KTM working on a 650cc Duke; spied testing in Europe

- To be powered by a 650cc, parallel-twin engine

- Will be based on the KTM 790 Duke platform

- Likely to be launched in mid-2026

KTM is working on a new naked bike for developing markets, and the motorcycle was recently spied testing in Europe. According to reports, the bike is likely to use a 650cc, parallel-twin motor and will be positioned below the KTM 790 Duke.

The new KTM 650cc naked is likely to be developed with Bajaj Auto and manufactured in India. It is being developed as a competitor to the likes of the Yamaha MT-07, Triumph Trident 660, and the Kawasaki Z650. Currently, KTM doesn’t have any offering between the 390 Duke and the 790 Duke. It is believed that the new motorcycle will allow KTM to offer a more accessible middle-weight bike in the 650cc segment.

The spy images of the test prototype suggest that the motorcycle will be based on the 790 Duke platform. It uses a modified version of the 799cc, twin-cylinder, LC8C engine. However, it is believed that KTM will reduce the engine displacement to around 650cc, along with a power output in the ballpark of 70bhp. The spy pictures suggest that the cylinder head and the cooling unit have been slightly revised.

The chassis and subframe appear to have been taken from the KTM 790 Duke. But, it features a more comfortable steering head angle, indicating a slightly less sharp geometry compared to the 790 Duke. The ergonomics seem to be more comfortable and should appeal to a wider range of riders.

Meanwhile, the design of this new orange streetfighter is still under work. We can expect it to feature an all-new design when it is launched sometime in mid-2026. Now, whether KTM will call it the 650 Duke or the 690 Duke remains to be seen. However, going by the Austrian bike maker’s existing nomenclature, it is highly likely to be named the KTM 690 Duke.

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