KTM 790 Duke - Review

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D6Nutz
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KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by D6Nutz »

So the 790, how did it go...

With the prediction of summer arriving I had high hopes of a good couple of days blatting about on bikes getting mine serviced. All started well with a good blast on the 990 SDR up to the dealers. These are roads I know well and love, so I turned up with a stupid grin on my face (wasntme)

After some paper work was completed and the key handed over the dealer went off to find me a bike. He came back a few moments later with a key and the statement "I've got a good surprise for you". Now, bearing in mind I have previously hinted (not very subtly) that I wanted to try the 1290 SDR I was initially a little disapointed when he showed me to a 790. He gave me a brief tour of the dash and the riding modes, we decided on sport and the quick shifter on. Then a quick discussion that this model was only released 3 weeks ago, and this is a brand new demo bike with less than 100 miles on the clock. Please don't rag it as it's still being run in.

The QS is quite a cool trick. From the menu you can turn the QS on and off depending on the riding you are doing, what would be better would be if you could save this in the rider mode.

Anyway, leaving the dealer and having to potter through a few smaller villages left me feeling a little disapointed. Those of us who have owned and ridden KTM's will know what I mean when I talk about early throttle response, I'd hoped they had listened to us and toned to down a little. I've had to re-map mine as I couldn't live with it long term, it's like a quick action throttle where most of the response is in the first 25 degrees of throttle turn. It took me a few miles before I remembered you can change the rider mode, so street mode got engaged. What a difference, the throttle response gets turned way down and all of a sudden its a much smoother ride, very much more managable and enjoyable.

Then, national speed limit sign spotted... Sport mode engaged... Fricking nora, this thing is quick !! As with the 990, if you keep it in the middle of the rev range and bang it up the box you get to ride the wave of torque and 40 -> somewhere just over the speed limit happens very quickly indeed.

The bike tips into corners easily and feels very stable, the chasis feedback is good and it feels very stable. Mid corner corrections aren't too much of an issue and bumps get soaked up well by the suspension and tyres. I should also mention that the tyres where maxxis sport max, as I know (myself included) there are a lot who don't like maxxis tyres. They actually work pretty well..

Soon the national ran out and villages came along with their speed limits, back to street mode and sensible riding.

Leaving the village I had a dilemma! I punched the menu button intending to aim for sport mode but my eye was drawn to the words "Track Mode"... Now, remember the millage of the bike and the discussion with the dealer about being nice to the bike....... but "Track Mode"... (wasntme) (wasntme)


Baaaarp, Baaaarp, pop, Baaarp..... Track mode won (devil) (devil) (devil)

Oh My God !!! I wouldn't have believed a bike could change so much.. Traction control: Way Down, Wheelie Control: Off, ABS: Off... Grin factor out of 10... 12 !!

I do think though there are some things that KTM could have done a little better with the bike. The switch gear feels kind of cheap, and even though the dash is good, it does feel like its the budget version of the range. The other thing I would change is the seat, it's really hard. The biggest annoyance of the bike though is it's biggest plus. The rider modes. They really give the bike the perfect usability from town/village riding to blatting round fast lanes and tracks. What wrong though is it's too many button presses to change between modes, and you don't want your eyes off the road for that long.

So, would I buy one??? Tough!! If I was only riding locally to where I am and not doing the occasional track day and IOM trip, then absolutely. But, it seems to lack the top end you want for the IoM trips and track days (that may be a restriction of either running in or my skill though)

Pics
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P.S. Following on from the do you need a quick shifter thread... The answer it yes, absolutely, no doubt...
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by Kwacky »

Every review I've read from people seems to be mixed. Which is a shame as this should be taking on the 765 triumph.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by D6Nutz »

Kwacky wrote:Every review I've read from people seems to be mixed. Which is a shame as this should be taking on the 765 triumph.
Maybe I need to try the 765 as a comparison (bandit)
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by Blade »

I can't get past the looks. Just looks cheap.

Might be a good ride but the Triumph looks at better quality and designed product.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by C00kiemonster »

D6Nutz wrote:
Kwacky wrote:Every review I've read from people seems to be mixed. Which is a shame as this should be taking on the 765 triumph.
Maybe I need to try the 765 as a comparison (bandit)
You should. I love mine.

Good review, thanks. You've confirmed what i suspected. As anyone who has spoken to me about KTM's i'm a fan and the 690 Duke with the single cylinder is a brilliant bike - raw, light and good build quality. Even sitting on the 790 at the show i was disappointed.

I'm sure it handles really well, but for the price the Triumph or the Yamaha MT09 would be a better ownership prospect.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by duke63 »

I get the feeling there may well be a 790R released next year.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by Kwacky »

A lot of people on the PB Mag forum bought the cheap 390s last year and loads of them are reporting build quality issues already.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by Blade »

I always thought KTM were of good quality but hearing more and more owners reporting quality issues.

Has something changed at the factory or were they always questionable quality wise?
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by C00kiemonster »

I always thought the Superduke and RC8 were well built and their offroaders are very well regarded.

Maybe they knock these out in Thailand (a lot of bikes seem to be these days) and it makes them big profit.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by Blade »

Yeah when the RC8 was launched it was billed as a high end premium product and I think that is where and why I assumed the quality was high.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by Kwacky »

I think with KTM you get what you pay for. If it's one of the cheaper models then it's reflected in the build quality. I looked at a few older 1190s and they all looked immaculate.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by duke63 »

Think KTM gave a factory in India now and a tie in with a complete any there. May explain some of the quality issues on their cheaper bikes.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by D6Nutz »

I'm trying to get my hands on a 1290 for a test ride. I do think the quality of some of the components is down to it being a cheaper model.

The switch gear and dash looked and felt quite cheap, but it would be good to compare against the flagship of the range.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by Rossgo »

I dont like the look, i wouldnt expect a KTM to look at shocking as that IMO. But good write up and honest. I felt lile i was there to be honest

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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by Kwacky »

I had a look at the 790 on Saturday. It's very budget bike looking in my eyes. I wasn't keen.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by Rossgo »

I thought KTM were a premium brand? Whats made them design that! I can understand going to a budget but come on!!

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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by D6Nutz »

I think they've had to compromise with the 790. They are trying to get a consistent look over the while range, this means there are some expensive bits and other been ts have had to be cheaper.

For instance, the dash is excellent if any thing slightly better than the 1290 as the layout was clearer. The switch gear has suffered, I guess to offset the cost of the dash.

There are also some design points that would push up the overall cost. The QS is built into the bike, but is software controlled as an optional extra. This must have ramped up the overall cost of the base bike. Oh, and apparently you have to have a KTM supplied computer with special firmware to enable it.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by Stonesie »

I was just blown away by how easy I found it to just get on and ride hard, it was only a 35min escorted test so I didn't get much chance to play, just had to keep up with a test rider on a 1090.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by D41 »

Looks like a big, angular lump, with a flatscreen TV for a dash.
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Re: KTM 790 Duke - Review

Post by Kwacky »

One of the guys on the Performance Bikes forum has just traded in his MT09SP for one of these. He did a track day today and in his first session he was 5 seconds a lap quicker around Donington on the KTM than on the Yamaha.

It sounds like he really enjoyed himself on the bike.
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