KTM 690 Duke: PH2
KTM bucks the multi-cylinder trend with its upgraded 690 Duke
Single 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.
What'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?
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.
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...
The 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
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
For several reasons I have been on a bike sabbatical for about 8y
My last motorcycle was an LC4 Supermoto on race rubber with the front cog swapped to lower the gearing
For the 3y I owned and commuted it (not perfect but a pretty handy city bike) it was never less than a riot to ride
Up to 40mph it would out make a CBR600 blush and anywhere other than a motorway my mates GS1150 felt like a barge whenever I borrowed it
The Duke in this article seems a completely different animal - and HOW MUCH?
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.
Not interested...
Bit sad really, probably why he doesn't have a 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.
“We considered developing an RC690, too, but it’s not in the plan. When you consider the price of the 690 Duke, then add a premium for the fully faired model, you reach a price that would mean an RC690 couldn’t compete against 600cc four-cylinder bikes. There would be niche demand from single cylinder fans but not enough to justify developing a brand new model.”
Don't hold your breath...
KTM have discontinued the RC8R this year, and have made noises about not building any more superbikes for the street because they're too dangerous. (Where that leaves the Superdukes which have similar power outputs is a different matter...) So I can't see them putting out at RC690.
The Duke 690 looks fantastic though.
“We considered developing an RC690, too, but it’s not in the plan. When you consider the price of the 690 Duke, then add a premium for the fully faired model, you reach a price that would mean an RC690 couldn’t compete against 600cc four-cylinder bikes. There would be niche demand from single cylinder fans but not enough to justify developing a brand new model.”
I wouldn't buy one either but I've own the big brother for 10 years now!
People are saying they want that engine in a sports bikes, but I think for the road that bike is much better suited most of the time.
Every bike I had ever owned bar one, were sports bikes, and I do love then. But for most normal roads they are too stiff and have too much power and you can’t use half of it – esp on the big bikes. They are too fast for the road – you hit 140mph every small straight if you give then full throttle in 2nd and 3rd, and it easy to get then up to 160+. Total madness.
I love 600’s and had 2 [CBR-RR and GSXR] and even they are too much for the road plus has not enough torque low down.
But I just sold my current bike and I’m going to buy one a 690 Duke early next year.
The suspension on this bike is near perfect, it eats up the bumps but still handle amazing [plus, from what I read, also great on a track] and a good wheelie bike
Plus they are a good commuting, city bike and realty easy on fuels – like 50+mpg easy
It’s near perfect for what I want.
I test rode lots of bikes this year [MT7, MT9, Scrambler - and the Ducati Scrambler is more expensive than the duke] etc] but this is by far the most impressive [for me anyway, coming from a sports bike but wanting a naked]
I also test rode the big Duke, and they are just too big, too fast and too heavy – I actually preferred the 690.
People are saying they want that engine in a sports bikes, but I think for the road that bike is much better suited most of the time.
Every bike I had ever owned bar one, were sports bikes, and I do love then. But for most normal roads they are too stiff and have too much power and you can’t use half of it – esp on the big bikes. They are too fast for the road – you hit 140mph every small straight if you give then full throttle in 2nd and 3rd, and it easy to get then up to 160+. Total madness.
I love 600’s and had 2 [CBR-RR and GSXR] and even they are too much for the road plus has not enough torque low down.
But I just sold my current bike and I’m going to buy one a 690 Duke early next year.
The suspension on this bike is near perfect, it eats up the bumps but still handle amazing [plus, from what I read, also great on a track] and a good wheelie bike
Plus they are a good commuting, city bike and realty easy on fuels – like 50+mpg easy
It’s near perfect for what I want.
I test rode lots of bikes this year [MT7, MT9, Scrambler - and the Ducati Scrambler is more expensive than the duke] etc] but this is by far the most impressive [for me anyway, coming from a sports bike but wanting a naked]
I also test rode the big Duke, and they are just too big, too fast and too heavy – I actually preferred the 690.
People are saying they want that engine in a sports bikes, but I think for the road that bike is much better suited most of the time.
I have the older LC4 625 and back to back with the Duke I found the Supermoto more fun.
I have the older LC4 625 and back to back with the Duke I found the Supermoto more fun.
I intend to use it to commute 2 dyas a week when in the spring, summer autumn
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