Twin-cylinder KTM 790 Duke spotted testing

  • Aug 25, 2015
  • Views : 64626
  • 2 min read

  • bookmark

Images of a new twin-cylinder KTM motorcycle being tested has been posted on internet. It is speculated that the motorcycle in question is the new KTM 790 Duke expected to debut at 2015 EICMA motorcycle show later this year and probable India launch next year

KTM 790 Duke

The fact that KTM is working on a parallel twin motor is no secret. Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM had announced the intentions of the Austrian bikemaker of bridging the gap in its product portfolio and a new bike under development. It was rumoured that the KTM 690 Duke would be launched in India but Pierer dismissed this speculation and said that they plan to launch a new twin cylinder motorcycle for India. Pictures of a new KTM motorcycle powered by a parallel-twin engine have surfaced for the first time. According to German magazine Motorrad, the new KTM motorcycle will be powered by a 800cc, twin-cylinder motor and most likely be christened as the KTM 790 Duke. Talking about styling, expect the new KTM 790 Duke will follow the same silhouette as the current KTM 390 Duke and 200 Duke which is on sale in India. The headlight design seems to be more petite and contoured than the current headlamp as seen on the 390 Duke. Instead of an underbelly exhaust system, the KTM 790 Duke will sport a conventional single-sided muffler.

KTM 790 Duke rear

This means the KTM 790 Duke will follow the aggressive and brash styling which in some way has become synonymous with the KTM brand. There are no details regarding the 800cc powerplant but we expect the new KTM 790 to churn out between 90 to 100PS given the additional cylinder and hike in displacement. The engine will be mated to a 6-speed gearbox and slipper clutch will also come as standard. Another aspect of the new twin-cylinder engine that would excite many bikers will be the fact it would be significantly refined than the single-cylinder mill. Given the additional bump in power, KTM engineers have equipped the 790 Duke with dual front disc brakes for better stopping power and a single disc unit at the rear. 

KTM 790 Duke spy shot

Two-channel ABS will be standard while suspension duties will be taken care of by WP sourced USD forks at front and a monoshock unit at the rear. The tubular space frame crafted from chrome-molybdenum steel as seen on the 690 Duke will be most likely carried forward with a few tweaks on the new KTM bike. The new KTM 790 Duke will most likely replace the 690 Duke from international market. With the 690 Duke exiting, there will be a huge gap between the KTM 390 Duke and the 790 Duke. To plug this gap, KTM will be introducing a new 50cc displacement twin-cylinder powerplant. According to reports the KTM 790 Duke will be manufactured in Austria and not at Bajaj’s Chakan facility in India. But if KTM does manufacture the 790 Duke expect the motorcycle to come at a killer pricing owing to local production and this should ring the death bell for many two-wheeler manufacturers in the 800cc segment. But whether this happens or not only time will answer and the new bike will debut at the 2015 EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan, Italy later this year.

See what our community has to say! NEW

India's largest automotive community

Explore Now
comminity image
×
Recently Visited
Select Category