My take on and experience with the great middleweight 790 Duke! I may have missed a couple of things but I think you’ll get my drift. Please feel free to comment any questions, like, subscribe if you like the content! Ta Bike Like Mike
I have one as well, with the full ti akrapovic and map, fixed up the suspension by adding dampening to the forks and set the rear end a bit higher, now it's the scalpel. Super fun bike, never had any problems with it... Would buy another if there wasn't an 890.
Had 2019 790 the jerkiness took awhile to get use to. I ride in the mountains with dips and dives in the asphalt didn’t like the suspension, loved the bike, so I traded it in on 2021 890r very happy with it. Keep it up great video!
Nice one mate, welcome to the #DUKE club.My GF has the 790 Duke and now I ride the 890 Duke R got it for the same price as the base model 890. Also hat’s off to you for riding in shit weather. One thing we never found our bikes jerky, just use Street throttle setting and light touch on the throttle.
Thanks! Oh that’s interesting - found mine to be horrendous! I’m all about the sport now. Just ordered a throttle spacer also so will see how that fairs!
Nice review! Been doing some cold weather riding myself on the 790 Duke here in Canada. Might need a windscreen and heated grips for the winter 🥶🥶. Ride safe!
I have only the Duke 125 2018, and have hand shells that stop a lot of the wind onto my hands, That can help with the cold. But! like your self! I would still buy a 790 Duke if my dealer can get me one after I pass to A1 license. Dream bike, beside a scrambler Ducati or Triple, awesome review, Stay Safe.
My dream bike. Although im waiting for the 890 to arrive in our country. If it isnt priced that much higher than the 790 id probably consider that instead.
I recently bought one and it's really great. I need parts that are not available in my country, such as the windshield and a luggage rack. greetings from Colombia
I’m glad you like it! They are great bikes. I tried two types of windscreen, the puig (large) and a barracuda which was quite small and didn’t really do anything. Good luck with the parts hunt!
Great review mike, I’m thinking of getting the 790 duke, recently changed jobs and bought a Honda adv 350 for the commute, been going out with friends on (proper) bikes and have narrowed it down to the duke or mt07 , test rode the hornet last Saturday but that didn’t blow me away like I thought it would, and am also worried about the duke being made by the Chinese company cf , what do you think 👍
Quite different bikes there, I think the MT07 is a great all round bike, they sound great too. But it would get blown away by a KTM 790/890, the KTM is more of an MT09 competitor. The year of the bike also comes into play, newer 790s dont come with some of the fancy options the original did unless you pay extra so do your research. KTMs can have reliability issues… the Yam will likely be more reliable. But… get the one which you want the most would be my advice.
Had one. Somewhat unreliable (means excellent for KTM) - leaked oil and coolant quite often. Otherwise fine bike, if engine vibration is not an issue for the rider (which kicked in at like 6-7k rpm). Really nice electronics kit. Quickshifter was not smooth in 1-2 gear. I would not call it jerky though.
That’s interesting - looks like You had a pretty negative experience - tbh it happens will all bikes no matter the brand. But what you’ve said are known issues with the duke!
How much more do you prefer the MT10 over the mid-size KTM? I currently have the Duke 890R, which I really enjoy, but have been intrigued with the Yamaha for a long time...
I think the KTM is a great bike, but the MT is just so much more bike imo. I couldn’t believe how smooth the MT was over the KTM 790. Made the KTM feel agricultural, MT also felt more planted and I corner with more confidence. I’d recommend you try an MT10… you’ll see. I liked my KTM, but I love my MT10. Also, the sound of a cross-plane is just magical.
I want one but am put off by the reliability issues - my 390 Duke is a peach but had a rear shock replaced under warranty. More worried about cooling/oil seal leakage on the 790.
I wouldn’t worry too much. My friends 790 leaked from the coolant hose. It’s not an expensive fix if it does leak. All bikes have issues like this. Least you’re in a good position as you know what to expect and look for when buying!
Yeah if you’re sensible with it, just ease into it I think it would be a great first bike. Has lots of electronics to help keep you safer and it generally a very easy bike to ride and use!
Last question , looks so hard to handle , i mean , seems like this bike it s always ready to go, I cannot decide between 790 or z900, Z looks easier to handle
@@nicholasprataviera7613 I wouldn’t say it’s hard to handle, its handling in general is what it’s known for! It will feel more agile and eager to go than the z900 however as it’s a twin and has that low down torque - also I think probably a fair bit lighter than the z?
A lot of riders complained about the engine heat coming off the upper left side. Do you sense it on: the upper left side, lower left side, lower right side or upper right side as well? Did you hear of an accessory to mitigate this problem?
To be honest I have never had an issue with heat on my bike. If it’s a warm summers day and I’m in town then sure, but normal riding 99% of the time I don’t feel any excess heat. I have heard of owners removing the Catalyst as a lot of heat can build up there giving you a warm foot!
KTM is faster (105bhp vs 72hp), lighter, better electronics, better suspension, looks better imo, newer architecture. MT07 sounds nice and is a good bike in its category, but it’s getting old. 790 and the 07 aren’t really in the same league!
I’ve not had any issues so far! I have seen complaints of a small leak from the rad hose connection - easy fix but just a bit annoying. Also some have gotten random warning messages but it’s always just a low battery (users fault). Other than that I don’t think they have an major issues.
I don’t think you’d go wrong either way… get one… then later on get the other! I think the KTM is more of a hooner and has a bit more character… the z900 will probably not give you any issues and maybe a little easier to ride? Good luck though! Both cool bikes
@@vr3057 if you put a full sc project or arrow exhaust system on the Z, it will be a monster bro😁 i have a 2021 model and trust me it will put a smile on your face. But if you don’t put an aftermarker header and only a slip-on, it will be a pretty boring bike. Bit its hella good and reliable.
Hi, I'm thinking of buying a 790 at the end of the year but I'm 1,87m tall and I don't know if the bike will be too small for me. What do you guys think?
Hi how do you feel about fact that their now made in China?. And I do know a lot of good engineering comes from there including BMW engines 2,3,& 4 cylinder bike and car engines... But I do like that bike of yours. Thanks
I feel like due to my career I can probably answer this fairly well! To be honest, as long as KTM are using the same manufacturing processes and quality standards - and ensuring that the Chinese workforce are adhering to them by the way of audits and management… then no worries! Same goes for triumph and their bikes, I don’t see their bikes lacking quality after a plant move!
@@BikeLikeMike92 right I see what you mean.. I've had 2006 triumph & I know their frames have been made in Asia for some while.. .I know BMW has massive factory in China I'm sure they know what their doing Thanks for your help.
Yea, no matter where in the world the plant is, the brands headquarters will still be controlling it - if anything it’s a positive. Same expensive materials etc… just cheaper labour, bills etc. So the company will be more successful - could potentially price their bikes even better compared to the competition! Who knows … it wouldn’t stop me buying one.
@@BikeLikeMike92 major manufacturers everything you wear and use... Take Alpinestars as an example. I've been biking for some while now think 25+ years ago when the Fireblade & the GSXR 750 were £9,300+ new.
I’m sure you’ll get one someday! My first bike was a crashed GSXR I rebuilt in my mum and dads garden when I was 15… i loved it as much as I love this KTM!