KTM 790 Duke (2026) Review, Specs and South African Price
The KTM 790 Duke has always been the troublemaker of the middleweight naked class: light, short, loud and quicker through a set of corners than bikes with twice the power. For this update KTM left the engine alone and fixed almost everything around it. The suspension is now adjustable, the brakes are new, the subframe and seat are new, the dash is new, and the first road test says it has grown up without calming down.
It also arrives with a question for South African buyers. KTM South Africa currently lists the outgoing 790 Duke at R169,999, on offer at R149,999. So is the updated bike worth waiting for, or is the old one at R20,000 off the smarter buy? Here is what has changed, what the test found, and how the numbers work in rand.
This is a research based review. Scooter125 has not ridden the 790 Duke and the bike was not supplied by KTM or a dealer. Specifications come from KTM, the local price from KTM South Africa, and the riding impressions from Visordown’s road test in the Austrian Alps, updated 3 August 2026. The running cost sums are our own at the projected October 2026 fuel price. Prices and offers move, so confirm the figure with your dealer before you buy.
What you need to know first
The 790 Duke is a 799cc parallel twin making 77 kW (105 PS) at 9,500 rpm and 87 Nm, in a tubular steel frame that uses the engine as a stressed member. KTM quotes about 187 kg with a full 14 litre tank, an 825 mm seat and a 1,475 mm wheelbase.
The update brings adjustable WP Apex suspension with more rear travel, brakes developed in-house by WP, a lighter subframe, a reshaped seat and tank, a new LED headlight and a new TFT dash. Cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control are standard, as is cruise control on the bike Visordown tested. A quickshifter is an option.
In Britain it costs £7,999. KTM South Africa lists the 790 Duke at R169,999 and covers it with a manufacturer warranty of up to four years.
2026 or 2027: which bike is which?
This needs clearing up, because the names are confusing. The British press and KTM’s European sites call the updated bike the 2026 790 Duke. KTM South Africa’s own launch story calls the same bike the 2027 KTM 790 Duke. They are one motorcycle.
The bike on KTM South Africa’s price list today as the “2026 KTM 790 Duke” is the outgoing version. You can tell from its description: Maxxis tyres, a split-function fork and optional Track mode. If you are standing in a showroom, ask the dealer which one you are looking at. The quickest checks are the tyres, which are Pirelli on the new bike, and the brake calipers, which carry WP branding.
What has changed
- Suspension. New WP Apex fork and shock, now adjustable, with 20 mm more travel at the rear for 150 mm in total.
- Brakes. WP-branded four-piston radial calipers on twin 300 mm discs, the first brakes WP has developed itself.
- Subframe. Restyled and 2 kg lighter.
- Ergonomics. A slimmer tank, a flatter and better padded seat, straighter bars on reversible risers, and footpegs 7 mm further back and 2 mm higher. The pillion pegs are lower.
- Dash and lights. A new TFT with an anti-glare coating, and a new LED headlight in the style of the 990 and 1390 Dukes.
- Tyres and exhaust. Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres and a new exhaust.
What has not changed is the engine output, the frame, the swingarm or the wheelbase. KTM says the updated bike is built in Austria.
The 799cc twin
KTM calls this engine the LC8c. It is a compact liquid-cooled parallel twin with a 75 degree crank offset that gives it a V-twin-like beat, ride-by-wire throttle and Bosch engine management, and it meets Euro 5+. Peak power is 77 kW at 9,500 rpm. KTM’s own pitch for the bike is that its 87 Nm is the highest torque in the class, and that is the number you feel.
Visordown’s Simon Hancocks found the engine “happier at lower speeds than previous versions”, smoother and less abrupt in town, with plenty of punch through the midrange on faster roads. The throttle is direct without being snatchy. His one reservation is the old one: it still runs out of breath at the very top of the rev range. This is an engine to short-shift and ride on its torque.
Some European markets also get a 95 PS version that can be restricted for their A2 licence class. South Africa has no such class, and KTM South Africa quotes the full 105 PS.
At Highveld altitude a naturally aspirated engine loses roughly 15 percent, so in Gauteng this is a 65 kW bike. In something this light it remains quick, and the fat midrange hides the loss well.
Suspension, brakes and how it rides
This is where the money went. The outgoing 790 Duke had non-adjustable suspension, and it was the bike’s weak point on a rough road. The new WP Apex fork is a 43 mm upside-down unit with 140 mm of travel and adjustment, and the shock now has 150 mm. Hancocks wrote that the setup strikes “a sweet spot between support and comfort”, and that the extra rear travel takes the harshness out of rougher roads without dulling the steering. He still rated it “one of the sharpest handling bikes in the class”.
That matters more in South Africa than in the Alps. Patched tar, expansion joints and the odd pothole are exactly what the old bike handled badly.
The brakes were the surprise of the test. WP is a suspension company, and these are its first calipers. Hancocks praised the gentle initial bite for trail braking, the firm feel as you squeeze harder and the outright stopping power, and said he would never have guessed they were a first attempt. Cornering ABS is standard, with a Supermoto mode that frees the rear wheel.
The tyres are Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV in 120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17, common sizes that are easy to replace anywhere in the country.
Seat height, comfort and electronics
The seat is still 825 mm from the ground, but the slimmer tank and narrower step-over make it easier to reach the floor than the number suggests. A 1.72 m rider should get the balls of both feet down. The seat is broader and better padded, and Hancocks found vibration “impressively well managed”.
There are four riding modes: Rain, Street, Sport and Track. The dash can show lean angle, throttle position and how hard the traction control is working, as in the image above. The tester found Track mode too aggressive for the road and the optional quickshifter occasionally hesitant in the lower gears.
The TFT pairs with the KTM Connect app for calls, music and turn-by-turn navigation. Cruise control is useful on a naked bike with a 14 litre tank, because it gives your right wrist a rest on the long, straight stretches between towns.
South African price and the outgoing model
KTM South Africa lists the 790 Duke at R169,999, and at the time of writing the outgoing bike is on offer at R149,999. KTM has not published a separate local price for the updated model. Expect it to arrive at or near the R169,999 list price rather than the offer price, and confirm with a dealer.
That makes the choice simple to state. The outgoing bike at R149,999 has the same engine, frame and power for R20,000 less. The updated bike has the adjustable suspension, the better brakes, the better seat and the new dash. If you ride mostly smooth roads and want the saving, the old one is a lot of motorcycle for the money. If you ride broken roads, carry a passenger, or plan to keep it for years, the suspension alone is worth the difference. Upgrading the old bike’s fork and shock afterwards would likely cost at least that much.
Check the current motorbike specials before you sign, and ask the dealer for the on-the-road price in writing.
What it costs to run in South Africa
Petrol is at a record. The October 2026 adjustment, effective 7 October, is projected to take inland 95 unleaded to about R30 a litre, and this engine wants 95.
KTM’s emissions figure works out to about 4.6 litres per 100 km. Ridden the way a Duke asks to be ridden, expect about 5.0.
- A full 14 litre tank costs about R420.
- Range is roughly 280 km, a little over 300 km ridden gently.
- Fuel costs about R1.50 a kilometre.
- A 40 km round-trip commute costs about R60 a day, or roughly R1,320 over 22 working days.
A small hatchback at 7.5 litres per 100 km costs about R2.25 a kilometre at the same price, so the Duke saves about a third on fuel. Tyres are the other regular cost: a sport-compound 180 rear lasts 6,000 to 9,000 km on a bike this eager. The warranty of up to four years depends on services being done on schedule at a KTM dealer, so ask for the service intervals and prices before you buy.
Licence requirements in South Africa
South Africa has two motorcycle licence codes. Code A1 covers bikes up to 125cc from age 16. Code A covers everything else from age 18. The 790 Duke needs a full Code A, and a car licence does not cover it.
KTM pitches this bike as the bridge between a first bike and a big one, and in Europe that makes sense. Here, with no power-limited licence step, a 77 kW bike is a big jump from a 125 or a 150. Riders coming off a 390 Duke or similar will be fine. A complete beginner should start smaller. Our guide to what a motorbike licence costs in South Africa covers the fees and the tests.
790 Duke versus the alternatives
Suzuki GSX-8S
Suzuki South Africa lists the GSX-8S at R179,950. Its 776cc twin makes 61 kW, it weighs about 202 kg and it is the calmer, more comfortable bike. The KTM has 16 kW more, weighs about 15 kg less, has better suspension and costs R10,000 less at list. The Suzuki is the easier bike to live with. The KTM is the one that makes you take the long way home.
BMW F 900 R
BMW lists the F 900 R from R231,200. It matches the KTM’s 77 kW with a bigger 895cc twin, but it weighs about 208 kg and costs R61,000 more. It is the more grown-up, better-finished option with the strongest dealer network. The used ones are where it gets interesting: see the BMW naked bikes for sale on Scooter125.
Honda CB750 Hornet and Yamaha MT-07
The two bikes the 790 Duke is measured against everywhere. The Hornet makes about 68 kW from 755cc and is usually the cheapest of the three. The MT-07 makes about 54 kW and is the friendliest. Neither has the KTM’s suspension or brakes. Confirm current South African prices with the dealers, as both have moved this year.
KTM 390 Duke and 990 Duke
Within KTM’s own range, the 390 Duke is R118,999 with 33 kW, and it is the right first Duke. The 990 Duke is the next step up in power and price. The 790 sits in the gap, and for most road riding it is all the Duke you need.
Before you decide, see what the naked bikes for sale and used bikes for sale on Scooter125 are going for. If your riding leans towards dirt, our KTM 690 Rally review covers the other end of KTM’s range.
Full specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 799cc, parallel twin, DOHC, 8 valves, liquid cooled (LC8c) |
| Power | 77 kW (105 PS) at 9,500 rpm |
| Torque | 87 Nm |
| Engine management | Bosch, ride-by-wire, Euro 5+ |
| Transmission | 6 speed, slipper clutch, 520 X-ring chain |
| Frame | Chromium-molybdenum tubular steel, engine as stressed member |
| Front suspension | 43 mm WP Apex upside-down fork, 140 mm travel, adjustable |
| Rear suspension | WP Apex monoshock, 150 mm travel, adjustable |
| Front brakes | Twin 300 mm discs, WP radial 4-piston calipers, cornering ABS |
| Rear brake | 240 mm disc, single-piston floating caliper |
| Tyres | Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV, 120/70ZR17 front, 180/55ZR17 rear |
| Rider aids | Cornering ABS with Supermoto mode, lean-sensitive traction control, Rain, Street, Sport and Track modes, cruise control |
| Instruments | TFT display with anti-glare coating, KTM Connect |
| Wheelbase | 1,475 mm |
| Ground clearance | 186 mm |
| Seat height | 825 mm |
| Weight, fully fuelled | About 187 kg |
| Fuel capacity | 14 litres |
| Claimed consumption | About 4.6 litres per 100 km (108 g/km CO2) |
| Colours | Orange, black |
| Warranty | Up to 4 years, with services at a KTM dealer |
| United Kingdom price | £7,999 |
| South African price | R169,999 list |
Frequently asked questions
How much is the KTM 790 Duke in South Africa?
KTM South Africa lists the 790 Duke at R169,999. The outgoing model is on offer at R149,999 at the time of writing. A separate price for the updated bike has not been published.
Is the 2026 790 Duke the same as the 2027 790 Duke?
The updated bike is called the 2026 model in Britain and Europe and the 2027 model by KTM South Africa. It is the same motorcycle. The bike listed locally as the 2026 model today is the outgoing version.
How much power does the KTM 790 Duke make?
77 kW, which is 105 PS, at 9,500 rpm, with 87 Nm of torque. Some European markets also get a 95 PS version for their licence rules.
What is new on the updated 790 Duke?
Adjustable WP Apex suspension with more rear travel, WP-developed brakes, a lighter subframe, a reshaped seat and tank, a new headlight, a new TFT and Pirelli tyres. The engine output is unchanged.
Is the KTM 790 Duke a good first big bike?
For a rider with a year or two on a 300 or 400, yes. It is light, has cornering ABS and traction control, and Rain mode softens it. For a complete beginner it is too quick.
Does the 790 Duke have cruise control and a quickshifter?
Cruise control was standard on the bike tested in Britain. The quickshifter is an option. Ask your dealer what is included on South African stock.
How far will the 790 Duke go on a tank?
About 280 km on the 14 litre tank in normal riding, at roughly 5.0 litres per 100 km.
The verdict
The 790 Duke was already the most entertaining bike in its class. Its faults were suspension you could not adjust, brakes that were merely good, and a seat you noticed after an hour. KTM has fixed all three and left the best part, the engine and that short, eager chassis, exactly as it was. Visordown’s summary was that it is still the naughty kid of the class, only now with slightly better table manners.
It is not perfect. The engine fades at the very top, the quickshifter is not the slickest, and Track mode is too sharp for the road. None of that changes the conclusion.
For South African buyers the decision is about which one. At R149,999 the outgoing bike is a bargain if your roads are smooth. At around R169,999 the updated bike is the one to keep. Either way, sort out the Code A, ride both if you can, and compare what the naked bikes for sale on Scooter125 are going for before you sign.
Sources referenced
- KTM South Africa, 2026 KTM 790 Duke model page: local price, offer and warranty
- KTM South Africa, “3 Reasons to Try, Buy and Savour the 2027 KTM 790 Duke”, 2 September 2026
- KTM, 2026 KTM 790 Duke technical specifications
- Visordown, Simon Hancocks, “KTM 790 Duke (2026) Review”, updated 3 August 2026
- Suzuki South Africa and BMW Motorrad South Africa price lists, October 2026
- Central Energy Fund projections for the October 2026 fuel price adjustment
