KTM has given the 790 DUKE a new lease of life. The 2022 790 DUKE should fill the gap between the 390 DUKE and 890 DUKE, with the Austrians specifically targeting the A2 driver’s license in Europe.
With us in the Netherlands, it may not have been a cartload of goods over the counter, but worldwide the 790 DUKE has been a resounding success for KTM since its launch in 2018. In its short existence, 29,000 units have been sold worldwide.
Two years later, the 890 DUKE R, dubbed “The Super Scalpel”, was launched as an über version of the 790 DUKE, which remained in production that year. At the beginning of last year, the 790 DUKE made way for the 890 DUKE and the 790 DUKE adventure seemed to have come to an end after three years.
Seemed, because after a year of absence, the 790 DUKE is back, albeit with us in Europe in a tweaked 95 hp version to be able to adapt it to the A2 driving license. In the rest of the world it has the same 105 hp as when it was put on the market in 2018.
The LC8c parallel-twin has been specially tuned for torque to provide easy, drivable power, but still with an exciting top-end. Although you have to live outside of Europe for that, with us that top-end is limited to 95 hp.
KTM also claims that the block is extremely economical, with a claimed consumption of 4.4 liters per 100 km, or 22.7 km per liter.
In terms of geometry, the 790 DUKE is a hybrid of the other LC8c DUKEs. At 1,482 mm, the wheelbase is the same as the 890 DUKE R, as is the steering head angle of 24°, which, as well as the trail of 98 mm, is identical to the first 790 DUKE. The seat height of 836mm (805 seat optional) is higher than the 820mm of the first 790 and 890 DUKE and even 2mm higher than the 834mm of the 890 DUKE R.
In terms of electronics, the new 790 DUKE has the same package as the 890 DUKE: lean angle dependent traction control, cornering ABS with Supermoto mode, 3 riding modes as standard and a 5 inch TFT color display. Optionally, a quickshifter+, MSR Motor Slip Regulation, a 4th driving mode Track, cruise control, tire pressure control and KTM MY RIDE can be added.
The only downside that we discovered in the technical sheet and that is not mentioned in the press kit is that the 2022 790 DUKE has received some corona kilos. KTM speaks of a curb weight of 188 kilos, which is more than the 169 kilos dry of the first 790 DUKE. Although we don’t think you’ll notice that difference on the street.
Its strongest asset, however, is undoubtedly the price: in its press release, KTM mentions a price from €8,999 in Europe, but BPM has to be added in the Netherlands. We bet on a price of €10,490, which is considerably cheaper than the €11,999 for which it was put on the market in 2018.
Available from June 2022 in two colours, the traditional KTM orange color scheme and a new grey/black variant.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.