Push my buttons
I HAVE A love/hate relationship
with electronic packages. New-
generation ABS is awesome and
I know it works, but I also want
to be able to turn it off whenever
I want to. Ditto for traction
control. I also prefer electronic
intervention to work as an aid,
not in a ‘you can’t handle this,
I’ll take it from here’ way. To my
mind, it’s a parachute, a safety
net – not a way of riding.
KTM’s menu system is mostly a
winner, with the ability to turn off
and on the quickshifter, traction
control and ABS, as well as
change riding modes on the fly.
The riding modes are noticeably
different too.
It does annoy me that stopping
the bike with the kill switch
still returns the bike to default
electronics modes, meaning I
need to reset everything every
time I stop for fuel or a coffee.
Navigating the menu is really
easy, though, with the minimum
of button pushes and modes, and
options located in practical spots.
The traction control comes
on beautifully, with a smooth
retardation of throttle, rather
than a nut-cracking ball-bouncer
off the tank. Likewise, the ABS
is a quality real-world inclusion,
although it does intervene a little
early. Overall, KTM’s electronics
have always been tuned for the
rider’s feel more than some other
manufacturers, and the 790
benefits from that legacy.
Anyone used to a KTM dash will be
at home navigating this piece of
hardware, and anyone not will be
stoked. It’s logical and ordered to both
look at and use. The fuel warning is
clear, the digital speedo is readable
and the night mode makes it easy to
read in all conditions.
Rather dashing
The Bosch 9 ABS’s feel and execution
is top notch. The Supermoto mode is
bewildering, though - I never want
to lock a rear brake in emergency
situations, so while a marketing boon,
I’m fairly sure it’s useless on the road
Brake dancing
The quickshifter is excellent for a
$15k bike. The lever knows if you
are snatching gears or passing
through them, and the latter is best
at road speeds. While commuting,
use the clutch – it’s smoother.
On the gear
- Excellent TFT dash
automatically adjusts for
ambient light levels and
can be configured with
various layout options
- Even the standard
stainless-steel exhaust
provides a nice crackle
