They are calling it “The Scalpel” – a smaller, more nimble sibling to “The Beast”, aka the KTM 1290 Super Duke R. Debuting today at the EICMA show in Milan, we are talking about the new KTM 790 Duke streetfighter, which will be a 2018 model from the Austrian brand.
Based around an all-new 799cc parallel-twin engine, the KTM 790 Duke makes 105hp / 63 lbs•ft of torque, while tipping the scales at only 418 lbs when at the curb, with a full tank of gas (373 lbs dry). KTM says this makes for the best power-to-weight ratio in the class.
The 2018 KTM 790 Duke comes packed with features too. LED lights, a TFT dash, IMU-powered traction control, cornering ABS, launch control, and an up-and-down quickshifter are all standard on this “Ready to Race” machine.
Suspension is handled by WP, naturally, with 43mm forks at the front and a monoshock at the back. The chassis is KTM’s typical steel trellis design, though the parallel-twin engine is used as a stressed member, in order to save weight.
No word yet on pricing, but we have just been told by KTM USA that the 790 Duke will in fact come to the USA…but as a 2019 model year machine.
Since we might be waiting a while for the KTM 790 Duke to land on US soil, you can kill the time by checking out 75 ultra high-resolution photos of “The Scalpel” that we posted here.
Source: KTM
As always, Asphalt & Rubber will be covering all the new bikes debuting at EICMA this year. Be sure to follow our coverage for the most recent news and photos.
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