Lengthy Termer: 3 months on a KTM 790 Duke

Trackdays, tyres and smiles with the Austrian middleweight – Ross has a busy third month of his long run assessment of the KTM 790 Duke.

Atone for with Ross’ first impression and ideas after 2 months.

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: 723
Miles on clock: 2123
Common mpg: 42.4mpg (18.2km/l)
Present tyres: Maxxis Supermaxx ST

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I’ve been busy this month, with a vacation and a busy testing schedule curbing any critical alternatives to do something a lot with the 790 Duke. I’ve nonetheless managed to rack up loads of miles, however they’ve been largely unremarkable – slogging it out on the motorway and travelling to conferences (though with a welcome blast at both finish alongside a few of Lincolnshire’s most interesting Tarmac).

That mentioned, whereas I used to be away the KTM did get a correct run out within the arms of Traditional Bike Information editor Matt Hull. Together with his outdated BMW taking part in foolish buggers, and a day of monitor motion booked up at Cadwell Park, he was in want of one thing sporty to spin laps on. I knew the Duke could be simply the ticket.

“Bike again in unit, half a tank, sizzled tyres. An attention-grabbing machine.”

Which means he preferred it. The notoriously crotchety, extraordinarily skilled highway tester doesn’t dish out reward simply – and though ‘attention-grabbing’ possibly doesn’t sound like a lot of a praise, I do know him nicely sufficient to know he was impressed. Though I’ve not but had the possibility to get out on monitor myself, the sharp-handling, punchy motor and ‘just-right’ using place that make it so good on the highway could be excellent for exhibiting up a number of extra ‘targeted’ bikes. However first I’ll want some recent tyres.

Or possibly I gained’t. A fast inspection after coming back from sunning myself within the French Alps confirmed that there’s nonetheless loads of life left in them. I’ve been very, very impressed with the OE Maxxis Supermaxx ST rubber. They’re not what I’d often go for… notably when there’s a lot selection from the larger names within the recreation. However I’d undoubtedly assume once more now. They’ve been available on the market since 2016 and have greater than proved themselves in that point, providing lots of grip (notably on the entrance) beneath critical strain, for a fraction of the worth of among the ‘extra established’ competitors. They’ve been sensible within the moist, too. I’ve had some correctly soggy journeys within the final month and so they’ve proved predictable, dependable and fairly able to reducing via the deluge.

The ropey climate has confirmed one factor, although. That the KTM is a magnet for muck. Even a brief bimble will see the bike completely lined in crud from the highway, with grit and dirt seemingly masking each inch of the bike. That’s nakeds for you, I suppose.

Fortunately, it’s simple to scrub. All the pieces’s uncovered and simple to get to, and though I’m not probably the most fastidious of fettlers, I’ve had no points getting again its showroom sheen with little effort.

I’m not precisely positive how for much longer I’m going to have the ability to preserve maintain of the keys for the 790 Duke. I’m meant to be passing it on to Chad as soon as he’s had sufficient of hooning about on the GasGas, however for now, with the solar as soon as once more shining and a (comparatively) uncluttered calendar, I’m going to be out for a blast at each alternative. That’s what this bike’s finest at, in spite of everything.