KTM launched the 790 Duke in 2017. The naked bike sold over 29,000 units in that short period, but emissions standards promptly threatened the model’s future. For that reason, KTM introduced the 890 Duke R in 2020 and officially replaced the 790 Duke with the base model 890 Duke in 2021. Just one year later, the original Scalpel returns to the brand’s lineup, picking up right where it left off.
While the celebrated LC8c parallel-twin still powers the 2022 790 Duke, the House of Mattighofen will offer the mill in two configurations. For Europe, the powerplant now passes Euro 5 emissions regulations. However, that compliance results in 95 peak horsepower. KTM dealers can also set the Euro 5-approved parallel-twin in A2 configuration, opening the middleweight naked to a broader audience.
