2018 KTM 790 Duke Review

2018 KTM 790 Duke Review: I've been keen to try out the KTM 790 Duke ever since I first saw it at the NEC Motorcycle Live show last year and I'm thrilled to say I now have the chance to really get to know "The Scalpel" (as KTM nicknamed the bike) as those nice people at KTM UK have let me borrow the 790 Duke as my next long term loan machine! In this video I give you my first impressions of this new middleweight Duke.....

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I use the following equipment to record and edit my VLOGs:-

My current motorcyles are:-
Honda CRF250L
Triumph Street Triple R
BMW R1200GS
Ducati 899 Panigale

[MikeSchererVideos]

Actually the 8 in the engine classification means 8 valves. Therefore the LC8 engines are V twins with 4 valves per head as found in the 1090, 1190 & 1290 models and the LC4 engines are the singles, 390, 450 and 690 models. The LC8c is the parallel twin where the c stands for compact.

[PBRStreetGang]

Love the way the sheep were bigging up the spec as your were reading it

[robertmersey]

Had mine 2500 miles ride it in sport mode sounds even better in sport crackles more mechanical grip blows me away gravel and pot holed roads this thing laughs at them never had so much fun since rgv250 getting almost 200 to a tank now and not taking it easy cruises at 80 nicely regards Robert

[kevinperree]

That quickshifter thingymebob you showed us - I just call it the back brake. My shifter is on the

[petery]

Knowing how much you like the Street Triple, that’s high praise you give to the 790; must be a great bike ticking a lot of boxes. Thanks for your review, cheers.

[LambChopRides]

Nice review, looking forward to collecting it next week!

[yonniboy]

I don't know if you recall just after the Hayabusa came out there was much speculation that the EU would enforce a 100 BHP limit on bikes (hence the big 4 Japanese manufacturers "gentlemans agreement" to limit top speeds to 300 KPH or 186 MPH) well it looks like KTM and to a degree Triumph have decided to show just how good a bike not much over 100 BHP can be provided it's light enough and shows that in the real world you really don't need much more.

[hubert]

I love these mid range nakeds. Light, flickable, agile, around 100hp - perfect for commuting and a little bit of hooliganism after work. Great review of a great bike 👌
👌

[miguelbruno]

I bought one a month ago, I'm super satisfied, this bike is addictive, I just had to take the preload of the rear shock and the bike was much more comfortable, it's the most fun bike I've ever driven, perfect for city and back roads, as always 100% according to your reviews ... waiting for the long term review..

[jamess]

Great review thanks TMF, had mine for just over a month and it is an awesome bike, had a Street Triple R 765 as well but didn`t keep it long and in my opinion the 790 beats it all ways. look forward to your living with review.

[HUSKY-]

@9.57 I think you'll find the quick shifter on t'other side of the bike. That is the rear brake master cylinder!

[voltcooltangs]

I’ve got a 2018 one. Can’t believe how good it is. So capable on anything other than motorways. 186.5 kgs wet. 59.5 lbs torque and 98.5 BHP on the dyno at the rear wheel. 4 rider modes. 4! And they are all different. RAIN mode makes smooth slow riding possible but will still see 120 on the clock. Amazing quick anti wheely software. Great quick shifter, light slipper clutch. SO MUCH TORQUE! cos it’s light. Michelin Pilot Road 5 tyres on mine work well. Akropovic slip on with the DB killer taken out sounds like the most perfect, bazooka of an exhaust you could ever think of. Nimble. Perfect riding position. Loads of room for arms & legs. No bad vibes through the bars or pegs. The engine is a perfect blend, feels like a cross between a single & a V-twin. Brakes are fine for spirited riding, suspension is firmish but acceptable & setup pretty good for fast B road blasts. The dash is also very readable with digital MPH with tach info sweeping over the top.

[PhilJS]

Amazing sound from the sheep and the bike as well!

[RupeWilson]

Just bought a 2020 KTM 790 duke, and I'm loving it...A very nice upgrade from a 390.

[kyleneacy]

The pictures online and videos do it no justice I picked one up yesterday. In the flesh it looks and sounds fantastic and the quick shifter and blipper is definitely one of the better ones. 👌

[motogroover]

Mr Flyer!!! That moment at 1:02 had me worried for a second! That white car parking on the left shouldn't have been there. Thank goodness the Honda on your right stopped! The GoPro made it look like a moment, but was probably all easy. I've seen so many accidents like this moment you had. These cars just don't realise when they stop at intersections like that what could possibly happen. Good to see you got through that, but boy I almost pooped my self for a quick second! Loving your confidence you have riding now. Your riding just that little bit quicker now, & your going for quick little squirts (blasts) more often. Good onya mate, another nice sit down & entertaining viewing from the top man on the manner! Cheers groover!

[johnkelly]

Thanks for the review. I have seen your individual reviews of the KTM, Triple RS and MT09 SP. Please consider combining into a group test with consideration of the naked Suzuki also. Many thanks.

[richardgurney]

I've been looking forward to your 'normal blokes review' of the 790.I recently bought one as my first bike and love it! See it as a bike to grow into and learn to ride properly. Had ergo seat fitted from day one and i've ridden for hours in comfort, also have bar end mirrors on order... KTM have really poor supply of power parts. Enjoy your videos thanks dude, good work!

[neilb]

Love this bike TMF, seriously considering down sizing from the GS when they bring out the adventure version. I really think that motor is all a solo rider would ever need, and very light and agile too.

[colingoldthorpe]

So waiting for the KTM 790 Adventure next year hoping it happens. Keep up the great work TMS!!!