- Has been re-launched internationally
- Europe will also get it in A2 configuration
- Gets two new colour options
- Indian launch still a question mark
Amongst all the news, of the upcoming 490, the under-development 990 and hot selling 890/890R; KTM has just a dropped a bomb by re-introducing the original Scalpel, the 790 Duke, in international markets.
Why, you ask? Well, according to KTM, the 790 Duke, even after five years of its existence, promises enough technology, value and performance to have a market of its own. Basically, the 790 Duke will find a position between the 390 Duke and the 890 Duke, to introduce a new generation of riders to the KTM middle-weight naked category.
Once in the showrooms in June, the 790 Duke will also get a 95bhp version allowing for A2 configuration, while the rest of the world will receive the full 105bhp version. The rest of the package remains the same. Powering it will be the same KTM LC8c parallel-twin engine generating 105bhp and 87Nm. Not to mention, it’s now BS5 compliant. Suspension duties are handled by non-adjustable WP APEX suspension at each end.
The massive electronics suite is retained too and the 790 Duke gets cornering traction control, cornering ABS with supermoto mode, three standard ride modes, colour five-inch TFT display, and more. However, unlike before, a lot of equipment now gets in the option list like the up and down quickshifter, motor slip regulation, Track mode, cruise control, TPMS, and phone and music connectivity.
On the design front too, the 790 Duke remains unchanged, but now gets two new colours to choose from with a traditional KTM orange scheme and an all-new gray and black motif entering the fray.
The 2022 790 Duke will be priced at around Rs 7.5 lakh in Europe which is about Rs 1.5 lakh cheaper than the 890 Duke and almost Rs 2 lakh cheaper than the 890 R. Now this is a substantial price difference and the 790 Duke will definitely prove to be an extremely value-for-money proposition for a new buyer in the competitive middle-weight naked segment.
Now the question remains, will KTM get the 2022 790 Duke to India or will they consider the 890? The 790 Duke was originally launched in India at a price of 8.64 lakh with just a 100 units being sold. In CKD trim, if they manage to price the 2022 790 Duke at Rs 7.5 lakh, ex-showroom, it will be bang in the Triumph Trident category and suddenly be the most VFM middle-weight naked motorcycle in its category. Will it happen? Let’s wait and watch!
