Yamaha MT-09 2016 vs. KTM 790 Duke 2018

Yamaha MT-09 2016

Yamaha MT-09 2016

KTM 790 Duke 2018

KTM 790 Duke 2018

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Overview - Yamaha MT-09 2016 vs KTM 790 Duke 2018

The Yamaha MT-09 2016 and the KTM 790 Duke 2018 are both naked bikes that offer powerful performance and sporty riding experiences.

In terms of engine specifications, the Yamaha MT-09 2016 features an inline three-cylinder engine with a displacement of 847cc and an output of 115 horsepower. On the other hand, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 is equipped with an inline two-cylinder engine with a displacement of 799cc and an output of 105 horsepower. Both bikes have double disk brakes at the front and a 17-inch tire diameter for both the front and rear wheels. The Yamaha MT-09 has a front tire width of 120mm and a rear tire width of 180mm, while the KTM 790 Duke has the same tire widths.

Yamaha MT-09 2016

Yamaha MT-09 2016

In terms of suspension, the Yamaha MT-09 2016 features a telescopic fork at the front, while the KTM 790 Duke 2018 has an upside-down telescopic fork. The frames of the two bikes also differ, with the Yamaha MT-09 having an aluminum frame with a twin tube design, and the KTM 790 Duke having a chromium-molybdenum frame with a tubular design.

When it comes to dimensions and weights, the Yamaha MT-09 2016 has a wheelbase of 1440mm, a seat height of 815mm, and a fuel tank capacity of 14 liters. On the other hand, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 has a slightly longer wheelbase of 1475mm, a slightly higher seat height of 825mm, and the same fuel tank capacity of 14 liters.

In terms of strengths, the Yamaha MT-09 2016 offers a wonderfully powerful three-cylinder powerplant, three power modes, a fully adjustable chassis, a quickshifter as standard, a sporty upright seating position, good brakes, aggressive looks, and traction control. On the other hand, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 boasts a lively, high-revving engine with powerful acceleration, an optimally tuned chassis for sporty riding, an awesome sound even with the series muffler, many electronic gimmicks and functions, an extremely precise quickshifter that makes fast riding even easier, and a comfortable seating position.

KTM 790 Duke 2018

KTM 790 Duke 2018

However, the Yamaha MT-09 2016 does have some weaknesses, including a saddle that may be too hard for long tours and a license plate holder on the swingarm that offers less splash protection than a conventional one. On the other hand, the KTM 790 Duke 2018 has some weaknesses as well, such as rough handling at low revs, being a bit difficult to handle in city traffic, sometimes fiddly-looking switches on the handlebars, and the potential for an oil leak at the engine block on many 790 Dukes.

Overall, both the Yamaha MT-09 2016 and the KTM 790 Duke 2018 offer impressive performance and features for naked bike enthusiasts. The Yamaha MT-09 2016 excels in terms of power and adjustability, while the KTM 790 Duke 2018 offers a lively engine and advanced electronic functions.

Technical Specifications Yamaha MT-09 2016 compared to KTM 790 Duke 2018

Yamaha MT-09 2016
KTM 790 Duke 2018

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeIn lineEngine typeIn line
BoreBore78 mmBore88 mm
StrokeStroke59.1 mmStroke65.7 mm
Engine powerEngine power115 HPEngine power105 HP
Clutch TypeClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bathClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
TransmissionTransmissionChainTransmissionChain
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders3Cylinders2
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
Valves per cylinderValves per cylinder4Valves per cylinder4
ValvesValvesDOHCValvesDOHC
DisplacementDisplacement847 ccmDisplacement799 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionTelescopic forkFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork

Chassis

FrameFrameAluminiumFrameChromium-molybdenum
Frame typeFrame typeTwin TubeFrame typeTubular

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc

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
WheelbaseWheelbase1,440 mmWheelbase1,475 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height815 mmSeat Height825 mm
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity14 lFuel Tank Capacity14 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

Yamaha MT-09 2016

Yamaha MT-09 2016

The Yamaha MT-09 did not need to be reinvented for the coming season - it already was extremely well done almost four years ago. Instead, the Japanese focus on fine-tuning and adding practical, contemporary gimmicks such as traction control and automatic shifting. Due to the Euro4 standard, however, the engine management has been changed once again and offers an emphatically powerful but well controllable power delivery in standard mode; the power explosion of the first generation is now no longer offered even by the sharper A mode. The biggest change, recognisable at first glance, is the, in my opinion, extremely successful design with the more aggressive front and the newly designed rear. All in all, an even snazzier naked bike that was clearly built for the fun of motorcycling.

Wonderfully powerful three-cylinder powerplant

three power modes

fully adjustable chassis

quickshifter as standard

sporty upright seating position

good brakes

aggressive looks

traction control.

Saddle a little too hard for long tours

licence plate holder on the swingarm offers less splash protection than a conventional one

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

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price Yamaha MT-09 vs KTM 790 Duke

There are a few key differences between a Yamaha MT-09 2016 and a KTM 790 Duke 2018. In terms of price, the actual average price of a KTM 790 Duke 2018 is about 3% higher. A Yamaha MT-09 2016 experiences a loss of 430 GBP in one year and 730 GBP in two years of ownership. This is offset by a loss of 590 GBP and 910 GBP for a KTM 790 Duke 2018. Compared to KTM 790 Duke 2018 there are less Yamaha MT-09 2016 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 11 compared to 24. It takes less time to sell a KTM 790 Duke with 58 days compared to 87 days for the Yamaha MT-09. Since model year 2013 1000PS.de editors have written 57 reviews for the Yamaha MT-09 and 35 reviews for the KTM 790 Duke since model year 2018. The first review for the Yamaha MT-09 was published on 10/06/2013 and now has more than 39,900 views. This compares to more than 160,600 views for the first review on KTM 790 Duke published on 09/11/2016.

Price Yamaha MT-09

Model year
Current average market prices

Price KTM 790 Duke

Model year
Current average market prices

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