KTM 790 Duke (The Scalpel) — OEM Fluid, Tire Pressure & Maintenance Specs
799cc Liquid-Cooled Parallel-Twin DOHC 8-Valve LC8c · Source: KTM 790 Duke (The Scalpel) (2018–Present) Official Owner’s Manual Maintenance Specifications
According to the KTM 790 Duke (The Scalpel) (2018–Present) Official Owner’s Manual Maintenance Specifications, the 2018–Present KTM 790 Duke (The Scalpel) (chassis VBKTU640/LC8c-799) requires 2.6 L (2.75 US qt) of SAE 10W-50 (JASO MA2, Motorex Power Synt 4T 10W-50 Full Synthetic) engine oil for a drain-only change and 2.8 L (2.96 US qt) with filter service (60038015000 / HF155 (+ Oil Screens)). Standard solo cold tire pressure is 250 kPa / 2.50 bar / 36 PSI front (120/70 ZR17) and 250 kPa / 2.50 bar / 36 PSI rear (180/55 ZR17), paired with 2× NGK LMAR9AI-10 spark plug(s) and a YTZ10S / YTZ14S battery.
Drain only: 2.6 L (2.75 US qt)
R 250 kPa (2.50 bar)
Est. Range: ~318 km (198 mi)
1. Engine Lubrication, Filter & Clutch Specifications
| Clutch Architecture | Wet Multi-Plate Manual Clutch NEVER use JASO MB |
|---|---|
| Recommended Viscosity & Grade | SAE 10W-50 · JASO MA2 · Motorex Power Synt 4T 10W-50 Full Synthetic |
| Oil Volume (Drain / With Filter / Overhaul) |
• Drain only: 2.6 L (2.75 US qt) • With filter/strainer: 2.8 L (2.96 US qt) • Complete dry overhaul: 3.2 L (3.38 US qt) |
| OEM Oil Filter Code & Type | 60038015000 / HF155 (+ Oil Screens) |
| Correct Oil Level Check Method | Hold bike upright on level ground 3–5 min after warm shutdown; read crankcase sight glass |
| Oil Drain Bolt Torque | 20 N·m (14.8 lb-ft / 2.04 kgf·m) — Use fresh crush washer |
2. Cold Tire Pressures, Wheels, Ignition & Drivetrain
| Front / Rear OEM Tire Sizes | Front: 120/70 ZR17 · Rear: 180/55 ZR17 (Tubeless) |
|---|---|
| Cold Tire Pressure — Solo Riding |
Front: 250 kPa / 2.50 bar / 36 PSI Rear: 250 kPa / 2.50 bar / 36 PSI |
| Cold Tire Pressure — 2-Up / Loaded Touring |
Front: 250 kPa / 2.50 bar / 36 PSI Rear: 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI |
| OEM Spark Plug & Quantity | NGK LMAR9AI-10 × 2 (Gap: 1.0 mm) |
| OEM Battery Code & Rating | YTZ10S / YTZ14S (12V 8.6–11.2Ah MF AGM) |
| Final Drive Maintenance | 525 Heavy-Duty X-Ring Chain — Maintain 25–35 mm slack and lubricate regularly |
| Brake Fluid & Coolant | DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 · OAT ethylene-glycol coolant for aluminum radiators (50:50 premix) |
3. Ergonomics, Range & Scheduled Service Intervals
| Displacement · Max Power · Peak Torque | 799 cc · 105 hp @ 9,000 rpm · 87 N·m (64.2 lb-ft) @ 8,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Seat Height & Wet Curb Weight | 825 mm (32.5 in) · 187 kg (412 lbs) |
| Fuel Tank & Est. Real-World Range | 14 L (3.7 US gal) · ~22.7 km/L → ~318 km (198 mi) |
| OEM Scheduled Maintenance Intervals |
• First Break-In: 1,000 km • Engine Oil / Filter: 15,000 km / 15,000 km • Air Filter / Spark Plug: 15,000 km / 30,000 km • Valve Clearance Check: 30,000 km |
4. Generation Cutoffs & Real-World Wrenching Gotchas
Model-Year & Chassis Generation Notes
Debuted KTM first LC8c parallel twin in 2018 with standard IMU electronics and Quickshifter+, returning in 2023 alongside the larger 890/990 family.
Oil & Clutch Mechanical Engineering Note
Protecting the LC8c DLC finger followers and cam lobes requires high-film-strength SAE 10W-50 JASO MA2 full synthetic (2.8 L with HF155) and diligent oil-screen inspection.
Garage Wrenching Gotchas
- Early LC8c engines commonly weep at the valve-cover gasket half-moons and factory crimp coolant clamps—upgrade to constant-tension worm clamps and fresh gasket sealant.
- Avoid high-rpm revving on cold oil and halve the 15,000 km oil interval to ~6,000 km to keep upper cylinder-head oil spray jets spotless for camshaft longevity.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What oil volume, JASO grade, and oil filter code does the KTM 790 Duke (The Scalpel) (2018–Present) require?
Because its wet multi-plate clutch shares engine oil with the gearbox, run SAE 10W-50 (JASO MA2) at 2.6 L (2.75 US qt) drain-only and 2.8 L (2.96 US qt) with filter (60038015000 / HF155 (+ Oil Screens)).
How do you accurately check the oil level on the 790 Duke (The Scalpel), and what are its service intervals?
Hold the motorcycle dead-vertical on level ground 2–3 minutes after warm shutdown and verify the oil sits mid-way between the Upper and Lower marks in the crankcase sight glass—never on the sidestand. Torque the drain plug to 20 N·m with a new crush washer. Factory oil change intervals are every 15,000 km, with valve clearance inspection every 30,000 km.
What are the cold tire pressures, puncture repair type, seat height, and range of the 790 Duke (The Scalpel)?
Fitted with 120/70 ZR17 front and 180/55 ZR17 rear tubeless rims (compatible with roadside plug kits), set cold tire pressures to 36 / 36 PSI (250/250 kPa) solo or 36 / 42 PSI loaded. Seat height is 825 mm (32.5 in) at 187 kg wet weight, delivering ~318 km per 14 L tank.