KTM 790 Duke 19 vs Triumph Trident

The KTM 790 Duke 19 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Trident: 87.9% vs 85.0%, a 2.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	KTM 790 Duke 19	Triumph Trident
First-time pass rate	87.9%	85.0%
Outright fail rate	4.5%	8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.8 pts	+1.0 pts
Engine size	799cc	885cc
Rank among all models	#1639 of 5428	#2491 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,100	23,417
MOT tests analysed	1,738	23,936
Most common failure	brakes	brakes

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	KTM 790 Duke 19	Triumph Trident
Brakes	1.6%	3.9%
Lights & signalling	1.5%	3.3%
Steering & suspension	0.5%	2.9%
Tyres & wheels	1.2%	1.8%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.8%
Drive system	0%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.3%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	KTM 790 Duke 19	Triumph Trident
2022	87.5%	83.9%
2023	87.7%	88.7%
2024	86.4%	90.5%
2025	89.6%	90.2%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	KTM 790 Duke 19	Triumph Trident
0k-10k miles	89.0%	89.7%
10k-20k miles	84.7%	86.6%
20k-30k miles	78.6%	83.6%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

KTM 790 Duke 19 vs Triumph Trident FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 790 Duke 19 or the Triumph Trident?

The KTM 790 Duke 19 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Trident: 87.9% vs 85.0%, a 2.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Trident still comes out ahead: -0.8 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 790 Duke 19, +1.0 for the Triumph Trident. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 790 Duke 19 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.6% of KTM 790 Duke 19 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (1.5%).

What does the Triumph Trident fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 3.9% of Triumph Trident MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.3%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the KTM 790 Duke 19 or the Triumph Trident?

At 20k-30k miles the Triumph Trident passes first time more often: 78.6% for the KTM 790 Duke 19 vs 83.6% for the Triumph Trident.

KTM 790 DUKE 19 87.9% pass · 1,738 tests TRIUMPH TRIDENT 85.0% pass · 23.9k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.