Friday 1 March 2024

What’s the KTM 790 Duke wish to dwell with? Two months on evaluate


After attending to know KTM’s 790 Duke final month, in month two of his long run evaluate, Ross discovers the Chinese language-built bare’s weak spot… motorways.

Ross riding the KTM 790 Duke on the road

This month:

Rider: Ross Mowbray, 6ft 1in
Value new: £7999
Spec: 95bhp/87Nm
Engine: 799cc, LC8c parallel twin
Kerb weight: 174kg
Tank: 14 litres
Seat: 825mm (32.4in)
Miles this month: 575
Miles on clock: 1400
Common mpg: 42.4mpg (18.2km/l)
Present tyres: Maxxis Supermaxx ST

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Studio shot of the KTM 790 Duke against a white background

I appear to have carried out principally motorway miles this month. Typically, I’d do my utmost to keep away from them if I’m out on the bike, however velocity, effectivity and a busy calendar scuppered any plans to get off the overwhelmed observe and take the longer means spherical of late.

The unlucky factor is that the motorway might be the one place the place the KTM doesn’t shine. Admittedly, it’s not fairly as impractical as an out-and-out sportbike, on which you’d be hunched over placing a load of stress in your wrists. There’s loads of room to stretch out… it would look compact from a distance, however as quickly as you compromise within the seat you’d be stunned by how snug the using place is. And it’s lots fast sufficient, too, with greater than sufficient energy and presence to carry its personal on the quickest stretches of street.

One specific journey to and from Silverstone alongside principally A roads, twin carriageways and motorways completely highlighted the KTM’s huge weaknesses. The journey down was alright. I used to be contemporary, working late and targeted on making my appointment so I didn’t have the time to think about how snug I used to be. The return leg was a lot much less nice. After a full day of using different bikes, I used to be about knackered; just a few hours on the motorway was the very last thing I wanted.

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The large drawback is the wind safety. Now, it ought to come as no nice shock that you just get battered by the weather when belting alongside at velocity… it’s a unadorned bike with no display screen. And I can sort of dwell with that – or I’d be capable of if it wasn’t such a battle to maintain your head in any sort of wise place with out significantly straining your neck. I attempted shuffling spherical, arising and down and leaning additional ahead and additional again… however nothing actually labored. I continued to get blasted by the wind. A small display screen would possibly assist to mitigate a few of it, however I believe the true lesson is that it’s greatest to maintain the KTM off the motorway.

That’s no nice hardship. Significantly when it’s so bloody good on tighter, twistier stretches of street. It turns shortly and with nice precision, and the motor is at its greatest when being labored onerous up and down the six-speed gearbox. If I’ve ever acquired to take it on the motorway once more, I’ll ensure I high and tail that part with a high little bit of Tarmac to remind me simply how a lot enjoyable the 790 Duke might be.

Professionals

The dealing with. It’s really easy to journey. The lightest contact on the bars has it pointing precisely the place you need to go

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The using place. It gives a just about good compromise between sporty focus and extra relaxed consolation

Cons

The wind safety. It’s close to non-existent

Stayed tuned for subsequent month, when Ross reviews again on life with KTM’s 790 Duke after 3 months.

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The post What’s the KTM 790 Duke wish to dwell with? Two months on evaluate appeared first on lickscycles.com.



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