Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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it's the immediacy of the torque delivery that defines the experi- ence. Roll open the throttle exit- ing one of the Grossglockner's countless second-gear hairpins, and the engine responds with an eager surge that builds smooth - ly through the midrange before carrying strongly toward redline. The bike I was riding was a European-specific model, so I can't yet comment if the dread - ed emissions-induced mid-rev flat spot is going to rear its ugly head. Sadly, it probably will in California specification. Unlike some middleweight twins that run out of enthusiasm once past 8000 rpm, the LC8c continues pulling right through the midrange into the upper ech - elons. It's an engine that rewards both lazy short-shifting and (Below) Barely anything has changed in the CFMOTO-built 799cc parallel-twin. Still, with 105 hp, it's class-leading grunt. aggressive riding equally well but doesn't love living permanently in the top-end. Things get very vibey there, and most of the meaningful drive is gone, so it's better to live the upper-midrange, lower-top-end way of life. Throttle calibration is notably smoother than on the previous 790. Even in Sport mode, the ini- tial throttle response feels more refined while maintaining the most direct connection you can expect. Street mode remains the sweet spot for everyday riding, while Rain mode softens power delivery and reduces output for low-grip conditions, but you already know all that jargon. Our test bike came with the $899 Tech Pack, which unlocks Track mode, adjustable traction control, launch control, Quick - shifter+, cruise control and motor-slip regulation, allowing the electronics pack- age to rival motorcycles costing consid- erably more. I know it's a pain in the ass to have to buy an electronics package, especially when some rival companies give it away for free, but it's not too big an ask and gives you all the bells and whistles you'll ever need. Trust me, go for the Tech Pack when you buy the bike. KTM has left the chrome-moly tu - bular steel frame architecture largely intact, continuing to use the engine as a stressed member to minimize weight P100 RIDE REVIEW I 2027 KTM 790 DUKE