KTM 790 Duke 2026 — Specifications

The 790 Duke initially viewed the arrival of the 990 with a wary eye. More watts, more technology...... and a lot more euros to ride. Consequently, it’s less concerned about its place in the lineup and is reinvigorated for 2025.

On the menu: approval for Euro5+, a lengthened rear fender, a slightly sharper headlight, a new dashboard with a position closer to the rider, a new interface, automatic adaptation to ambient brightness, a telemetry screen, 6-level wheelie control, and Demo Mode, allowing you to sample all of the bike’s electronic options for a little over 1,000 km. After that, you have to pay or say goodbye.

This "mid-Duke" has had a career in two phases. Born in late 2017, it was overshadowed by the 890 in 2021..... then waited a bit…and returned to the market in mid-2022. KTM has put it back in the game with other arguments. If coexistence with the 890 was delicate, it’s no longer the case since the latter has ceded its place to a more generous Duke. The siblings no longer play in the same league.

The Austrian motorcycle has quietly maintained its positions within Matighoffen’s offerings. The 790 Duke as we rediscover it is a carryover of the old L version, the one originally intended to adapt to A2 license requirements. Apart from a few extra kilos, it differs little from the first model. The exception is that it is now produced in China. This is one of the fruits of the partnership with CF Moto. This is where we start to understand why it’s regaining a place among Katoche’s naked bikes. Powerful, the machine delivers 105 horsepower in most of the world; except in Europe where its power is reduced to 95 horsepower. With this level of power, it forms a sort of bridge between the 390 and the 990.

It’s not quite the middle ground. There are 51 horsepower difference between the little Duke and the 790; while the latter only gives up 28 horsepower to its “big” sister. You can’t therefore talk about a beginner’s motorcycle, unless it’s restricted to 35 kW.

A sort of game of musical chairs punctuated by a striking argument. The price! Between the two roadsters, the match will be played on the watts but also on the significant difference in the wallet. Almost €6,000 difference – in exchange for a less full engine, a smaller dose of electronics and less rigorous suspension. These aren’t foam legs either. Simply, the first 790 Duke didn’t offer as much rigor as hoped. The motorcycle encouraged attack, virulent and motivated, pleasant and enraged; but the suspension could struggle to keep up with the pace.

And so, what does this "revival" 790 Duke offer? An unadjustable 43 mm WP inverted fork, a WP shock absorber with preload adjustment, radial 4-piston calipers around 300 mm discs, the inflexible tubular steel frame and well-considered electronics. With an inertia sensor in stock, cornering ABS + Supermoto function, 3 Riding Modes (Rain – Street – Sport), angle-sensitive traction control, LEDs everywhere and a 5-inch color TFT screen. For the quickshifter, no change: you have to go and find it among the options.

A place where Riding Modes Track and Performance are also waiting, engine braking regulation, cruise control, the KTM My Ride smartphone app, tire pressure monitoring; next to it, the Powerparts range allows you to complete with a whole host of parts.

Thus, the 790 Duke wants to reinvent itself in this big game of poker where mid-size streetfighters play. Not easy given the already established players and the fierce atmosphere of the sector. But with its price, it can give people something to think about. Almost identical to that of a 750 Hornet, a 660 Trident or an F 900 R. Whatever happens, it’s not said that the 790 and the 990 will remain friends for very long at KTM. Two sisters, two hearts, on the verge of resentment.

M.B - Photos constructeur