Apparently, only 50 KTM 790 Dukes were imported as CKD into India, sold, and then discontinued by 2020-end, making it a mythical motorcycle that now you see. And now you don’t.
Which is how any observer looking in my general direction must have felt when I was given this by a fellow rider to try out at Dive Ghat, all the way up to Pune.
Let me confess: I am dangerous on that bike. Not because I will hurt someone else. But because I’ll end up hurting myself. It’s scary fast. And will legit kill me one day if no one stops me from getting on it in the future.
Its acceleration is ridiculous at 101 bhp (compared to a mere 47 of the BattleCat III, my beloved Royal Enfield Interceptor 650), it’s light as a feather, so compact as to make the BattleCat look decidedly elephantine, and it turns…and stops on a dime. I was going through impossible gaps at incredible speeds, overtaking things I’d not have come near the rear of on my Inty, leaning like Marc Marquez (no, not the current one who’s crashing at every lean, but the old MM93) on the twisties, and touching 120kmph in fourth gear before realising I had two more left to go (yes, I was at 110-120 descending Dive Ghat today). It was surreal.
On this machine, I was truly fast as fuck. Oh, life is so beautiful!
Anyone who knows me, and has my wellbeing in mind, will not allow me within kicking distance of that mean machine. That thing is going to be the end of me, I tell you. Off that bike, I am the mild-mannered Dr Banner. On it, I’M HULK. SMASH!
P.S.: It isn’t any good on bad roads, off roads, or even longer rides where you’ve to go 700-1,000km a day. The posture is very aggressive, and the ergonomics are built for the track. So, yes, even perfect machines aren’t perfect for everything. But on highways, twisties, and tarmac, put me on that seat. And catch me if you can!
P.P.S.: Just found out that it gives 40km to the litre. Fuck my life! What a beautiful thing humans have made!
