2019 K TM 790 DUKE
FIRST IMPRESSION
P68
ing, and the ability to put the bike
pretty much wherever you want.
It's totally stable in faster sweep-
ers, too, thanks to its relatively long
58-inch wheelbase and a non-ad-
justable WP steering damper fitted
to the lower triple clamp.
The 790 Duke is suspended
with WP componentry featuring
a 43mm non-adjustable, split-
function fork, with compression
and rebound damping handled
separately by each leg. Out back
you get a WP shock as well,
but adjustable for preload only.
Both the front and rear employ
progressive springs, offering
5.5 and 5.9 inches of travel,
respectively. On paper, the 790's
non-adjustable suspension might
seem uncharacteristic of such a
high-performance bike touted for
its handling abilities. However, in
reality, the WP units have pre-
cisely tuned internals, and paired
with the progressive springs,
offer a softer initial stroke that
gets firmer further down. Overall,
I would say the suspension is
actually on the stiffer side of the
spectrum as far as sport bike
suspension goes—especially
for being non-adjustable—but it
makes spirited riding and elevat-
ed paces a lot more controlled
and enjoyable.
Enough with the
tech already. What's
it like to ride?
Like I mentioned before, it's
basically the moto-version of your
psycho ex-girlfriend, but in all the
best ways. Simply put, the 790
Duke just wants to go fast and rail
corners. As if looking at the sharp-
edged, aggressive Kiska Design
styling wasn't indication enough,
climbing aboard and firing it up
instantly lets you know the 790
Duke means business as it roars
to life. Knowing we'd be in for one
helluva treat, we skipped right
past Street and Sport modes, and
went straight to Track. In addition
to setting wheel spin tolerance,
Track mode also allows you to
tailor the throttle response with
three settings: Street, Sport, and
Track. Chris Fillmore explained
that the Track response was too
twitchy for the street, and really
only works best in a racing envi-
ronment. So, with Sport response
selected, we were off.
To say the 790 Duke is eager-
revving would be an understate-
ment. The engine's character and
the way it builds power is such a
rush. It feels incredibly linear and
pulls super smooth from 3000
rpm right on up through 9000,
"The Scalpel"
will perform
anywhere you
take it, but
it earns its
nickname when
the pavement
gets twisty.
