Introduced in 2017, the KTM 790 Duke was the Austrian company’s first parallel twin, a 799cc naked middleweight that quickly earned the nickname “The Scalpel.” The engine boasted 105 rear-wheel horsepower and a 285° crankshaft in order to mimic KTM’s 75° V-twins.

“Nearly from the word ‘go,’ the Duke’s 799cc parallel twin gained praise from testers for its tractable power delivery and butter-smooth nature in every riding condition.” —Cycle World

The bike’s chassis and handling were highly praised as well, and “The Scalpel” quickly gained a reputation as a bike that could race on Sunday and commute on Monday.

“It can be a track tool one day and a commuter the next. Its new LC8c engine is a peach, the chassis predictably balanced and it’s all topped off with superbike-spec electronics.” —MCN

As you might imagine, the bike is far from stock, sporting a lightly massaged engine, C&J Racing Frames custom swingarm and suspension tuning, custom subframe and one-piece bodywork, 19-inch spoke wheels, custom electronics suite, and much more.

Andy actually detuned the engine down to 85 bhp to make the bike more tractable on the dirt, and the wet weight is just 340 pounds — though it has to run at 405 pounds for Super Hooligan races. Says Andy:

“The power is insane and it loves to be sideways and wheelie. I’ve had to take some power out of it to make it easier to ride and get traction on the dirt tracks. The bike is very agile without all the weight on it. I have it set up to feel kind of like a dirt bike rather than a framer.”

Not only did Andy and the Duke take the podium at the Nitro World Games, but the bike was also received “The One Award” at the 2022 One Moto Show — equivalent to Best in Show. Not only that, but just yesterday, Andy earned a podium finish in the MotoAmerica Stock 1000 class at Ridge Motorsports Park — congrats, Andy!

Below, we talk to the man himself for more info on this race-winning, show-stopping KTM tracker. Thanks to our friend and photographer Fouad “Moh” Mohiadeen (@astronaut_bear) for many of these photos.

KTM 790 Duke Super Hooligan: Rider Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

& I’m 28 years old from Tualatin, Oregon. I’ve been racing for 24 years. I race a little of everything, but pro road racing is my main gig. My claim to “fame” is being a two-time RSD Super Hooligan champion. I don’t really have a workshop. I work on my bikes either in my garage or my dad’s, and at a couple different performance shops that help me. One day I hope to have a legit workshop where I can build bikes from start to finish!

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

2019 KTM 790 Duke.

• & What custom work/upgrades have been done?

Basically everything but the stock main frame is different. The engine has a light build done to it, it has a custom swingarm, subframe, fuel cell, bodywork, different triple clamps, forks, shock, wheels and tires, electronics, etc. It got the full flat track bike treatment!

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Not really. We just call it the Duke.

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

Horsepower is detuned from 100 to 85hp. Wet weight is 340 pounds. In Super Hooligans trim, it is 405 pounds wet to meet their rules.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride/race this bike?

It’s a blast! The power is insane and it loves to be sideways and wheelie. I’ve had to take some power out of it to make it easier to ride and get traction on the dirt tracks. The bike is very agile without all the weight on it. I have it set up to feel kind of like a dirt bike rather than a framer.

• Anybody you’d like to thank?

Savage Custom Fabrication for helping me with this build. They brought the vision I had to life and Travis at Savage did a great job with the design of everything. I think the one-piece bodywork is pretty slick. I told him I wanted a dirt bike style rear fender on it and I think it’s a nice blend of dirt bike/ framer style. Also I’d like to thank Kramer Motorcycles USA for helping me change out the electronics on the bike so I can make custom maps, as well as C&J Racing Frames for the swingarm and suspension mods. And of course, KTM USA!

Credit: bikebound

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