KTM 790 DUKE | First Ride Review

The 2018 KTM 790 DUKE is a surprisingly capable ride in every respect.
If I had to sum it up in one word it would be agile. The term KTM have come up with is 'The scalpel'. Both fit the 790 well, and both get the point across. The bike just breezes along effortlessly, nothing feels like a challenge for it, nothing feels out of its reach - within reason obviously.
Let's not forget that it is in essence a naked sports bike. That comes with the regular drawbacks of the class. Obviously it has no wind protection, obviously it has a fairly neutral riding position, with a bit of a super moto bent. But the brilliant thing about choosing this class is that often on domestic roads, with all their complexities, inconsistencies and restrictions naked sports bikes are the fastest and most versatile option. Being a middleweight it is light and effortless to manoeuvre, having super moto routes means that it is flexible, and using a twin cylinder motor means that it has just enough character to keep things interesting.
The KTM 790 DUKE is unlike anything else on the road, and for that reason it's certainly worth a test, if only for curiosities sake.
Full comparison between the 790 DUKE and Triumph Street Triple here:
• KTM 790 Duke vs Triump...
My Equipment:
Cameras
GoPro Hero Session / amzn.to/2NXQcIC
Panasonic Lumix G7 / amzn.to/2RjfuPH
Sigma 19mm Lens / amzn.to/2xUkTV4
Yi 4K / amzn.to/2DUCqSx
Sound
Sony Digital Recorder / amzn.to/2DSC4vR
Sony Lapel Mic / amzn.to/2DR6LS8
Rhode Videomicro / amzn.to/2RkiUBz
Misc
Samsung Galaxy S7 / amzn.to/2IDmbrW
Zhiyun Smooth-Q / amzn.to/2IDIMEI
Evo SS / amzn.to/2IBcwSm
This video contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links above, I’ll receive a small commission. Thank you in advance.

[@meetalhoomeez]

Its a crime you dont have more subs but with the quality and content of your videos Im sure that will be changing soon. It didn't take long watching just a couple of your vids to see you are leagues above a majority of other motorcycle channels, keep up the good work sir.

[@RarefiedRoad]

What a lovely compliment. Thank you, it's been a slow build so far but It's picking up. Just need to get to the stage that I can join a bike launch and get the reviews out quicker.

[@rantANDrave1987]

He does a great job of giving a qualified opinion on the bike and “ the feels” he gets. Hate reviewers who just regurgitate stats or who give biased reviews because the dealership or manufacturer did em a favor

[@liamshah797]

Had mine for over a month now...great bike, really comfortable and capable in different scenarios. I commute to work in central London so filtering all day and it's great, smooth on the main roads, agile on the country roads. The quickshifter is only good on the way up when you are accelerating hard, not worth it when you are cruising or on the way down through the gearbox. The bike runs a little lumpy down low due to poor fuel mapping but nothing you can't cope with. The own brand brakes aren't that bad, well not as bad as everyone is making out! The tires again, aren't as bad as everyone is thinking! The bike does kick off a bit of heat to your legs and thats my most annoying thing with it so bear that in mind everyone.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks for the owners review. I'm so glad you mentioned the quick shifter because I said the exact same thing on my comparison review and someone kicked up a right stink. I think it's a top bike all round, enjoy.

[@halesmorris9603]

Great review, keep up the good work fella & I look forward to seeing whatever bike you decide to test ride next

[@MrTrek164]

I now own this bike sometime after watching your vids the first time 10 months ago .Its replaced my others bikes completely ,it does it all .The pillion comfort is great according to my good lady which is a bonus .Fit n finish is very good also especially the very tidy cable routing .The standard can sounds good ,on and as a bonus in commute mode fuel economy is very good indeed .The suspension imho works better with a pillion .Ive added a rad guard,heated grips ,hand guards ,fender and hugger extenders ,yes a top box and rack with a screen to tour with ,but the base bike does not really need any changes as it's so good out of the box . There's the added bonus of some great deals ATM on the duke 790 . The motor is a jewel and the electronics package is reassuring as much as it's fun while being very intuitive .I love triples and yes they have more up top but this has more mid range .

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks for commenting, I'm glad the review was helpful. Also thanks for the pillion info, I'm always curious which bikes work well for a passenger. Safe riding mate.

[@drivingontheedge9391]

class video, Like the chilled vibe you've got going. keep them coming.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you.

[@Jakesbikes]

Your sense of humour is bang on mate😆 Love to see someone reviewing who actually knows what a corner is aswell. These looks like welsh roads? North wales myself, subbed, love the vids.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks Jake. I bloody miss those Welsh roads, this is as close to a corner as you get down here and they're few and far between. It's actually up near Hertfordshire. How's that SV650 treating you?

[@Jakesbikes]

@@RarefiedRoad We are very lucky indeed up here in North Wales. I loved it, but now riding a CBR600F which seems a little lacking in character, which is why I searched for duke 790 videos. It looks a great do everything road bike

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

I just bought the 390 Duke 2 weeks ago and am loving it so far. I'm still a beginner though. You know how it goes. Cheers!

[@RarefiedRoad]

That's a really good bike for beginners. Enjoy.

[@wrkings]

Great beginners bike, ride safe

[@RealOrbit-Australia]

Bike is awesome, looks awesome in real life, sounds awesome, smooth as hell, handling is insane, fast, comfy. Maybe the triumph 765 top end spec beats it. It's also more expensive. Ditch the can slap a tail tidy and you are done!

[@PvC63-Jan]

Very well done!

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks

[@Flenderr]

I cant wait for the adventure version of this... I think its the only bike I would trade my 950 adventure for.. :-)

[@jmadan1707]

Honest review

[@TheeMisterspain]

The black looks better than the orange in my opinion. The front belly spoiler, bar end mirrors and a tail tidy make a massive difference also. Ive got a blackout decal kit onthe way and it will transformed it. Looks aside this is one hell of a bike.

[@wrkings]

Nice review mate

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks.

[@MrEunuch]

Nice review with the kind of delivery I like from a channel. You get a Good House star :-). I think I heard on your Street Triple vs. Duke video that you have the new Street R. Did you pick the R before the Duke came out and if not would your decision have been any different now? I'm an '11 Street Triple R owner from new and looking for a worthy replacement. And keep the vids coming!

[@RarefiedRoad]

I actually have the old Triple R I just wanted to get in there and explain it before anybody accused me of favouritism. I managed to get hold of the KTM first for the test and jumped off very enthusiastic about its performance. I was explaining it to a friend and said that it one of those rare bikes that I actually think would let me outperform my Triumph. Then I got my hands on the Triple 765 and found that the improvements they've made to it again bring it to the top of the pile. The KTM is really fast and really light but the Triumphs 3 cylinders make it feel stronger across the whole range, and the sportier position and slower more deliberate handling make me feel like I'm going quicker. Out of the 2 I actually favour the new Triumph because it's everything my old bike was with none of its shortcomings. Thanks for the kind comments.

[@MrNipperz]

Got to replace it with a 765!

[@marksmith8663]

Great honest review I’m a bit 50/50 about it’s looks. I’ve never ridden it But should be the right power for the road . Twin engine are good fun . I take it the street triple would take the lead in the middle top power range ?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah exactly that, I'd say the Triple would win on a straight and the KTM would have it in the corners. Really fun ride.

[@neilblundz807]

I want this bike end of.....I also want to see another impression of both Guy and Hutchy. Excellent content and presentation.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks, Guy Martin will come out again some time soon don't you worry.

[@neilblundz807]

@@RarefiedRoad , you've sucked me in, in fact you've sucked me in so hard I've subscribed 😀😁😂

[@RarefiedRoad]

@@neilblundz807 Very glad to hear that. Thanks for watching.

[@rrvillareal2011]

do you guys have issues with it stalling after a week?

[@michaelrussom9347]

Have you ridden the full powered Yamaha MT 07, i had the HO version in Australia, that has a great parallel twin engine, i would be interested in your thoughts.

[@RarefiedRoad]

I still haven't ridden the MT07 yet sadly. It's one that's passed me by up until this point.

[@whitefox8868]

+Rarefied Road did it have any issues of overheating and shutting down like the ktm 390 does ?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Not on my ride. I have heard that on the 390 people have had to replace the fan for a better one but I haven't heard that about the 790 yet, though it is still relatively new. Only issue I had was that the sensor was a bit dodgey on the fuel gauge and the service symbol kept coming on.

[@rosscollier3992]

Hey man, new to the biking world and just passed my A license so looking for my first bike. What do you think of this as a first bike? Manageable? Also you say about the suspension being soft, how do you reckon it would handle with a pillion? and would it be any comfortable for them touring? cheers. Nice video by the way.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks. I'd say it's just about as fast as you want to get for your first bike, any more powerful than this and you may do yourself some harm (just going by what I was like when I first passed) as for pillion use it's not something I'd want to subject someone to long distance but again it's possible, certainly the suspension won't be an issue, it's not soft or wallowy just forgiving so adjust the preload and you'll be fine.

[@caffeinful]

Great reviews :). How is this vs MT09?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks. They're pretty close I'd say actually. If I was picking though I'd probably go for the KTM because it feels a little swifter and I think the suspension is better but I haven't ridden the MT09 recently and I know they've made improvements since I rode it.

[@tudorfanman2620]

Great review. Having test rode this bike twice now I'm seriously tempted to pull the trigger. Two things put me off. 1: Its nickability as pointed out. (You have to nail anything down that's worth keeping in the UK now) and 2: The looks... However, the ride quality makes the looks bearable. Just worried that I buy now and then for 2019 they bring out an updated version. Dilemma...

[@RarefiedRoad]

I know it's a shame it's so hard to keep nice things. I would hold off bud. Rumour has it there's an R coming next year and the weather's getting cold now anyway. Wait till spring see if they've announced an R and then make a decision.

[@Aiken47]

I really want to test ride this bike, the Australian release is slow as usual. I too feel the styling of this bike a bit generic particularly from the tank and back. I have a 2014 D390 and looking for my next bike. Still trying to decide between 790 and the 1290r.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Nice interesting dilemma. I feel like this one will feel a little more free than the 1290 with the lower weight but I haven't had the chance to ride the 1290 unfortunately so I couldn't say for sure.

[@Aiken47]

I’ve been able to test ride the 1290r, it was not a scary jump in power etc as I thought providing I was careful. It gave me a great sense of confidence with its stability in cornering at speed. I rode it in sports mode with wheelie control on In commuting and open road conditions. I guess I have to wait until I ride the 790 too.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Nice, that's good to know. I felt the same going on the MT10. I sort of built it up in my head as a bit of a power house and it wasn't nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be in the end. I think you'll find the 790 a bit more nimble but I'd be interested in the update once you've had a chance to compare them.

[@BadDirtRider]

I love KTMS - but there is something about this bike’s look that isn’t blowing my skirt up...i cant put my finger on it. I’m 50/50. I think its the back end - perhaps the pillion seat is throwing me off and/or the exhaust design...its great value with all the electronics that are on it, Great sound, color options look good, engine looks good, TFT screen looks good. 100hp on the Dyno is great. But that back end, eh.

[@RarefiedRoad]

I think I agree. They look a bit better with an akrapovic fitted though.

[@BadDirtRider]

Rarefied Road oh nice, ill look that shit up right now.

[@achimduc3938]

Nice on Racetrack top...killing a lot italian Superbikes

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah I'd say this bike has a lot of useable power where sometimes it's tough to use a superbike to it's fullest.

[@johnmilby4363]

So witch one is more exciting “or flickable”and comfortable to ride the ktm 790 or the z900 ? Thinking about switching from the Z to the ktm

[@RarefiedRoad]

Flickable? KTM definitely. Probably a fraction more exciting too but I think that is down to your taste a little more. You can certainly make more adjustment with the KTM in a corner but I don't know which is going to be faster on a straight, the power to weight ratio and quickshifter count in the KTM's favour though.

[@johnmilby4363]

Rarefied Road Nice ... I’m not to worried about top speed just looking for a little bit more control with more ease. I really do like my Z but I believe it’s just a little to heavy for me and the engine brake is pretty harsh in my opinion. By the way I really enjoy your videos.. !!

[@beee_meee1890]

Great informative review, I'd love to know how it compares to the MT09? I'm considering both as for my next bike

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks. Out of those 2 I would go for the KTM. My biggest complaint with the MT09 is the suspension. Not sure if they've improved it on the SP but the standard version I tried felt a little vague. Nice engine though.

[@homehome6739]

Hi mate if you can get your hands on the Honda cb1000r I really like you to test drive this one especially with all the added features it has

[@RarefiedRoad]

I actually took one out recently, I've been interested in it for a while. Might take me a little while to edit the video but it'll be up soon. I liked it though, honda always put a good bike together.

[@FawadBilgrami]

I took one on the weekend myself. Honda never disappoints but on the motorway I got smoked by fellow test riders on S1000R and XR. Itll be a great road bike. The searing position is textbook naked, neither Triumph sporty nor KTM supomotto.

[@homehome6739]

Rarefied Road thx mate

[@homehome6739]

Fawad Bilgrami thx Fawad for ur comment. I wonder what bike is less enticing to do stupid things, this or the mt09!

[@FawadBilgrami]

Home Home Watch this and you'll get your answer. It would definitely be more fun than MT09 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIqbXqqegNGknMU

[@jayash6108]

Was you riding near gaddesden?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Around that way yes.

[@kitokopter]

Really good review but I have to be honest and say that the music is a bit too bittersweet or sad for my taste. Anyway, keep up the good work! :)

[@RarefiedRoad]

No that's decent feedback, I was looking for something to cut out the wind noise and I like the song but you're right it is a little too tranquil. Thanks for watching.

[@rantANDrave1987]

How were KTMs own brakes ?

[@RarefiedRoad]

They were really good actually. I read a review by an online publication that listed them as J Juan so I don't know if they're made by another company specifically for this bike or made completely in house but they were perfectly decent, good stopping power and feel.

[@gazzafraz]

Would I be disappointed if I replaced my Z1000 with one of these?

[@RarefiedRoad]

gazzafraz tough one. See I haven't ridden the Z1000 but I did try the Z900. The dealer told me it was pretty much the same engine with a smaller capacity and less weight. If you went for the KTM over that bike you'd be perfectly happy. I'd say it depends a little bit on your physicality and riding tastes. The Z1000 is a bigger bike but I'd guess the KTM feels lighter and more nimble, and if your anywhere near my size then you'll enjoy that. Hope that helps.

[@glimpseofcambodia]

The way you talk seems like a rider after a playful trip 😅

[@taipan185]

slices not carves ;)

[@nachiketmr9944]

Your way of presentation is very...... Engaging!

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks.

[@matriximaster]

These riding vids should only be 10% of the vid. I still do not even know what the bike looks like. And panning over the bike means nothing to the human eye.

[@RarefiedRoad]

goo.gl/images/Fx7t2D

[@2Meerkats]

Kiska looks are disappointing ; especially the side muffler and weird insect headlight - that's a worry for the coming 790Adv. The Norton 650 team effort looks better

[@RarefiedRoad]

I am a big fan or the Norton design team, they make some really pretty bikes for my taste.

[@ben.aka.bigben]

its so difficult to hear what you are saying.

[@legionmartin]

Naked and liter bikes handle extremely well, make great power to weigh ratio and are extremely fast, but they all sound like shit. Nothing like the sound and rumble of a V-Twin cruiser with custom exhaust.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah I think my tastes mirror yours. I do prefer the sound of a twin over the higher pitch of a sports/naked bike

[@arranbell22]

Don't film a video when you have pink eye 😂

[@fireblade8905]

130mph is too slow for a mid range bike. I'm expecting 150mph.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah it may go faster. Top speed I found on another website's spec list so I can't confirm it.

[@alrightdave6135]

It’s a 790 twin..130 is about right..150mph with no fairing? Strange comment

[@RealOrbit-Australia]

Bike goes over 150mph. 244kms I've seen

[@1life2pono]

Profanity is never good. I won't watch your videos.