The ORIGINAL SCALPEL rolls into 2025, bringing its signature style and razor-sharp precision to the streets, with updated tech, sharper lines and two all-new colorways coming along for the ride.
Review – Key Features – Features & Benefits – Specifications
2025 KTM 790 Duke: THE SHARPER SCALPEL.
Introducing the 2025 KTM 790 Duke…
The KTM 790 DUKE has a reputation. Not only is it known to be devastatingly accurate, with the unmatched agility you’d expect from a single, merged with the meaty punch of a twin, but for being a no-nonsense street-brawler. Boasting an uncompromised 799 cc LC8c parallel twin motor nestled into one of the lightest and most compact chassis around, the KTM 790 DUKE is all about being fast where it counts – in the corners.
2025 KTM 790 Duke Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features
The ORIGINAL SCALPEL rolls into 2025, bringing its signature style and razor-sharp precision to the streets, with updated tech, sharper lines and two all-new colorways coming along for the ride.
In 2025, the KTM 790 DUKE continues its assault on the tarmac, boasting unmatched agility. KTM is excited to announce the launch of two distinct variants of the KTM 790 DUKE, tailored to meet the needs of riders across different regions.
For the European market, the KTM 790 DUKE is available in an A2 license-compatible version, delivering an impressive 95 PS at 8,000 rpm. This variant ensures compliance with local licensing regulations while maintaining the thrilling performance KTM is known for.
Meanwhile, riders in the rest of the world can experience the full power of the KTM 790 DUKE, which boasts 105 PS at 9,500 rpm. Both versions of the bike produce a robust 87 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm, ensuring an exhilarating ride no matter where you are.
The scalpel-like agility, impressive top-end surge, low fuel consumption, and distinct engine note, has made the KTM 790 DUKE massively popular since its first unveiling in 2017 and is now EURO 5+ compliant.
Not only packing a punch in the engine stakes, the 2025 KTM 790 DUKE retains its light handling, steering agility, and eagerness thanks to geometry developed specifically for sporty street riding with high-quality WP APEX suspension at each end.
For 2025, a new 5” TFT dashboard replaces the previous 4.5” TFT and brings new functionality and usability to the package, giving riders access to KTM’s Demo Mode, a telemetry screen, and an Anti-wheelie Mode with 6 setting levels. The TFT dash also gives way to an all-new switchgear, with more intuitive tactile functionality and are illuminated when riding in low light conditions.
The usual selection of Ride Modes, notably RAIN, STREET, and SPORT, with optional TRACK and PERFORMANCE Modes available allowing for customizable traction and throttle control settings.
In terms of looks, the 2025 KTM 790 DUKE keeps its signature Naked aggressive looks with minor updates to the headlight cover, making it sharper than ever before, as well as two new colorways with a full range of specially developed KTM PowerParts available for further personalization.
Additionally, the 2025 KTM 790 DUKE comes with an exciting Premium Manufacturer’s Warranty of up to 4 years.
2025 KTM 790 Duke Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits
TARGET LOCKED
TFT Display
An all-new 5″ bonded glass TFT dashboard is upgraded with the latest graphic and information software, making it faster, easier to navigate and designed to give riders faster access to the various features of the bike with far fewer clicks. The TFT also works in conjunction with optional KTMConnect, which connected with your smartphone to the dash to access navigation, audio and calls. A USB-C connection is also available for charging your smart device.
NAKED AGGRESSION
Bodywork
100% DUKE. Purposefully NAKED and proud of it, the KTM 790 DUKE presents an aggressive stance, boasting aggressive lines and clearly obvious intentions. As the original scalpel, it’s sharp, to the point, and leaves nothing covered.
LIGHT UP THE DARKNESS
LED Headlight
With a sharper-looking LED headlight adding to the KTM 790 DUKE’s menacing look and subtracting from the darkness, illumination is taken care of when charging into the night. Flanked by two LED strips that function as running lights, being seen during the daylight hours is taken care of too.
POWER HUNGRY
Engine
Developed for torque, this liquid-cooled 8-valve, DOHC unit delivers almost immediate power from its compact build featuring a Power Assist Slipper Clutch (PASC). Meanwhile, an advanced ride-by-wire system guarantees great refinement as well as low fuel consumption and emission figures. It roars too.
PICK YOUR POWER
Ride Modes
Configurable with up to 5 different ride modes, the KTM 790 DUKE is ready to dominate just about any eventuality. In the default STREET setting, riders have full power, traction control, and limited front wheel lift, with easy throttle response. SPORT steps the experience up with sharper throttle control and some wheel slip, while RAIN mode does what it says on the box, providing maximum traction and reduced power in wet conditions. The optional PERFORMANCE and TRACK Modes crank the KTM 790 DUKE all the way to 11, providing enhanced rider customization and focused sport riding.
RACE TO COMFORT
Ergonomics
The KTM 790 DUKE is an aggressive motorcycle with easy rider ergonomics. This is the key to its long-standing success. A narrow chassis and engine, comfortable seat height, upright seating position, and spacious legroom don’t sacrifice cornering clearance on the street, while the footpegs allow for extreme lean angles when cutting into the canyons.
TAKE A SEAT
Seat
At 32.4 in (825 mm), both shorter and taller riders can enjoy the bike at full tilt, without losing sight of the daily usability. The new seat cover is grippy but still allows the rider to move around the bike easily. It has been developed to work with textile and leather, in keeping with the wide range of riders and riding styles. 31.6 in (805 mm) is possible with the lower KTM PowerParts seat.
FIND YOUR FOOTING
Footpegs
Cast from aluminum, the foot pegs fitted to the KTM 790 DUKE cater to a comfortable riding position, while still creating maximum ground clearance allowing for impressive lean angles. Adjustable foot pegs are also available as a KTM PowerParts option for those who would like to go all out.
THE BACKBONE
Frame
The incredible handling characteristics of the KTM 790 DUKE are founded on the dynamic, loadbearing design of the tubular chassis. Engineers had one goal in mind, and that was to keep the chassis as rigid and compact as possible for sharper turn-in and greater lean angles, allowing it to slice through the turns with extreme responsiveness.
PIVOT POINT
Swingarm
The die-cast, open-lattice swingarm is meticulously manufactured and has been optimized for stiffness and stability while still offering excellent flex characteristics. By using a direct link for the rear shock, complexity and parts are reduced.
SPRING INTO ACTION
Fork
A 43 mm open cartridge upside-down front fork from WP Suspension takes care of any front wheel articulation, using split function technology. This means that compression and rebound damping take place in separate fork legs, allowing for better tuning of the fork behavior. The fork springs are progressive, ensuring a smooth operation throughout the fork stroke, being softer for the initial stroke, and harder further down the stroke to prevent bottoming out.
MAX TRACTION
Rear Shock
Making sure the rear wheel behaves when the going gets fast, is a high-quality gas-assisted WP APEX rear shock, featuring progressive spring and preload adjustment. This means the KTM 790 DUKE maintains a sporty ride quality, while still being comfortable enough for longer trips.
ROLLING THUNDER
Wheels and Tires
The KTM 790 DUKE is fitted with extremely lightweight, light-alloy wheels manufactured using a low-pressure die-casting process. Not only do the lightweight wheels subtract from the overall weight, but they also minimize the unsprung rotating masses and are wrapped in a set of MAXXIS Supermaxx ST tires.
STOPPING POWER
Brakes
Maximum deceleration is ensured at the front wheel on the KTM 790 DUKE by the two radially mounted four-piston fixed calipers and two 300 mm discs. The spacing between front brake lever and handlebar is adjustable so that the lever is within easy reach for every rider. The front brake receives effective support from the disc brake on the rear wheel, which features a single disc and a single piston floating caliper.
2025 KTM 790 Duke – Totalmotorcycle.com International Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $ See Dealer for Pricing in USD
Canada MSRP Price: $ See Dealer for Pricing in CDN
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £7,999 GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)
Engine
Primary drive 39:75
Torque 87Nm
Transmission 6-speed
Battery capacity 10Ah
Cooling Liquid cooled with water/oil heat exchanger
Secondary gear ratio 16:41
Power in KW 77kW
Starter Electric starter
Stroke 65.7mm
Bore 88mm
Clutch Cable operated PASC slipper clutch
Compression ratio 12.7
Displacement 799cm³
EMS Bosch EMS with RBW
Design 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, parallel twin
Fuel-mixture generation DKK Dellorto (Throttle body 46mm)
Lubrication Forced oil lubrication with 2 oil pumps
Chassis
Wheelbase 1.475mm
Front brake disc diameter 300mm
Rear brake disc diameter 240mm
Front brake 2x radially mounted 4 piston caliper
Rear brake Single-piston floating calliper, brake disc
Chain 520 X-Ring
Frame design Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel frame using the engine as stressed element, powder coated
Front suspension WP APEX 43
Ground clearance 186mm
Handlebar Pro Taper, Aluminium Ø 28/22 mm
Rear suspension WP APEX – Monoshock
Seat height 825 mm
Silencer Stainless steel primary and secondary silencer
Steering head angle 66°
Rear subframe design Aluminium, powder-coated
Suspension travel (front) 140mm
Suspension travel (rear) 150mm
Tyre dimensions (front/rear) 120/70; 180/55
Wheels 3.50 x 17″; 5.50 x 17″
Wheels Cast aluminium wheels
Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).
