Is This The KTM 790 Duke R?

[Update: KTM has launched the 790 Duke in India. Know prices and more details here]

• The engine appears to be similar to the existing 790 Duke.
• However, the test mule features more premium underpinnings.
• Expect KTM to unveil the bike at this year’s EICMA motor show.

The KTM 790 Duke seems to have gone under the knife as a test mule of the bike, which we believe could be an all-new R variant, has been spied. This test mule comes with a new WP front suspension which appears to be fully adjustable. The brakes have also been upgraded to Brembo units with a Brembo master cylinder, and expect the disc size to go up too. The outgoing model comes with a non-adjustable inverted fork and J.Juan brakes holding the 300mm dual discs up front and 240mm disc at the rear. While the rear suspension isn’t clearly visible, expect KTM to use a fully-adjustable WP monoshock.

Visible test equipment and exposed wires suggest that the bike is still undergoing tweaks. Externally, the engine appears to be similar to the existing bike, but it is likely to be reworked for slightly more power apart from upgrades to meet Euro 5 emission norms. For reference, the 799cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine produces 104.6PS and 87Nm. The engine works in conjunction with a 6-speed transmission with slipper clutch. The standard model gets four riding modes, including a track mode with launch control and anti-wheelie control, lean angle-sensitive traction control, engine brake control and cornering ABS with supermoto mode. KTM is likely to tweak the electronics for an even more engaging ride.

Also Read: 2020 KTM 1290 Super Adventure Spotted Testing

Expect the Austrian bikemaker to unveil the motorcycle at this year’s EICMA motor show. The standard model is likely to enter our shores in late 2019, whereas this R variant could be launched by next year. We’ll keep our fingers crossed until then!