KTM launched the 790 Duke in November 2017 and quick ahead to 2024, almost seven years later, it’s nonetheless round right now. For a mannequin to remain so lengthy within the lineup is, at the least to me, a sign that the mannequin was forward of its time.
Replaying again recollections and movies from 2017, it was one of many first middleweight bare bikes to supply a six-axis inertial measurement unit, and it was the primary parallel twin engine with KTM’s personal distinctive crankshaft offset that mimics the LC8’s energy supply and character. There have been a couple of others, however let’s get into the meat of the matter right here. The Scalpel stays as sharp as ever, and if you’re trying to step as much as it, let me inform you that it’s one heck of a motorbike to trip for the worth that you just’ll pay.
The 2020 versus the 2024 mannequin yr
For my unit at the least, the bike is assembled within the Philippines however for the reason that Austrian bike maker has expanded quite a bit since then, the brand new crop of 790s will come from KTM’s accomplice in China, CFMoto. Each manufacturers have rights to the engine, however when you do purchase a KTM 790 Duke now, you’ll get a Chinese language-assembled bike that additionally has a brand new color-blocking scheme to it in comparison with the primary editions from 2020 and prior.
For the worldwide market, the primary massive spec change occurred within the 2021 yr mannequin, the place the tank and the subframe had been coloured black and some decals had been modified up. Aside from that, some choose markets will include a lowered entrance finish. My mannequin remains to be the worldwide specification, however the Philippine-assembled 2021 and past 790 Dukes will get a lowered fork with much less journey. Your mileage will differ relying available on the market which you buy this bike, nonetheless. This mannequin was destined for different markets, however as everyone knows, the 2024 mannequin yr noticed the 790 Duke come again to america, albeit with specs that look comparatively totally different.
Within the days of Euro IV emissions laws, KTM was capable of squeeze 105 horses out of its 285-degree 799cc parallel twin LC8c motor coupled with as much as 64 foot-pounds of torque on the crank, however the 2024 model is tailored to Euro V so now it makes 95 horses. The torque band remains to be meaty, however 10 horses is quite a bit and one thing to think about. Having ridden a latter mannequin yr, nonetheless, it’s largely the identical and also you’d solely really feel it when you actually exhausted the heck out of the twin-cylinder on a regular basis.
As sharp as ever
KTM was forward of its time again with the 2017 790 Duke. The model made a splash with the six-axis IMU, the high-horsepower twin-cylinder, and the light-weight chassis, one thing that different producers are solely now catching as much as. We could have the Honda CB750 Hornet now, the Suzuki GSX-8S, and the ever-lasting Yamaha MT-07, it’s solely now that we’re seeing the Japanese massive three catching as much as the brand new crop of 800s available in the market. KTM was actually one of many first movers within the displacement house and it was one of many few within the class on the time with manufacturers like Triumph with its Road Triple holding near the 790 when it comes to engine efficiency on the time.
As for the LC8c’s quirks, I anticipated its mid-range to be quite a bit meatier and torquier in comparison with related bikes just like the MT-07, whereas within the 790 Duke, it feels just a little thinner down low however it will get beefier in the direction of the center. Fueling is just a little lean down-low as nicely, which ends up in some stumbling at crawling pace. On high of that, I feel that the short shifter is a particular must-have after a number of updates through the years. One other factor to notice, nonetheless, is that the bike’s transmission is sweet in most eventualities, however it’s important to be a bit extra acutely aware about kicking it from fifth to sixth gear since you might hit a false impartial and rev up your engine to redline. Lastly, it is a very excitable motor and one which revs up shortly. It doesn’t like going gradual both given the jerky fueling, however give it a very good quantity of engine pace and it’s principally clean crusing, that’s till you pin the throttle and let unfastened.
The yr 2017 was additionally the yr that six-axis IMUs turned a factor with quite a lot of bikes. Up till that time, fundamental traction management and ABS had been the norms, however cornering traction and ABS had been a little bit of a rarity solely reserved for the largest and baddest bikes available in the market, and even then the know-how was nonetheless not as widespread as it’s right now. KTM was one of many first to essentially subject it, and it nonetheless holds up right now, with manufacturers enjoying catch up or omitting the know-how nonetheless (I’m taking a look at you MT-07).
The WP suspension is non-adjustable, and a little bit of a letdown on paper, however not an excessive amount of in the true world. It’s tuned to be an all-around setup that may embody many conditions. Sporty driving and touring are a few of the issues that the 790 Duke can do with its non-adjustable entrance and its pre-load-only rear shocks. I can confidently say that they’re one of many extra sorted non-adjustable setups that I’ve tried on a motorcycle on this class. In the event you aren’t too demanding in relation to your suspension and getting every part dialed it to the decimal level, then the inventory suspension is greater than sufficient and really competent for road use. Monitor use is one other story, however let’s get to that within the subsequent part.
It will get higher
I do know that KTM is aware of tips on how to make an excellent chassis, and the suspension was one of many issues that was form of holding issues again for me. I knew that I may get extra out of the bike and make it extra planted. Out of the field, the setup was good for fast turns. The load of it dry is 169 kilograms or 372 kilos. Crammed up, it tipped the scales at 189 kg or about 416 kilos. That’s relatively gentle and given the thinness of the tank and the ergonomic bundle, it made for one thing that flicked into turns shortly. Nonetheless, there was a little bit of chaos to the flip with the setup and the way I rode. Principally, there was a little bit of instability when the entrance would rebound or hit a bump. It was a really delicate feeling however there was room for enchancment.
To unravel this, I consulted my native Andreanni suspension specialist. The entrance of the Duke was adequate for me on most events, however to get that additional bit extra stability and just a little extra aggressive for monitor periods, an adjustable entrance could be the important thing. That, and a sag adjustment with the brand new suspension for my weight. After the change, the bike felt much more secure. The brakes, even when quite a lot of reviewers complained concerning the really feel, obtained quite a bit sharper, and the general stability of the bike tipping into corners was drastically improved. The conclusion I obtained out of this was that the chassis was very succesful the suspension principally holding it again.
Previous to that, nonetheless, I invested in a bunch of different elements. The most important enchancment got here with the suspension, however I felt different issues had been “wanted” to finish the look. The large modifications got here within the type of a rear passenger footpeg delete, a rear seat cowl, a de-cat pipe, a hyperlink pipe with an Akrapovic muffler on the finish from one other bike, and tank grips amongst a bunch of different small bits and items. The consequence…
Razor Sharp
Coupled with the exact however brutal energy supply of the engine, the inflexible body, and the upgraded suspension, this bike handles like a dream. New tires and a brand new rear shock will make it even higher, however I’m already extraordinarily glad with the bike in its present state.
I’m having fun with my rides with the Duke much more now, however that’s to not say that the bike did poorly in its inventory kind. Even again then it nonetheless ripped and it nonetheless turned on a dime so no matter I did was simply to make it match me quite a bit higher. I used to be even capable of enter it right into a gymkhana competitors and positioned pretty nicely all issues thought of, and that was whereas the bike was on its inventory entrance finish.
I feel extremely of the Duke for its efficiency and dealing with. It’s a really sorted bike and one that may swimsuit quite a lot of intermediate riders who need one thing sharp with an thrilling rush for each trip. On high of that, the ergonomics helped quite a bit with getting a correct grip on the bike. It doesn’t pressure you right into a place, it’s truly a contented medium between a sport bare and a supermoto, with a flat and extensive seat, a skinny tank that comes up simply sufficient, and a large set of bars that provides you a very commanding stance whereas driving.
The each day driving expertise
On the time of penning this evaluation, I’ve two bikes within the secure, the Duke and a Honda CB650R. The CB took on my each day driving duties earlier than the KTM got here, however as soon as I obtained a really feel for the lightness and the agility of the KTM, I used to be hooked and I rode it each day, nonetheless, that opened up a couple of considerations.
Initially, the bike doesn’t do too nicely when it comes to warmth dissipation. The site visitors of the Philippines doesn’t take any prisoners, and when it comes to warmth, the Duke bakes whereas sitting at a lightweight or caught between vehicles. Temperatures rise shortly with this bike so you actually need to filter by the gaps with a purpose to get a breath of recent air.
Nonetheless, the agility and the lightness of the bundle makes it a sensible choice if you’ll want to filter by site visitors or put a foot down. The issue is the warmth on the each day, if trip consolation is of concern, the Duke handles that completely nicely. Whereas it was on the inventory WP stuff, the 790 Duke is relatively snug for a unadorned bike in comparison with quite a lot of different choices. It feels sharp, however the inventory setup struck a pleasant stability between stiff and sporty and comfortable and touring. Then issues edged to the sportier facet of issues after the suspension improve.
The possession expertise
So I took possession of this 790 Duke on December 24, 2022, and inside two years it had solely tracked about 5,000 miles earlier than making its method house with me. Since then, I’ve added a further 7,000-plus miles to the clock, and have gone by a bunch of modifications, upkeep intervals, and some kinks within the highway, so to talk. The bike lived with me by each day commutes as my steed of selection on most days and most rides so put on and tear was inevitable.
It wasn’t clean crusing with this bike, I’m not going to lie. It’s been some time since KTM launched the 790 Duke, and the model has had time to kind out its platform and logistics with regard to elements, at the least for the place I’m from. No matter I wanted was obtainable as kits on the dealership and with the mannequin being extra widespread now in comparison with 5 years in the past, there are a bunch of mechanics that is aware of a factor or a number of concerning the 790 Duke and tips on how to work on it.
The tough waters got here with regard to some points with how my bike was saved previous to possession. The gas pump had to get replaced resulting from the truth that it was saved in a comparatively humid setting previous to its launch to me. It additionally confirmed some battle scars from its earlier life as a demo motorbike. Every so often, it additionally threw key failure error codes, a persistent error that’s native to the 790s of this classic, although nothing has ever left me stranded. Most just lately, and due to the miles on the bike, the cam chain tensioner is getting a bit worn, however the situation was resolved with a little bit of cleansing and a reset. The wheels had been additionally relatively comfortable and skinny and the bike sat out for a very good month or two whereas it was ready for a substitute set of wheels to come back by.
Total, proudly owning this bike was not as massive a problem as I’d thought coming into yr one with it and its third yr on the highway. Coming into its fourth yr, I count on to hit the interval that entails some headwork, in order that’s already in my books for the yr. May as nicely for the reason that cam chain remains to be relatively noisy up so far.
Verdict: This one’s a keeper
I don’t assume there’s something like The Authentic Scalpel. The bodywork is skinny and the ergonomics assist you to trip this bike nonetheless you need. In case you are extra of a lean-out and tail-out form of man, then the ergonomic and digital bundle will make it easier to obtain these lofty targets. In case you are a monitor rider, the bike is nicely suited to a slew of upgrades and its chassis is simply ready to be woke up by a very good set of tires and higher {hardware}. If you’d like a motorcycle that’ll tour nicely, however nonetheless rip round and pull wheelies all day, then this bike can also be one thing to think about.
Its flaws are principally with the little issues in my possession expertise. That and the warmth that the engine lets out will shock riders who aren’t used to it simply but. Torque can also be plentiful, so do swing a leg over this bike you probably have prior expertise. I don’t suggest it as a primary motorbike although. It’s a bit too unruly for the untrained throttle hand of newbies.
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For these which are , I’d wholly suggest the 790 Duke in its inventory kind. In case you are shopping for one model new, know that there could also be options that you just may need to unlock that I totally take pleasure in like the short shifter and the opposite driving modes. Aside from that, additionally, you will need to deal with the working prices of the bike and take note of the sounds and the best way that this bike runs. Aside from that, nonetheless, it’s an excellent trip and one which I’m positively protecting.
Must you purchase this bike although? I really feel that this is able to be a extra maintenance-intensive motorbike to maintain, so preserve your guarantee in useful. In the event you do find yourself shopping for the 790 Duke on the used market, it’s nonetheless value contemplating for the best worth.
