Just nosing around the local multi brand dealer and noticed this 2020 KTM 790 Duke so I went over just to sit on and admire it. I have never ridden one (or any KTM other than a 690 Enduro) but what I know of them is while these little bikes are not that functional for long travels, or for riding on crappy roads, with their light weight (410 wet) and almost 100 HP at the wheel they are a hoot to ride. The things have all kinds of electronics, for ABS, traction control, wheelie control, ride modes, track mode, launch control, etc.
Hmm riding position is nice, controls feel great, typical Austrian design with cables and wires neatly run and very nice build quality. Salesman comes over "Ride, KTM has a $2,000 rebate on this bike now." I say "OK let me dwell on it". After a little research I discover KTM is replacing the 790 Duke in 2021 with an 890 Duke. The 890 will have some more goodies like adjustable suspension and more power from a punched out version of the same LC8 motor. But it'll also be less comfortable with higher pegs and lower bars, more money, and manufactured in China. The 790 I looked at was made in Austria and...... there's that $2,000 rebate. After a generous discount from the dealer I just couldn't pass on the bike, "OK load in in my truck".
So far I only rode it briefly last evening which isn't enough to form much of an opinion but it sure is peppy and feels even lighter than it's 400 pound weight.

Congratulations! That's a go straight to jail bike for me, but they are a hell of a lot of fun!

Ohhhhh. That's on my list. Tagged for a thorough, average Joe riding review.
Nice score.

Congrats. Have read good things about the Duke lineup.

Very cool! That does look like a lot of fun to ride.

Congrats. That's a hooligan bike. Perfect machine to practice your one legged wheelies out in the country. I'd like to have one to add to my stable but it's full. Like the truck too, howdy from a fellow owner!

Oooooooo, PURDY!

That's one of the things I love about my FJ - 450-ish pounds wet and 115 hp to play with.

Just this minute got back from a 150 mile loop, BTW...

Killer!
That is a mighty fine ride!

The Katooms are popular here in the Yoop. Their full on dirt bikes are bad ass.

Nice!

Been watching a lot of reviews of that on YouTube. Trying to find a comparison vid I watched two days ago to share...

Edit: can't find the comparison video but there is this one from one of my subs:




Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIESyPDtI0g

Congrats!

Didn’t you get a Tenere 700 just a couple weeks ago? Didn’t like it?

Thanks guys! Paul nice to hear you got out on the FJ for a nice ride.
Yes phydough Tenere' earlier this month. I traded the Africa Twin on it, my Monkey on this Duke.

Earlier this afternoon the rain quit so I took the Duke out for my first real ride. Leaving on the 1 1/2 lane, dirt/gravel road the suspension actually felt compliant and the wide bars gave plenty of leverage for good control. Once on nice paved roads I got to play with it a little. The parallel twin motor feels and sounds like a V-twin with good power from 2,500 rpm to around 5,500 rpm which is as high as I took it. Gear shifting is just snick, snick smooth using the clutch and w/o clutch (with its shift assist) it's actually smoother and the shifts are even faster. Brakes started working much after 20 miles or so and by the time I got home they seemed fully broken in. Riding through some tight corners was as easy or easier as on any motorcycle I've ever ridden I guess due to it's light weight, low COG, plentiful torque, and wide bars. I really wasn't going fast (I really don't ride fast anymore) but it was just pleasant to motor along effortlessly at a brisk pace. After 50 miles or so on my return the skies were darkening with lightening ahead and naturally I ran into it. Knowing I was just riding locally, and with no good place to carry stuff on the bike, I left without my rain gear so got soaked the last 10 miles.

I need to look into ways to carry some light items like rain gear on this bike, at the very least replace the passenger grab handles with a rear rack. Like any motorcycle without any windshield or fairing you do get air at your torso and helmet but its completely clean air with no buffeting or turbulence. Other than a rack about the only change I see making now could be to larger, and maybe slightly lower, footpegs. The bike is everything I was hoping, for a fun little play bike to ride around the hills here.

Want to save some $$$? Look at bicycle rack bags.
They should fit on your rear stock setup and because they are for bikes, they are half the cost of a motorcycle rack bag for what is essentially the same item. Just check the sizes before you order.

Congratulations!
I bought an 890 Duke R back in April. I used to have a Superduke 1290R and I like this bike a lot better. It is much easier to ride in the twisties and has plenty of power. This year it is made in Austria but next year they will be made in China.

NICE, the 890's a beaut! Yours must be a 2020, so 2021's to be built in China?

Do you have any luggage rack or ways to carry a bit of stuff?

I installed an SW-Motech rack and quick release mounting ring. I am going to use it to mount an SW-Motech Sport tank bag. I have an Evo day pack but it is too small so I am exchanging it for the Sport. For now, I am using one of my tail bags.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Suppressed,

quote:

Originally posted by Suppressed:
I installed an SW-Motech rack and quick release mounting ring. I am going to use it to mount an SW-Motech Sport tank bag. I have an Evo day pack but it is too small so I am exchanging it for the Sport. For now, I am using one of my tail nags.

Now there's a new name for passengers!

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by Suppressed:
I installed an SW-Motech rack and quick release mounting ring. I am going to use it to mount an SW-Motech Sport tank bag. I have an Evo day pack but it is too small so I am exchanging it for the Sport. For now, I am using one of my tail nags.

Now there's a new name for passengers!

When I was young and stupid I'd take my girlfriend on my motorcycle with shorty shorts over her bikini. That "tail nag" sure did make my tail wag. The combination of snuggling up to me and the vibration of the motorcycle made her leg go uncontrollably twitchy. Suntanned fit 17 year old girls and summer! For some reason her mom didn't like me.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by Suppressed:
I installed an SW-Motech rack and quick release mounting ring. I am going to use it to mount an SW-Motech Sport tank bag. I have an Evo day pack but it is too small so I am exchanging it for the Sport. For now, I am using one of my tail nags.

Now there's a new name for passengers!

LOL Fixed it!