[Valencia John]

Hola everybody!!


I have a (nearly) new 790 Duke (just reached 1000km, first service next week). So far delighted - looking forward to getting to use all of the engine.


I'm British & have a long biking history - and for the last 16 years here in the wonderful East of Spain.


Hope to participate and learn in the forum!

 

[anotheronetoday]

Hi welcome to this forum
you will have great fun on your 790 I am sure.
Are you running a standard bike or what options and mods have you done?
did you go for black or orange?

 

[Valencia John]

Hi 'anotheronetoday'!

At the moment the bike is pretty standard - only mod is the addition of a Puig Naked New Generation screen - BIG improvement in taking the pressure off the body.

Just today I have moved the handlebar onto the forward position, so after the service I'll see how that feels. KTM recommend it for track use, so as my main use is 'curveando' (as they say round here - don't think there's an equivalent in English - doing curves???) in the local mountains on track quality roads I thought that the slightly more aggressive stance might help.

Standard mirrors will probably go, probably will lose the passenger pegs, gat a tail tidy & put the passenger seat cover.

It's a KTM, so ORANGE!! Also the A2 version is not available (at least here) in orange, so no confusion!!

 

[anotheronetoday]

Hi John
I am still waiting for the power parts screen, I am told will be November

we might say "chasing the curves (bends)"
The standard mirrors are not good, look bad and vibrate, bar ends work well

Enjoy!!!

 

[LC8]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the bike! Have you owned another KTM before deciding on the Duke?

 

[KTMfan]

Hi 'anotheronetoday'!

At the moment the bike is pretty standard - only mod is the addition of a Puig Naked New Generation screen - BIG improvement in taking the pressure off the body.

Just today I have moved the handlebar onto the forward position, so after the service I'll see how that feels. KTM recommend it for track use, so as my main use is 'curveando' (as they say round here - don't think there's an equivalent in English - doing curves???) in the local mountains on track quality roads I thought that the slightly more aggressive stance might help.

Standard mirrors will probably go, probably will lose the passenger pegs, gat a tail tidy & put the passenger seat cover.

It's a KTM, so ORANGE!! Also the A2 version is not available (at least here) in orange, so no confusion!!

Sounds like you might be due for a Duke R if it fits your budget. Do you see yourself upgrading down the road?
I realized once owners have the KTM itch, its hard to get away. However, some went the BMW route

 

[Valencia John]

In response to above messages:

Currently atrocious weather here, so not able to enjoy the bike much, plus for work reasons I've had to put the first (1000km) service back to 20 September. Planning some trips out for after then. I'm incredibly lucky as we have some incredible terrain in the local mountain ranges and many of the roads are of superb quality, with very little traffic.

This is my first KTM - previous bikes include BMWs, Ducatis, Hondas, Suzukis, Yamahas, several maxi scooters for commuting and one star from a few years ago (1995) of which the 790 reminds me a lot in character, a Laverda 650 Sport - not sold in many markets, but a true jewel.

As the 790 is still almost new I don't have any changes in mind at the moment - however if other KTMs are anything like this, then I'm a convert. I am however fairly capricious were bike are concerned (easier to change than the wife...), so watch this space!

Ride fast, ride safe

 

[anotheronetoday]

I would say as a duke 125,200,390,690,790 and 1290 rider, i have sold some of these 125 and 690 but still got the rest but my son still has the 125
the best KTM road bikes by far are the 390, 790 and 1290
If you are A2 limited or a city commuter the 390 is hard to beat, will also generate a lot of fun on very twisty road
the 790 takes this up several levels to the point of having great fun on all roads
the 1290 is what it is a beast dry roads only for me
must say i change my bikes more frequently than wives and its a lot cheaper and less stressful changing your bike than you wife

 

[Valencia John]

An example of one of my local roads (this is about 40Km from central Valencia). Google Maps screenshot, but it's 100% as is:

 

[SirDuke]

Welcome to the forum. Looks like you've got the perfect stomping grounds for the Duke.

 

[OrangeRok]

Hola everybody!!


I have a (nearly) new 790 Duke (just reached 1000km, first service next week). So far delighted - looking forward to getting to use all of the engine.


I'm British & have a long biking history - and for the last 16 years here in the wonderful East of Spain.


Hope to participate and learn in the forum!

An example of one of my local roads (this is about 40Km from central Valencia). Google Maps screenshot, but it's 100% as is:

Hi all.
Valencia John your pics really bring back memories.Been going to Spain on my previous 990SMT with my partner on her 690 Duke for a couple of years now.The roads and the lack of traffic are fantastic.We normally stay in the North and Eastern areas going along the edge of the Pyrenees.Been as far across as Ainsa(N260 amazing)and as far East as the Picos(CA280/281)Stunning!!
Hopefully well get over again next year.
Hope the weather has picked up a bit over there and your enjoying the 790,perfect bike for your roads.
Ride Safe:smile:

 

[Valencia John]

Hi all.
Valencia John your pics really bring back memories.Been going to Spain on my previous 990SMT with my partner on her 690 Duke for a couple of years now.The roads and the lack of traffic are fantastic.We normally stay in the North and Eastern areas going along the edge of the Pyrenees.Been as far across as Ainsa(N260 amazing)and as far East as the Picos(CA280/281)Stunning!!
Hopefully well get over again next year.
Hope the weather has picked up a bit over there and your enjoying the 790,perfect bike for your roads.
Ride Safe:smile:

Glad you know the territory!! I was in Ainsa a couple of months ago (on A Triumph Tiger) & then went over to France & did the legendary 'D918' - Tourmalet etc... Truly, truly wonderful.

Whilst not every aspect of living here is perfect, I certainly can't complain about the biking possibilities - a more or less endless supply of fantastic roads with little/no traffic & generally good weather. However weatherize this summer has been a stinker (by local standards) - just this afternoon I got totally soaked in an un-forecast heavenly downpoor.

By the way where are you? I guess at least somewhere in Europe if you're able to ride here. Nice pic!!!

 

[OrangeRok]

Glad you know the territory!! I was in Ainsa a couple of months ago (on A Triumph Tiger) & then went over to France & did the legendary 'D918' - Tourmalet etc... Truly, truly wonderful.

Whilst not every aspect of living here is perfect, I certainly can't complain about the biking possibilities - a more or less endless supply of fantastic roads with little/no traffic & generally good weather. However weatherize this summer has been a stinker (by local standards) - just this afternoon I got totally soaked in an un-forecast heavenly downpoor.

By the way where are you? I guess at least somewhere in Europe if you're able to ride here. Nice pic!!!

Hi mate,Im over in sunny! West Yorkshire.
Usually we take the ferry to Bilbao and return from Santander.Weve only been going for the last 2 years but we really enjoy it.We usually go mid May.

The first year 2017 was really hot as you probably know, but this year was a bit on and off ,we got caught in a storm while in the Picos:sad:Not good went from about 23 degrees to 14 degrees,our lass wasn't to happy,got soaked!!Hopefully we can get over next year,not made any plans yet.
Hope the weather has picked up a bit for you.Enjoy the 790.

Ride Safe:smile:

 

[Bill]

Hola everybody!!


I have a (nearly) new 790 Duke (just reached 1000km, first service next week). So far delighted - looking forward to getting to use all of the engine.


I'm British & have a long biking history - and for the last 16 years here in the wonderful East of Spain.


Hope to participate and learn in the forum!

Welcome