790 Duke -

[Numnut]

I previously had a 790, enjoyed it loads but had a panic about second hand prices and warranty issues so traded it in for a Gsxr1000. In hindsight, the 790 wasn't really that bad, and I had loads of fun on it. So man maths + asking the wife nicely means the gsxr is off, and is being replaced with a nice black ex-demo 790. It's got 1200 miles, new tyres (the OE maxxis, but they'll do for now) and will be freshly serviced.

To begin with I'll move the bars forward, and it'll need an exhaust hanger so those ugly pillion pegs can go, some brembo or SBS pads, and maybe a rad guard/fender extender to save the front of the engine.

This isn't it the actual bike, but it's the same colours etc.

random-790.jpg (339.01 KiB) Viewed 1293 times

[weeksy]

I'll check, i think i may have a set of 790 Brembo SA pads in the spares

[Numnut]

Cheers - that would be awesome if you have! Those OE pads aren't great are they.

[Pgm]

Love my 790 I will probably chop it in for an 890 later this year.

[Numnut]

Love my 790 I will probably chop it in for an 890 later this year.

I spent a day on one last summer - was great fun. Loads smoother than the 790. Would love one at some point too!

[Tricky]

Excellent - I can completely understand your decision, would be a no brainer for me given a choice of thise two
I absolutely loved my 790 (and the 890 while it lasted... ), and still toy with the idea of getting another one- I definitely haven't ruled it out.
Still have the Evotech exhaust hanger, Wings exhaust can, carbon front mudguard, Evotech rad guard, alloy case savers, screen , homemade ventura rack, and probably one or two other bits from mine, have toyed with getting rid but haven't got around to it yet , just in case I do have a rush of blood to the head and decide to get another 790 or 890

[Numnut]

I'll miss the gsxr, it's an awesome bike, but for my short commute and the bumpy windy b roads around essex and suffolk, going back to a 790 is going to be a lot more fun.

@Tricky it does sound like you're in need of a new one to put all those parts on!

[weeksy]

I'll miss the gsxr, it's an awesome bike, but for my short commute and the bumpy windy b roads around essex and suffolk, going back to a 790 is going to be a lot more fun.

@Tricky it does sound like you're in need of a new one to put all those parts on!

I was a little confused by the GSXR1000 coming from the 690 and 790, especially having seen some of the roads where you live.. I think you'll have an absolute blast on the 790 again !

[Numnut]

Yep so do I, the more I rode the gsxr, the more I realised how much better (for me) the 790 is. Don't get me wrong, the gsxr handles lovely, and I love the power, but it's not as much fun on my 'scenic' route home with bumps/holes/mud. Should be arriving next week sometime, so obviously expect the weather warnings, floods, snow etc!

[weeksy]

Sorry man, i have a set of standard fronts, i must have sold the 790 with the SAs fitted.

[Numnut]

Ah no worries, cheers for looking!

I px-ed the old one with the paddock stand bobbins and exhaust hanger still on - didn't even occur to me to take them off.

[Numnut]

Picked up the 790 on Saturday. The roads were covered in grit, so didn't bother with a long windy ride home, but the 10 miles or so back home confirmed I made a good decision. I'd forgotten how light they are, and even though it's got standard pads in, the brakes are a lot better than I remember from my 2018 790.

The bike is pretty much immaculate, as you'd expect from only covering 1200 miles. Gave it wipe over, covered it in ACF50, connected the optimate and it's now waiting for a nicer day. Still standard for now, but we'll see how that goes..

790-1.jpg (510.39 KiB) Viewed 1140 times

The orange wheels look really good I think, they'll never be that clean again...

[Supermofo]

That looks great

I'd hate those wheels, they look great but like you suspect you'll be forever cleaning them to keep them looking like that. If you leave them long enough you can pretend they are black

[weeksy]

Brilliant, nice one...

Now you just need to book Pembrey

[Numnut]

That looks great

I'd hate those wheels, they look great but like you suspect you'll be forever cleaning them to keep them looking like that. If you leave them long enough you can pretend they are black

Haha, yep that's kinda the plan!

[Numnut]

I've managed a couple hundred miles on the 790 now, and can confirm the wheels don't stay orange for long!

Sometimes the 790s can be a bit lumpy at slower speeds - but it seems that track mode, with sport throttle and no anti-wheelie makes it a bit smoother. I don't really know why, but if it works...

I've got a rad guard from Racing Radiator Guards to fit, just waiting for some lockwire to arrive. I bought it 2nd hand thinking I could use zip ties - I could, but the ones I have are obviously not the right size.

Really glad I went back to a 790, it's just so much fun. Definitely taking the long way home from work tonight!

790.jpeg (956.62 KiB) Viewed 1016 times

[Supermofo]

I've asked Jim Aim for a bike whilst they do my valve service. I'd love it to be a 790 so I could try one, but also scared that I'll want one and then get sucked back into KTMs!

[tricol]

That's nice. Would love to try a Duke 790/890.

[Numnut]

I've asked Jim Aim for a bike whilst they do my valve service. I'd love it to be a 790 so I could try one, but also scared that I'll want one and then get sucked back into KTMs!

I've only ever had a 790 as a loan bike from them - even when I had a 690, so you might be in luck. When I took the 690 in, the service guy said they had a problem with 790s, in that everyone who tried one wanted one...

That's nice. Would love to try a Duke 790/890.

Cheers! They are a lot of fun - but the Trident is meant to be pretty awesome too isn't it?

[bevvo]

I think you have the best colour scheme there. Any plans to replace the standard exhaust silencer? I imagine there are some options by now....?