KTM Sport Motorcycles

At one point in history, all motorbikes were naked, but that all changed as the 1980s came around. Putting an aerodynamic fairing on was a good way of getting more performance without the costly development of the engine. Fast forward to the 2000s, and manufacturers are busy taking the fairings off their superbikes to create naked streetfighter models, which are much more practical and suitable for everyday use, while being just as dynamically impressive. This is our list of the top ten naked streetfighters available in 2022.

In today’s edition of drag races with crazy results, we’ve brought you a race between a drag race-ready KTM 1290 Super Duke and an equally tricked-out Suzuki Hayabusa.

Let’s dive right into it.

KTM is working hard to amp up its motorcycle lineup for 2023. We’ve already spotted the upcoming KTM 990 Duke a few times and now, spy shots of what looks like an updated 1290 Super Duke have surfaced online.

The entry-level sportbike category is a competitive space, yet CFMoto has stepped into it with their all-new 450SR, aiming to take on established players such as the KTM RC 390 and Kawasaki Ninja 400.

Wondering how well the 450SR fares against these two? Well, here’s a spec comparison between the three bikes to help paint a picture.

The KTM 790 Duke first broke cover back in 2017 and aimed to bridge the gap between the 390 Duke and the bonkers 1290 Super Duke. But thanks to the strict Euro 5 norms in place, the 790 Duke was almost immediately supplanted by the Euro 5-compliant 890 Duke R in 2019.

Now, however, KTM has re-introduced the 790 Duke for 2022, bearing a Euro 5-compliant engine with the same-old intent of being the go-to middle-weight naked which it was previously. With that out of the way, here are five things you should know about the new bike.

Starting with a sportsbike as your first might seem off-putting. Still, with technology and the manufacturers’ ability to make bikes as user-friendly as possible, it might just be the right entry for your motorcycling adventures. They are sleek with aerodynamic bodywork, top-spec suspension and braking setups, and ride with aggressive riding positions.

There are plenty of affordable bikes out there for every skill level matching the size of small wallets. These are our recommendations for young riders itching to feel the wind in the most stylish and flashy manner. And occasionally maybe want to drop a knee on a racetrack or zoom around your local canyon road.

KTM’s engineers punched out the 690 engine ahead of MY2016 and shortened the stroke for more power. They apparently did well enough that the “new” engine is, so far, a direct carryover all the way into MY2019. In spite of its dirtbike origins, the Duke family has abandoned all but the vestigial details in favor of a naked-sportbike build that brings top-shelf performance to the supersport size bracket. A modern electronics suite rounds out the “R” variant. The base 690 Duke comes without most of the suite in its stock configuration, but comes with said electronics as part of its optional “Track Pack” equipment package.

Nicknamed ’The Scalpel’, the 790cc brutal twin-cylinder was KTM’s entry to the hot naked middleweight market. With a quirky 105 hp on tap, this 370 lb orange streetfighter is the sharpest tool under the KTM roof all out to dominate streets.

Now, our friends at MoreBikes have stumbled upon the Austrian manufacturer testing the production version of the sportier ‘790 Duke R’ in action. The snaps showcase the bike sans any graphics and orange wheels instead of the black ones that come on the standard 790 Duke.

KTM launched the highly anticipated Duke 790 at the recently concluded EICMA show in Milan. It debuts the brand’s all-new 799cc parallel twin engine that punches out 105 hp and 63.5 lb-f of torque.

Weighing at just 425 lbs, this Duke 790 boasts of a best power-to-weight ratio in its class. It gets a completely new frame and styling packaging that uses the engine as a stressed member. Riding aids include cornering ABS, Supermoto mode, lean-angle sensitive traction control, quickshifter, riding modes and launch control.

Starting with the all-LED lighting package, the Duke borrows many gizmos from its eldest sibling, the Super Duke. It gets the TFT dashboard with optional KTM MY RIDE to tether your phone with the bike, and the straight cut futuristic body panels will remind you of the Super Duke.

The Austrian manufacturer had a superlative field day at the recently concluded EICMA in Milan, Italy. Taking the covers off its brand new 790cc Duke, KTM shows of having no plans to be dethroned as the brand that gives us outright thrill seeking motorcycles in a compact and functional package.

This is KTM’s entry to the hot naked middleweight market that has been all been currently roped up by the Street Triples and the Monsters. They better get ready for a battle because this Duke is here to stay.