2027 KTM 790 Duke Revealed: Sharper, Lighter, Better Equipped

KTM has officially revealed the 2027 KTM 790 Duke, and it lands exactly as the middleweight naked class is hotter than it has been in years. KTM has long called the 790 Duke "The Scalpel," and for 2027 it has gone after the things that mattered most: suspension, brakes, ergonomics and weight. The result is not a reinvention but a careful sharpening of one of the best-handling middleweight nakeds you can buy, and it is the bike we are most excited about right now.

What is new for the 2027 KTM 790 Duke

The headline is that KTM resisted the temptation to chase a bigger number. The 799cc LC8c parallel-twin carries over, still making a claimed 105 hp (78 kW) and 87 Nm of torque, and it still spins on that characterful 285-degree crankshaft that gives the 790 its V-twin-like beat and surging mid-range. KTM clearly decided the engine was never the problem, so the upgrades land everywhere else.

The changes that count for 2027 are:

• New WP Apex suspension front and rear, with more adjustability and longer travel
• A new WP brake system with twin floating front discs and radial calipers
• Revised ergonomics: new handlebar, repositioned footpegs and a new seat
• A larger 5-inch TFT display with a standard connectivity unit
• A lighter chassis and fresh LED lighting and styling

Suspension and brakes: the real upgrade

This is where the 2027 KTM 790 Duke earns its money. The front now runs 43mm open-cartridge WP Apex forks with added damping adjustability, while the rear gets a fully adjustable WP Apex shock with 5mm more travel for roughly 20mm more wheel travel overall. On paper that should give the Duke better composure over rough roads without dulling its trademark sharpness.

The braking package is all-new too: twin 300mm floating front discs gripped by four-piston radially mounted calipers and fed by a radial master cylinder, all overseen by KTM's lean-sensitive Cornering ABS. KTM has also, finally, done away with the locked-feature "Demo Mode" approach, so the rider aids you see are the rider aids you get.

KTM did not give the 790 Duke more power. It gave it more control, and on a bike this sharp that is the smarter upgrade.

Sharper ergonomics and a lighter feel

For 2027 KTM reworked the rider triangle. A new handlebar with a more open angle, repositioned rider and passenger footpegs and an improved seat combine to deliver a more natural, connected riding position. Despite a more grown-up look borrowed from the bigger 990 Duke and 1390 Super Duke R, KTM says the bike is now slightly lighter, which should only enhance the flickability the 790 is famous for.

The cockpit steps up as well. A new 5-inch TFT display with cleaner graphics and more intuitive menus replaces the old unit, a connectivity unit comes as standard, and new LED headlight and daytime running lights sharpen both the look and the night-time vision.

2027 KTM 790 Duke price and availability

The 2027 KTM 790 Duke price starts at $9,799 in the US, with UK pricing expected around £8,000. KTM says the bike will reach authorized dealers from late summer 2026 onward. That keeps it competitively placed against the Yamaha MT-09, Triumph Street Triple 765 and Suzuki GSX-8S, undercutting some while bringing genuinely premium WP underpinnings to the fight.

Key specs: 2027 KTM 790 Duke

Spec	Detail
Engine	799cc liquid-cooled LC8c parallel-twin, 285-degree crank
Power	105 hp (78 kW)
Torque	87 Nm
Front suspension	43mm WP Apex open-cartridge fork, adjustable
Rear suspension	WP Apex shock, fully adjustable, +20mm wheel travel
Front brakes	Twin 300mm floating discs, 4-piston radial calipers, Cornering ABS
Display	5-inch TFT with standard connectivity
Price	$9,799 (US) / around £8,000 (UK)
On sale	Late summer 2026

Why the 2027 KTM 790 Duke is our Editor's Pick

The middleweight naked is the segment where most riders actually live, and the 2027 KTM 790 Duke targets it with the precision its nickname promises. It slots perfectly between the friendly 390 Duke and the unhinged 990, keeps the engine that always worked, and pours the budget into the chassis, brakes and ergonomics that turn a fast bike into a genuinely rewarding one. For riders shopping the best naked motorcycles of the year, this is the launch to watch, and the reason it is our Editor's Pick. We will bring you a full road test the moment we throw a leg over one.