KTM made an uncommon resolution with its 2023 lineup. For 2023 the corporate introduced again the Duke 790 after a two-year absence. Nevertheless, the corporate is leaving the outdated 790’s substitute, the 890 Duke, within the lineup. That begs the query, is one Duke higher than the opposite?
KTM launched the unique Duke 790 in 2018 to nice fanfare. The steel-tubed middleweight bare bike got here with the model’s first parallel-twin engine that made an alarming 105 horsepower. Journal testers and house owners cherished the Duke 790 as a result of it might be a observe weapon on Sunday, and a quick commuter on Monday.
Then, KTM killed it. It retired the 790 and changed it with the Duke 890. Once more, testers who threw a leg over the brand new bike cherished it. It has a extra highly effective engine, higher suspension, and a few even say higher appears than the 790.
However, now KTM is making issues complicated once more by re-introducing the 790.
KTM purists could scoff on the 2023 790 as a result of its 799cc LC8c engine now comes from Chinese language producer CFMoto. But it surely has the identical reported energy scores, and guarantee, because the outdated mill. Critically, although, the brand new 790 Duke comes with a brand new traction management laptop that has extra modes (Sport, Road, Rain, and now Monitor), and an impartial anti-wheelie mode, in case you like that form of factor. It additionally has a trick Supermoto mode that permits you to deactivate the rear ABS so you’ll be able to slide the rear round with a stomp of the pedal.
Then, we have now the 114-horsepower 2023 890 Duke. It is available in three flavors this yr, from the common Duke 890 to the 890 Duke R, and the 890 Duke GP. The Duke R comes with adjustable WP Apex suspension, Brembo brakes, and Michelin Energy Cup II tires to assist it keep on with the corners. It additionally has barely extra horsepower, although KTM hasn’t launched figures but.
The Duke GP is the all the things bundle for the Duke. It consists of the identical journey modes and throttle management programs because the 890 R, however provides a 6D lean angle sensor and fully-adjustable shocks. The brand new sensor detects side-to-side motion, in addition to pitch and drift positioning. Its optionally available observe mode and fast shifter ought to make it a formidable observe day toy, as effectively.
Whereas the 2023 KTM 890 Duke R begins at $12,949 within the U.S., the 790 retails for simply $9,199, which is lower than the outdated mannequin offered for brand spanking new. With new energy modes and a greater laptop on the 790, it could be a giant ask for KTM sellers to ask a purchaser to step as much as the 890, even when does have extra energy.
