KTM has given the 790 Duke a small update for 2025, with new features and colours being the main changes. Mechanically, the 790 Duke remains the same as ever, save for meeting the latest Euro 5+ emission norms.
- New TFT dash, switchgear borrowed from 990 Duke
- Remains mechanically unchanged
- Gets two new colours – orange, black
KTM 790 Duke: updates for 2025
The big change on the 790 Duke for 2025 is the new 5-inch TFT display seen on other large-capacity KTMs like the 990 Duke. Complementing this display is a new backlit switchgear, again derived from other KTM big bikes. This dash brings in Bluetooth connectivity via the KTMconnect app. There’s also a USB-C charger on offer.
A small visual change is that the plastic surrounds on both sides of the headlight have become a little sharper than before. The bigger visual change is the two new colour choices – a signature KTM orange and a more muted black option.
The rest of the bike is the same as before. The 799cc, twin-cylinder motor makes 95hp and 87Nm in the European version, while in other markets, it is rated for the full-fat 105hp. It is to ensure that the 790 Duke can be restricted for newer European riders holding A2 licences.
As before, the electronics suite comprises a total of five riding modes – Rain, Street, Sport, Track and Performance – with the latter two being optional extras. The 790 also gets multi-level traction control and ABS settings, as well as a bidirectional quickshifter. Like with all big KTMs, the 790 Duke also comes with a Demo mode, which gives you access to all the electronics for the first 1,500km, after which you need to pay an additional fee to unlock the rest.
The 790 Duke was brought to India in limited numbers in 2019, just before the BS6 norms kicked in, and it failed to make much of a dent in its class owing to its high initial price and limited after-sales support. With KTM recently having reentered the big bike market in India with four models, the odds of the updated 790 Duke launching on our shores seem rather slim.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
