When KTM teased ‘The Scalpel’ almost a year ago (YouTube it, you won’t be disappointed), it had fans of the middleweight naked class salivating uncontrollably. So much so that the orange brigade decided to put their money where their mouth is and make the concept a reality. Following suit with the brand’s bigger and badder 1290 Super Duke R, the more affably sized offering features a knockout power-to-weight performance thanks to its all-new 799cc KTM parallel twin engine, which makes an impressive 105bhp and 86Nm of torque. That’s an increase of over 30bhp compared to the 690 Duke it supersedes, making it the feistiest offering in its sector.
They haven’t just focused on building a stonking engine though, as KTM openly admit they went all out to ensure the 790 handled like a finely tuned 600cc sportsbike. In order to make the Duke the most lightweight, agile and precise machine conceivable, KTM created a brand new chassis for the naked bike consisting of welded precision chrome-molybdenum steel sections, which actually uses the lightweight and narrow engine as a stressed member, while the aluminium sub-frame integrates air ducts and the airbox into its design to help minimise weight and profile