KTM 790 Duke - Review
Posted: 18 Apr 2018, 22:39
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
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"...
Baaaarp, Baaaarp, pop, Baaarp..... Track mode won
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
P.S. Following on from the do you need a quick shifter thread... The answer it yes, absolutely, no doubt...
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
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"...
Baaaarp, Baaaarp, pop, Baaarp..... Track mode won
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
P.S. Following on from the do you need a quick shifter thread... The answer it yes, absolutely, no doubt...