Wotcha. Resisted as long as possible but finally succumbed last weekend and put down the deposit on a black 790, I’m a longtime ktm rider, [previous bikes are 2007 690 sm prestige, 2016 690 smc-r supermoto, 2014 690 duke and still currently own a 2015 rc390 trackday bike so the 790 will be my fifth ktm] I’ve owned, ridden, built and raced more bikes than I can remember, jappers, bmw boxer twins, triumphs, a lot of ducati’s, mz’s And even the odd harley but I’m really revved about getting to grips with the new 790.
I guess you could say I’ve been around the block a few times, as I stumble into my sixth decade I really should know better but there’s something about this bike that has caught my imagination, I was really happy with my extensively modded 690 Duke but the thought of 35 bhp more for the paltry 12 kilo weight gain finally persuaded me to go for it
Yes, I’ve had problems with my ktm’s In the past, overheating, oil leaks, speedo’s going blank, crap, cheapo fasteners that rust at the threat of rain, blah, blah, blah, but, I’ve always come back to them, there’s nothing like them on a fast, bumpy b-road that would tie your japper sport bike in knots and let’s face it you can have fun at more sensible speeds although saying that, I’ve had the sneers when queuing up for noise testing on the little rc390 only to hold my own and even embarrass bigger bikes in the inter’s group on trackdays and let’s face it, if you wanted something safe and reliable you can always go and buy a honda!
Got a few ideas about modifying my 790 that I would like to share, hold tight, no one ever said it was going to be easy...........
