KTM 790 Duke 2018 vs. KTM RC 390 2014

KTM 790 Duke 2018

KTM 790 Duke 2018

KTM RC 390 2014

KTM RC 390 2014

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Overview - KTM 790 Duke 2018 vs KTM RC 390 2014

The KTM 790 Duke 2018 and the KTM RC 390 2014 are both impressive motorcycles, but they have some distinct differences.

Starting with the technical specifications, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 has a larger engine with a bore of 88 mm and a stroke of 65.7 mm, resulting in a displacement of 799 ccm. It has a powerful engine with 105 HP and 2 cylinders, each with 4 valves operated by a DOHC system. On the other hand, the KTM RC 390 2014 has a smaller engine with a bore of 89 mm and a stroke of 60 mm, resulting in a displacement of 373.2 ccm. It has a less powerful engine with 44 HP and only 1 cylinder, also with 4 valves operated by a DOHC system.

Both motorcycles have upside-down telescopic fork front suspension and WP brand suspension at the rear. They also share a chromium-molybdenum frame type, which provides strength and durability. However, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 has a tubular frame, while the KTM RC 390 2014 has a stiffer tubular frame.

KTM 790 Duke 2018

KTM 790 Duke 2018

In terms of braking, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 has double disk front brakes with four pistons and radial technology, providing excellent stopping power. On the other hand, the KTM RC 390 2014 has a single disk front brake with four pistons and radial technology, which may not offer the same level of braking performance as the 790 Duke.

The dimensions and weights of the two motorcycles also differ. The KTM 790 Duke 2018 has a front tire width of 120 mm and a rear tire width of 180 mm, while the KTM RC 390 2014 has a front tire width of 110 mm and a rear tire width of 150 mm. The wheelbase of the 790 Duke is 1475 mm, while the RC 390 has a shorter wheelbase of 1340 mm. Additionally, the seat height of the 790 Duke is 825 mm, slightly higher than the 820 mm seat height of the RC 390. The 790 Duke also has a larger fuel tank capacity of 14 liters, compared to the 10 liters of the RC 390.

Moving on to strengths, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 is praised for its lively, high-revving engine with powerful acceleration. It also has an optimally tuned chassis for sporty riding, offering excellent handling. The 790 Duke is known for its awesome sound, even with the series muffler, and it comes with many electronic gimmicks and functions. Riders also appreciate the extremely precise quickshifter, which makes fast riding even easier. Additionally, the comfortable seating position is a plus for long rides.

On the other hand, the KTM RC 390 2014 is praised for its low weight, making it agile and easy to handle. It offers sufficient power for most riders and has a pleasant geometry that enhances the riding experience. The unique design and great features of the RC 390 also make it stand out. Furthermore, there is a full performance accessory range available for the RC 390, allowing riders to customize their bike to their liking.

KTM RC 390 2014

KTM RC 390 2014

However, both motorcycles have their weaknesses. The KTM 790 Duke 2018 can be rough to handle at low revs and can feel a bit difficult to maneuver in city traffic. Some riders also find the switches on the handlebars to be fiddly-looking. Additionally, there have been reports of oil leaks at the engine block on many 790 Dukes.

The KTM RC 390 2014 has been criticized for its spongy and weak brakes, which may not inspire confidence in aggressive riding situations. It also has insufficient lean angle clearance for the race track, limiting its performance in racing scenarios. Furthermore, the seat of the RC 390 is known to be stony hard, which can be uncomfortable on longer rides.

In conclusion, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 and the KTM RC 390 2014 have their own strengths and weaknesses. The 790 Duke offers a more powerful engine, better braking performance, and a larger fuel tank capacity. It is designed for sporty riding and comes with many electronic features. On the other hand, the RC 390 is lighter, has a unique design, and offers sufficient power for most riders. It has a full performance accessory range and a more affordable price point. Ultimately, the choice between these two motorcycles depends on the rider's preferences and intended use.

Technical Specifications KTM 790 Duke 2018 compared to KTM RC 390 2014

KTM 790 Duke 2018
KTM RC 390 2014
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Differences
KTM 790 Duke 2018
KTM 790 Duke 2018
KTM RC 390 2014
KTM RC 390 2014

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic forkFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
BrandBrandWPBrandWP

Chassis

FrameFrameChromium-molybdenumFrameChromium-molybdenum
Frame typeFrame typeTubularFrame typeTubular

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeSingle disk
PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonFour pistons
TechnologyTechnologyradialTechnologyradial

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
PistonPistonDouble pistonPistonSingle piston

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width110 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height70 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter17 inchFront tyre diameter17 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width180 mmRear tyre width150 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height55 %Rear tyre height60 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter17 inch
WheelbaseWheelbase1,475 mmWheelbase1,340 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height825 mmSeat Height820 mm
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity14 lFuel Tank Capacity10 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA2

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

KTM 790 Duke 2018

KTM 790 Duke 2018

The KTM 790 Duke L is an absolutely sporty naked bike with a high fun factor. Whether a beginner rider can handle it depends very much on his or her personality and riding behaviour. There are certainly motorbikes better suited for learning, but sporty radius hunters will hardly be satisfied with anything else. The 790 Duke L is also rather unenthusiastic about everyday rides in the city. On the country road, however, it's a blast, even with only 48 hp. Simply a fun bike as it is written in the book.

Lively, high-revving engine with powerful acceleration

optimally tuned chassis for sporty riding

awesome sound even with series muffler

many electronic gimmicks and functions

extremely precise quickshifter that makes fast riding even easier

comfortable seating position

Rough handling at low revs

bitchy in city traffic

sometimes fiddly-looking switches on the handlebars

oil leak at the engine block on many 790 Dukes

KTM RC 390 2014

KTM RC 390 2014

The RC390 has opened my eyes and I hope that there is a lot more to come with small displacement. Low weight still leads to the greatest enjoyment when riding a motorbike, although you can't do without a bit of power either. But the 390 somehow managed to inspire me with its 44 hp and to break me of my addiction to even more power. I'm going to build a small race track 2.5 km long with 14 bends and then there'll be a 1000PS RC390 Cup.

Low weight

Sufficient power

Pleasant geometry

Unique design, Great features

Full performance accessory range.

Spongy and weak brakes

Insufficient lean angle clearance for race track

Stony hard seat

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price KTM 790 Duke vs KTM RC 390

There are a few key differences between a KTM 790 Duke 2018 and a KTM RC 390 2014. There are the same number of bikes of both models available on the 1000PS.de marketplace, specifically 24. It takes less time to sell a KTM 790 Duke with 58 days compared to 65 days for a KTM RC 390. Since model year 2018 1000PS.de editors have written 35 reviews for the KTM 790 Duke and 20 reviews for the KTM RC 390 since model year 2014. The first review for the KTM 790 Duke was published on 11/9/2016 and now has more than 160,600 views. This compares to more than 23,900 views for the first review on KTM RC 390 published on 11/4/2013.

Price KTM 790 Duke

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Price KTM RC 390

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Current average market prices

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