about the time of KTM’s middleweight naked bike’s arrival in the country, the 790 Duke has been spotted in India, indicating an earlier-than-expected launch. The 800cc sports naked was spotted on what looks like a factory floor, possibly Bajaj’s R&D facility given the presence of Pulsar models around it. While the one seen here features a black paint scheme, we expect KTM to get the 790 Duke in their signature orange livery as well. The bikes were expected to arrive from Austria via the CKD route and this might be one from the first lots to arrive.

The new 790 Duke has been one eagerly anticipated bike given its value-for-performance quotient. It gets KTM’s new 799cc liquid-cooled parallel twin motor which makes 105PS and 86Nm, which should offer thrilling performance in a package that weighs just 169kg (dry). To keep things in check, it gets the most comprehensive electronics package in its class. The package includes power modes, lean-sensing traction control and cornering ABS, launch control and even wheelie control. It also gets features like full LED headlamp and full-colour TFT instrument console.

The lightweight characteristics comes thanks to minimalist body panels, a new chrome-molybdenum tubular frame and aluminium swingarm. In true KTM fashion, it gets high-spec underpinnings in the form of WP upside-down separate function forks and rear gas-charged monoshock. Braking is via JJuan twin 300mm discs clamped to radially mounted calipers and a 240mm rear brake. While the international-spec bikes get Maxxis Supermaxx ST tyres, the one sold here might get India-spec tyres.

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The India launch of the bike was delayed as the KTM Austria plant from which the bikes were supposed to be imported was shut down due to unusually harsh winters. It seems to be back on track with an expected launch in March. The 790 Duke is expected to be priced around Rs 7 lakh ex-showroom, which would place it below the Suzuki GSX-S750 (Rs 7.46 lakh) and the Kawasaki Z900 (Rs 7.68 lakh).

Image courtesy: Maxabout