2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle Review Specs Price

The 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle is as surgical as its name implies. The KTM 790 Duke cuts up the road with precise accuracy, combining the agility of a single with the powerful punch of a twin. With a 799 cc LC8c parallel twin engine—the most compact in its class—tucked inside one of the lightest frames available, the 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle is all about speed everywhere, with turns serving as its playground.

Built for torque, this liquid-cooled 8-valve DOHC engine produces peak grunt at 8,000 rpm, followed by a screaming power curve. Meanwhile, an innovative ride-by-wire technology ensures superior refinement and reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle – Features and Specs

Cylinder head

The 8-valve DOHC cylinder head has twin chain-driven camshafts and one spark plug per cylinder. Furthermore, the camshafts of the 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle are assembled, making them even lighter than forged camshafts. The cylinder head assembly includes DLC-coated finger followers, steel valves, and a hydraulic chain tensioner like in older models i.e. 2020 KTM 790 Duke.

Balancer shafts

Nobody likes nasty feelings. The 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle has two balancer shafts, one in front of the crankshaft while the other in the cylinder head, to provide the smoothest power delivery and lowest vibration.

Crankcase

The 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle has horizontally split crankcases made of aluminum high-pressure cast, resulting in a thinner wall and less weight.

Also Read: Top Ten Best KTM Bikes

Ride-by-wire

Instead of utilizing wires to regulate the electronic injection system’s throttle valves, ride-by-wire interprets throttle twist grip motions using electronic sensors and activates the throttle valves appropriately with servo motors.

However, our ride-by-wire system on the 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle goes above and beyond by automatically translating the rider’s throttle inputs into the optimal throttle valve locations for the present riding condition. Choking, jolting, and involuntary wheelies are things of the past. Voluntary ones, on the other hand, may become a reality shortly.

Exhaust

It is a gorgeous piece of stainless steel. The center damper centralizes the mass, allowing for a tiny muffler with a dramatic soundscape. Hundreds of test bench run, and extensive calculations confirmed that this exhaust system significantly contributes to the tractable torque curve and outstanding emission requirements.

Frame

The dynamic, load-bearing architecture of the tubular chassis underpins the 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle’s exceptional handling capabilities. Engineers had one aim: make the chassis as tight and compact as possible, allowing for speedier turn-in and larger lean angles, enabling it to slice through corners with incredible responsiveness.

Subframe

The cast aluminum subframe houses the airbox. There are no plastic coverings or extra brackets; everything is cast in two linked sections to decrease complexity and weight. The subframe’s triangular designs were inspired by KTM’s trellis subframes, which allow for a sturdy and straightforward structure.

Swingarm

The die-cast, open-lattice swingarm is precisely built and tuned for rigidity and stability while maintaining good flex characteristics. Using a direct connection for the rear shock reduces complexity and components.

Wheels

The 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle has incredibly lightweight alloy wheels using a low-pressure die-casting method. The lightweight wheels reduce the bike’s total weight, unsprung masses, and moment of inertia, which improves handling and riding dynamics.

Tires

The MAXXIS Supermaxx ST tires were created exclusively for the 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle. Thanks to a specific formula, they are grippy in wet and dry situations, achieving sportiness and daily rideability. They provide the rider with a steady ride and outstanding tire wear.

Suspension

The specially designed WP APEX suspension handles both front and back wheels. It is particularly evident in the 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle’s handling qualities, as is the similarly remarkable suspension component quality and performance, often seen exclusively on higher-class bikes.

Front fork

WP Suspension’s 43 mm open cartridge upside-down front fork uses split function technology to address any front wheel articulation issues. It implies that compression and rebound damping occur in distinct fork legs, allowing for finer adjustment of the fork behavior.

The fork springs are progressive, guaranteeing smooth functioning throughout the stroke. They have softer springs on the early stroke and stiffer springs later down to avoid bottoming out.

Rear shock

A high-quality gas-assisted WP APEX rear shock with progressive spring and preload control ensures that the rear wheel reacts appropriately when the going becomes rapid. The 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle retains a dynamic riding quality while being comfortable enough for lengthy travels.

Steering damper

This dependable and responsive WP steering damper has been set up to provide the rider maximum sensation via the bars while keeping the front wheel uncompromised on uneven roads. You won’t even notice it’s there until that awful section of road comes up around the bend.

Triple Clamps

The cast aluminum triple clamp rigidity has been calibrated to match the fork’s flex, resulting in lively handling and good feedback. The clever architecture of the triple and handlebar clamps allows you four alternative handlebar settings to get the ideal riding posture.

Brakes

The 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle’s front wheel has two radially mounted four-piston fixed calipers and two 300 mm discs for maximum deceleration. The gap between the hand brake lever and the handlebar is adjustable, ensuring that the lever is easily accessible to all riders. The disc brake on the rear wheel provides adequate support for the front brake, with a single-piston floating caliper pressing down on a single disc. KTM’s Cornering ABS aids in stopping this strength.

Fuel tank

The 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle, with 3.7 gallons (14.3 liters) of gasoline, is ready to tackle alpine passes miles away and seek apexes for hours.

Handlebar

A tapered aluminum 810 mm broad handlebar gives you complete control. It is adjustable and stable in four places on the triple clamp, which can also be rotated thrice, providing an ideal riding posture.

Footpegs

The foot pegs on the 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle are cast from aluminum and provide a comfortable riding posture while maintaining maximum ground clearance, allowing for remarkable lean angles. No extra components are required for reverse (racing) shifting. Adjustable foot pegs are also available from KTM PowerParts for those who want to go all out.

Seats

At 32.4 inches (825 millimeters), shorter and taller riders may enjoy the bike at full power without losing sight of its everyday use. The seat cover is gripping, allowing the rider to move freely around the bike. It was designed to work with textiles and leather and is suitable for riders and riding styles.

The pillion seat cover is made of the same material and blends a sleek design with passenger comfort. An optional KTM PowerParts seat lowers the seat height to 805 mm.

TFT Dashboard

A multicolored blend of vital information is presented cleanly. As you crank the engine, the display bars change color, either motivating you or telling you that the engine is still cold. The display also automatically adjusts its luminance to the ambient light and becomes racy when the optional TRACK MODE is enabled.

LED lights

The 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle rips into the darkness with a distinctive LED headlamp and LED taillight that continues the design approach begun by the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R. It is instantly recognized and completely Duke. The high-performance LED headlamp, flanked by two LED strips that serve as daytime running lights, provides enough lighting and immediate street cred.

Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC)

Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) is a mouthful, but it’s an essential feature of the 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle. MTC is a lean-angle sensitive traction control technology that decreases engine power in a smooth, scarcely detectable manner. MTC intervention will take effect based on the chosen riding mode; MTC also provides various amounts of traction slip at the back tire. But that’s not all—daredevils, here’s the off-switch!

Quickshifter +

The 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle may be outfitted with the optional, race-derived Quickshifter+. It makes changing gears enjoyable and quick since upshifts and downshifts are performed without the clutch. The advantages are as significant, including speedier shift times, more accuracy, and enhanced rear-wheel traction.

Motor Slip Regulation (MSR)

MSR (Motor Slip Regulation) is an optional 2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle feature. It operates the opposite way as MTC, so there is no risk of accidentally locking up the rear wheel when downshifting or abruptly throttling down. MSR maintains complete traction, complementing the slipper clutch, and is particularly helpful in low-grip circumstances.

Supermoto mode

Supermoto Mode enables eager and experienced riders to lock up the rear wheel, requiring serious Supermoto riding and planned slides. It signifies that the rear wheel’s ABS is turned off while the front wheel’s ABS remains active.

2023 KTM 790 Duke Sports Motorcycle – Technical Specifications

Engine

Chassis