KTM 790 Duke | The review from KNOX

[@johnDukemaster]

There's a reason those tyres are called Maxxis Teflon. In 20 degrees and dry roads they do work. But lower temps and wet conditions, they are dangerous. I swapped my tyres (oem fitted on my 2020 790) for a set of Michelin. That allowed me to experience the bikes abilities fully. Thank you!

[@KnoxArmour]

Agree... The latest Michelins will give a massive improvement, I've always found that they give lots of feel and are very good in the wet. Thanks, Aaron KNOX

[@ronnystenzel3266]

I disagree about the Maxxis tyres. Bought a new 790 (MY2023) in October 2023. Have been ridden 2000km since then. Autumn and winter and a LOT of rain. Starting early to work with lowest temperature zero degrees on dry roads and had no issues. Daily commute of 20km with city and out of city streets. So from my experience, these tyres are by no means „dangerous“. IMHO it would be a total waste of money to change them before they need to be changed. Especially in combination with the smooth throttle response you can ride perfectly safe. Cheers!

[@scotthart5118]

Excellent review, gonna have to get one!

[@stuarthall2523]

I’ve got the 21 model, 105 bhp and it’s a hooligan. I’ve changed the rear shock and it’s now nearly perfect. Stinking motor and excellent handling.

[@shammusomalley8986]

I have a modified Svartpilen 701, and I now wish it had a few more ponies, but it has ample engine breaking. I'm glad it has a slipper clutch and rubberized rear wheel hub, because this thing skids a lot when you're down the gears into the corners. Also, the quickshifter doesnt work, and it will get you killed. SHit on the highway also, and lots of vibes. Fantastic around mountain passes and backroaads though. Crazy fun, but looking for that next step

[@theinnerdreamer7043]

Still struggling to comprehend ktms decision to discontinue the duke 890 r…

[@MH5tube]

They had the 790 Duke. Then killed it and brought out the 890 with +10 claimed horsepower. Brought out the 890 R with +15hp over the 790. Then killed the non-R. The upcoming 990 has +10hp over the 890 non-R. For 2025 or surely 2026 we should expect a 990 R with ~130hp and all the other typical R upgrades

[@PDCRed]

Great video. If you’re to improve the suspension and change the tyres on day one, wouldn’t it make more sense to go for the 890?

[@KnoxArmour]

Probably but obviously there is a cost difference.. thanks Aaron Knox

[@forfdasbrot991]

The 790 is A2 capable. The 890 is not. So for people like me, that just bought the 790 for A2 it is worth more upgrading the suspension,a nd other stuff, as I just can't afford an 890 Duke in the following years, even if I bought the 390 now and would sell it for later

[@mrbambix]

been driving a 2020 austrian 790 duke alas with 105hp in the pyrenees this summer man what a blast !

[@yohanyonsson]

This is a very good review and not as salepitchy as some of the others. One thing though, for a city bike, the difference in insurance cost is very noticeable when comparing the 790 to the 890R. That alone would make me buy the 790.

[@RustyVanDoor]

The 790 Duke, shockingly bad OEM tyres, anything else is an improvement. Suspension, also shockingly bad (see what I did there) truly dreadful on anything other than billiard table smooth roads. Engine really nice, just goes….fast! Common faults are the brake light switch and various oil leaks, also poor 2nd hand value. The 890R is simply on another level, buy one not the 790. I did the best I could and swapped mine for a Husky 701, still worth more than the 790.

[@jonasbaine3538]

KTM overwrites their previous models every 1-2 years crushing the resale values

[@forfdasbrot991]

really not an option for A2 though...

[@BigManMorty]

@@forfdasbrot991im considering an 790 for a2. Can you elaborate? :)

[@forfdasbrot991]

@@BigManMorty I dont know what I wrote there. There might have been a deleted comment saying something along the lines of "get the 890 then"

[@BigManMorty]

@@forfdasbrot991 you wrote «really not an option for A2 though…» :-)

[@thomasperl1172]

Have the 790 in AT by myself aaand love it !

[@ulaskvlcm]

Tires and suspension upgrades +790= 890 Duke R. 😊 My previous motorcycle was an 890 Duke R. I still miss its agility and excellent handling.

[@volodymyrshoniia2424]

The question is: what is your current motorcycle?

[@ulaskvlcm]

@@volodymyrshoniia2424 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S😊

[@carstenwemeldinge]

I got a 2012 690 duke as my first bike. Honestly, I was gonna switch brands to something like a yamaha xsr900, but i have fallen in love with the design so much, I think of getting a 790 duke instead

[@The.JZA.]

Did you try playing with the engine braking settings? I think KTM call it motor slip regulation.

[@KnoxArmour]

MSR is just how much the slipper clutch intervenes. Thanks Aaron KNOX

[@sahilbalmiki813]

Beautiful Machine 😍. Wanna own one 🥹

[@BigManMorty]

You ride this perfectly as 5’9? Is it the same size as the 125? I was hoping and assuming this one was e bit larger, Im 6’1,5

[@13conair]

Nice video guys...i bought a new 2020 790 which had all the electronics unlike this new model, i got mine cheap as chips as the dealer wanted rid of the last few 790's to get the new 890's in the showroom i paid £6499 for mine on the road lmao, i still have that bike to this day i also have the 890r and a 2022 680smcr, suspension wise the 690 and 890 both have apex fully adjustable kit BUT dont ask me why but the 790 feels better on its unajustable suspension ! i soppose i must weigh the weight the 790 suspension was set up for i dont know ! i ride all year round and use my bikes for commuting daily as well as a play toy at weekends i do 14-16k miles a year, the maxxis tyres i found were fine they did me a few track days as well as wet roads and only slipped once and that was my fault being a dick in the wet, problrm i found with the maxxis tyres were they were done in 1500 miles ! no good for commuting that sort of milage, all my bikes now run michi road 5's good milage (5k ish) good in dry and wet, but the 790 now is a wicked bike shame it doesnt come with all the electronics like the original version.

[@beetleything1864]

This has to be paid for by KTM.....

[@KnoxArmour]

Really not...

[@SWTVENOM]

Would this be ok for a first bike? I can stay in Rain mode til I become a better rider 🎉

[@hagestad]

don't ask them. They just recommended 890 duke in this video. 890 is broken from factory and KTM admitted to it. Almost all magazines and influencers don't own those bikes so they have no idea about how faulty they are or are not telling us because you know - revenue /

[@mrmcbeth]

how reliable are these bikes? I have seen a lot of mixed reviews. I'm thinking of this or an 890r as an all-rounder, but reliability is important. I don't want to be stranded.

[@shookones2216]

Do not buy one, the 790,890 and 1190 all suffer premature camshaft failures. Even the 2023 and 2024 models. I looked at a 2018 790 recently with 6634km that had the camshafts already starting to fail.

[@mrmcbeth]

@@shookones2216 Thanks. I think I'm just going to get an SV and call it a day.

[@petermordue3245]

Super info😂

[@alwarren2653]

1. Should this video have mentioned your 790 Duke review from a few years ago in which you compared it to a GSXR 750 on a runway? 2. Has the Euro5 tune of the A2 compatible bike altered the torque curve or introduced flat spot(s)? 3. I've ridden several 790 Dukes and one reason I didn't buy one is KTMs seem to egg me on and the performance the 790s has is too much for the roads around me and having a clean driving licence has some upsides. 4. Would a 500-600cc twin between the 390 and 790 give me Duke flickability and thrills at speeds more compatible with British roads and British society in 2023? 5. A couple of adverts for the CF Moto version cite a 4 year warranty. The NK800 is not a good looking bike and misses out on the Duke 790s amazing looks but.....

[@forfdasbrot991]

The big question is, if there is a market for a "590" Duke. With the decline of the 650 class in favor of the new 800cc A2 bikes I don't think that it would be a good move to go there. And GB alone is just too small of a market to justify an alone standding bike. The CF Moto and KTM are pretty much the same bike, but I guess the Duke will have the better riding, as KTM is always very sporty, if thats what you are looking for

[@MH5tube]

shame the UK (+ EU?) version of the 790 Duke lost 10hp with the reintroduction

[@KnoxArmour]

Yes definitely... having said that it really didn't feel short on power. Aaron KNOX

[@nicholasjarrold8649]

Great video I love ktm’s but being made in china has put me off a bit but time will tell give it couple years and see how they’re going at the moment I’ll stick to triumphs I think bye for now

[@FreddyKings87]

2024 Mt 09 vs KTM 990

[@ZoljaSlo]

A scapel indeed...

[@volodymyrshoniia2424]

Is it the L that you're saving on?

[@Narog-s1k]

More fun then Vitpilen 701? Duke is so ugly! Suspension so Bad! Engine dies under 30000km! 890r the same problem!

[@Narog-s1k]

Camshaft Problems actually by all KTM!

[@agnelt]

Shouldn't it say SCALPEL, not scapel.

[@faisaluddin2168]

Tires were made from China, too…

[@hollydillion1315]

Whole bike is made in China. Terrifying...

[@anxiousappliance]

@@hollydillion1315 You lead a life of fear.

[@hollydillion1315]

@@anxiousappliance My only fear is your gross fetish for feet on your video.

[@MyMaceyMoo]

@@hollydillion1315written on an I phone ? 😉😊

[@hollydillion1315]

@@MyMaceyMoo at least my iPhone doesn't break down in the middle of the road

[@Narog-s1k]

Build quality is sooo bad! Come from the CB 1000r SC 80! Engine so much on/Off Problem! Very nervious over 150km/h! And so much constant jerking from the engine! 😡🤮

[@fatyank44]

All KTM bikes come with poo tyres, including my new 16k 1290 sas, why?????....

[@KnoxArmour]

No idea! It would improve the bikes a lot if they came with better tyres, and yes the 1290 SA is guilty of exactly the same issue, terrible tyres as standard fitment. Aaron KNOX

[@nerychristian]

Greed. Shortsightedness.

[@Narog-s1k]

When you buy a bike for big Money and MUST change Suspension that you can Drive safe and sporty after it then shit on this Bike!! 🤮🤮

[@ktu668]

OK review but bit slow and got boring to watch to much slow talk not enough action thumbs 👇