RE: KTM 690 Duke: PH2
Wednesday 9th December 2015
It's seldom that a PH2 review begins with the stats of a new bike, but in the case of this KTM it needs to be done. Those of you who still consider this company to be a small time off-road manufacturer, think again. Last year KTM turned over - adopt your Dr Evil voice - one billion euros. It is Europe's biggest motorcycle manufacturer and makes around 120,000 two-wheelers a year. OK, the small capacity singles are made in India, but they are still incredibly impressive numbers. And speaking of the small capacity bikes, since it introduced the 125, 200 and 390 Duke in 2011, KTM has sold a staggering 110,000 of them worldwide. Why is this important? As well as demonstrating KTM is a serious player in the world market, it shows that a huge number of riders are starting their two-wheeled journey on a single-cylinder machine. And that is very important to KTM, and more specifically the 690 Duke.
Well obviously it's orangeSingle life
Where other middleweight rivals such as the Yamaha MT-07, Ducati Scrambler, Triumph Street Triple and Kawasaki Z800 have opted for a multi-cylinder format, KTM has stuck with the single cylinder for the 690 Duke. Why? KTM has a hell of a lot of racing experience with singles, winning just about every possible event a single can enter both on- and off-road. And yes, that includes Moto3. Singles are its thing and KTM likes to argue that the fact a single is so narrow and light makes up for any performance deficit over a twin, triple or inline four. Is it right? As well as making the 690 Duke's motor the most powerful motorcycle production single ever, the bike weighs under 150kg dry; it looks like KTM has given it every possible chance in life. And for 2016 it is even better.
£248 Track Pack adds power modesWhat's new?
To match the competition, KTM's have gone to town on the 690's motor. Of the 33,000 man hours spent creating this bike, well over half have gone into the engine and the results speak for themselves. The 73hp and 55lb ft of torque is made through a larger bore and shorter stroke engine than before that now includes an extra balancer shaft in the head, a new con rod, piston and crank, finger rockers and some very advanced electronics. The 690 has always been ride-by-wire, but for 2016 the basic model (there is also an R, but more of that to follow) gets ABS as standard and for £248 extra the Track Pack adds traction control, motor slip regulation and variable power models to the party. While this makes the Duke easily the most advanced middleweight, it does push its price tag up to a fairly steep £7,699 before you add the Track Pack. Is it worth the extra cash over something like a £5,749 Yamaha MT-07?
Larger bore, shorter , new piston - big changes!Premium performer
When you ride it there is little doubt that the 690 Duke is a quality product. The old motor wasn't exactly uncivilised, but the rework has taken even more of the vibration out while still keeping its beautifully smooth character. Fuelling a big bore single must be a nightmare, but KTM's ride-by-wire system (which now has a balancer chamber) is near perfect when it comes to throttle response and the engine remains stacked full of spirit. If you imagine singles as tired old thumpers, you really need to experience a 690. Not only is the engine remarkably free revving, it is smooth, responsive and only gets a bit juddery when the revs drop very low. The torque is spread throughout the rev range and this year's bigger bore and shorter stroke sees the introduction of a bit of a top end rush as well, which is always appreciated. If you are a newer rider it is an incredibly easy engine to live with while those more experienced will discover it is also surprisingly fast. And the same is true of the Duke's handling, which is refined and relaxed when required yet still more than happy to shift it up a gear when provoked.
An excellent bike, but a pricey one tooThe price is tight
Yes, the 690 Duke is European built with top quality components. Yes, it is better handling than its more budget competition. Yes, it has a more advanced electronics package available, but does the market want this? When you are looking at a £2,000 premium over the MT-07, or even spending a few hundred quid less on a Street Triple, it is hard to justify Duke ownership. It's a really lovely bike to ride and great fun in tight bends, but there is no way of disguising its high price tag. If you can handle the price you are getting a quality product that is an absolute hoot to ride and built to last, but sadly for KTM I feel most riders' decision will be made with their wallet in mind. Which is a shame, as they will be missing out on a brilliant bike.
KTM 690 Duke: PH2
KTM bucks the multi-cylinder trend with its upgraded 690 Duke
Well obviously it's orange
Where other middleweight rivals such as the Yamaha MT-07, Ducati Scrambler, Triumph Street Triple and Kawasaki Z800 have opted for a multi-cylinder format, KTM has stuck with the single cylinder for the 690 Duke. Why? KTM has a hell of a lot of racing experience with singles, winning just about every possible event a single can enter both on- and off-road. And yes, that includes Moto3. Singles are its thing and KTM likes to argue that the fact a single is so narrow and light makes up for any performance deficit over a twin, triple or inline four. Is it right? As well as making the 690 Duke's motor the most powerful motorcycle production single ever, the bike weighs under 150kg dry; it looks like KTM has given it every possible chance in life. And for 2016 it is even better.
£248 Track Pack adds power modes
To match the competition, KTM's have gone to town on the 690's motor. Of the 33,000 man hours spent creating this bike, well over half have gone into the engine and the results speak for themselves. The 73hp and 55lb ft of torque is made through a larger bore and shorter stroke engine than before that now includes an extra balancer shaft in the head, a new con rod, piston and crank, finger rockers and some very advanced electronics. The 690 has always been ride-by-wire, but for 2016 the basic model (there is also an R, but more of that to follow) gets ABS as standard and for £248 extra the Track Pack adds traction control, motor slip regulation and variable power models to the party. While this makes the Duke easily the most advanced middleweight, it does push its price tag up to a fairly steep £7,699 before you add the Track Pack. Is it worth the extra cash over something like a £5,749 Yamaha MT-07?
Larger bore, shorter , new piston - big changes!
When you ride it there is little doubt that the 690 Duke is a quality product. The old motor wasn't exactly uncivilised, but the rework has taken even more of the vibration out while still keeping its beautifully smooth character. Fuelling a big bore single must be a nightmare, but KTM's ride-by-wire system (which now has a balancer chamber) is near perfect when it comes to throttle response and the engine remains stacked full of spirit. If you imagine singles as tired old thumpers, you really need to experience a 690. Not only is the engine remarkably free revving, it is smooth, responsive and only gets a bit juddery when the revs drop very low. The torque is spread throughout the rev range and this year's bigger bore and shorter stroke sees the introduction of a bit of a top end rush as well, which is always appreciated. If you are a newer rider it is an incredibly easy engine to live with while those more experienced will discover it is also surprisingly fast. And the same is true of the Duke's handling, which is refined and relaxed when required yet still more than happy to shift it up a gear when provoked.
Part of KTM's justification for the Duke's price is the fact its chassis is loaded with high end products such as WP suspension, Brembo brakes and Metzeler M7 RR tyres. Compared to the likes of the MT-07, which is a little softly sprung, the Duke is far more accomplished in the bends and the WP units really show their worth. Push really hard and the single disc brake can feel a little lacking, but to get it upset you really need to be motoring on and it isn't an issue most of the time. The ABS and traction control system that the Track Pack adds do their job without fuss and it is even nice and comfortable with low pegs and wide bars. If you are the kind of rider who just rolls out their bike to go bananas at the weekend then the 690 Duke R (full PH2 review coming soon) is a better bet, but for short hops and commuting the 690 Duke is light, fun and a surprisingly versatile machine. But at a cost...
An excellent bike, but a pricey one too
Yes, the 690 Duke is European built with top quality components. Yes, it is better handling than its more budget competition. Yes, it has a more advanced electronics package available, but does the market want this? When you are looking at a £2,000 premium over the MT-07, or even spending a few hundred quid less on a Street Triple, it is hard to justify Duke ownership. It's a really lovely bike to ride and great fun in tight bends, but there is no way of disguising its high price tag. If you can handle the price you are getting a quality product that is an absolute hoot to ride and built to last, but sadly for KTM I feel most riders' decision will be made with their wallet in mind. Which is a shame, as they will be missing out on a brilliant bike.
KTM 690 DUKE
Engine: 690cc single, SOHC, 4v
Power(hp): 73@8,000rpm
Torque(lb ft): 55@6,500rpm
Top speed: 120mph (est.)
Weight: 149kg (dry)
MPG: 50 (est.)
Price: £7,699
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Discussion
Graemsay said:
The bike that Dan posted is the Mototech RC4, which is available as a road legal kit for Dukes made between 2008 and 2011.
I don't know if it could be fitted to the newer bike. The frame looks identical, but the kit repurposes the old-style projector headlights.
It makes it an £11k bike I don't know if it could be fitted to the newer bike. The frame looks identical, but the kit repurposes the old-style projector headlights.
The kit also shows how easy it would be for KTM to do.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff