KTM Duke 690 alternative?

[Grindle]

These bikes are amazing, 70 bhp from 1 cylinder is just mad. But is there a smaller and lighter bike, say a 450cc 4-stroke single that might do the job as an occasional bike to zap around on. Must be road legal with lights.
Thanks.

[BuzzBravado]

DRZ400SM

[Dannaz]

KTM Duke 390 surely if you like the 690?

[scorcher]

Honda crf 450

[Grindle]

scorcher said:

Honda crf 450

This is what i really fancy. From what i have heard the engine is a techno gem and 50 bhp or thereabouts sounds like fun in a really light bike. Just need one with lights and road legal, the 2 i have tracked down are off-road scramblers.

[Grindle]

Dannaz said:

KTM Duke 390 surely if you like the 690?

I want a better PTW than that though.

[Ho Lee Kau]

Vitpilen 701.

Quality review here:
https://youtu.be/9Vf7uyYa0LU

[Grindle]

Ho Lee Kau said:

Vitpilen 701.

Quality review here:
https://youtu.be/9Vf7uyYa0LU

Same engine and weight as the Duke 690.

[Dannaz]

Grindle said:

Dannaz said:

KTM Duke 390 surely if you like the 690?

I want a better PTW than that though.

Ah in that case as mentioned a CRF450X maybe the answer, essentially an Enduro spec CRF450 motocross bike, so comes with basic road legal gubbin's with other changes to final drive (maybe wrong so dont quote me on this, will be more seasoned veterans on here that can confirm)

or

poss keeping with KTM theme KTM 690 SMC or Husqvarna 701 Supermoto?

[tirolo_]

not particularly a light bike but have you looked into the royal enfield Himalayan?

Review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPR1DvrKbGY

[obscene]

690 SMCR.

[Grindle]

Ideally it will be 400-500cc and high-tech/low weight.

[Grindle]

tirolo_ said:

not particularly a light bike but have you looked into the royal enfield Himalayan?

Review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPR1DvrKbGY

You serious? It's got less power than a KTM 200 and weighs more than the KTM 690!

24.5 bhp and the weight of my Fireblade would be bordering on dangerously slow, certainly not rapid as i want a sports single to be!
No i'm not looking to struggle keeping up with a Duke 125!

[Harry H]

CCM Spitfire ?

[Krikkit]

KTM 450 SX-F with some road tyres?

Edited by Krikkit on Friday 3rd May 15:50

[Serial675]

I don't think you'll find anything else. Save yourself the bother and get the 690, iirc it's only 10kg more than the 390 anyway. It's plenty light enough and feels like a 250 to push about.

[scorcher]

Don't know what your budget is but theres a couple of nice new crf450 about. I looked at getting one for a while but decided it was just too unpractical and a one trick pony. Dunno what the servicing regime is on them either, but imagine its quite often. I plumped for a 690SMC R and must say I love it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2018-HONDA-CRF450RX-SUP...

[Grindle]

KTM 450 sounds a good shout.
But maybe the Duke 690R is the answer. Standard Akropovic will save some weight and a couple of bhp. They are around now at sensible money.

[Serial675]

Decat would save a few kg too, 5-6 iirc.

[Grindle]

Yes the Akrapovic is very light for that bike.