Theres lots to like about the 790, its so light, very nimble, the ride position feels just about right, stock suspension is actually quite good, the engine makes nice useable power, the power modes are well thought out, Race=trackdays, Sport=open fast road riding and Street is great around town and general riding. The 790 is very good on the Track, i did a KTM trackday, and the 790 was awesome to ride, and easy to ride at a good pace, very forgiving bike, even go through corners a gear to high. I think this 790 is a very well thought out bike and built with an affordable price in mind. After coming off a MV800, the only thing the 790 isn't better at is initial brake bite, the brakes are ok, but lack that initial bite, i guess a pad change could be a simple option......(or mono block 50s) So very happy with the 790, and i know my son will love it when he visits to ride it.
+’s & -‘s about the 2018+ KTM 790 Duke?
If you can share a few things about your ownership of the 2018+ KTM 790 Duke, what would it be? The most liked or disliked, share them with every one I am sure you won't be the only one.
1 - 20 of 65 Posts
Most of the positive elements of the 790D have a downside....
I love the TFT dash but find it changes to night mode too easily
The motor is super torquey and responsive but blows a lot of hot air in traffic
Quick shifter works beautifully on downshifts but tends to violently reject upshifts if not under full throttle
Suspension is great now but without any adjustment it will be hard to manage deterioration over time
Seat and riding position is great for aggressive riding but monkey-butt sets in within 2 hours
OEM licence plate holder is rubbish but my after market tail-tidy does very little to prevent rear wheel spray
Nice fuel level display but after being on side stand it indicates low fuel if tank is below half
Simple cable clutch mechanism is light but feels kind of notchy on downshifts
Very minimal frontal area means that wind blast at higher speeds can be fatiguing
All in all though I’m loving this bike.
Tom in Sydney
I love the TFT dash but find it changes to night mode too easily
The motor is super torquey and responsive but blows a lot of hot air in traffic
Quick shifter works beautifully on downshifts but tends to violently reject upshifts if not under full throttle
Suspension is great now but without any adjustment it will be hard to manage deterioration over time
Seat and riding position is great for aggressive riding but monkey-butt sets in within 2 hours
OEM licence plate holder is rubbish but my after market tail-tidy does very little to prevent rear wheel spray
Nice fuel level display but after being on side stand it indicates low fuel if tank is below half
Simple cable clutch mechanism is light but feels kind of notchy on downshifts
Very minimal frontal area means that wind blast at higher speeds can be fatiguing
All in all though I’m loving this bike.
Tom in Sydney
Maybe on yours.... I can use any rpm, any throttle, etc, it's smooth as silk both directions.Quick shifter works beautifully on downshifts but tends to violently reject upshifts if not under full throttle
Same here, mine is silky smooth up shifting pretty much on any positive throttle.Maybe on yours.... I can use any rpm, any throttle, etc, it's smooth as silk both directions.
Weird... I must be doing it wrong. Do you guys tend to use a light toe action or more forceful?
Tom in Sydney
Tom in Sydney
Never given it any thoughts Tom, snick, snick, snick, effortlessly.Weird... I must be doing it wrong. Do you guys tend to use a light toe action or more forceful?
Tom in Sydney
I don’t think the quick shifter or blipper are great but then it has been built to a budget, I’m sure Chris Philmore doesn’t use the blipper when he races Pikes Peak.Weird... I must be doing it wrong. Do you guys tend to use a light toe action or more forceful?
Tom in Sydney
Having said that I do think the 790 is a fantastic bike.
To date the only downside is/was the bite of the front brakes. Switched to SBS RS pads. No longer an issue for road use. I’ve bought some Brembo monoblocks to fit if there are track issues.Theres lots to like about the 790, its so light, very nimble, the ride position feels just about right, stock suspension is actually quite good, the engine makes nice useable power, the power modes are well thought out, Race=trackdays, Sport=open fast road riding and Street is great around town and general riding. The 790 is very good on the Track, i did a KTM trackday, and the 790 was awesome to ride, and easy to ride at a good pace, very forgiving bike, even go through corners a gear to high. I think this 790 is a very well thought out bike and built with an affordable price in mind. After coming off a MV800, the only thing the 790 isn't better at is initial brake bite, the brakes are ok, but lack that initial bite, i guess a pad change could be a simple option......(or mono block 50s) So very happy with the 790, and i know my son will love it when he visits to ride it.
The bike is so light and the engine for normal road use is spot on. Not missing my 1290 SDR at all.
Remarks on the quick shifter
Mine is a little abrupt and it seems to like firm toe input. I once lightly pulled on the toe shifter, it went into 3rd and then popped back down into 2nd. I'm coming from an Aprilia and that bike had very smooth shifts as long as it was above 4 grand no matter the throttle opening. The 790 QS is not as smooth as the Tuono V4 but still works fine. I'm still breaking in my bike and i notice that the gear changes are getting smoother. I only assume the transmission needs to break in as well.
I have not used the QS on down shifts yet.
I really like the bike so far. Heat isn't bad right now but summer has yet to arrive. The Tuono is a FIRE BALL when driven around town below 45 mph. I've had hot starts where the V4 refused to start. So the Duke is great in that regard.
One thing I did notice is that the fuel warning pops up and covers the entire screen. I understand that you can acknowledge this alarm by pressing the menu button, but I wish the warning didn't take up the entire screen. This annoyed me to a small degree.
Mine is a little abrupt and it seems to like firm toe input. I once lightly pulled on the toe shifter, it went into 3rd and then popped back down into 2nd. I'm coming from an Aprilia and that bike had very smooth shifts as long as it was above 4 grand no matter the throttle opening. The 790 QS is not as smooth as the Tuono V4 but still works fine. I'm still breaking in my bike and i notice that the gear changes are getting smoother. I only assume the transmission needs to break in as well.
I have not used the QS on down shifts yet.
I really like the bike so far. Heat isn't bad right now but summer has yet to arrive. The Tuono is a FIRE BALL when driven around town below 45 mph. I've had hot starts where the V4 refused to start. So the Duke is great in that regard.
One thing I did notice is that the fuel warning pops up and covers the entire screen. I understand that you can acknowledge this alarm by pressing the menu button, but I wish the warning didn't take up the entire screen. This annoyed me to a small degree.
After only 300km I am yet to find any 'cons'. Quick shift up needs firm input, down, not so much. Steering is great. Breaks are excellent (they do need more pressure than some but feel is excellent). My only negatives are the things I usually change on bikes - tail tidy, exhaust etc.
I will update this in another 1000kms or so.
I will update this in another 1000kms or so.
The only real negative stuff that i think about every ride:
1. Like stated earlier, the TFT- display day/night circle sensitivity .
2. Paranoia (wouldn't be KTM without this <3), the constant checking for leakages every single ride:smile:.
Maybe the fueling if i am nitpicking, but that's ride by wire-> nothing beats good old cable throttle.
Other than that the bike is light, responsive, incredible ergos (can easily tour for over 5h), great ergo customization options, good standard suspension-> setup well for my more spirited style of riding, brakes are okay considering the price
, can always be upgraded. The electronics(lean-sensitive traction control & abs) are working exceptionally well.
More in-depth review can be found on my channel.
Btw, ktm should get their act together with the power-parts (better information and availability).
Cheers!
1. Like stated earlier, the TFT- display day/night circle sensitivity .
2. Paranoia (wouldn't be KTM without this <3), the constant checking for leakages every single ride:smile:.
Maybe the fueling if i am nitpicking, but that's ride by wire-> nothing beats good old cable throttle.
Other than that the bike is light, responsive, incredible ergos (can easily tour for over 5h), great ergo customization options, good standard suspension-> setup well for my more spirited style of riding, brakes are okay considering the price
, can always be upgraded. The electronics(lean-sensitive traction control & abs) are working exceptionally well.More in-depth review can be found on my channel.
Btw, ktm should get their act together with the power-parts (better information and availability).
Cheers!
Haven't bought one yet but being someone open to what other brands are offering, I wish KTM gave us more color options. The typical KTM theme is great but its time we get more options, especially as motorcycle sales have increased ensuring these increased options won't come at a loss.
So so many alternative graphics kits out there... You can have almost anything.Haven't bought one yet but being someone open to what other brands are offering, I wish KTM gave us more color options. The typical KTM theme is great but its time we get more options, especially as motorcycle sales have increased ensuring these increased options won't come at a loss.
KTM is synonymous with black and orange, it's what they do, what they've always done. Apart from a bit of white, you couldn't really expect them to use anything else and dilute their branding.
I've put a small piece of black tape over the light sensor to stop the TFT display continuously changing, prefer it in night mode.
Found my first con today.
Went to head out for a ride with 2 bars showing on the fuel gauge and 100km range. I was only going 60 odd kms before the next fuel stop so thought not a problem. About 10 km down the road range was still showing 100km and I was getting a bit nervous about it's accuracy. I turned around and headed back to the nearest gas station less than 10km away. By the time I got there the range as showing 80km??? Hasn't inspired me with confidence but will experiment a bit more when I can.
Done just over 900km now and can notice the engine freeing up. Feels like the hand break has been let off.
Went to head out for a ride with 2 bars showing on the fuel gauge and 100km range. I was only going 60 odd kms before the next fuel stop so thought not a problem. About 10 km down the road range was still showing 100km and I was getting a bit nervous about it's accuracy. I turned around and headed back to the nearest gas station less than 10km away. By the time I got there the range as showing 80km??? Hasn't inspired me with confidence but will experiment a bit more when I can.
Done just over 900km now and can notice the engine freeing up. Feels like the hand break has been let off.
Likes:
1) First bike I've ever had that's fun on surface streets around town. Most bikes are a pita at low speeds, parking lots, to and from red lights, etc.
2) Best shifter I've had so far as well. Miles better than my 13 675R and a wee bit better than my 17 RSV4.
3) Engine
Dislikes:
1) Cosmetics (mirrors, wheels should be orange, orange plastic doesn't look as good as that on the 390s for some reason, ugly indicators on the US version)
1) First bike I've ever had that's fun on surface streets around town. Most bikes are a pita at low speeds, parking lots, to and from red lights, etc.
2) Best shifter I've had so far as well. Miles better than my 13 675R and a wee bit better than my 17 RSV4.
3) Engine
Dislikes:
1) Cosmetics (mirrors, wheels should be orange, orange plastic doesn't look as good as that on the 390s for some reason, ugly indicators on the US version)
For what it's worth, I've just put together a review of the first 1500 km of ownership: Confessions of an Ageing Motorcyclist: The Scalpel - one month and 1500 km down the track . It's naturally a personal one slanted towards the reasons I bought the Duke. (Age, height, but the need for performance too). Hope there's something of interest in it.
Cheers,
Geoff
Cheers,
Geoff
Great write up Geoff:smile:For what it's worth, I've just put together a review of the first 1500 km of ownership: Confessions of an Ageing Motorcyclist: The Scalpel - one month and 1500 km down the track . It's naturally a personal one slanted towards the reasons I bought the Duke. (Age, height, but the need for performance too). Hope there's something of interest in it.
Cheers,
Geoff
Great write up Geoff, well done for putting the effort in. One question, have you known a few dodgy chicks in your time?? Hey look forward to catching up with you sometime on the road...May be Wanga pub.
1 - 20 of 65 Posts
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