KTM launches 790 Duke and 790 Adventure

KTM has unveiled its 799cc parallel-twin-powered 790 Duke and 790 Adventure R.

However the all-roader is still only in the prototype stage with testing to be done ahead of production.

The bikes were launched at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan overnight.

The 790 Duke was a prototype at last year’s show and is now going into production.

Meanwhile the much-anticipated 790 Adventure is still only a prototype and won’t hit the market until 2019.

KTM 790 Duke

KTM dubs the new 790 Duke The Scalpel. It has 76kW (105hp) of power and 86Nm of torque and weighs only about 188kg fully fuelled and ready to slice and dice as this video shows.

Both bikes are powered by the new 799cc compact LC8c parallel twin motor.

The 790 Duke comes with Bosch cornering ABS, Supermoto mode that switches off the rear ABS, lean-angle-sensitive traction control, color TFT dash, launch control, and a quickshifter.

Brakes are 300mm front discs with four-pot callipers and 240mm rear with a two-pot calliper. 

It has a steel trellis frame with the engine as a stressed member to save weight.

The headlight appears to be all-LED with daytime running lights.

Suspension consists of WP 43mm non-adjustable forks and rear monoshock adjustable for spring preload.

It will be available in orange or black colour schemes. There is no word yet from KTM Australia on arrival or pricing.

KTM 790 Adventure R prototype

There are no specific details on the Adventure model yet.

However, we can see it has twin discs, WP suspension, hand guards, engine protection, MX-style seat and Dakar-style instruments.

The other disappointing adventure bike at ECMA was the Yamaha Tenere 700 which is also still only a prototype.

It was unveiled at last year’s show as the T7 Concept with hopes it would be production ready by now.

There must be some rigorous testing ahead for these two much-anticipated adventure bikes.