First Ride of 2025: Festive Locations on the KTM 790 DUKE
Happy New Year, everyone! I want to wish you all that in 2025, your dreams come true, and you have everything you wish for yourself. Today is January 2nd, and the weather is just amazing – sunny, warm, and perfect for the first ride of the year. So, I decided to take advantage of it and visit a few festive locations in Kyiv on my favorite KTM 790 DUKE.
Preparing for the Ride
Before heading out, I worked a bit on the bike’s lighting to make sure everything was perfect. By the way, my Duke now has a full exhaust system – it used to have just a slip-on, but now the resonator is gone. The sound has definitely become louder, and while I’m not a fan of overly loud exhausts, I have to admit it sounds great. That said, sometimes it’s so loud that I can’t even hear my own thoughts.
First Stop: Ice Rink Near Blockbuster Mall
The first location was the ice rink near Blockbuster Mall. It’s decorated with lights, and there are lots of people, especially kids, who seem to be having a great time. But for me, this place doesn’t really feel festive, so I decided not to stay long. Plus, with such a crowd, skating there would be uncomfortable.
Sofiyska Square: Kyiv’s Main Christmas Tree
The next stop was Sofiyska Square, where Kyiv’s main Christmas tree is located. This year, the tree is blue, and the atmosphere there is quite festive. There’s music playing, and small stalls selling drinks and souvenirs. This place gave me a bit of that holiday spirit, although, to be honest, it’s still hard to fully feel it.
Arch of Freedom of the Ukrainian People
After Sofiyska Square, I headed to the Arch of Freedom of the Ukrainian People. This is one of my favorite spots in Kyiv, offering a stunning view of the city. Even though it was dark, I still enjoyed the panorama – you can see the pedestrian bridge, Trukhaniv Island, and the Dnipro River. This place always brings a sense of peace.
Pedestrian Bridge and Trukhaniv Island
I decided to ride across the pedestrian bridge, which was almost empty at this time. It’s a rare opportunity to ride in silence, without crowds, and enjoy the views. Then I went to Trukhaniv Island, which was also very quiet and peaceful. Moments like these are truly special.
Impressions of the Ride
Let me share my impressions of the KTM 790 DUKE. At first, I rode in Rain mode, but I didn’t like it at all, so I switched to Street mode – it’s the perfect choice for this kind of ride. As for my gear, I wore a touring jacket with a winter liner, and although it felt a bit uncomfortable at first, I soon forgot about it. I’m also using ski gloves because I don’t have winter motorcycle gloves. And, of course, thermal underwear – it’s a must in winter.
Conclusion
To wrap up, I want to thank everyone who watches my videos. If you know of any places where I can find some real holiday spirit, let me know in the comments – I’d really appreciate it. The weather today was fantastic, and I’m glad I could show you a few festive locations in Kyiv.
Thank you for being with me throughout the past year, and I hope you’ll stick around this year too. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel, leave a like, and I’ll see you in the next videos! Take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Bye-bye!
