I was really impressed by this bike. it is 90% of my bike but for half the price. If your after a super duke please ride this first and then make your mind up. KTM are going to sell these by the boat load, I'm tempted myself!
My only issue with the 790 is that it doesn't look as good as the 390 or Superduke. The 790 is the only bike between the three that doesn't show the rear trellis frame - and whilst that's very shallow of me, looks count for a lot in a bike in my book and the frame of the 390 and Superduke is something that sets those bikes apart from others. If they ever change the styling of the 790 I think you could be right that the 790 is the perfect bike of the three.
I have the 790 and I have to agree with you. It kinda sucks they changed the look of the bike from the 390 models and 1290... It's almost like they knew and wanted to people to pay more money for the 1290. For me I just didn't want that much power at my disposal.
@@diogosilv4 the lightness of handling the bike is almost the same as the 390 compared with the 1290R (is much heavier). Its the power and handling that is so much better. If you can afford the money I would highly recommend the upgrade. I have so much fun just riding on the suburban roads. IE, Taking off from the lights there is no concern a big v8 will try to force its way up behind you to be a smart ass, dodging potholes or absent minded drivers doesnt upset the bike and high speed riding on open roads doesnt get too buffeting until over 110kph and is stable to ride at higher speeds like 170kph with no issue.
@@diogosilv4 I think for urban I get approx 220 - 260 km per tank on average - I tend to refill once Im down to 100km range is left. But I dont ride conservatively to save fuel so it depends on the traffic for me. I havent used a tank on highway exclusively yet, we have a lot of hills so usually ride there instead - and I dont look at fuel consumption when I ride on weekends - Its too much fun to care I just fill up and go again. I'll try and work out highway mileage and update.
I agree as an owner of both the 1290 and 790 I am not sure I will keep the 1290. For 90% of my riding the 790 is both more practical and more fun. My only two minor criticism of the 790 would be mirrors and sub 30 MPH riding
Fuelling. Not sub 30 but more like sub 20mph. Only thing that annoyed me on my test ride, it can probably be solved with some ECU fettling. Dream bike!
Awesome review! I’m currently in the motion of getting my A2 license. And I’m stuck between this and the MT07. but this review has finally swayed me towards the 790👍🏼
I own 2 MT-07s and a 790. Both are great bikes with similar characters but the 790 is just better everywhere. If you can afford the 790 it's no contest.
Thanks for the review man :) I've just got one of these and am in love. Everyone else's downsides so far I don't mind. Mirrors, sure I'll replace them but I don't think they're bad. Swing arm, I don't look at the swing arm when looking at this bike and it sure does not poke me in the eye as an issue. Everything else you say I agree with, even the non-adjustable suspension is not an issue for me, I'm not going to do many track days, country riding and commutes for me. City roads are cobbles and uneven/melted poorly maintained and I'm not bothered by the suspension. This bike blisters in pace and agility, I love it and cannot wait to get it broken in and unleashed :D
I had a demo ride on the 790 and can't fault anything about it apart from the looks, it's got a great engine with far more power than you'd believe an 800 cc parallel twin could produce, the electronics package is exceptional and the up/down quickshifter equals those on bikes costing twice as much but for me the looks would rule it out, it's very much a Marmite bike re the looks.
Couldn’t agree more. Personally I like it but it’s got room for improvement but I can’t count the amount of people who have said to me they don’t like the looks of it or the KTM range in general.
Nice review and interesting you mention the comfort of the seat as other reviews seem to highlight this as about the only downside. This is on my shortlist for a new bike this summer. Cannot wait to test ride it!!
Good vid. I almost - so close - bought the 790 Duke over the Street Triple RS. It's such a fantastic package for the money. Only things that really stopped me was the KTM dealer is 100 miles away and when I messaged them to ask about the bike they didn't respond to me at all. If the dealer had been local I'd have popped in and likely bought it.
That’s such a shame they ignored you. The dealer by me is awesome but if I was in your position I would of done the same. I rode the street triple last year and thar bike really Impressed me too
Yarek: regardless how good the bike / crazy vehicle of your heart's desire is: having a good local dealer close to home is a really important pack of package. At some point you will have a problem, and then being able to nurse your sick bike / crazy vehicle a short distance, or have the dealer pop around to you is a god-send. I am lucky, I have a good KTM dealer not too far away, so I went for the 790....
Christopher Lamb completely agree. When you get a new bi,e your effectively in a relationship with the dealer for 3 years or so. I’ve not gone for bikes in the past because I didn’t like the dealer
Neil Simpson I’m in the same position now, can’t decide between the RS and 790 duke. KTMs reliability history isn’t great. Have you had any problems with your 790 over the last year?
Test rode a 790 last week, and to my dismay I dropped it due to an engine stall during a slow right turn into a side street. I managed to save the bike, but in the process tore my hamstring. But lovely bike to ride. I have noted, however, another RU-vidr was also on a test ride of the 790 and his bike cut out unexpectedly as he approached a junction at a slowing speed. Any chance you could do a test ride of a Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 - if you haven't done so already?
Simian Rogue I’ve moved house now and there isn’t a husky dealer local. I really liked the 790. I fancy having ago of the 790 adventure. Hope your leg gets better soon!
Hi mate - sounds like a great bike. I have been looking at getting a new bike after a few years off, my last bike was a VFR 800 which I found really heavy! I never got the hang of cornering fast so want something easy to ride that I can do some track work on. What do you reckon, good idea? It looks like I could keep it for years and still be happy as I got better.
Science James Hi, I really got on with this bike and I would be happy with it for years to come. I suggest having a ride on one and see how you get on it would be great all rounder
Just put a deposit down on one. Supposed to arrive in Vancouver in August or September, most likely September. Oh well, at least they won't be arriving during winter.
Was at Holeshot today they have 4 x 390s 1 new 690 & a traded one but... no 790s. I got told maybe October. So yep. Taking it’s time as its all over Europe. Looking forward to seeing it.
I was going through the comments and your replies. One of the comments was about this bike being not good at sub 30mph riding and you said you completely agree.
I'm with you, I think the swingarms on the smaller dukes are ugly, cheap looking. The swingers on the dirt bikes are gorgeous so we know KTM can do better. Not a fan of the colors offered tho. I'll let the ride decide.
@@DMRides I can't make my mind up. Do I buy a 790 Duke or MT 09 or XSR 900. Or do I save a whole bunch of money and get a 2018 MT 07? Love to hear your opinion. Cheers
Hi buddy. Out of all them bikes I’ve only rode the 790 duke. I’ve heard nothing bad about the mt09 but I think you get more standard features on the duke. I don’t know much about the XSR 900. In my opinion you need to get a test ride them all and see what one suits YOU best.
Thanks. i think I have been through there before. Nice pub at Aldbury! I wasnt sure whether it was cheshire given that your accent is from the Noth West. Cheers
Sorry I’ve never rode an z1000. But I didn’t miss the power of an SDR. The bike is so lightweight best thing to do is ride one I was pleasantly surprised. It’s 90% of an SRD but a lot less serious and a lot more fun.
Craig McCarthy I really loved the street triple too but I’ve only had a go on the 2017 version. You’ll love this bike. Do you know where you will test one at?
Hello D Moto ride , first of all sorry if my english is not 100% correct because it's not my native language. My question is about the size of the bike, i see u are a big guy , so do i , and i wonder if this bike don't look small for tall and corpulent people. How was ur feeling about that point? Thanks.
aleix giro Hi I’m 5foot 8 inches or about 176cm tall. I didn’t have any problems with the size of the bike. And could get both feet flat on the floor when I stopped.
V T personally I prefer nakeds now. You can ride them for longer and have just as much fun. They normally come with all the sorts bike features such as a quick shifter etc. They just miss the top 10% of sportiness but most riders can’t get near. The answer honestly is to have both! 😉
How does it sound? I was thinking of getting an mt-07 but then saw this. If this sounds good then I'll get this one but the mt-07 sounds so fucking good I'm still tempted to get it. Btw it will be on A2 license
sounds great with the stock exhaust! when i took it for a ride. i was about to get the mt07 but ktm on a different level. already put money down on one.
D MotoRide I remember having my FZR400 wheels powder coated years ago, it cost quite a bit including parts and labour. I don’t understand why KTM didn’t do it in the factory.
Vinay Kumar Kawasaki’s have no passion like any other Japanese bike, also the build quality is shocking with huge panel gaps everywhere and a lack of any sort of tech on the bike.
The main problem I heard for this bike is the very pronounced on/off at low regimes in low gears. So not very good for commuting and filtering. I was stuck on this bike, but after I heard of this I decided to buy a used MV Agusta Brutale 800rr. Which is really smooth at all regimes and pushing like mad in all gears. Please see it on my channel ru-vid.com
