KTM 790 Duke vs Triumph Street Triple 765 R

[@Muhibbulilm]

Thanks for the 'Sopranos' ending! Looking forward to the individual reviews.

[@LookattheBiggerPic]

Nice comparison with some nice riding footage mixing some witty repartee - I like!

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you.

[@lysergicaciddiethylamide6127]

I ended up getting the ktm for the electronics and it just being a parallel twin, that said I wouldn’t mind owning a triple R. Both amazing machines.

[@RarefiedRoad]

There is something really nice about a twin, I'd find it very hard to choose to be honest.

[@lysergicaciddiethylamide6127]

Rarefied Road I was also looking at the Suzuki GSX-s750 I just wanted that grunt tho haha. Great channel bro keep them videos rolling!

[@RarefiedRoad]

@@lysergicaciddiethylamide6127 Thanks man. I think you made the right choice with the KTM. Enjoy.

[@matthijsprakke]

Nice bikes but I don’t like the Triumphs headlight

[@Ray-ju5zm]

Thanks for the review.. I had my mind between theese two bikes. After trying them both I ended up with the KTM, tough chois thou..

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah tough one. Good choice though, the KTM is such a versatile bike. Enjoy.

[@justindircksen]

Great Ending!!! I’m an RS owner, my buddy is a diehard KTM. We have fun giving each other a hard time.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Ha! I guessed people watching would be fairly entrenched in either camp so I didn't want to offend ether party. They really are well matched though.

[@ryanoliver9131]

Justin Dircksen triumph all the way!! The ktm is nice but the triumph is damn near perfect

[@ajinkyathorat7502]

@@ryanoliver9131 Hell no, I would rather buy suzuki gsx s750.

[@ryanoliver9131]

Ajinkya Thorat what??? Hell no!! To each their own I love my triumph.. Kim is also as well. Just to high of a seat height for short people like me lol.

[@ryanoliver9131]

Lifted_Above for the price I would probably just buy the 1290 super duke. Awesome bike though

[@benjaminreid]

A really great comparison of the two, really well presented 👍🏻

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks man, glad you like it.

[@MrTrek164]

I've owned the 790 for 9 months now and it's been great and I believe small issues aside it kicked the other makers into giving us more tech and updates from them as we can see this year .They can be picked up new at 7 grand ATM for that it's even more of a steal .The brakes are great and overall I've used it if everything including a lot of pillion use .

[@RarefiedRoad]

That is one of the really good things about KTM as you say, they do push the market on advanced tech

[@ronwhite8503]

Shame they haven't done it on the 890; cheeky feckers make one pay for the extras.

[@andrewtaylor9799]

Was looking for this exact comparison, and you nailed it. Thanks. I wish there was something as refined and technically advanced as the Triumph Street Triple but with less displacement and less weight; something like a (fantasy) Street Triple 500 with a dry weight of 330 lbs. I don't understand the mentality of 100+ hp bikes with top speeds of 150 mph; I'll likely never go past 90 mph and then only rarely. Give me good acceleration up to something a little past that and get rid of the weight.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks. Yeah I agree, top speed performance is redundant on domestic roads, you'd need to take it on a track to really appreciate it. Problem is the balance, if they make smaller displacement then it's playing around with the rest of the smaller displacement bikes out there which are less refined but much, much cheaper so they'd have to cost cut to match and then you lose the quality to a certain degree.

[@13thearl]

I have had a Street Triple 675 and currently ride a Tiger Sport - I love triples. I particularly love the way there is instant power as soon as you open the throttle - you don't have to go looking for it as you do on an R6 for instance. As you say too, once you get in the upper reaches of the revs there is a terrific kick of power and it is accompanied by a glorious, howling, snarl. All that said, the KTM looks an interesting machine but I would like to know its service intervals - especially valve checks as I tend to be a moderately high mileage rider. I would also wait awhile to see how well the finish survives an English winter. we seem to specialise in salt saturation on our roads in winter.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Agreed. There is an awful lot of salt on UK roads, really puts me off riding in the winter. As for servicing I believe KTM place their major service intervals at 15000km and 30000km, and if I read it correctly the valve clearances should be checked at the 30000km mark.

[@theresonly1truth138]

That package on the ktm is very enticing. U pay the price and forget about upgrading anything. Technology packed middle weight, Riding position, led lights, even the stock sound makes up for upgrading for an akrapo...

[@RarefiedRoad]

Agree with all of that.

[@theresonly1truth138]

Rarefied Road let me please add: A steering damper, launch control, switchable ABS: On, Off and supermoto! Up and down shifter, cornering ABS and TC ( lean sensitive TC not Any TC ) !!!!!! Heheh I know u mentioned all of them but this needs to be written too ;)

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah it's an impressive set up, properly justifies the price.

[@ryanoliver9131]

Elie Nehme yes but.... the triumph is king in my opinion.

[@freebehindbars8654]

@@ryanoliver9131 Not any longer my friend.

[@doubleaaaron]

Thanks for the video. I like both of those bikes. I looked at getting a triple for a long time and ended up keeping my gsxr600 because it's still like new Condition. But I'm getting that itch again. Who knows what will happen this time.

[@RarefiedRoad]

You're very welcome, thank you for watching. I really like both these machines, I think you'll be happy whatever your choice, the gsxr is a great bike too.

[@rogerkay8603]

Am in exactly this position right now, deciding between the two. Love my 390 Duke but always fancied a Striple............brilliant work fella.

[@pastie3131]

Great review. I know those roads around Hemel really well.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks, I've only recently discovered them, I'm Ruislip based so I will need to go and take another tour at some point.

[@jimathanasopoulos2234]

Excellent review. Equally professional and fun. Well done!

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you

[@rontrose]

Fantastic video. Thank you!! Deciding between these bikes is a great problem to have. I test rode both. I loved the KTM, but the Triumph just has the fit and finish. I have a 2018 Street Triple R and it’s the best bike I’ve ever owned. I’m sure I’d say the same had I purchased the KTM.

[@RarefiedRoad]

No there is something about the Triumph. It's such a good all rounder, you've made a good choice.

[@rontrose]

Rarefied Road Cheers, I certainly have no regrets. it’s just a peach of a bike. So confidence inspiring yet completely tame when needed.

[@GixxerZilla]

Street Triple - Sound and BRITISH like you and I. DONE!

[@scrappycanuck6058]

Great Video! Both are beautiful bikes....but I agree with a previous post by Banditmanuk about waiting on the KTM due to it being a new engine. In the meantime I will stick with my 690 Duke which is tested and true (and paid for!)

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks man. It's a lovely feeling to own a bit outright rather than having to keep paying for it, I'd stick with the 690 for a bit longer if I was you too.

[@johnschlesinger2009]

Thanks for a balanced review.

[@prayojmk8901]

Good review keep up good work

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you.

[@magneto675]

would you change your street triple r (2009) for any of these and if yes which one? are they worth the extra money?

[@RarefiedRoad]

I have a Triple r from 2009 and I would absolutely upgrade to the newer model. For my taste I prefer the Triumph to the KTM but honestly either one of them would eat up my old Triple.

[@andrewtaylor9799]

I am in the market for these two...test rode the Triumph (RS) - very nice indeed - but the Duke 790 is difficult to get on...they sell so fast in San Francisco that the dealer doesn't bother to keep a demo model around.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Wow! That's quite the endorsement though, either that it's really good or people are very excited about them. It depends if you're in a rush to get one but I'm sure you'll get a chance to try one at some point. Are there any rental companies around you? maybe you could borrow one for a day and really find out if you get on with it.

[@koyalbhattacharjee]

Nice one ... regards from India

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks

[@jeevanchaukar]

KTM Duke 790 is the middle weight hooligan who is totally in your face but at the same time in right hands it can transform into a scalpel on race track. So it is more of a dual character bike. Triumph Street Triple is more sophisticated and understated design and retains connection with the bug-eyed look for which it is well known. Initially I didn't like the looks of Street Triple and yet I ended up owning a Triumph Street Triple 675..Later the look grew upon me and I started liking it... So, it's somewhat like an AR Rahman song :-) It grows upon you with time! Tough to choose one over the other - but in Indian context, if KTM prices it well below Triumph through component localization then they will have a major winner on hands...If they price it too high, it won't make sense and Street Triple will then be a winner. KTM has been extremely successful through Duke 200, Duke 390 as these bikes at least in India give a price to performance ratio that nobody can even hope to match...If same continues in 790, then that's it!!

[@RarefiedRoad]

Really good comment, and I can't fault its accuracy. I completely know what you mean with the looks, I didn't like it till i bought one, and I bought it in the first place for its ability on the road. Ultimately as you say, people tend to shop with their wallets and how much they can keep in them so if the KTM is cheaper in India then it will definitely take a significant portion of the market.

[@kd_0079]

@@RarefiedRoad yeah likewise KTM 390 cost 2k-2.2k cheeper in india.... if the KTM going to follow the same path for DUKE 790 its going to be a deal breaker..

[@fyorbane]

For me it would be between the Triumph ST- R and the Kawasaki Z900. I Know the Kawa is not really a super middleweight but it's price puts it right among them all.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah that's pretty evenly matched. Really nice bike too.

[@DB-sd3cw]

Boring ass over styled heavy pig that does nothing special.

[@fyorbane]

@@DB-sd3cw You clearly have not ridden either of them.

[@DB-sd3cw]

@@fyorbane I have. Heavy and boring, just a larger cb300

[@mocky1220]

What do you think about the Maxxis tyres on the KTM? Some say change it and some are surprised of how good they are.

[@RarefiedRoad]

They were fine. I felt confident on them. Couldn't tell you what they're like in the wet but on dry roads they're fine. I'd save my money till you've worn through them and then maybe choose a better tyre.

[@casteli1]

For me the KTM is just pure awesome hooligan bike, looks can be subjective and I find the KTM sharper looking compared to the Triumph. I’ve sampled a few KTM bikes the last being the Duke 390 and damn that thing is again a small lil pocket rocket hahaha

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah, this one is a continuation of that theme. Nippy is the term i'd use because it feels like it has a really good power to weight ratio.

[@sportmuaythai]

I ride Ninja 400, and another bloke rides a 2018 Duke 390. We both have similar capability, having the same coach. On track, the Ninja 400 just out ride the Duke 390. I can only see one strong point on the KTM 390. It pulls stronger coming out off a turn.

[@cliveomahoney4096]

I test rode both, the thing about the KTM was that i was looking into space when riding - nothing in front, hated that - but, great engine.. I had an MT07 (stolen) and now have a Tracer 700, that I love. The Triumph is a great bike and pretty much better in every way compared to the 790. However, both are fine.

[@RarefiedRoad]

You're right about the view, there is very little in front of you, all you can see is the road and I agree I quite like to see just a little bit of the bike in peripheral vision as I ride.

[@MotoExploring]

@Clive O'Mahoney how is the throttle response and weight comparison between the mt07 and 790, I have a 2015 MT-09 and wanted something more fun and light. And a wheelie machine :D

[@ajinkyathorat7502]

How, electronics on ktm 790r Is way superior. Plus there is not that much of performance diffrence. Ktm is way better In that package.

[@baconbaconbobacon]

Im going with orange, gonna be getting it next month...$12,450 is the price with taxes, and etc in the US.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Enjoy. It's a really fun bike.

[@ryanoliver9131]

Jason Herrera that’s expensive as hell!!

[@ryanoliver9131]

I got a 2019 street triple r for 10g out the door

[@goodtimes2656]

Well done review I have a striple 675 r and a ktm 690 dual sport. The street triple is not the best bike in any one category but it is above average in every category and that is the mind set you need when on one. You can be weaving through traffic in the city with ease or thrashing it through the mountain twisties, it just doesnt care. Always performs well. Ktm is all about off road proformance and is hard to beat. But on road i felt the 690 duke was too high strung and didnt like to cruise. It wants to have it neck strangled all the time and just go go go. Which it does great. But to me it would not be much of a commuter bike. More of a weekend toy for playful riding with a supermoto like attitude. Both great bikes but all comes down to what its perpouse is going to be for.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Very accurately put. The 790 has the same attitude as the 690 but 2 cylinders over 1 makes it a bit easier to maintain constant revs without always wanting to go and stop. It still has the same attitude though so you find yourself wanting to keep pushing it. And I agree with your assessment of the triple, nice way of putting it that you have to treat it like an all rounder, it'll save you from getting caught out.

[@sportmuaythai]

I ride 765 RS on track exclusively, not racing. It's the best bike I've ever had. I also own a SuperSport 939 S and a Ninja 400. Both are very good bike, but my 765RS is king. Surprisingly, the 765 RS is way cheaper than the KTM 690 in Thailand, where I live.

[@randledewees7876]

I have a 2008 Street Triple, a great looking decent performing bike. As much as I like triples and the Street format I'll probably go with the KTM. I just want the SM stance and egros.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Decent reasoning. It's always nice to switch it up a bit.

[@885wc]

I'd take one of each every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Don't know how to chose between the Duke and R/RS to be honest. Especially now that you get IMUs with both. I do like the electronics.

[@RarefiedRoad]

It is a hard decision to be fair. I think it's made harder by the fact that they are quite different to ride, at least if they handled or felt similar you could chose just on looks, but they give a very different riding experience.

[@jackprior]

I was wondering - which bike has the heavier clutch lever? I have a street triple and find it to be almost weightless. I tried the super duke R and found the clutch lever to be way too heavy for me (i live in london and it's literally stop-start-filter all the time on the way to work).

[@RarefiedRoad]

I sympathise mate, my hand gets ruined after a day riding through London. They're both pretty light to be honest but I'd probably say the KTM was lighter, it's also got a quickshifter up and down so you should be able to get away with a light pull on the lever.

[@hanskarl2215]

Re: comment at 5:30 about cornering traction control, could you demonstrate?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Nope but I can find you an explanation from KTM if you like. It's more about their limit on power than the lean angle actually from what I understand. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqaVq4psha-EldE

[@hanskarl2215]

thanks!

[@anneakhil]

Whats the deal about steering damperer ??? Could someone explain

[@Chenzoman]

Nice ending, lol. Thumbs up.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you

[@bobthomas2812]

Tough choice, I have a 790 Adventure on order but that is me, I lean to the dirt. For pure sport the new Triumph is amazing.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah the Triumph isn't great off road :) good choice on the KTM. That engine is so fun.

[@Munklunk5]

Did you use track mode in the 790 Duke? Should be a quite big difference between sport and track mode in terms of power from what I have heard! Great review anyway :)!

[@RarefiedRoad]

I didn't use that on the road although I probably should have. There is a nice big difference between rider modes though. Still love this bike.

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

a really nice, professional (with some fun) review of the bike

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you

[@anneakhil]

sir among 790 duke and street triple s which is better in india there is no r variant...... we got to take rs which costs 5,650 dollars more than 790 duke in india what is your pick

[@RarefiedRoad]

I still prefer the street triple but depending on what the riding is like in India I think the KTM probably suits the situation better to be honest.

[@anneakhil]

@@RarefiedRoad i think ill buy daytona as my first triple 😁😁😁 in my collection i want every cylinder setup for 1-4 so 1 and 2 are done next year ill buy 3rd

[@ellenmullan6918]

How does either bike rate against the Husqvarna Vitpilen 701??

[@josefweitz7844]

I have just sold my 2017 390 DUKE and will get my Street Triple R this week. I was considering the DUKE 790 as well but I think the Streety is the better bike for me. Thanks for a great comparison....I am Austrian as well and now doubt: KTM is great as well...

[@RarefiedRoad]

It is good. Change is always nice though, being as you've already had a KTM I'd say you've made the right choice in trying something new.

[@michaels.8388]

Seavas Josef, Hast dir eine Streety gekauft? Zufrieden?

[@Kadetttreter78]

What a good review! I live in India and drive a 2017 Ktm Duke 690 and 390( witch is assembled in India ) For the road situation with a lot of tight corners here is my choice a light and short single with a aggressive engine characteristic. That’s why I like the Ktm enduros so mucha ;-) ! U are really cute ☺️ Greetings from India 😘

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks you. That is some sound reasoning, You really can't get much lighter or faster than a KTM, good choice.

[@LifeOnTwoWheels]

India does not have the 690 duke

[@sudiptomajumdar4210]

You can't be for real. There's no 690 in India. I rode a 390 2017 model myself, and as great a tool it may have come across, it has horrendous heating issues and very unreliable as it's assembled locally at the bajaj plant in Pune which is notorious for dishing out poorly made products.

[@Moondoggy1941]

Funny I saw a KTM 990 next to me in the States, I did not think they made one of those.

[@saltandoalvacio5736]

Nice comparison! Subscribed ;)

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks.

[@SteeleFalcon]

Not seeing the test done up in twisty mountain rds where the duke strengths are

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah unfortunately most of the test centres are near fairly boring roads so it's hard to make the most of the ride.

[@darthvisor9289]

Even though i am Austrian i would go for the Striple every day

[@RarefiedRoad]

That's a decent endorsement.

[@liruizhu2146]

Count me please.

[@gocart09]

I bought a 2008 street 675 thanks

[@RarefiedRoad]

Good choice sir

[@oxide_fx]

Not sure whether to go for the 790 or the street triple A2 versions for my next bike. Decisions, decisions...

[@RarefiedRoad]

Are you limited by your licence or your budget? Because personally I wouldn't go for the A2 Street Triple for either reason.

[@oxide_fx]

Rarefied Road license. If I had free reign then there's no way I'd stick with an A2 bike :p

[@RarefiedRoad]

Makes sense. In that case then I wouldn't go with the Street triple. I assume if you're getting the KTM it'll be limited but the benefit to that is that once you progress to your full licence you can derestrict it whereas the Street triple A2 variant has the 660cc engine, meaning there's no way of upping the power later, It's a dedicated A2 bike and if I was going to go for a dedicated A2 lower powered bike id get something a lot lighter like a 390 duke or CBR500 or even the lower capacity Ninja.

[@jmadan1707]

Nice work buddy..

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you.

[@USpecies]

KTM 790 also comes with a launch control, so you can accelerate way faster, then your test did ;)

[@RarefiedRoad]

Oh It had way more electronics than I was ever able to use in the hour I had it. I am gutted I missed that one though, it's already a bloody fast bike.

[@USpecies]

@@RarefiedRoad yeah i thought that it must be overwhelming, if u just get it handed over from the dealer for a test ride. so all good, just wanted to point it out. keep on the good youtube content mate :)

[@RarefiedRoad]

@@USpecies Thanks

[@mickynicky82]

Love the ending 😉😂

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you.

[@debenhamdave4314]

Really undecided at the moment, brand new 2019 KTM 790 dukes on 20 plates for £6999, which buys a 2 year old triumph street triple 765r, but I want to buy British, think it's going to be Austrian.

[@RarefiedRoad]

The price is hard to argue with isn't it. I prefer the Triumph too but the KTM is a really good bike.

[@freebehindbars8654]

This was never a fair comparison. Now the 890R turned the tables. Made me trade in my Triumph on this beast.

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Good work man.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Cheers bud.

[@johnkelly1246]

Any thoughts on the practical side of ownership . . . are you comfortable enough for all day riding . . . . would the lack of wind protection on the KTM make it more of a toy for back road blasts only ???

[@RarefiedRoad]

For comfort I'd say they're both fine for a days riding, the KTM is a little softer on suspension so that may give it an edge, neither are suited to touring really but the Triumph would be the better of the two for longer mileage. And neither of them are very strong on wind protection, you're going to get a lot of buffeting on both bikes. The Triumph has a little bit of headlight fairing but it won't do much, It does have a slightly sportier riding position so it makes it a bit easier to tuck in which will help.

[@colindeans5972]

One of your best reviews. Triumph Street 765R wins all day long, I'm biased though as I own one.

[@RarefiedRoad]

It is a very good bike.

[@RarefiedRoad]

And thank you.

[@Banditmanuk]

Just found your channel, interesting vid, I'm sure plenty of time went into making and editing. My wife rides a Street Triple (Well it is a compact smallish bike) I prefer the looks of the Triumph over the KTM and wouldn't buy a brand new model with a brand new engine again from any manufacturer until it had been out for a while, made that mistake with a fault ridden 2011 Multistrada 1200S.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you, it takes me way longer to edit than it should I'm sure. It is a bit of a risk buying a brand new bike if it's not been out long enough for people to find the faults, especially with something as substantial as a Multistrada. I feel for you, especially when you're spending that kind of money.

[@michaelsteven1090]

Why do you blur out the speedo?..Don't tell me you'll be tracked down?

[@sportmuaythai]

On street, you have law and regulations, plus trafic, so both bikes should be quite similar. These bikes are intended for occasional track days, so comparison should include some track rides.

[@RarefiedRoad]

I agree, if I had access to them on a track then I would definitely take that option up but sadly street riding is all i have available.

[@padwah]

is there gonna be an r version of the ktm this year or 2019?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Not that I'm aware of. It probably won't be far off though since it's been spotted testing.

[@cesareterelius6651]

Nice video, i'm between these 2 models, i think ktm is for me but, wich one is more noisey, for engine and exhaust, i don't know why, i prefer silentes bikes.. thump up

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah I get that. It's annoying having a really loud exhaust when you're holding regular revs commuting or something similar. I'd say the Triumph is probably quieter stock but there's not a lot in it. If you're leaning towards the KTM go that way.

[@abymathew295]

Triumph is really good at Fit and finish, attention to detail,quality material. KTM is not up there, but in one particular are Where every KTM trumps the competition is it's rawness and Fun,ness

[@philclarke7712]

This 'unbiased' review was slightly biased. I couldn't get into it after you tried telling me that Triumphs 54 ft lb of torque was as good as Ktms 64 ft lb. Still, otherwise some good opinions...I do believe the Ktm has been shown to be quicker in a straight line but we are not picking. Both fine bikes. One is £1k cheaper though so I'd go orange for that alone.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Fair. It's a really good bike for the price.

[@steverogers3309]

Dude you're cool bro.... Love you're review awesome......

[@RarefiedRoad]

I'll take that from a guy called Steve Rogers, thank you for the compliment, very kind.

[@steverogers3309]

Rarefied Road thank you for your reply, i am also a big fan of triumph..... Like you The street triple rs is a bit costly here in my country I can't afford it now but if I buy someday, I will let you know about it..... Thanks again...

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks man, good luck getting one, I'm hoping to upgrade to the new one at some point in the future as well I think. It ticks so many boxes.

[@steverogers3309]

Yup I hope you do bro..... Waiting for your next video.. Till then take care and ride safe.. God speed.... Bro

[@fishboo100]

Good luck with the 890R comparison

[@renorzeta]

790 Duke is compelling but i would pick Street Triple, just personal style choice. Triple look like a bike, KTM seem small. but i can't abandon my SV650.

[@RarefiedRoad]

I prefer the Triumph too. It's heavier but in a good way.

[@yassim0008]

Give me the refinement of the the street triple any day. For the price, reliability, and fun factor (crazy torque) I'd take the Yamaha XSR 900 over both of them.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Fair. It definitely fits within the same group as these two, very similar with minor differences and a good price point.

[@edgeyt1]

How's the fuelling on the Triumph? I've heard the KTM is a bit of a dog in town.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Improved in all honesty. I have the old street triple and that can be a bit snappy in town at low speed. This one is pretty smooth but requires a soft grip if you're plodding at low speed high revs, as in first or second. The KTM is actually not that bad either, certainly not the worst I've tried.

[@enakki]

i have an rs and fueling is supersmooth

[@goodtimes2656]

Subscribed!

[@ronanrogers4127]

I’m glad the KTM sounds good with the stock exhaust, because it’s probably the ugliest OEM exhaust on the market. It reminds me of an early 1970s 2 stroke collection chamber

[@52bogie]

I was thinking it looked good for a modern cat equipped bike!

[@nigel660]

2 stroke 'expansion' chamber?

[@philclarke7712]

Yeah..expansion chamber. Not sure what you would want to collect in there but I wouldn't recommend it. Your mid range power delivery would suffer. I agree that the Ktm exhaust is the ugliest thing going on a bike in 2019.

[@GUARATARO99]

What about reliability on the KTM?? They used to have problems in the past!, And some people that have been riders for long time, told me that the reliability on KTMs is really an issue. Thanks, and great video!!

[@RarefiedRoad]

Honestly I wouldn't be able to tell you beyond doing a search online. I've actually heard the opposite about their mid range bikes like the 690. I think the main issues I've heard of relate to overheating and gearbox problems but it's hard to tell until it's been out a while longer. Sorry I can't help more on this point.

[@DCVExpeditions]

Good One Bro

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks.

[@pw9150]

.... Street (wonderfull) Triple RS 💪🏻✨😋

[@carlmistry]

What's with the music , can't barely hear you or the bikes

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah the levels are a bit off sorry. It's generally there to mask all the wind noise, sadly that's all you get over about 40mph.

[@Itzak15]

Probably two of the best bikes you can get

[@RarefiedRoad]

Probably

[@fingerscrossed2317]

I've heard the 790 duke was very good for highway riding as being a naked. Someone here experienced that also ?

[@aakashk530]

Honestly not as bad as you would think. The wind that hits your body isn’t “dirty” and under 100mph it’s really not that bad.

[@Supernova12034]

I feel like KTM is the fz09 with better suspension

[@RarefiedRoad]

I get that. They feel pretty similar actually. Lighter and more nimble though.

[@Charltonhayes]

You Brits so cheeky , good review

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks.

[@ahmadamar7417]

New subscriber

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thanks man

[@prithvim7]

Why does KTM duke 390 look much better than the 790?

[@RarefiedRoad]

Maybe they gave it to their junior design team. Change the exhaust and I think it'll look a little nicer.

[@andydawson2070]

And I would buy the same one 😉

[@johncrittenden9107]

Yamaha mt 09 sp for me

[@RarefiedRoad]

Interesting. How come?

[@johncrittenden9107]

It's the looks for me and the suspension upgrade has made a huge difference, I like the ktm but I would have to wait for the r version.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Fair choice. I have to say I wasn't a fan of the suspension on the old MT09 so I'm glad to hear they've improved it.

[@flyingzebra311]

you did choose wrong if you have it ...you should want a duke to go a long with the triple

[@cp4512]

Both great bikes. I don’t like the KTM looks so went to buy the Triumph... but then ended up coming home with an RS! Oops!

[@MrPtholt]

for the money and buying on finance the KTM was a cheaper, better package compared to R and mt09, both of whic are more expensive bikes, but both the triumph and yamaha had pretty poor interest rate offerings to purchaase, So for the money and bang for buck kit i took the ktm over both the triumph and the yam. I also love the auto blipping on downshift, didnt bother me at all.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Decent reasoning. It's certainly not a compromise and I'd take whichever one would give me the best deal I think so I'd probably have gone the same way.

[@MrPtholt]

would be interesting to know what camera/mic and post setup you use for your vids, currently considering bluetooth comms options and would prefer one that doesn't mean i need to make my lid look like its got a ton of boxes stuck to it, i notice your lid is fair clear save for the session, interested to hear whats picking up your audio tho...?

[@RarefiedRoad]

I actually use a Sony digital recorder and a lapel mic. It has benefits and drawbacks. I basically put the sound recorder in my jacket pocket and track the lapel mic up to one of my cheek pieces where I wedge it in. It does leave the helmet looking clean, it cuts down on helmet weight, and you can add some wind proofing or dead cat material which helps but it can be a pain setting it all up before I head out. I've been looking at getting a bluetooth unit at some point when I find one I like to link with my phone. Best review I've seen so far was from Fort 9 if you're looking. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3KwoIuYja10gsU

[@DevSubrahmanian]

Hahaha... Good stuff mate! 🍻

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you.

[@dedge12858]

Not a bad video on the whole but some conclusions are a bit odd. For instance: "Triples are an acquired taste and if you don't like a triple cylinder go for the KTM. A parallel twin is very easy to get on with..." Huh? In what ways are triples not easy to get on with?

[@goodtimes2656]

Doubleplusgood. Triples are know for being very smooth with their power delivery. I thought the same way about his comment. Perhaps he just didn't get his whole thought across about that point. I am sure he has been on more bikes than I so i would like to hear why he said that.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Yeah I'll be honest I probably should have worded that better, it's not so much that they're an acquired taste as they tend to split opinion. As you say triples are very smooth (actually smoother than the KTM in the mid range), and in my opinion one of the most versatile engines out there, but I've had comments in the past when I'm out on mine that they're bland because they do all the work for you, or that they are snappy at high revs unless you're smooth on the throttle, some people hate the sound etc. And parallel twins tend to be favoured for beginner bikes like Kawasaki's ER6 or the CB 500 range from Honda. They've been around for ever, it's a very simple set up and they tend to give no complaint. Obviously those examples are a little less exciting than the 790 but the Duke takes that compliant steadfast nature of the engine and injects some life into it while retaining all it's best qualities. So it works really well in a town, and it offers a lot of thrills at high speed down some country lanes. When I mention KTM being smooth for engine delivery it's more of a throw back to people I've chatted to in the past who complained about twin cylinders being lumpy, but they were more hung up on the old V twins they'd ridden and were carrying that opinion over to modern parallel twins. Sorry for the ramble but this is what I couldn't fit into the video. It's hard to condense it some times.

[@dedge12858]

Thanks for the response. I won't try to unpack all that other than to say the KTM definitely looks fun from what I've seen. Would love to try one. Keep up the good work with the vids. Most British bike reviewers are at least my age (middle aged) so it's good to see a younger face and one younger riders can identify with.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you, that's really kind.

[@jamesavery6671]

I don't like the whistle of the triumph but the exhaust sounds good

[@tricky159]

You forgot the MV Agusta 800 Brutale

[@orange70383]

I wish motorcycles would forget all the tech crap and let the rider ride.

[@lennardspit]

Comparing bikes based on subjectively assessed rear brake stopping power. (...?) Facepalm.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Comparing the rear brake based on subjectivity and feel yes, especially when there is arguably nothing between them on paper. Comparing bikes though based on their published spec sheets.

[@kingsking2816]

The triples front just looks weird no likey

[@Jegrod]

Man Amazing review the only advantage here in Mexico is that KTM has a longer tragectory so they have much more experience, and triumph is apparently new, so talking about services and customizing KTM in Mexico will probably win

[@FireTwo]

Pretty much stop watching this video soon as he said he prefers downshifting with the clutch... the Down blipper on the ktm is so so good as to the engine braking.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Well there shouldn't be any engine braking if you rev match as you change, but each to their own mate, if you prefer to quick shift down then have at it. Shame you didn't stay to the end though, I hired some naked fire dancers and a skywriter to spell out the words 'So sorry for having an opinion' over the London eye, it was spectacular.

[@FireTwo]

Rarefied Road twins are all about engine braking hardly use the brakes on the road on my old Ducati and now this 790. Plus it’s so light again hardly any mass to stop. Shame I missed the fire breathing girls or something maybe next time

[@sportmuaythai]

"Braking" as per FireTwo, and not " breaking".

[@kukuchan9523]

Eargasm vs non-eargasm

[@alexandrediogo1799]

Hemel hamspted? I think i test ride the same triple hahaha

[@RarefiedRoad]

Nice. They're very good in there actually, did you end up buying one?

[@raywite6665]

Too fast on the green lanes, be very careful.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Thank you, I will.

[@SplendidCookie]

damn music ruined the video

[@RarefiedRoad]

Sorry to hear that.

[@jupiter22177]

the 790's suspension blows and not adjustable

[@liruizhu2146]

KTM looks cheap like made in China Chongqing. The highlight design for KTM is the head light.