RE: KTM 690 Duke: PH2
Discussion
Baryonyx said:
What does the 390 have to offer, in terms of how it rides, over the 690? I would have thought the bigger bike would be preferred choice due to having more of everything.
In absolute terms, nothing - you're completely right!However I found it vibrated less at cruising speeds, was less juddery at low engine speeds (you can't go under 3K on the 690 with any load on the engine at all whereas the 390 is fine down to about 2.5K) and the lower redline on the larger engine gives you a smaller usable rev range.
It's a teeny bit lighter but you probably wouldn't notice the difference, uses even less fuel - the 690 is known as frugal, the 390 is positively Scroogelike (but the tank is smaller). It's also a lot cheaper.
It's all marginal stuff and your opinion on which one is the "best" could be completely different depending on your criteria.
I rode both, 690 first and then the 390 a week later. I had an hour on each bike, and followed the same route. When I got off the 690, I had a huge grin on my face. When I got off the 390, I wanted one in my garage.
I think the deciding factor for me was how the 390 revved when you wanted to press on - you can ride around lazily all afternoon on the mid range torque and then knock it down a couple and bounce it off the rev limiter like a two stroke. It's like having two (small!) engines in the one frame.
Baryonyx said:
What does the 390 have to offer, in terms of how it rides, over the 690? I would have thought the bigger bike would be preferred choice due to having more of everything.
Just seems a lot more chuckable and you could knee down every corner. All done while at legal speeds. You've got to work hard to get it to hit the ton so keeps things reasonably sensible on the road. Don't get me wrong, the 690 is probably built much better but if you're getting a 690, get the SMCR. Proper weapon for hooning on. Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff