2027-on KTM 790 Duke review

KTM 790 Duke expert review

5 out of 5 (5/5)

Dubbed ‘The Scalpel’ on its release in 2018, the KTM 790 Duke struck a near-perfect balance between handling, performance and useability. Agile on the street, capable on the track, and friendly enough for the daily commute, it was priced to punch hard in the middleweight naked class, which it did, even scooping up MCN’s Best Naked award in its launch year.

After bowing out in 2021 to allow the 890 Duke to take the spotlight, it was resurrected in 2023 as an updated A2 licence-friendly option in the Austrian firm’s range. It’s been given a significant refresh for 2027, with striking new looks and some useful tweaks in the chassis department, but does it still have an edge, or has the Scalpel’s blade been dulled?

Is the KTM 790 Duke right for you?

Reasons to buy:
+ Sharper, more adjustable suspension
+ Exciting, user-friendly engine
+ Improved braking and modern styling in keeping with its siblings

Reasons to avoid:
– Quickshifter doesnt come as standard – not a massive negative, but an additional cost to be aware of
– Reduced fuel capacity, having to stop the fun a little earlier in order to top up the tank
– Extra tech costs more

Punchy and perky

Other than switching from a silver to black finish, the 799cc 94bhp LC8c compact parallel twin remains unchanged, and that’s no bad thing because it’s an absolute peach. With predictable and accurate fuelling, it responds to twistgrip inputs with instant enthusiasm, delivering exactly the amount of drive desired with an addictive rising howl from its redesigned flank-mounted air intakes.

A broad spread of power means that you’re not constantly flicking through gears to chase the 64lb.ft of peak torque, but even so it should be noted that a quickshifter still isn’t standard.

Worried about camshaft reliability? KTM tell us any issues were dealt with back in 2023, when production switched to CFMoto in China, and the four-year warranty should provide ample peace of mind.

Suspension Evolution

A hallmark of the 790 Duke has always been its nimble and precise handling, and we’re thankful that KTM have decided to leave the bike’s geometry as is, with rake, trail and wheelbase all remaining the same.

That’s not to say there haven’t been chassis improvements, though, as the 43mm WP Apex forks have gained full adjustability and an increase in travel by 10mm. Rebound and compression can be tweaked by hand, with five steps of widely spaced increments designed to encourage riders to experiment with settings without getting overwhelmed.

The rear shock has had a similar upgrade too, gaining an extra 20mm of travel in the process. Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres as OE fitment adds to the overarching sensation of deftness through the twisties.

Lights and Looks

A new complex LED headlight unit sees the 790 aligned with the 990 Duke and 1390 Super Duke R, giving it greater presence and a boost in kerb appeal. The reshaped fuel tank is wider at the front, creating a big-bike feel from the rider’s eye view, and tapers towards the back for an easier standover when stationary – however, that does come at a cost of 0.5 litre less fuel capacity.

A one-piece subframe unit tidies up the back end, and KTM have done away with a dedicated taillight, letting the LED multi-function indicators do all the work and saving an impressive 2kg of weight over the old bike in the process. There’s also a smart new 5in TFT dash.

Golden Triangle

The reshaped tank and new subframe has allowed for the seat to be flatter and wider than the previous, forward-canted saddle, improving comfort and making it easier to move around or hang off as the situation demands.

Seat height stays at 820mm, but the footpegs have been moved back and up to retain the supermoto-style riding position. The ergonomic triangle between foot, hand and hip actually feels more relaxed, but there’s scope to fine-tune it if needs be by rotating the bar risers for more/less reach.

The narrower tank encourages you to dig your knees in for greater control, and combined with the wide bars, that improves the feeling of confidence you get from riding high and making positive control inputs.

Braking Zone

Perhaps the biggest news where the 790’s updates are concerned is the bespoke WP braking system. From lever to caliper, all components have been designed in-house at WP’s braking division in Barcelona, with production taking place at an all-new manufacturing facility in India.

Fit and finish is superb, but performance is where it counts, and the four-pot radial calipers truly deliver. Start to squeeze the lever, and the OE Galfer pads and discs engage with a smooth, progressive bite, allowing you to dial in just the right amount of braking pressure, from a gentle scrub to a four-fingered emergency stop. Combined with the stable chassis, cornering ABS and Pirelli tyres, it gives you the confidence to brake right up to the apex.

Rivals

If finances are your primary driver, then the CFMoto 800NK offers fairly stiff competition to the 790 Duke. Rolling out of the same factory in China, it shares a similar platform and costs nearly £2k less, but while the engine is practically identical, it lacks the IMU, fancy electronics and sports-focused components.  

MCN Verdict

“Explore, exploit and enjoy.”

The 2027 790 Duke feels more like an evolution than an update, taking an already sharp-handling, well-performing platform and elevating it to the next level. It’s gorgeously balanced, flatters unashamedly, and while eminently easy to get on with, is a class act with depths to be explored, exploited and enjoyed.

Additional software packs give you access to tech and track focused features, but where the previous model had a demo mode to tease you, the new bike doesn’t, and it’s such a complete package as is that what you don’t know won’t matter – except for maybe the quickshifter.

The 790 is a hugely important bike for KTM after their recent turmoil as a business, but if it’s an indication of where they’re going, then that can only be a good sign. Pricing is expected to be the same as the current model at £7999, but that will be confirmed when they hit showrooms in July.