I own a 790 Duke. Quick owners review. Overall: This bike feels safe and fun. 9/10 Engine: Awesome. Feels like a mix between a single and a V-Twin. Tons of character, so much better than a sewing machine inline 4 cylinder. Lumpy yet smooth. Plenty of torque. You can do what you want with this engine. Powerband very wide. 9/10 Quickshifter 8/10 Well Useful Suspension. 7/10 only bad on very rutted roads. In 90% of riding it is spot on. Driver modes 10/10 Brakes 7/10 but still good, decent. Usable. Comfort/Riding position. 8/10. Easy to ride, ergos good. 2 hours between breaks no problem. Great comfy but sporty riding position. Fuel economy. 9/10 60.1 mpg on a 160 mile A road blast. Standard exhaust. Great 8/10. Pops and crackles. As good sounding as a standard exhaust can be for Euro4 compliant. A laugh. Akrapovic: Hard Engineered the fixed DB killer out of it then it sounds good, bassy, still not loud enough. Look else for after market exhaust or stick to the standard. Display 8/10. Very readable, useable. Not as good as the Triumph Street Triple RS screen or F850gs optional screen but still very tidy. Value for money 9/10 Verdict. I love it. I’ve owned a lot of bikes but I can’t see myself selling this. It’s a lovely combination, very easy to ride, handles well, confidence inspiring, feels quick, not mental quick but loads of fun. Is surprisingly good on motorways, Windblast OK up to about 103mph then you might have to think about tucking down. KTM know what they are doing don’t they. Put a lot of knowledge and experience into this bike and have built one hell of a middleweight road bike.
I bought one as soon as they arrived in NZ in September. When taking it for a test ride I was completely blown away by the engine and the handling which is nothing short of epic! I've owned many inline fours and a few singles and this parallel twin absolutely nailed it for me. The torque delivery does take a bit of getting used to but it is punchy as hell when you're a couple thousand miles in and have learnt how to use it properly! I normally change to street mode (on the fly) when I'm heading into traffic and back into sport mode when it opens up a bit. This sorts the "fuelling problem" which I haven't experienced when the engine has warmed up sufficiently, you're in the right riding mode for the conditions, and you have a tank of high octane fuel
Engine heat: EPA requires VERY LEAN air-fuel ratios in the first half of the rev range. Fix with Powercommander. Suspension: Just like the Z900/RS, the MT-09, the GSX-S750/1000, and a few Euro bikes in the segment, YOU GOTTA FIX THEM AFTERMARKET. Rottweiler Performance has all the 790 parts you need for fully adjustable cartridges and shocks. Brakes: comes with radial 4-pot, stainless braided lines. Swap in a set of EBC HH pads. Done. Tires: Most OEM tires are plastic on these sub 12-grand machines. MT-09, Z900, etc for example. 790 is no different. Exhaust: just find a full system, tune it with the aforementioned Powercommander. You'll love the rumble/bark, and it will have more midrange pull. Big money after factory? Which bike in the middle-displacement sporty segment doesn't need just about the same identical things? Treat these bikes as a canvass upon which to paint your favorite parts. Take the best canvass and make it your own picture.
Lifted_Above why spend that much money on aftermarket stuff for a midrange bike, you will never get it back on sell and you’ll be stuck with a “middle of the charts”, but very overpriced, motorcycle. If you’re not happy with the stock 700, just get the 1290 and be done with it, it’s a much smarter buy.
@@TheRemizinho 1290 has shortcomings with suspension as well. KTM has just about made it impossible to ECU flash their encrypted computers unlike all the Japanese machines, so you can clean up the fuel, ignition, temps, fans, throttle plates, gearing restrictions, speed limiters and all the other crap the EPA requires. If you buy a motorcycle to turn around and sell it right away, consider staying out of the sport or keep shopping for that illusive perfect bike that comes right off the showroom floor tailor made for you. Sometimes we don't need 177 horsepower to be happy. Sometimes we just wish there was a 120 hp naked street machine with perfect brakes, suspension, and tires. Until that happens, the aftermarket is the only way to do it.
Took a 790 for a test ride after putting it off for ages cause of the looks. Was blown away by it and ordered one soon after. It just delivers smiles from the moment you set off to the moment you get back.
Had one for 5 months in the uk its absolutely brilliant put an austin racing gp1r can on it, bar end mirrors ,tail tidy,single seat cowl and it looks fantastic. It is probably the best bike i have ever owned.I took the Ducati 821 and street triple rs out for test ride before making a decision and this just felt the best out if them.
It looks like a scalpel, I'll give them that. Subjective, I know, but if I don't smile when looking at a bike then I'd never consider buying it. KTMs are awesome, but this bike is not something that excites me. As a side note, Spurgeon you are the man and your reviews are top notch.
Yeah, tbh when I was looking at bikes it was tough between sucking it up and getting something that was the best thing I saw and going with this new thing. Then I rode one and it was over. Put a deposit down. It's definitely riding that line, hoping I can spruce it up with some improved graphics or something.
Had this bike for 3 months. Love it! But I did take it back for a oil leak (under warranty). I have spent over $4,000 on extras, all the power parts etc. Akrapovic exhaust. This bike is amazing, friends in my group that gave it a go said the same thing, it has all the power you need. but why do the USA models get that ugly turning signals. Australia and Europe get LEDs. Test ride one!
I thought about that indicator thing too. Those are ugly as hell. The stock led indicators of my Duke 125 are looking far better than these "normal" indicators.
4000 on extras ? So more expensive then Ducati 821 Stealth. which is more reliable and has the same to better features. For 10000 the 790 is amazing for 14000 it is to expensive. MT-10 start around that price
Picked up mine Dec.3 with the optional Akrapovic silencer and I couldn't agree more about the engine. KTM hit it out of the park with their first swing. This thing is an absolute monster! No issues whatsoever regarding throttle response, the fuel metering and electronic throttle on mine are absolutely perfect. The non-adjustable suspension appears to have been optimised for 160 lb. 5'8" riders such as myself so no complaints there as well. I suspect that riders of larger, more powerful, more expensive sport bikes are in for a rude shock as the Duke sweeps past them on their favourite roads.
I was dead set on buying this. Then, I had to consider the following combination: 1) Every KTM made with the 799cc LC8c will be made in China 2) KTM has maybe the worst warranty in motorcycling. It covers engine parts *inside* the crankcase, plus the frame and swingarm -- NOTHING ELSE If you want a firebreathing middleweight with advanced safety tech.. my advice is to scratch this off your list, and keep looking.
KTM’s 790 Duke was spotted in India suggesting its launch in the next couple of months. Select KTM dealers have started accepting bookings for the upcoming 790 Duke in India. The 790 Duke will be the most powerful motorcycle from KTM to be sold in our country and is expected to be priced at around Rs 8 to 8.5 lakh (on-road). It will compete against four-cylinder rivals such as the Suzuki GSX-S750 and the Kawasaki Z900, which are priced at Rs 7.46 lakh and Rs 7.68 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) respectively. The 790 Duke will also be the first KTM motorcycle in India to be brought via the CKD route, as rest of the KTM bikes are manufactured in India. In terms of styling, the 790 Duke is similar to the 390 Duke, but has larger dimensions and different frame, wheels, exhaust and tail-section. The bike has been loaded with features such as lean-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS, multiple power modes, launch control and even wheelie control! Powering the motorcycle is a newly developed LC8 799cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin motor pumping out 105PS at 9500rpm and 86Nm of peak torque at 8000rpm. The DOHC motor is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. The 790 Duke carries forward KTM’s tradition of offering many segment-first features at a great price and this should help it stand out from its competition.
Have been riding the 790 duke for nearly a year. Lots of power, precise handling and easy operation, and I love the more upright riding position. Definitely reccomend for those seeking a great all round sports bike in the 750- 900 range.
Great review! For me personally this bike seems to slot into a really sweet spot. Would love to see more manufacturers start to make more performance-oriented 800cc twins on naked bikes.
Needs a flat bench type seat with lower pillion foot pegs, much more comfortable for the girlfriend. The high back seat and high pillion footrests are just stupid.
I liked your comment about flat bench seat and then noticed who commented. Crazy, I watch your vids all the time and thank you. I'm anxious to see the new Duke 490 expected to be released soon and rumors are it will be similar to this 790.
I have a 2018 390 and I absolutely love it ... I own a tiger 800 which imo is a great all around bike but I can't seem to stop wanting to ride the Duke every day , it's just that much fun ...
Ducati Monster 821 is the direct competitor to this bike. 800cc, Non-adjustable suspension, torquey motor with very similar power numbers, relatively comfortable. Although, it looks like the KTM may be a little more all day friendly. It would be nice to see a comparison with between these two bikes.
I absolutely LOVE my 2016 FZ-07 and I have done a lot of mods to it. Comparing that to this bike the only thing I see, since performance is very similar, is the weight savings on this KTM. I can't say I'm comfortable with the KTM brand as I am with the Yamaha brand as I have owned many Yamahas and zero KTMs. It's an interesting look and I like the KTM headlight more than I like my FZ07 headlight which for me has always been a sore spot. I'll have to keep an eye on KTM before I ever think about buying one, especially since Triumph has that sick street triple that comes loaded with just about all the bells and whistles. :)
helloman1976 I came for a 2016 FZ-07 and got a 790 Duke. Night and day difference. Weigh the same almost double the power. Ride by wire itself is amazing. Test ride one!
What similar performance mate? The 690 is similar to the FZ 07 and the FZ 09 is similar to the 790. There's about 35hp difference between your bike and this. Torque is probably in the same bracket
@@RealOrbit-AustraliaTrue, a very good point. I have to say though, I've had a lot of bikes and my FZ-07 is my favorite so far. The joy of riding this bike along with plenty of power and cornering for me has been amazing. It's also easy to work on and maintain. With the speed triple out there it would be hard for me to consider any KTM.
The KTM 790 Duke has a wet weight of 418 pounds. The Yamaha FZ-07 has a wet weight of 397 pounds. That means the Yamaha is 21 pounds lighter than the KTM.
I was looking at the ktm 790 duke, triumph street triple, Ducati scrambler, and Yamaha fz09. It was would be my first bike so I wasn't able to test ride any of them and so I did so much research. Eventually got a xsr900 and without riding any of the others it was a great choice. Tons of power, great retro look, and Yamaha is a very reliable brand.
In the summer I decided to change from my GSX-R750 to a naked middleweight, the 3 I narrowed down to were the MT-09 SP. Street Triple R, and the 790 Duke, I test rode each bike for a day and came so close to buying the KTM, it's so light and incredibly powerful and torquey for an 800cc twin, the pick up is lightning fast and the handling is second to none (watch it at the Pikes peak hill climb) but unfortunately it's got looks you either love or hate and I hate them, also the finish leaves a few questions with gaps in the bodywork, there's also fueling problem at very low revs but that could easily be fixed with remapping. in the end I went for the Street Triple R which I love but I'd still give the KTM a 9 out of 10 .
@@willnestor6422 I agree with the exhaust this bikes looks very ugly but who ride their motorcycle with stock exhaust. The 790 with akrapovíc is very good looking.
The only thing I disagree with is this bike having more character than the MT09. The only angle from which that may be true, is the humongous amount of MT09s out there on the road, in comparison too all the other bikes of a similar class.
GneX4Ktb While I agree that the 765 is probably a better and more reliable bike, it’s also considerably more expensive. I’d take one of each if I was loaded. If I was actually in the market, I’d probably get the CB1000R.
your review nailed it - I rode the 2020 790 last week and was blown away, now thinking I'm going to trade my 2021 striple rs for the 790 - crazy about the striple but compared to the 790 it's kinda tame
As someone who owns a Z900 I can say the Z punches WAY WAY above its price. Lets be honest you can get the Z for usually 8k or so OTD. Not only that you get 125/70 +- depending on tune. Also I have to disagree I think it has as much if not more character then my gsxr600 k8 or my 899. When you rev it the Z has such a unique intake sound. While I would love electronics, on a sub 10k bike its not really needed. It is almost like comparing the same car with or without leather seats. My biggest complaint with the ktm is still its price. Not only that I had this image in my head of what it would look like due to the pre-production model, and I know looks are subjective but from the side this bike is meh. Now not only that if you are looking at bikes in this price range I bet you will not get the ktm otd under 12k. And you can get alot of bike under that with more money for mods or gear. You could even look into the used market and get a babied or if your lucky a "new, old" Street triple for that price.
I've spent a lot of time on the Z900. Everything from track days to travel. I think it's a great bike for the money, but it's also much more "relaxed" than this 790 is. If I had to pick an option for an affordable, all-day, everyday all-arounder, I could concede to the Z. But I think the 790 is much more aggressive and bests it when it comes to more aggressive sport riding. It handles itself so much more nimbly in the twisty stuff.
The Z is a great bike and will without a doubt be significantly more reliable. I prefer twins for street bikes due to the torque and "character" but I enjoyed my test ride on a Z.
The Z900 is a good bike but it’s shooting for mass market appeal at a affordable price. The ktm is dripping with character and technology. Clearly they are shooting for the premium market.
Like the bike, though I’m much more eager to see the 790 Adventure. I have a 690 Enduro R that I might trade in on that. Also happy to see a bike review that’s NOT in California!
Very good Bike. Wait for January 2019 to get the WP adjustable Suspension and cartridge , will be added to Power Parts Catalogue. This Bike is outstanding, sharp as a knife and perfect to handle for a really low price. Well done KTM and well done RevZilla for the test review!!
Great video, makes me wish I wasn't a complete novice so I could ride stuff like that. You guys should get in the habit of including a list and links to the gear worn in the videos, like those sweet gloves.
Zach Buckley check out the link to the Common Tread article. All the gear is listed out in the article. You can find it on the right side of your screen for desktop or the bottom of your screen on mobile.
Thank you my friend! As soon as I heard you say the bike wasn't for beginners I only watched the video, it never occurred to me that you list the gear in Common Tread, good to know. Regarding the Gloves, I noticed your jacket cuffs were undone in the video, and the reviews on the gloves on the website suggest they might be tough to fit under jacket cuffs. I was wondering if that was related, or just a way to keep air moving on a hot day. Thank very much. Z.
It took 50 years, but they are finally realizing how good the parallel twin is again. See Honda CB450, CB360. In 1976, CB360 is glassy smooth screaming power, and idles like a tractor. Why did America get so many terrible single cylinder enduros? The KLR650 with a Ninja 500 twin engine would have been way better, since they are used for 99% on road driving. What I've found is that the parallel twin can revv up higher, produce more top end power, but it can also provide much smoother power delivery at very low speed driving, in the woods. The parallel twin engines are better all around for all types of driving than a single and don't require a counterbalancer on smaller engines. I cannot believe there aren't any 2 cylinder enduros in America.
You just convinced me to buy one. Let's see how it goes. Definitely buying it tomorrow morning. Iam only 5ft 7inch, little bit worried if it gonna be problem with seat height.
Dude that is just a great video. So is this the new bad ass no doubt about it. The parallel twin and parallel twin headlights! Crank up the volume to 11
I have test ridden duke 250 and gears are so closely stacked that it really struggles at low speed when you are in higher gear and also vibration is major issue so went for R15 V3 now happy with smooth sporty bike.
Yes I did discuss that with the dealer at the 1st service. He said you can get some sort of ECU from India (where the bike is more popular). It may improve things a bit but I think the tune of the engine is more or less the way it is. I guess they've had to compromise it to squeeze decent top power. It's a shame as it's great out on open roads but I'm having to drop down to 1st gear to filter.
@@999pez actually i am from india and i have test ridden two duke 250 but both felt same. Tremendous amount of power every where but lacks top end and overall heat machine.
Add a powertronics ecu or dynojet it will mostly smoothen out low rev jerkiness, also while increasing the performance and fuel efficiency, the bike is basically crippled from factory too meet pollution norms
I've got a 19' 390..At lower rpms around town it's just too damn twitchy and really annoying..It never settles in, just like mentioned on the 790..I hope KTM susses it out before I step up and buy one..
What tires would you guys recommend as an upgrade, for road use, no track, very little touring, avoiding rain, if BEST GRIP is what I want? Dunlop SportSmart TT, Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3, Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II, Metzeler Sportec M7 RR, or something else? Thank you.
I bought the 790 over a Monster 821, and I know I did the right choice. The only upgrade from 790 would be Monster 1200, because the KTM 1290 SDR is way too expensive, and maybe too powerful for me. Also, the Monster 1200 has the cornering ABS, just like the 790, but lacks the cornering MTC. Would you consider the Monster 1200 an upgrade, or might not be as much fun as the 790? I never do track days, only short commute in traffic, and fun rides.
You didn’t cover ergonomics. And it looks like the bike is fairly low as like you sit totally on top of the bike, but you knee angle looks a bit cramped - how was it from an ergonomic view and how tall are you?
We list all the gear in the companion article linked in the description. In this case, Spurgeon was wearing the REV'IT! Vertex GT Jacket and Chicane Gloves. -DrewZilla *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-vertex-gt-jacket *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-chicane-gloves *www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2019-ktm-790-duke-first-ride-motorcycle-review
How about reliability? The 390 hasn't had the cleanest track record, i'm not sure about the old 690 single, but a entirely new engine is a little too much to buy into, maybe wait a couple of years to see how it performs in that regard.
My 60 something year old father will be trying for his unrestricted uk license soon. Once he has a license he will be looking at getting a bike. I have been looking for something for him that has an upright seating position but is also lightweight because he has a bad him. He also wants as much electronic aids as possible which i know this bike has while also having decent power. You say it’s not a good beginner bike but it seems perfect to me except maybe the seating position is a bit forward. What do you think (anyone) ?
Thanks for mentioning the heat from the bike straight up. This will be completely unsuitable for city commuting in hot climates like Australia. But fine in Austria....
Crazy they chose not to outfit this kind of bike with adjustable suspension! I'd rather have less electronics and better suspension personally. Still want one though!!
A free flowing exhaust might reduce engine heat some. And fixing the lean condition below 4k would also help with that. Exhaust, fueling and suspension. Three or four grand should clear that up. Makes the MT 07 look pretty attractive.
Having ridden my brothers 790 duke, I can say the vibration from the parallel twin is pretty fierce. That's probably my biggest gripe with the bike. Like this reviewer said, the ride is a little harsh too. Also is this guy makes the bike look so small!
When did you get this bike? I have had a deposit down on one since April and still haven't gotten word when it's going to arrive? I am also 6'3 and currently ride a 2014 street triple l am trading. How would you compare comfort on the 790 to that of the triple?
I fit on it just fine. I would say that the seat is going to be a bit firmer than you are used to but I think you'll be fine for 250-300 miles, as long as you're giving your butt a stretch every 75 - 100 miles. It'll feel a bit smaller and lighter, but it should fit you just fine. As far as when the consumer bikes are going to show up, I haven't heard yet. I know the press bikes just got delivered. I would reach out to your local shop and see if they have any updates.
@@SpurgeonDunbar thanks Spurge, and great review BTW. I have a Corbin gunfighter on the triple and it's hard as a rock. And have pulled many 250 to 300 miles days in the mountains of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. I wasmt clear but was thinking in terms of ergos between the two. In the picture you look comfy. Makes the bike look a little small but at our size most bikes do. Not a problem as long as it's a fun bike.
I don’t agree with your foot placement. Personally I never put the front of my foot on the foot peg, I let it rest on the heel of the boot and to the side. This bike needs better front suspension and better tires besides that what an awesome bike.
After a 2 year ownership of the 790 I can say, never ever a ktm (the 790 was not my first ktm). Leaks, electric problems, etc... And this fact makes me sad because I'm from austria. Never had problems with honda, kawasaki, suzuki, yamaha. I will choose these brands in the future.
Does anything significant change from MY2018 to MY2019? Asking cause i can basically get a 2018 directly without wait but would have to wait 3 month for a 2019 modell. Dealer says there is no difference but wanted to be sure :) Google does not deliver much on that topic...
