I love this guy cuz he always mentiones what year bike he actually rides. We all know bike versions can vary greatly from year to year but some reviewers seem to ignore that fact.
Definitely a fun bike that can do it all. As you said, you get a lot for your money. You really have to try it in track mode though. Switch off Anti Wheely and ratchet down the Traction Control and it honestly feels like another bike. Throttle becomes far more responsive. It's as if you have another 10bhp on tap. Not suitable for town riding, but on your favourite back road it's a blast!
Another great review, can’t touch it for the money, wake up manufacturers the way bike prices are going is unsustainable. When the pcp bubble bursts and the old generation on Gs’ pack it in value for money like this will rule. If there is a bike industry left. Cheers
Had mine for four weeks now, loving it completely. Its only a hooligan if you choose to let it be, i commute and pootle around, then when the red mist descends i go play as well. Goes in for first service next week, but been a great bike so far, no complaints from me.
Had to replace the front tire on mine after running over a nail and was unpleasantly surprised to learn that the stock Maxxis Supermaxx tires are no longer available. The dealer was able to replace it with a KTM authorized Michelin otherwise I was looking at having to replace both tires. Very happy with the Michelin but my Duke, with less than 3000 kilometres on the clock is currently in the shop having a coolant leak addressed. Thank goodness KTM honors their warranty. Otherwise the bike is a pure joy to ride and the engine in particular is a grand slam.
Another fantastic review TMF. You have really got me thinking about booking a test ride on the 790. Why is it that every time I watch one of your vids, my bank balance is in danger of getting a battering? Keep up the great work sir.
Great review TMF, I have that one here in my garage. Not that Im that Hoonigan you were referring too but its not that easy to wheelie though due to snatchy throttle and weak euro 4 bottom end below 5k. Needs that pipe and remap to unleash its full potential!
Yes for the money its fantastic! Quality and fit and finish is incredible for the money as is the electronics as you mentioned. Seems to run hot though in this weather, think the motors a hot runner
Good work, Mr. Flyer. I too think it's a very complete and balanced package for the money. Lots of bells & doodas as standard equipment that other brands charge extra to have.
Thanks TMF for your valuable time on doing this review!! Top 5 things I love.......Duke 790 Looking forward to the long term review and enjoy your tour, which starts today? PS. I like Letterman and enjoyed the films Groundhog day and Edge Of Tomorrow!!!!!!! Like Emily Blunt as well but that's a whole different subject!
eu BD - I've got a 990 SuperD and have owned a few bigger GS's. I made the comments cuz the reviewer tested an 850cc Yamaha Tracer and commented at least 3 times in that review that it was a BIG bike - so if that is the case - why is the 790 Duke (60cc less) not a biG bIG BIG bike - Just calling him out on it and lame attempt at cheeky!!!
Great vlog as always MrF. This is the bike I’ve been waiting for from KTM, a medium capacity twin. Looks great, goes really well and I can’t wait to ride the adventure version (as long as they don’t dumb it down like Triumph did with the Tiger). Pity about the mirrors. Looks like you could land a few pidgeons on those. Nice to hear MrsF back on the drums! ;)
Not really into the naked bike scene, but will be looking forward to seeing the 790 Adventure when it is finally released. If it's as good as the Scalpel but in ADV form it could render the Tiger 800 and BMW 850 obsolete!
If manufacturers produced machines to the highest specifications ONLY! then they would save on costs and pass that on to the consumer.Good on KTM if that's their thinking here 👍
Number 1 is the reason i purchased the 790 had it 2 months now and its absolutely brilliant.I will have a good guess the mirrors are near the top on the dislike list😉
arm and a leg to insure I bet though, most "newly out" models are? but it does look great! still think though 14l is pretty silly on an 800cc sporty engined bike with 100+ bhp under your bum! when your street triple and the new one have 17 or 18 litres! ride safe
I was thinking that tank was a bit too small. I hope to be wrong. My GSXR 750 was spoiled with this 100 mile tank range. Just could not use it for the occasional long trips which was a shame as I found it very comfortable.
How is the seat? 1 more thing is the radiator fan too loud? Like here in india we have bumper to bumper traffic with temperatures soaring upto 40 degrees Celsius duke 390 heats up a lot making the radiator fan sound like a jet engine. Grt video though. Thanks
No the fan is fine (compared to the 390) nowhere near as much cutting in - the seat, typically KTM but more comfy on a long tour than I thought - stay tuned for more soon!
The seat is iron-hard, even with my less-than-impressive 63kgs weight, I will have the comfort seat fitted soon! While my 390 had an "annoying" fan that seems to kick in too soon, it did its work. The 790 kicks up much more heat, in 30+ degrees weather it is a furnace* in stop-start city traffic, and I routinely switch the engine off when not moving. *But with 3 times the power in an engine block not much bigger that of the 390, maybe no surprise.
TMF: A fair summing up of the 790 from the master himself! The only point I disagree on is the quick-shifter. While it may be one of best on the market, I find it more of a gimmick than anything else. It is smooth, but still not as smooth as my manual changes, and changing gear on the 790 is effortless. And on the rare occasion where I have cocked up, and am in too-high gear with too-low revs coming up to a red-light, the quick shifter won't help. Mid July my 790 bit me. In the car park after work, I lifted the side stand, and suddenly the bike flipped to the left.. I still cannot explain it, but put it down to a momentary lack of attention, and maybe the bike not being ideally positioned. Whatever the cause, the result was hospital, plaster, and some weeks of limping. All things considered a bagatelle injury that could have been much worse, but stopping me biking, horse riding and paragliding for 2 months.
Thanks TMF. At the end of the day it could have been a lot worse: The same accident a few minutes later in the cut and thrust of rush hour city traffic might have had me under the wheels of a multi-segment-bendy-bus; or out in the hills on minor roads I might not have been found for over an hour ..... The worse thing is, I can't identify a specific mistake, so I can't learn from it. I just have to put it down to "shit sometimes happens".
Nasty. Is the QS maybe still faster than the manual shifts even if you feel it's not as smooth? Are you also sure you are doing it right (keeping power on changing up and off when down) as mine (1290 SA S) is buttery smooth and instant.
QQ TMF: Can you please pop into the dash options and see if you can find an option to tell you the current software version? Mine is finally due to be ready for me on Friday. :)
@@TheMissendenFlyer Wow, thanks for the quick reply, honestly didn't expect it. I'm in Northern Ireland and the roads are horrendous so i think i would prefer something a bit more comfortable and assured. Which do you think you would prefer as a daily commuter? Thanks again for the amazing response!
Nate Davis The SP only costs a couple of £100 more than this, I would say the SP is better value for the money. You could potentially get it the same price of this if you battled the dealers off against eachother.
Very interesting, look forward to the long termer, just a thought can we include tyres on the review . So many bikes let down by bad OEM tyres . I would rather pay a bit more for decent rubber rather than having to change them as soon as I pick bike up.
I’m anticipating your long term review. Could you see this bike being set up to do any kind of touring? I suppose in a perfect world one could get a BMW 1200 GS that weighs under 500 lbs that costs under $18,000. But alas, that will never come to pass. I’m trying to find a less expensive alternative out there, but I don’t see one. I really want to get away from chains as well, but I could possibly be enticed if equipped with a center stand. My current ride lacks one. I will most likely end up with the Beemer, just doesn’t appear to be anything else out there.
Yein: The seat is not electrically heated, but I find that the engine kicks up more than enough heat. Heated grips are an option that I have on order for mine.
I suspect the 790 adv next year will get the heated seat and the 390/1290 SA style dash layout and the lovely cruise control, the lack of CC should definitely be on the "5 dislikes" list. ;)
Ah I know the KTM is a league ahead of it, but you're making me impatient for my new MT07. Put a deposit on it last Saturday and got the money in my bank ready to transfer but I'm having a couple of small mods added and one of my local dealership's mechanic/fitters got knocked off his bike on the way to work last Friday morning.
TheMissendenFlyer Definitely looks better. With you on that one. Trying to get past that. Thinking about a replacement for my 2016 675R. Hmm... Test ride time I guess.
Bit more leg room on the 790. If I remember correctly, the pegs are slightly further forward and more relaxed than the Street Triple. Can't comment on the Yams.
Hey MissendenFlyer, great review as always and i fully agree it’s amazing value for money!...a bit of an unrelated question however as someone who is looking to pick up a 690 duke for my own reasons, where you able to flatfoot the duke 690 at your height? I’m aware the duke 790 has a much shorter seat height but it’s not what i’m looking for
Ffs don’t get the 690. Mine broke down every 21 miles. Ktm couldn’t sort it. Common problem re fuel pumps yet they were blinkered. Stay away from Ktm bud
They seem to have new/better/working fuel pumps now. I had a replacement fitted to my 1290 within the 1st month (recall from KTM and have had no fuelling issue since and no stranding. Surely you could have returned it to the dealer (or got a new replacement bike) after a couple of fix attempts if it was stranding you every 21 miles? How did you get on in e.g. small claims court?
Kim had six weeks. Said all fixed. 21 miles later you guess. You take Ktm to court if you have the money. Traded shite thing in and never looked back. And would never go back
What are your thoughts on KTM reliability? Originally wanted a Duke 390, but went with BMW G310R. Read a lot of head gasket horror stories about the KTMs. Duke is probably a little more fun to ride, but I think the BMW will be more fun to own. (i.e. reliability)
Both my 390 and the 790 that replaced it have been faultless so far, ridden in all weather. I did a test ride on a G310R, and while nice in its own way, it was way behind both KTMs in equipment, fun factor and perceivable build quality.
Christopher Lamb Thanks man, good to know. Perhaps a future 2nd bike will be a KTM dual sport! Bikes are like lays potato chips... you can't stop at one😂
Yes, bikes do tend to "go forth and multiply" as the vicar says. That makes test-rides so dangerous to the wallet. My test ride of the G310 was post 790 purchase so I was reasonably safe.... I hope that KTM see sense and finally produce a smaller lighter Dual Sport, perhaps based on the 390: Something that you don't need a step ladder to get on, and light enough to pickup on one's own without busting a gut.
Well, it won't drop by half after 3 years. Just look at used KTM's...they hold their value quite well. Look at the newprice of a 690 duke, now look at the used prices. Only dropped 2k. I'm not saying to buy new, because I never buy anything new. But dropping by 50% is only gonna happen after more then 5 years and a lot of miles.
This bike would be better if it had fully adjustable suspension, hydraulic clutch & Brembo brakes and maybe ever so slight bump in power. In return they could bump up the price a bit. Then it would be perfect, or create a R versions with some extra goodies. There is a hole in the market for mid weight bikes with premium parts. I think the 790 is an amazing bike but I'm sad to see they skimped out slightly on the suspension and brakes.
Looks a great bit of kit for the money. Would possibly make a great lightweight 1 up tourer with a couple of panniers. Do wonder if the trend for quickshifters and autoblippers will shorten the life of a gearbox? Guess the second hand market will find out in a few years. Cheers.
I don't understand the point of them on anything besides a sportsbike. Doesn't it take away some of the skill & joy of working the transmission yourself (like manual VS auto in a car)? I've never used one so just don't know....
Got an up-shift only quick shifter on my MT10 and it is an incredible feeling just holding open the throttle, not touching the clutch and flicking it up through the gears. Normal riding I still use the clutch just to not over stress the gear box.
I'm never going to change your mind on this but to make the point again, this is not a 'little' bike. Just because it's smaller than your 1200 GS it doesn't make it a small bike. You don't call the Eiffel Tower 'short' because there's now the Burj Khalifa, do you? ;-) A 125 is a small bike and, arguably, a 250. But 600 and over are mid size if anything, and more than enough for most riders.
I interpret the comment as "It's a small bike considering it's a 799cc". If you look at in the dealer it looks more like a 250 or 400 and it's also very light. Compare the feeling of weight of this to e.g. a Honda 500. In that respect it is a small bike.
Nice videos,but i am waiting patiently 2-3 years now from you to review a bike that is totally crap.No offence ,but i saw that from your Top 30 bikes is missing the DL650,the best value for money ,all around big bike (long wheelbase) of the last 20 years!!
Just sitting in the KTM centre in Hemel, drinking coffee and waiting for my 390 to be serviced (bought off the back of your review no less), and I'm sat opposite a 790... I can see today is going to be a difficult one.. 😍
Dean, having owned both, I can testify that as a 390 owner you are still one lucky guy! Academically the 790 may be better, but the 390 is very very close in my humble opinion, and the 790 does nothing that the 390 cannot. In fact my 390 had panniers, which my 790 does not yet. Both are fun fun fun.
Given that Great Missenden, and the UK in general, has been melting for months with an Indian summer, heated grips are probably not on the top of TMF's mind. At the moment a cooled ice-cream-cone-holder might be more relevant! 8-)
Christopher Lamb here in the Netherlands and the rest if Europe have that same heat but I presume you also ride your bike in winter and then you need them.
There are of course heated grips available ... Not too pricey either. Mine will have them for sure as I ride in Irish winters ... (Q: Is it still really called Winter when it lasts more than 6 months???).
palantir135: I rode my 390 through the Swiss winter, which is generally colder than in the Netherlands, so heated grips for my 790 were a must-have-option. but one that at the moment may slip of the radar due to the current heat wave. Mind you. last time I worked in Holland was 1997, it was the last Elfstedentocht, and so cold that the penguins in Amsterdam Zoo had to be brought in and warmed up in a fridge!
Christopher Lamb it can be quite cold here exept when your living neear the coast. It's not dry cold, we call it "water cold"; fog, drizzle with low temperatures. I mainly do touring, so at least more than two hours on the bike. Everything gets so cold then, also due to windchill, that you need the heated handgrips all the time. Not to mention your almost freezing toes.
Just to be clear, it's not KTM's first twin cylinder bike ( what you stated in your vid), but it is their first parallel twin bike. Good vid & great bike, my bro has just purchased one instead of his 899
Sorry for being negative, but why do you start every number on the list with a big speech about "Number two on my list, of the things I love about the 2018 KTM Duke 790 - or is it Duke 790? - but the number two on this list is".. It feels so much like a waste of time. You even do the short thing at 4:18 but then goes straight back to saying exactly what I can read in the video title. Thank you for doing the videos, I value the content, I just think it could be even better.
Thank you for the answer. I just looked up some list (Eminem) from Letterman, an you're right, it's like his :). Guess I'm just too Scandinavian/have a better short-term-memory than other people. :)
Mate, if you don't have 10 seconds to "waste" on that, why are you even watching this 9 minute video? I'm pretty sure you waste a lot more time than that on a daily basis just hearing "good day" from people you meet.
Eric, as a beginner, give the 390 a whirl. It is very, very close to the 790, but is even lighter and flickable.I loved mine to bits. Having earned your spurs, the 790 will be a natural upgrade.
Or leave it in rain mode with the TC on most intrusive for a while maybe? If it handles well and is light and has good torque in rain mode but not excessive it sounds like it could be great for learners. There is also an A2 version I believe, "790L" per the lady at principal ....
Yeah duke 790 seems a great bike but at that price range and has juan brakes with no adjustable suspension front and rear and cheap tires while street triple rs in the same money has brembos m50s ,bp forks and ohlins rear with supercorsas....
IME the KTM main dealers here (all two of them) are streets ahead of certain other local dealers. I think all brands will have their share of cowboy dealers sadly. This is somewhere where the brands in general need to step up and do more user surveys and spot checks etc. I think.
Nice review. Looks as if we are of a mind on this. I tested the Street Triple RS and the Duke 790 (or 790 Duke?) yesterday and have now ordered the Duke to replace my baby 390 version - a greta little bike but lacking a bit of go. I think the 790 is closer to a 390 on steroids than the bigger V-twins and is definitely more fun than the excellent, but a bit too civilised for this style of bike, Street Triple. Just what I hoped for when I took it out and cannot wait until next month when I get the new (orange of course) bike.
Stephen: Join the club! I made the same transition some months ago, my 790 was one of the first (possibly the first) delivered to a customer in Switzerland - Orange too. I am still trying to work out the differences between the two: the "on steroids" sums it up well. However I did not find the 390 lacking in power, it just needed a little more gear-shifting than the 790.
Yes I'm a bit the same - I love KTM's in general but I so wish they'd get a better designer on board, none of the bikes are real head turners IMO....this one and the Super Duke R are OK, but not stunners....
I think it's both. It's ugly, but would be huge fun. I'm eagerly awaiting the adventure version, that could be a bike that I could tour on and not be afraid to take down green lanes or gravel tracks.
One of the things I like about the recent designs is the fact that they don't attract attention,. I can hustle along and not get any hassle and I'd rather have my bike appear to be "another boring dual purpose" when the thieving scum walk past looking for something to nick, than "Oh wow, an , I must steal that!" ;)
As much as I like your review. However I test riden this and found it boring after one hour. A lot of your positives you have discribed I personally found them bit boring on the bike. Just my outcome. But your a great reviewer
Only five things to like? 😋 Not my kind of bike. I'm more a touring guy. I don't need and like a hooligan bike. I want easy handeling, good weather protection and suspention and side cases.
Mr. Green no, not a naked bike fir me. I want some wind- and rain protection. While touring I usually take the small and windy roads; they tend to have more holes and bumps. Therefore I want comfortable but not soft suspention. An allroad bike, not an adventure bike, is What I want. I've had a Suziku V-strom 650; marvelous bike was that. So a Suzuki V-strom or Kawasaki Versys, a Yamaha Tracer GT or Triumph Tiger are on my list. A BMW R1200 RT is also excellent.
![เปิดบ้าน โคตรสวย ป๋องกพล รู้จักตั้งนาน เพิ่งรู้ว่ารวย!!! l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tmgCF_2HfYI/mqdefault.jpg)
I love this guy cuz he always mentiones what year bike he actually rides. We all know bike versions can vary greatly from year to year but some reviewers seem to ignore that fact.
Definitely a fun bike that can do it all. As you said, you get a lot for your money.
You really have to try it in track mode though. Switch off Anti Wheely and ratchet down the Traction Control and it honestly feels like another bike. Throttle becomes far more responsive. It's as if you have another 10bhp on tap. Not suitable for town riding, but on your favourite back road it's a blast!
Another great review, can’t touch it for the money, wake up manufacturers the way bike prices are going is unsustainable. When the pcp bubble bursts and the old generation on Gs’ pack it in value for money like this will rule. If there is a bike industry left.
Cheers
John Ward Thanks for the advice John but I’ll stick with my GS, once it’s moving feels like a mid range bike and I can afford it...
Back to back rides with the Triumph vs. 790 would be fun to hear
Loved the breakdown, can’t wait for the long term review. And please don’t change your breakdown style, it works perfectly.
Cheerio 🍻
Had mine for four weeks now, loving it completely. Its only a hooligan if you choose to let it be, i commute and pootle around, then when the red mist descends i go play as well. Goes in for first service next week, but been a great bike so far, no complaints from me.
Had to replace the front tire on mine after running over a nail and was unpleasantly surprised to learn that the stock Maxxis Supermaxx tires are no longer available. The dealer was able to replace it with a KTM authorized Michelin otherwise I was looking at having to replace both tires. Very happy with the Michelin but my Duke, with less than 3000 kilometres on the clock is currently in the shop having a coolant leak addressed. Thank goodness KTM honors their warranty. Otherwise the bike is a pure joy to ride and the engine in particular is a grand slam.
Another fantastic review TMF. You have really got me thinking about booking a test ride on the 790. Why is it that every time I watch one of your vids, my bank balance is in danger of getting a battering? Keep up the great work sir.
Great review TMF, I have that one here in my garage. Not that Im that Hoonigan you were referring too but its not that easy to wheelie though due to snatchy throttle and weak euro 4 bottom end below 5k. Needs that pipe and remap to unleash its full potential!
I probably broke it with all the excessive wheelies and burn-outs I did off camera....nice bike though eh?
Yes for the money its fantastic! Quality and fit and finish is incredible for the money as is the electronics as you mentioned. Seems to run hot though in this weather, think the motors a hot runner
Chopster, isn't that just being--ha!--a KTM?
Correct, all KTM's have hot engines.
That's a sharp looking bike. Love it! I am also waiting for the ADV variant. Great review!
Cheers Spiros...
i couldn"t get enough of this bike!
I wonder if the mirrors will make the 'don't like list' lol
They look like they stole them off a keeway 125! Dog shit, !
Sounds like a fun ride. I am waiting for the 790ADV. Should have similar engine (maybe tuned down bit).
Good work, Mr. Flyer.
I too think it's a very complete and balanced package for the money. Lots of bells & doodas as standard equipment that other brands charge extra to have.
I love the 790. I own the 390 Duke and that's really good as it is for the price. One day, I'm gonna upgrade to the macdaddy the superduke
Thanks TMF for your valuable time on doing this review!! Top 5 things I love.......Duke 790
Looking forward to the long term review and enjoy your tour, which starts today?
PS. I like Letterman and enjoyed the films Groundhog day and Edge Of Tomorrow!!!!!!!
Like Emily Blunt as well but that's a whole different subject!
Yep sure does - on my way to the ferry shortly....stay tuned!
Happy owner of the 790... Yes the quickshifter and.. All the other 4. Will change for metzeler tires too.
There is one bit where your shadow is over to the right that reminded me of the silhouette of Queen Victoria :-)
Crikey, you're a one you!
Its not a great wheelie bike, but the way it pulls out of corners is great.
Lovely bike! Can't wait until they bring out the ADV version, and also hopefully a road-oriented "GT" based on this platform.
2021 890 GT or SMT
That is one Big Big bike you got there son.. The Big size is what i love about the 2018 SD 790.
..it's not THAT big???
Ya but - the seat height is 32.4"- so that's fn Big.
Try a 990 adventure ...
eu BD - I've got a 990 SuperD and have owned a few bigger GS's. I made the comments cuz the reviewer tested an 850cc Yamaha Tracer and commented at least 3 times in that review that it was a BIG bike - so if that is the case - why is the 790 Duke (60cc less) not a biG bIG BIG bike - Just calling him out on it and lame attempt at cheeky!!!
This bike sounds like a BEAST. Great vid!
Thanks for watching and for stopping by! All the best - TMF
Engine wise, how would you compare this to the MT07?
Its like a Mt07 with a turbo🤙🔥
Great vlog as always MrF. This is the bike I’ve been waiting for from KTM, a medium capacity twin. Looks great, goes really well and I can’t wait to ride the adventure version (as long as they don’t dumb it down like Triumph did with the Tiger). Pity about the mirrors. Looks like you could land a few pidgeons on those. Nice to hear MrsF back on the drums! ;)
Yes I'm looking forward to the adventure too - just hope it looks alright......
TheMissendenFlyer haha....indeed...KLM’s can be an acquired taste.
Not really into the naked bike scene, but will be looking forward to seeing the 790 Adventure when it is finally released. If it's as good as the Scalpel but in ADV form it could render the Tiger 800 and BMW 850 obsolete!
..yeah I'm looking forward to trying it...
Dream bike
If manufacturers produced machines to the highest specifications ONLY! then they would save on costs and pass that on to the consumer.Good on KTM if that's their thinking here 👍
Good review. Unbiased and to the point.
Great video
Thumbs up 👍
Thanks for sharing
Peace
Number 1 is the reason i purchased the 790 had it 2 months now and its absolutely brilliant.I will have a good guess the mirrors are near the top on the dislike list😉
arm and a leg to insure I bet though, most "newly out" models are? but it does look great! still think though 14l is pretty silly on an 800cc sporty engined bike with 100+ bhp under your bum! when your street triple and the new one have 17 or 18 litres! ride safe
toorest trikie OK I'm still running it in but 63.8 mpg over 500 miles. Range not bad.
really? not too bad then for an 800! maybe I'm wrong ooh how'd that happen? lol
I was thinking that tank was a bit too small. I hope to be wrong. My GSXR 750 was spoiled with this 100 mile tank range. Just could not use it for the occasional long trips which was a shame as I found it very comfortable.
Cost less to insure with Bennet's than my shiver 750 when I px it in
oh fair enough! are you a young guy? I mean 20 something? because I would think for younger riders it might be pretty pricey?
Interesting to compare it with the Ducati Hypermotard although that may be more pricey.
I had to listen to what he says at 5:21 around ten times before I understood what he said lol, I am considering this KTM 790 Duke and the Yamaha MT 09
Will you haves a Long terms review of Likes/Dislikes by chances?
Good morning sir, thank you for another great video.
Good morning Peter and you're welcome!
Morning mr flyer. Looks like good competition for the MT09.......
Indeed it is....
How is the seat? 1 more thing is the radiator fan too loud? Like here in india we have bumper to bumper traffic with temperatures soaring upto 40 degrees Celsius duke 390 heats up a lot making the radiator fan sound like a jet engine. Grt video though. Thanks
No the fan is fine (compared to the 390) nowhere near as much cutting in - the seat, typically KTM but more comfy on a long tour than I thought - stay tuned for more soon!
Krishanu Singh not a problem in Yorkshire until this summer lmao
Seat is ok over 150 miles and I don't have a fat ass. No fan noise noticed.
The seat is iron-hard, even with my less-than-impressive 63kgs weight, I will have the comfort seat fitted soon! While my 390 had an "annoying" fan that seems to kick in too soon, it did its work. The 790 kicks up much more heat, in 30+ degrees weather it is a furnace* in stop-start city traffic, and I routinely switch the engine off when not moving. *But with 3 times the power in an engine block not much bigger that of the 390, maybe no surprise.
is this bike a good bike for long distance touring? Riding position?
Debating between the Duke790 or Agusta 800 Brutale....thoughts?
A relative bargain, would be interested in KTM service intervals / and cost though. Nice one as always.
Stick around for my next video on this bike John - will be my long term review and I cover servicing costs and intervals on that one...stay tuned!
TheMissendenFlyer Will do mate.
Oil every 15000 km, Valves every 30000 km..
TMF: A fair summing up of the 790 from the master himself! The only point I disagree on is the quick-shifter. While it may be one of best on the market, I find it more of a gimmick than anything else. It is smooth, but still not as smooth as my manual changes, and changing gear on the 790 is effortless. And on the rare occasion where I have cocked up, and am in too-high gear with too-low revs coming up to a red-light, the quick shifter won't help.
Mid July my 790 bit me. In the car park after work, I lifted the side stand, and suddenly the bike flipped to the left.. I still cannot explain it, but put it down to a momentary lack of attention, and maybe the bike not being ideally positioned. Whatever the cause, the result was hospital, plaster, and some weeks of limping. All things considered a bagatelle injury that could have been much worse, but stopping me biking, horse riding and paragliding for 2 months.
Oh dear - sorry to hear that Chris!
Thanks TMF. At the end of the day it could have been a lot worse: The same accident a few minutes later in the cut and thrust of rush hour city traffic might have had me under the wheels of a multi-segment-bendy-bus; or out in the hills on minor roads I might not have been found for over an hour ..... The worse thing is, I can't identify a specific mistake, so I can't learn from it. I just have to put it down to "shit sometimes happens".
Nasty. Is the QS maybe still faster than the manual shifts even if you feel it's not as smooth?
Are you also sure you are doing it right (keeping power on changing up and off when down) as mine (1290 SA S) is buttery smooth and instant.
So would you say the only difference between this and the SDR1290 is literally just the engine?
How dose it compare to a mt09? ....both seem like fun bikes
I think I marginally preferred the Duke...
Rambo is looking forward to test one next week
Man - what a bike! Awesome!!
Great bike. Would be on my shortlist. Nice vid.
Like to know what the comfort is like on longer rides, for old geezers.
If you could only have only one bike for commuting between the 1250gs and this ktm790, which one will you pick?
Commuting only? I’d take the KTM
Any trouble with the quickshifter ?
Nope, none....
Another great video.
Cheers Kieran
And in Denmark it's cost 151.821 Danish Kroner and in Pund that is 18.300. And because it is so expensive in Denmark is our really high VAT and taxes.
QQ TMF: Can you please pop into the dash options and see if you can find an option to tell you the current software version?
Mine is finally due to be ready for me on Friday. :)
Before watching: #1: Engine :) Edit: dang, missed ;)
So for me i'm torn between the KTM Duke 790 v MT 09 SP? Any opinions? Cheers!
Hmm tough, go for the one you like the look of most....
@@TheMissendenFlyer Wow, thanks for the quick reply, honestly didn't expect it. I'm in Northern Ireland and the roads are horrendous so i think i would prefer something a bit more comfortable and assured. Which do you think you would prefer as a daily commuter? Thanks again for the amazing response!
My 18 390 tft doesn't change between light/dark anywhere near as much as that. Obviously in your top 5 I don't like.
They did a s/w update for this on the 1290 SAs, I imagine if enough people moan, they can change the timing on the 790 too.
Great video mate, what do you think that's better this or MT09 SP?
Nate Davis The SP only costs a couple of £100 more than this, I would say the SP is better value for the money. You could potentially get it the same price of this if you battled the dealers off against eachother.
Hi,should i trade my 2016 ktm 690 smc r for the duke?
Only you can decide that one! Have you ridden the Duke?
I don't know if you have been asked this yet, so I'll ask. Have you road with a passenger? If so, how is the bike for two up trips? thanks
No sorry I never rode with a passenger on this bike.
Please do 2018 Yamaha MT-07 Review :)
what the the manual clutch for when you have a quick shifter on a bike? Kinda thought this would remove the satisfaction of changing gear
You need the clutch at standstill and it gives you the choice the rest of the time....
@@TheMissendenFlyer ahhhh i see right okie dokles thanks for clearing that up
Does it fit tall ppl ? Im 6.3 or 1.93 m
Err, dunno....
Very interesting, look forward to the long termer, just a thought can we include tyres on the review . So many bikes let down by bad OEM tyres .
I would rather pay a bit more for decent rubber rather than having to change them as soon as I pick bike up.
I'll see what I can do! Stay tuned....
Really nice review. Comparing the Duke 790 and the Street Triple RS, which do you think is the better bike?
Tough one - I think I prefer the Street Triple on looks...KTM rides better though, maybe...
I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one. First thing on the to do list is to change the looks. :)
Currently £5.5k for a 2018 bike with 3k miles….I am VERY tempted
I’m anticipating your long term review. Could you see this bike being set up to do any kind of touring? I suppose in a perfect world one could get a BMW 1200 GS that weighs under 500 lbs that costs under $18,000. But alas, that will never come to pass. I’m trying to find a less expensive alternative out there, but I don’t see one. I really want to get away from chains as well, but I could possibly be enticed if equipped with a center stand. My current ride lacks one. I will most likely end up with the Beemer, just doesn’t appear to be anything else out there.
Funnily enough I recently took this bike on tour to the Peak District - more to come in my long term review soon....stay tuned!
He happy 2019 could you perhaps review the shiver 900 in the future
Hey flyer does it have a heated seat ?
Yein: The seat is not electrically heated, but I find that the engine kicks up more than enough heat. Heated grips are an option that I have on order for mine.
I suspect the 790 adv next year will get the heated seat and the 390/1290 SA style dash layout and the lovely cruise control, the lack of CC should definitely be on the "5 dislikes" list. ;)
790 Dash layout is already 1290 style: a little smaller, but much sharper than the 390 part.
Ah I know the KTM is a league ahead of it, but you're making me impatient for my new MT07. Put a deposit on it last Saturday and got the money in my bank ready to transfer but I'm having a couple of small mods added and one of my local dealership's mechanic/fitters got knocked off his bike on the way to work last Friday morning.
This isn't your diary wtf
How does the 790 feel compared to the 1290R?
Smaller, slower but fun and eager...
How does it compare to the Street Triple RS?
Feels very similar - riding position not as aggressive, STRS looks better IMO...
TheMissendenFlyer Definitely looks better. With you on that one. Trying to get past that. Thinking about a replacement for my 2016 675R. Hmm... Test ride time I guess.
How's the riding position compared to street triple and mt/fz09?
Similar - not so canted forward as on the Street Triple....
TheMissendenFlyer how about seat to pegs room?
Bit more leg room on the 790. If I remember correctly, the pegs are slightly further forward and more relaxed than the Street Triple. Can't comment on the Yams.
Good one!
Cheers...
So wait, you dont use the clutch at all?
Only when stationary or coming to a halt.....
Wow, that is awesome thanks. Definitely going to be my next bike.
Can this bike a good tourer bike ?
Yes, no reason why not!
MT09 SP a better bike?
Tough call....
Hey MissendenFlyer, great review as always and i fully agree it’s amazing value for money!...a bit of an unrelated question however as someone who is looking to pick up a 690 duke for my own reasons, where you able to flatfoot the duke 690 at your height? I’m aware the duke 790 has a much shorter seat height but it’s not what i’m looking for
As far as I recall yes....
Ffs don’t get the 690. Mine broke down every 21 miles. Ktm couldn’t sort it. Common problem re fuel pumps yet they were blinkered. Stay away from Ktm bud
Stable Slayers Thanks for the info, that’s a real shame! What year was yours?
They seem to have new/better/working fuel pumps now. I had a replacement fitted to my 1290 within the 1st month (recall from KTM and have had no fuelling issue since and no stranding.
Surely you could have returned it to the dealer (or got a new replacement bike) after a couple of fix attempts if it was stranding you every 21 miles? How did you get on in e.g. small claims court?
Kim had six weeks. Said all fixed. 21 miles later you guess. You take Ktm to court if you have the money.
Traded shite thing in and never looked back. And would never go back
These bikes come with so much tech now 😬
What are your thoughts on KTM reliability? Originally wanted a Duke 390, but went with BMW G310R. Read a lot of head gasket horror stories about the KTMs. Duke is probably a little more fun to ride, but I think the BMW will be more fun to own. (i.e. reliability)
Both my 390 and the 790 that replaced it have been faultless so far, ridden in all weather. I did a test ride on a G310R, and while nice in its own way, it was way behind both KTMs in equipment, fun factor and perceivable build quality.
Christopher Lamb Thanks man, good to know. Perhaps a future 2nd bike will be a KTM dual sport! Bikes are like lays potato chips... you can't stop at one😂
Really, really happy with my BMW. Should probably not test ride a 390 then, is what you're telling me! Ignorance is bliss 😂
Yes, bikes do tend to "go forth and multiply" as the vicar says. That makes test-rides so dangerous to the wallet. My test ride of the G310 was post 790 purchase so I was reasonably safe.... I hope that KTM see sense and finally produce a smaller lighter Dual Sport, perhaps based on the 390: Something that you don't need a step ladder to get on, and light enough to pickup on one's own without busting a gut.
Spy shots indicate there is a 390 Adv coming as well as the confirmed 790 adv which arrives next year. :)
Buy it in 3 years after it has dropped by half.
Well, it won't drop by half after 3 years. Just look at used KTM's...they hold their value quite well. Look at the newprice of a 690 duke, now look at the used prices. Only dropped 2k. I'm not saying to buy new, because I never buy anything new. But dropping by 50% is only gonna happen after more then 5 years and a lot of miles.
Dropped by half the owners 😅
This bike would be better if it had fully adjustable suspension, hydraulic clutch & Brembo brakes and maybe ever so slight bump in power. In return they could bump up the price a bit. Then it would be perfect, or create a R versions with some extra goodies.
There is a hole in the market for mid weight bikes with premium parts. I think the 790 is an amazing bike but I'm sad to see they skimped out slightly on the suspension and brakes.
Nathan David You've answered your own points mate! The R will happen as it happened with the 690. Probably a year down the line
I just came off a bike with top spec abrembo brakes. The ones on the 790barent shamed. 8n fact I'm shocked at how good they are. Who needs Brembo?
It costs 11,300 UK Pounds (converted) here in the Philippines! 🤣
Buy one here and ride it back? ;0)
Looks a great bit of kit for the money. Would possibly make a great lightweight 1 up tourer with a couple of panniers. Do wonder if the trend for quickshifters and autoblippers will shorten the life of a gearbox? Guess the second hand market will find out in a few years. Cheers.
..Yes will be interesting to see won't it - hope it doesn't, as I have them on two of my bikes......
Make that three....
I don't understand the point of them on anything besides a sportsbike. Doesn't it take away some of the skill & joy of working the transmission yourself (like manual VS auto in a car)? I've never used one so just don't know....
Got an up-shift only quick shifter on my MT10 and it is an incredible feeling just holding open the throttle, not touching the clutch and flicking it up through the gears. Normal riding I still use the clutch just to not over stress the gear box.
the lean sensitive ABS does that mean you can pull the front brake going round corners?! if so have you tried it?
Indeed it does, and funnily enough, no I haven't! ;0)
Yes, I do that, but obviously gently, with no ill-effect on the 790, and in Switzerland we have lots of corners, most of them tight!
I'm never going to change your mind on this but to make the point again, this is not a 'little' bike. Just because it's smaller than your 1200 GS it doesn't make it a small bike. You don't call the Eiffel Tower 'short' because there's now the Burj Khalifa, do you? ;-) A 125 is a small bike and, arguably, a 250. But 600 and over are mid size if anything, and more than enough for most riders.
Yeah sorry - habit I can't shake....it feels small compared to my normal steed...
I interpret the comment as "It's a small bike considering it's a 799cc". If you look at in the dealer it looks more like a 250 or 400 and it's also very light.
Compare the feeling of weight of this to e.g. a Honda 500. In that respect it is a small bike.
Nice videos,but i am waiting patiently 2-3 years now from you to review a bike that is totally crap.No offence ,but i saw that from your Top 30 bikes is missing the DL650,the best value for money ,all around big bike (long wheelbase) of the last 20 years!!
Just sitting in the KTM centre in Hemel, drinking coffee and waiting for my 390 to be serviced (bought off the back of your review no less), and I'm sat opposite a 790... I can see today is going to be a difficult one.. 😍
Say hi to Jason from me - haven't seen those guys in ages!
TheMissendenFlyer Will do!!
Dean, having owned both, I can testify that as a 390 owner you are still one lucky guy! Academically the 790 may be better, but the 390 is very very close in my humble opinion, and the 790 does nothing that the 390 cannot. In fact my 390 had panniers, which my 790 does not yet. Both are fun fun fun.
Does the 390 do 240km/h (indicated)? ;)
EU Bike Dude no way.. if you managed to get to 170kph you’d be very lucky
Forgot to mention the heated grips. 🤒
Given that Great Missenden, and the UK in general, has been melting for months with an Indian summer, heated grips are probably not on the top of TMF's mind. At the moment a cooled ice-cream-cone-holder might be more relevant! 8-)
Christopher Lamb here in the Netherlands and the rest if Europe have that same heat but I presume you also ride your bike in winter and then you need them.
There are of course heated grips available ... Not too pricey either. Mine will have them for sure as I ride in Irish winters ... (Q: Is it still really called Winter when it lasts more than 6 months???).
palantir135: I rode my 390 through the Swiss winter, which is generally colder than in the Netherlands, so heated grips for my 790 were a must-have-option. but one that at the moment may slip of the radar due to the current heat wave. Mind you. last time I worked in Holland was 1997, it was the last Elfstedentocht, and so cold that the penguins in Amsterdam Zoo had to be brought in and warmed up in a fridge!
Christopher Lamb it can be quite cold here exept when your living neear the coast. It's not dry cold, we call it "water cold"; fog, drizzle with low temperatures. I mainly do touring, so at least more than two hours on the bike. Everything gets so cold then, also due to windchill, that you need the heated handgrips all the time. Not to mention your almost freezing toes.
Still waiting for the ZZR1400 test - too fast for ya ?😂
Probably - I'd love a go, in reality they are hard to find on demo fleets these days....
TheMissendenFlyer true, but would be a great comparison to the H2sx you recently tested.....many say the ZZR is better.
You owe me this bike - the lc8 950 v-twins (became the 990) was ktm's first....erm, twin - now handover those keys!
:0)
Just to be clear, it's not KTM's first twin cylinder bike ( what you stated in your vid), but it is their first parallel twin bike. Good vid & great bike, my bro has just purchased one instead of his 899
Yeah sorry - slip'o'the tongue.....that is indeed what I meant of course.
Sorry for being negative, but why do you start every number on the list with a big speech about "Number two on my list, of the things I love about the 2018 KTM Duke 790 - or is it Duke 790? - but the number two on this list is".. It feels so much like a waste of time. You even do the short thing at 4:18 but then goes straight back to saying exactly what I can read in the video title.
Thank you for doing the videos, I value the content, I just think it could be even better.
You're obviously not a David Letterman viewer...it's sort of a take-off of his segment.....
Thank you for the answer.
I just looked up some list (Eminem) from Letterman, an you're right, it's like his :). Guess I'm just too Scandinavian/have a better short-term-memory than other people. :)
Mate, if you don't have 10 seconds to "waste" on that, why are you even watching this 9 minute video? I'm pretty sure you waste a lot more time than that on a daily basis just hearing "good day" from people you meet.
Would it be good for a first/beginner 'big bike' ?
I'd say too powerful - better to go for something a little tamer for 6 months IMO....
TheMissendenFlyer cheers.. thats good to know.
Eric, as a beginner, give the 390 a whirl. It is very, very close to the 790, but is even lighter and flickable.I loved mine to bits. Having earned your spurs, the 790 will be a natural upgrade.
Or leave it in rain mode with the TC on most intrusive for a while maybe? If it handles well and is light and has good torque in rain mode but not excessive it sounds like it could be great for learners. There is also an A2 version I believe, "790L" per the lady at principal ....
Yeah duke 790 seems a great bike but at that price range and has juan brakes with no adjustable suspension front and rear and cheap tires while street triple rs in the same money has brembos m50s ,bp forks and ohlins rear with supercorsas....
Is the RS the same money?
In Greece there is only 400 euro difference....
Not in the UK, the price difference is £1700. Even the more basic Street Triple R is £700 dearer.
i see...i dont know why the ktm is so cheaper in the uk but if that is the case in the UK duke is far more value for money choise i agree!
Only let down by cowboy KTM main dealers unfortunately
IME the KTM main dealers here (all two of them) are streets ahead of certain other local dealers.
I think all brands will have their share of cowboy dealers sadly. This is somewhere where the brands in general need to step up and do more user surveys and spot checks etc. I think.
I am waiting for the 500 duke actually... It is also a parallel twin..
Nice review. Looks as if we are of a mind on this. I tested the Street Triple RS and the Duke 790 (or 790 Duke?) yesterday and have now ordered the Duke to replace my baby 390 version - a greta little bike but lacking a bit of go. I think the 790 is closer to a 390 on steroids than the bigger V-twins and is definitely more fun than the excellent, but a bit too civilised for this style of bike, Street Triple. Just what I hoped for when I took it out and cannot wait until next month when I get the new (orange of course) bike.
Congratulations! Exciting times ahead!
790 Duke, FFS!!!! ;-)
Ffs. Best of luck!
Stephen: Join the club! I made the same transition some months ago, my 790 was one of the first (possibly the first) delivered to a customer in Switzerland - Orange too. I am still trying to work out the differences between the two: the "on steroids" sums it up well. However I did not find the 390 lacking in power, it just needed a little more gear-shifting than the 790.
Did you do anything in the way of go fast mods to your 390?
omg............ it's 2018, WHEN WILL KTM CHANGE THAT HIDEOUS STOCK MIRRORS
They want you to spend the 200 quid on the fancy bar end ones. ;)
It's now 2020 and yet, nothings changed
Hmm, this is a marmite bike for me, can't decide if I think it's the biz or ugly.
Yes I'm a bit the same - I love KTM's in general but I so wish they'd get a better designer on board, none of the bikes are real head turners IMO....this one and the Super Duke R are OK, but not stunners....
Wholly agree. Hope you have a safe trip this/next week, look forward to seeing the footage.
I think it's both. It's ugly, but would be huge fun. I'm eagerly awaiting the adventure version, that could be a bike that I could tour on and not be afraid to take down green lanes or gravel tracks.
It'll hopefully be a bit better looking.
One of the things I like about the recent designs is the fact that they don't attract attention,. I can hustle along and not get any hassle and I'd rather have my bike appear to be "another boring dual purpose" when the thieving scum walk past looking for something to nick, than "Oh wow, an , I must steal that!" ;)
As much as I like your review. However I test riden this and found it boring after one hour. A lot of your positives you have discribed I personally found them bit boring on the bike. Just my outcome. But your a great reviewer
Only five things to like? 😋
Not my kind of bike. I'm more a touring guy. I don't need and like a hooligan bike.
I want easy handeling, good weather protection and suspention and side cases.
Get a 1290 SA then. ;)
what bike are u riding?
Mr. Green Honda cbf1000 sports tourer with half fairing.
palantir135 maybe duke 790 rc would be interesting for U)
nice honda, looks pretty comfortable, but i prefer naked bikes and women’s ofc😌😎
Mr. Green no, not a naked bike fir me. I want some wind- and rain protection. While touring I usually take the small and windy roads; they tend to have more holes and bumps. Therefore I want comfortable but not soft suspention. An allroad bike, not an adventure bike, is What I want.
I've had a Suziku V-strom 650; marvelous bike was that.
So a Suzuki V-strom or Kawasaki Versys, a Yamaha Tracer GT or Triumph Tiger are on my list. A BMW R1200 RT is also excellent.