Hope yours fares better than mine, less than 2000 mile from new and a full engine rebuild, since having it back.... numerous coolant leaks. Currently back in the shop under warranty. When running it's simply stunning. One more thing goes wrong and it's getting chopped in for a Yamaha MT09.
I love what you did in the video sir :) ride+evaluate each one and gives advice to riders and owners. Two thumbs up 👍👍 I hope to have 1 of those someday :( Godbless and Ride Safe always!
I have a 390 bought on a whim because they were discounted ..it's unbelievably good proper fun and as you state a bit of a Giant killer ..tried a 690 and honestly prefer the little bike.. waiting for a 390 adventure to show up
The 390 Adventure is expected to be showcased in the EICMA this year. I was waiting for it but decided on the Duke 390 instead. Can't wait till next year for it to reach the dealers, so I won't.
@@arcuz7862 as someone who has ridden for close to 4 decades, tracked for 3 decades and owned everything from 125 & 500 2 strokes(I've owned well over 30 bikes from every manufacturer you can name outside of HD)to a Kaw H2 and a Hayabusa the 390 is a solid little bike. I'd have zero problem throwing one around and having a blast on it. Nothing wrong with the little thumper. It is a fun bike actually. Its a blast on a tight road with a lot of turns and if you know how to ride it will hang with many larger bikes on the twisties. I bet you still pee on your balls.
I had a 1290 SDR a few years back. It was bonkers fast. I still miss it. It’s the one I’d pick out of the range. Quality content, John. I think another super naked comparison test is in order in the near future. Cheers, Matt.
If the Duke 200 and 250 were included in this, it would have been absolutely complete. But yes, they are not in the European market. I think they are almost exclusively in the Asian market. One interesting bit of info - the 125 Duke in India carries the old styling, not the new one.
I started on a 125 2 years ago then last year did my DAS now on the 790 Duke and love it, light weight and plenty of power and you can put it in rain mode until you get used to it then put in street or sport mode for full power
I just bought a 390 duke n i love it ... my tiger 800 is not getting much love lately ... i owned an r1 but sold it for the same reason i won't own a 1290 ... its to insane ... good review ..
I went from an R6 to a 1290R and I agree, at first it was frightening though I will point out that you do adapt and learn given that if you don't you are going to die. I found self preservation to be a great teacher
Kind of depends on your right hand though. The thing is, you can ride a faster bike slow. And then still have the power to instantly overtake in any situation. 790 or 899bis the sweets pot
GT rider here. Only bike I know where I want to ride it more and more. Only issue it eats tires like candy. 50.000kms from January 2018 and going strong
I owned a 1290 SD-R for a couple of years and being an actual “old fart” I came the the realization that I was either going to end up in jail or dead, so I “down sized” to the 790 Duke. I couldn’t be happier, the sound, the power delivery, and the razor sharp handling give me all the thrill I need with out any of the fear of being way in over my head 😜.
I've done back-to-back test rides on both and my choice was the 790 as well. It sounds better and the 1290 is just too much for public roads. The 790 already makes it very easy to loose your license.
Dan’l 56 I did exactly the same thing. I found the steering quite heavy on my 1290 SDR compared to the 790. Triple figures everywhere was going to get me into trouble.
Poor 690. I picked up a leftover 18 this spring on the cheap and man, what a bike. So light and playful and it really has the perfect amount of power for the roads I like to ride. The only time You might miss a little more power and weight is on the highway but that’s not to say it won’t do highway speeds comfortably. Today I took out my ‘13 Moto Guzzi Griso for the first time since buying the duke and it felt so heavy and clunky. I don’t remember it feeling like that when it was the only bike in the garage but It will be posted for sale this week as I can’t see myself riding anything but a duke/ KTM again.
I had the 790 Duke demonstrator out for the weekend last August, as I was deciding between the 790, MT-07 and Street Triple R, I can honestly say I've never had so much fun on a bike as I had on that little 790 and I've had bikes ranging from 350 and 500 LCs, 600 and 750 GSX-Rs and R1s, this bike has much more power and torque than it's got any right to for an 800cc parallel twin and its electronics package is absolutely superb, I had a ball on it but ended up buying the Street Triple R, coz I just couldn't get by the looks of the 790, I know looks are 100% subjective but every time I got of the 790 and looked at it ,that massive smile I had on my face every minute I was riding it disappeared, if I could afford a second bike to own just for the hell of it the 790 would be that bike.
Absolutely fantastic video, John. I didn't think you could get better and then you do this. Personally, as a SMT 990 owner who is struggling to control my manly bits at the thought of the 890 SMT spy shots becoming a real bike in two years, all I can say is KTM, Fuck Yeah!
I have 790 Duke. I wanted nice universal bike to drive almost everywhere. Long suspension travel and very good ground clearance for streetbike. Works nicely on gravel.
Didn't realize there were 5 bikes in the duke range! Awesome video going through them all. Love the Dukes just wish KTM would dial back the insect design just a little, other than that love these dukes and would love to have a super duke.
I’m 33 just started riding about a year ago I have a 2017 duke 125 and she is my beautiful I love her plenty for what I need at the moment and when the lockdown is lifted I’m going for the 390
I would love to own and ride these bikes, they sound a blast. But I remember the days when you could get off your bike at the pub and sit outside, loving how your bike looks in the sun. These seem both over-styled (the front) and under-styled (everything else is just bits bolted in place). Wouldn't stop me buying one though...
I own a 2019 Super Duke GT, and it is such a well built machine. GT capability? Check. Comfortability? Check. Fuel tank range? Check. Sound? Check. Rider aids? Check. Power? Check, check, and one more, check. Handling? Ooooo.... I have 3 gripes with the GT, and the suspension is the biggest gripe I have with it. I thought at first it was my particular GT that felt like it was too soft in the rear and wallowy, but after a few searches online on several forums, it turns out that most GT owners have that same experience. The rear is just not stiff enough. I've altered the damping from comfort to street to sport but it honestly doesn't change much. It's too unstable on the rear to be a track machine BUT perfect for long distance riding. Maybe changing the stock rear spring for a firmer one might solve that issue, I don't know, but I'm 70kg and apparently the stock rear spring is designed for my weight, but it doesn't feel like that. My second gripe would be the massive amount of heat you feel from the engine. You get used to it, but you will definitely feel it. The third gripe is the small compartments they placed on either side of the fairings from the inside. They're uselss, especially the one with the usb socket. Otherwise, what a bloody fantastic bike.
Rode both bikes and bought the 1290r as I prefer the flickability on the R . Have had 2 Aprilia tuono factories before but the ktm is in my opinion a better road bike and has never missed a beat in over 7500 hard miles . Love it
I’m riding the 690 duke(A2) for almost 7 months and I already put it 10000 kms, is a lovely bike(i’m coming from the duke 125 2017) I kinda miss the look of my 125 and all the others big boys, but I still love the power of my 690(A2 version)way better torque than the 390 The highway is probably the only real problem, because of the wind and the vibration, but I think is fine as long as you stop after 1/2 h of constant riding
I currently own the duke 125 2017 model, after 7000km I have to say I still love that motorbike, im not that fan of ktm itself but this bike just really is the best if price isnt a problem. Only other thing I wanted to mention, the color from the rev counter is orange-ish on yours but mine still has the old blue-purple one. Any idea on how to change it or if its possible to?
My history is: i got a 125 Duke, then i got a RC 390, then my dad gave me his Benelli TNT 1130 and now i'm buying 790 Duke... I just love KTM. Their customer service is great and i just feel like the brank understands us very well. Before anyone asks. Yes i rode different bikes in my few years on the road but my money currently will go to KTM while i dream in my head about racing a S1000rr or RSV4 😉🧡
@@travisscottlover911 it's not really a better bike for my riding style. I talked to my KTM dealer about it. Think of the 790 as a 911 Carrera: Perfekt for everyday driving And think of the 890 as a GT3 RS: Moah Powa Baby!! But it's touring and everyday function has been reduced sincd it is more of a track vehicle If you like that, go for it, but i'm into naked bikes because i tour a lot so i will go for the 790 and keep my 2000 - 3000 € :)
I wonder how much different your conclusion would be if you spent a month on each bike. Jump on a stupid powerful bike and the first hour is amazing. A month later it's not much more thrill than a powerful bike. Then handling and nimbleness takes a bigger role, having more fun on winding roads and ultimately more rewarding. Not enough power is always not enough power, and poor suspension is never going to make a fun ride, so finding the right bike is also about making sure there are no weaknesses. Personally I would go for a 790 Duke with upgraded everything, much like my MT09.
100%..I'm sure the 1290R is a road burner but it's too big to have fun everywhere..The 790 is as good as it gets, still fast but more nimble..but that 1290GT would be nice going cross country!
It took me a long time to understand that more power does NOT equal more fun. Its 100% true that there is such a thing as “too much power for the street.” Going fast in a straight line and feeling like you’re only using 30% of your motor gets old quick. That being said, I keep hearing how streetable the 1290s are. I’d prob go the 1290 super adventure S over the GT though as it’s prob a tad more comfortable for longer hauls
i would have liked to see you test the 690. it's unique. it weighs about the same as the 390 and has a lot more power and torque. i have a 2018 sdr and a 690 enduro. the 690 supermoto is high on my list for next bike. 790 weighs 100 pounds more than 690. i wish you compared 690.
my first bike was the 990smr 2012 that i still have in my garage, what a bike. untill i got the 1290SD what a monster to drive and like you said 5nov we getting the new SD. hope it can take the fight to ducatis new streetfighter the H2 Z or MV Agusta Brutale
I have a Duke 200 2018 and I tested the Duke 790 and Duke 390. Duke 790 is almost perfect but too expensive un Colombia and 390 is great but still it doesn't have enough power for an upgrade. KTM doesn't sell Duke 690 in Colombia anymore so the Yamaha MT 07 or Suzuki sv 650 are the better options for me next bike
I am so getting myself the new SuperdukeR, but that GT certainly makes me wonder.. I think it just boils down if you do long trips or not. Currently, I am not, but that can change.
The review could sound biased - until you ride some of these things - I totally agree. Especially about the 1290 being a potential ticket to jail. Try gassing one of these things at 100mph - the acceleration is like being launched out of a catapult. I dont have the restraint to own one!! Hoping a 790 wont incite too much madness. The 390 was amazing - the stability on fast sweepers was like a top end big bike and so zippy and nimble. If I rode to work I would get one for that and a 790 or second hand 1190 or 1090 for touring.
i transferred from dirt to street and rode KTM dirt bikes....reserching just a lil bit into street bikes and i bought a 890 R as my first bike for street.....makes sense right,
