KTM 790 Duke 2018 vs. Kawasaki Z900 2020

KTM 790 Duke 2018

KTM 790 Duke 2018

Kawasaki Z900 2020

Kawasaki Z900 2020

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Overview - KTM 790 Duke 2018 vs Kawasaki Z900 2020

The KTM 790 Duke 2018 and the Kawasaki Z900 2020 are both popular naked bikes with impressive specifications and features.

Starting with the engine, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 is equipped with a 2-cylinder inline engine that produces 105 HP, while the Kawasaki Z900 2020 boasts a 4-cylinder inline engine that delivers 125.4 HP. Both bikes have fuel injection systems and liquid cooling, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency. The KTM 790 Duke has a displacement of 799cc, while the Kawasaki Z900 has a larger displacement of 948cc.

In terms of suspension, both bikes feature upside-down telescopic forks at the front and swing arm suspension at the rear. The shock absorbers on both bikes are monoshocks, providing a smooth and comfortable ride. The KTM 790 Duke offers preload adjustment for the rear suspension, while the Kawasaki Z900 also includes rebound adjustment.

When it comes to the chassis, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 has a chromium-molybdenum frame, while the Kawasaki Z900 2020 has a steel frame with a double cradle design. Both frames are sturdy and provide excellent stability and handling.

KTM 790 Duke 2018

KTM 790 Duke 2018

In the braking department, both bikes are equipped with double disk brakes at the front with a diameter of 300mm and four pistons. The KTM 790 Duke features radial technology for enhanced braking performance, while the Kawasaki Z900 utilizes petal technology. Both bikes offer reliable and responsive braking capabilities.

In terms of advanced rider assistance systems, both bikes come with ABS, riding modes, and traction control. However, the Kawasaki Z900 2020 also includes ride by wire technology, which enhances throttle response and control.

In terms of dimensions and weights, both bikes have a front tire width of 120mm and a rear tire width of 180mm, with 17-inch diameter wheels. The KTM 790 Duke has a wheelbase of 1475mm, while the Kawasaki Z900 has a slightly shorter wheelbase of 1450mm. The seat height of the KTM 790 Duke is 825mm, while the Kawasaki Z900 has a slightly lower seat height of 795mm.

Kawasaki Z900 2020

Kawasaki Z900 2020

In terms of equipment, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 offers an adjustable windscreen, while the Kawasaki Z900 2020 includes LED daytime running lights, LED headlights, and a TFT display.

In terms of strengths, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 is praised for its lively and high-revving engine, sporty chassis, impressive sound, and numerous electronic features. It also offers a comfortable seating position. On the other hand, the Kawasaki Z900 2020 is commended for its powerful four-cylinder engine, great handling, good equipment, aggressive looks, and value for money.

However, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 does have some weaknesses, including rough handling at low revs, difficulty in city traffic, and occasional oil leaks. The Kawasaki Z900 2020 has been criticized for its somewhat tiring menu navigation and the absence of a quickshifter option.

Overall, both the KTM 790 Duke 2018 and the Kawasaki Z900 2020 are impressive naked bikes with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and priorities when choosing between the two.

Technical Specifications KTM 790 Duke 2018 compared to Kawasaki Z900 2020

KTM 790 Duke 2018
Kawasaki Z900 2020

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeIn lineEngine typeIn line
BoreBore88 mmBore73.4 mm
StrokeStroke65.7 mmStroke56 mm
Engine powerEngine power105 HPEngine power125.4 HP
Fuel systemFuel systemInjectionFuel systemInjection
Clutch TypeClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bathClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
TransmissionTransmissionChainTransmissionChain
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeGearshift
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders2Cylinders4
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
Valves per cylinderValves per cylinder4Valves per cylinder4
ValvesValvesDOHCValvesDOHC
CoolingCoolingliquidCoolingliquid
DisplacementDisplacement799 ccmDisplacement948 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic forkFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
DiameterDiameter43 mmDiameter41 mm
TravelTravel140 mmTravel120 mm

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSwing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock
Shock mountShock mountDeflectionShock mountDeflection
TravelTravel150 mmTravel140 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreloadAdjustmentPreload, Rebound
MaterialMaterialAluminiumMaterialAluminium

Chassis

FrameFrameChromium-molybdenumFrameSteel
Frame typeFrame typeTubularFrame typeDouble cradle
RakeRake66 degreeRake65 degree

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter300 mmDiameter300 mm
PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonFour pistons
ActuationActuationHydraulicActuationHydraulic
TechnologyTechnologyradialTechnologyPetal

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
DiameterDiameter240 mmDiameter250 mm
PistonPistonDouble pistonPistonSingle piston

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Riding modes, Traction controlAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Riding modes, Ride by Wire, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width120 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 width180 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height55 %Rear tyre height55 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter17 inch
WheelbaseWheelbase1,475 mmWheelbase1,450 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height825 mmSeat Height795 mm
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Equipment

EquipmentEquipmentWindscreen adjustableEquipmentLED daytime running lights, LED-Headlights, TFT display

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

Kawasaki Z900 2020

Kawasaki Z900 2020

In terms of price-performance, the Kawasaki Z900 is hard to beat at the moment. With the perfectly tuned engine, the high-quality chassis components and the electronics added for 2020, this naked bike offers everything that sporty riders will be looking for. There is really nothing to complain about, even if the option of a quickshifter would have been a nice extra. Apart from that: great shot, Kawasaki!

powerful four-cylinder

great handling

good equipment

aggressive looks

value for money

Menu navigation somewhat tiring

missing quickshifter option

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price KTM 790 Duke vs Kawasaki Z900

There are a few key differences between a KTM 790 Duke 2018 and a Kawasaki Z900 2020. In terms of price, the actual average price of a Kawasaki Z900 2020 is about 13% higher. Compared to Kawasaki Z900 2020 there are less KTM 790 Duke 2018 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 24 compared to 34. It takes less time to sell a KTM 790 Duke with 58 days compared to 124 days for a Kawasaki Z900. Since model year 2018 1000PS.de editors have written 35 reviews for the KTM 790 Duke and 46 reviews for the Kawasaki Z900 since model year 2017. The first review for the KTM 790 Duke was published on 09/11/2016 and now has more than 160,600 views. This compares to more than 93,200 views for the first review on Kawasaki Z900 published on 11/11/2016.

Price KTM 790 Duke

Model year
Current average market prices

Price Kawasaki Z900

Model year
Current average market prices

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