KTM 790 DUKE (2018 - on) Review

Best on smoother roads as the suspension is quite firm which is great for sportier riding but can be a little choppy otherwise. Brakes are quite good but lack a little feel and initial bite and need a firmer hand to stop quickly from higher speeds. Stock Maxxis tyres need a lot of warming up before they offer decent grip and again lack feel when pushing on. There are fixes for all these things - at a price!

Superb performance with a good spread of torque and enough power for any situation combined with excellent fuel economy. The only slight niggle is a little nervousness on a constant throttle at lower speeds particularly in Sport mode. There are fixes for this - at a price!

For sportier riders change the tyres to Michelin Pilot Power RS/4 or Bridgestone S22 Front brake pads to EBC HH and steering damper fluid to15-20wt Join a forum to get more out of ownership : https://www.790dukeforum.com/forums/

Excellent setup straight from the crate. Lack of suspension adjustment is not really an issue as it is so good as standard. Brilliant B road scratcher. Great for track days. Even tours and commutes with a Ventura rack fitted. Absolutely brilliant all rounder.

Amazing motor. Great punch, perfectly geared. Lovely sound too. Electronics are amazing. Up / down quickshifter is brilliant. Riding modes are easy to access and the controls and dash are nice and clear and easy to use.

Output shaft oil seal failed early on as the bike was delivered with the chain set too tight. This was fixed under warranty at the second attempt. Dealer was good.

KTM dealer labour rates are a bit steep.

Electronics at this price point are class leading. KTM Powerparts catalogue is extensive. I fitted the 20mm taller Ergo seat which gives me a little more leg room and is a bit more comfortable than the stock seat. Also fitted a Givi Tanklock Tankbag and Venture luggage rack for touring and commuting.

The j.juan brakes and Galfer disk work satisfing together.

Gearbox/Quickshifter are capricious!

The didn’t solve the problems with the Quick Shifter so I paid a lot of money for only changing oil and filter....

MAXXIS Tyres are OK on dry roads, at wet the are unpredictable.

When it works it's good fun but it has spent more time in a garage being fixed than what I've been able to ride it

Again when it works it's good but it is weak as continuously breaks down

Absolutely appauling build quality in 8000 miles i have had 5 oil leaks, thermostat, thermostat housing, 2 sets of clocks, panels, rear brake assembly, warped disc, head bearings, and continuesly cutting out regardless to speed etc, subframe bolts and the loan 790 that has only covered 342 miles has an oil leak from the sump gasket and also cuts out it has spent more time in the workshop than what i have been able to ride it yet KTM says it's still fit for purpose that was when they eventually got back to the dealer after ignoring 5 emails from myself

Lots of technology however i think KTM need to focus more on the basics like making a bike that doesnt break every 150 miles

The brakes are plenty good enough for me and the ride quality is really good in my opinion. It's so much fun to ride that even with some initial quality issues, I will get another one in due course. We recently did 2000 miles to the Black forest and had an absolutely brilliant time, the bikes were brilliant. Very comfortable and really good on fuel.

The engine is outstanding and easily keeps up with larger capacity bikes. It's a very lite bike and is capable of embarrassing bigger bikes in twisties.

Soooo much fun but some reliability issues. Failed rear shock on one bike, leaking fork seal and warped front discs on the other

My wife and I both own 790 dukes and have just had the 12 month service completed on both. My wife's bike needed a new rear shock as it had leaked all of the oil from it. My bike needed the front discs replacing as they were warped (I'm not heavy on the brakes at all. ). It also required new seels on the front shocks as one was leaking quite badly. Everything done on warranty - dealer service was excellent

Loads of electronic wizardry, really good

To drive this bike is amazing, you'll always finish your trip grinning from ear to ear! Very comfortable and very quick!

The power from such a small (physically) engine is unreal. Even with anti-wheelie on the bike still easily lift the front wheel.

Rust has formed on the triple clamp after just 3 months and exhaust has a hole in it awsell as liquid leaking out of the lambda sensor. Since the maps were updated it cuts out when cold but completely fine when warmed up. KTM however, are rectifying all problems under the warranty.

Great on fuel. A yearly service costs £220 which I find quite expensive.

Comes with plenty of toys as standard. The quick shifter is great as the power delivery never stops and the pops and bangs when you shift down with the blipper make slowing down highly enjoyable.

Brakes are good, but the unadjustable suspension is awful on our bumpy English roads, any small road imperfections cause the forks to crash and jar you hands. On smooth roads it’s fine though.

The best bit of the bike in performance terms is the lovely quick shifter/blipper. The bike is massively let down by three different oil leaks to date in under 700 miles. It’s sad but It may be the first and last KTM I purchase as it was also supplied brand new with lots of other cosmetic faults. Scratched tank, scratched subframe, damaged clutch lever, peeling graphics...........REALLY POOR.

Multiple quality issues.

Not the cheapest first service.

Great equipment as standard but a comfort seat really made a good addition.

It's a very easy bike to ride, a bit like a 125 that's beefed up. Very enjoyable and fantastic brakes.

It has a lovely sounding engine and pulls very well throughout gears and rev range.

I have 5700 miles on mine it now has its second oil leak as well as overheating issues because it goes through an entire reservoir of coolant in two days. My heads up display has had 11 cracks appear over night and I've had to replace the front sprocket as the first one fell apart plus a set of fork seals which were leaking when i picked the bike up.

This would be a 5-star rating, but the Maxxis tyres that come on it are pants if there is any moisture and they don't hold any heat.

Brakes initial bite is quite soft, but plenty of power and great feel.

Love the sound and all the mechanical clattering and the burbles and gurgles on the overrun

So far so good. Never had a KTM before.

Decent service intervals

Fantastic electronics package, quickshifter, auto blipper, modes etc etc..great

The brakes work and I ride it without worrying about what setting it’s on because I’m having so much - FUN !

A modern classic,game changing,lovely bit of tech ! I have a 1999 R1 which I’m moth balling because the KTM is so good.

Nothings fell off yet !

Quick shifter and auro blipper work really well, makes a BMW look agricultural. No idea what I’ll do with lean ABS and launch control but got to be worth a go !

Not the most competent brakes and think it’s because I’ve been spoilt previously with Brembo set ups.

Brilliant!!!

I’ve had no problems as yet and only had it 2 months, 1000 miles. So far runs like a dream.

I still find it drinks a lot but I tend to be in track and sport mode and riding like my hairs on fire so I put the bad fuel economy down to me.

Has all the whistles and bells and I absolutely love it.

Ride quality is superb, the engine is so sweet. No vibration at all. Brakes are sharp.

Although it's got less power than my last bike, I love this engine, so much punch! Shame they didn't add like another 2-3 thousand rpms to the rev limit though because it feels so sweet, high revs it just runs out a bit quick.

Couple of small issues, launch control doesn't work.. Paint gone funny on the body around the tank and coolant level keeps going down but currently being fixed under warranty.

Parts are fairly expensive, fuel consumption is fantastic though. Only had first service which was about £90 just for parts. That's an expensive oil filter plus oil.

The best parts of the bike are the handling (probably thanks to the super clever traction control and cornering ABS) and quickshifter up and down, the bike literally makes me look like a pro.

Bike rode nicely before it broke down.

Had to have it recovered before i even got it home due to an electrical fault, I literally had the bike 6 hours. This obviously gives me great concern going forwards.

Good overall value given the amount of tech on it.

Bags of equipment, mirrors are crap but they are on most new bikes.