CFMOTO 800NK vs KTM 790 Duke: the Chinese clone against the Austrian original

CFMOTO 800NK vs KTM 790 Duke: two nakeds, one same heart

It isn’t unusual for two motorcycles to share an engine. What is unusual is for one of them to cost almost 4,000 € less than the other while having the same block. That is the starting point of this comparison: the CFMOTO 800NK and the KTM 790 Duke mount the same LC8c parallel twin, come practically off the same production line in Hangzhou and yet are sold as if they were products from two different worlds. Let’s see why, and whether paying the difference makes sense.

The industrial relationship between CFMOTO and KTM

To understand this comparison, one thing must be made clear: CFMOTO is not a manufacturer that “copies” KTM. They have been industrial partners since 2013, they have a joint venture (CFMOTO-KTMR2R) and together they build KTM motorcycles for the Asian market at the Hangzhou plant. In fact, the current 790 Duke is no longer produced in Mattighofen: it is assembled in China under KTM standards.

That explains why the 800NK can mount the same LC8c engine without anything opaque being involved. It is a licensing agreement, not reverse engineering. The difference lies in what each brand does with that engine, not in the engine itself.

The LC8c engine: the same block, two tunings

The 799 cc parallel twin with a 435° crankshaft is identical in architecture. The figures, however, are not exactly the same:

• KTM 790 Duke: 799 cc, 95 hp (70 kW) at 8,000 rpm, 87 Nm at 6,500 rpm.
• CFMOTO 800NK: 799 cc, 99 hp (72.8 kW) at 9,000 rpm, 81 Nm at 8,000 rpm.

The CFMOTO delivers slightly more maximum power, but with less torque and at higher revs. The KTM has a fuller character in the mid-range, something that is very noticeable on open roads when you don’t want to be revving high. Both have an A2-homologated version (35 kW) through electronic limitation, so if you hold an A2 licence you can choose either one.

Estimated real consumption in mixed use: 4.8-5.2 l/100 km on the KTM, 5.0-5.4 l/100 km on the CFMOTO. A marginal difference.

Chassis, weight and ergonomics: here they are no longer the same

Although the engine is a twin, the chassis is not. The KTM uses a steel tubular frame with the engine as a stressed member, the house’s classic recipe. The CFMOTO also uses a steel tubular chassis, but with its own geometry and a slightly longer wheelbase.

• KTM 790 Duke: 189 kg kerb weight, seat at 825 mm, 14 l tank.
• CFMOTO 800NK: 186 kg kerb weight, seat at 795 mm, 13 l tank.

The CFMOTO is lower and somewhat more manageable when stationary, something you will appreciate if you are under 1.75 m. The KTM feels sharper in quick direction changes, with that almost nervous agility that characterises the brand. Neither vibrates excessively, although the 800NK transmits a bit more through the handlebars above 6,500 rpm.

Equipment and electronics: the surprise is in the price

This is where the comparison becomes interesting. The CFMOTO comes very well equipped as standard:

• 5″ TFT with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation (standard).
• Cornering ABS, traction control, three riding modes (standard).
• Bidirectional quickshifter (standard).
• KYB suspension adjustable in compression, rebound and preload (standard).
• Full LED lighting with cornering lights.

The KTM 790 Duke offers:

• 5″ TFT with KTM MY RIDE connectivity (standard).
• Cornering ABS, traction control with IMU, two riding modes (standard).
• Up&Down quickshifter (optional, around 400 €).
• WP Apex suspension adjustable in rear preload only.
• Cruise control not available on either.

The KTM has an IMU as standard and more mature electronics, with integrations proven over years. The CFMOTO offers more “things” as standard on paper, but the calibration of that electronics is more basic: the traction control is less progressive and the quickshifter, although functional, lacks the refinement of the KTM’s.

Price, warranty and rivals

Recommended retail prices in Spain (August 2026):

• CFMOTO 800NK: 8,290 €.
• KTM 790 Duke: 11,999 €.

Difference: 3,709 €. The CFMOTO offers a 2-year official warranty, the KTM 4 years (2 + 2 extended via Mobility). CFMOTO’s official network in Spain has grown considerably in recent years, but it is still far from the reach of KTM.

As direct rivals, the Triumph Street Triple 765 R remains the technical reference in the segment, although at a considerably higher price. If you are looking at the Japanese route, the Yamaha MT-09 (890 cc, 119 hp) plays in a higher power league for about 10,500 €. And if you want to explore more middleweight naked options, the Aprilia Tuono 660 vs Yamaha MT-09 comparison provides useful context.

Weak points: the ones nobody tells you about

CFMOTO 800NK: the perceived quality of some plastics and of the exhaust finish is not at European level. Depreciation at 3-4 years is an unknown because the brand does not yet have a long history in Spain. And the TFT software, although complete, has some odd Spanish translations.

KTM 790 Duke: the price has risen compared with the previous generation and some items that should be standard at this price (the quickshifter) are optional. The WP Apex suspension is adequate but does not shine; the KTM 790 Duke R with Apex Open would be something else, but it costs more.

Verdict: clone or legitimate alternative?

Neither clone nor alternative: they are two different motorcycles with the same heart. The CFMOTO 800NK is a legitimate motorcycle, well equipped and priced in a way that hurts the entire European competition. It makes sense if you are going to rack up quality kilometres without obsessing over resale value, if you like having a lot of equipment as standard and if you have a CFMOTO dealer reasonably nearby.

The KTM 790 Duke makes sense if you value the engine’s mid-range tuning, its proven electronic calibration, the wide official network and the extended warranty. You are paying 3,700 € more for brand, network and refinement; it is neither throwing money away nor an absurd whim. It is a legitimate decision.

What no longer holds up is saying the CFMOTO “is a cheap copy”. It isn’t. It is the same house, with a different label and a different price.

Technical data obtained from the official CFMOTO and KTM Spain websites, August 2026.