Ktm Duke 790 Review

Item: Ktm Duke 790
Rating: 8.5
Author: Motoryk

"Buy one with full history and never look back."

Experienced riders wanting thrilling, affordable naked performance $6,500-$9,500 used 2018-2023

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Key Specs

speed

Top Speed

220 km/h (estimated; KTM does not officially publish a top speed figure)

bolt

Power

95 hp

@ 9,000 rpm

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Torque

87 Nm

@ 8,000 rpm

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Fuel Economy

18.2 km/L

43 mpg · 5.5–6.5 L/100km (approx. 15–18 km/L, real-world average)

timer

0–100 km/h

3.6 sec

build

Service Every

10,000 km

scale

Weight

169 kg

(wet/curb weight)

settings

Engine

799cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled, DOHC

height

Seat Height

825 mm

cog

Transmission

6-speed

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Used Buyer Review

The 790 Duke is genuinely one of the best middleweight nakeds ever built, and buying one used is arguably smarter than new. KTM sorted most of the early software gremlins through updates, so find a bike that's had those done and you're inheriting a properly sorted machine. The LC8c parallel-twin pulls hard from 3,000rpm and absolutely screams past 8,000 — it feels more alive than the numbers suggest. Ergonomics are aggressive but not punishing for experienced riders. Be honest with yourself about KTM's reliability reputation though. These bikes need their service intervals respected. Check the throttle bodies are balanced, verify the WP suspension hasn't been neglected, and look for signs of track use — plenty of these got hooned hard. The TFT dash and cornering ABS are genuinely brilliant tech for the money. Budget for consumables; Supercorsa front tires don't last forever.