2019 K TM 790 DUKE
FIRST IMPRESSION
P64
Knife Edge
Dubbed the LC8c (for liquid-
cooled, eight-valve, compact),
the DOHC 799cc engine cranks
out a claimed 105 horsepower
at 9000 rpm and 64 ft-lb of
torque at 8000 rpm. Given its
373-pound dry weight, that's a
healthy power-to-weight ratio to
excite even the most hardcore
performance junkies. Slotting
the gap between the 690 Duke
and the 1290 Super Duke R, the
790's parallel-twin configuration
was chosen to strike a balance
between the agility of a single
with the punch of a bigger V-twin.
Getting this combination right
initially created some engineering
obstacles, though. After con-
sidering the idea of potentially
downsizing one of their bigger,
75-degree twins, the plan was
ultimately scrapped. KTM's goal
with the 790 wasn't just to plug a
smaller (or bigger) engine into a
preexisting chassis. Instead, the
company wanted to introduce an
entirely new bike to its lineup—
one with handling and perfor-
mance as sharp as its name
would suggest.
The 790 engine, with its 75-de-
gree crankpin offset and 435-de-
gree firing interval, is primarily
tuned for midrange torque, and
it's got a seductively raspy ex-
haust note thanks to its irregular
firing order. It snaps to attention
with the slightest crack of the
throttle, and continues to build
power as the revs climb to their
9200-rpm limit.
Keeping with KTM's com-
petitive, "Ready to Race" nature,
engineers made sure the 790's
top-end pull was equally as
impressive as its midrange punch
while rocketing you towards
triple-digit, go-to-jail speeds. For-
tunately, keeping all that power
in check is the most advanced
The U.S will get two
color options for
2019. The black looks
unsurprisingly mean.
