The 690cc Single in the
Duke punches out almost double the ponies, 63.8 hp to be exact. Clearly, the
KTM mill is in an entirely different league. It rips out even a couple of
horses more than Kawasaki’s twin-cylinder Ninja 650! Click here to see the Duke’s
dyno chart. The Duke 690’s numeric nomenclature now finally matches the
displacement of its comprehensively redesigned LC4 Thumper motor thanks to a
4.5mm increase in piston travel: bore/stroke is now 102.0 x 84.5mm. The bump in
cubes combines with a new cylinder head to, according to KTM, yield 11% greater
peak power and an even bigger boost in the midrange.
Dual spark plugs are
used for maximizing combustion, triggered by stick coils that benefit from
their own timing maps. Keihin fuel injection is connected to the throttle
without mechanical linkage – this is a ride-by-wire system. A new gear sensor
enables mapping optimized for each gear. The new engine also enjoys longer
service intervals thanks to improved con-rod bearings. Oil changes are now
recommended at 10,000 km (6200 miles), up from 7500 km, and the first valve
adjustment is bumped from 10K to 12,000 miles.
KTM’s 690 Duke is an
out-of-left-field homerun, if you can get past this mixed metaphor. It’s a
great alternative to a typical sportbike, always ready to thrill but without
the requirement of triple-digit speeds.It’s the Duke’s distinctiveness that
might prove to be its biggest obstacle to sales success. First, although KTM is
a major manufacturer, the Austrian company’s street models are minimally
supported in terms of marketing, so many potential buyers don’t even know it
exists. Second, the 690 Duke doesn’t enjoy the competitiveness of hotly
contested motorcycle segments, as there’s nothing else quite like it. Its
closest rival would be Aprilia’s wild SXV 5.5 we tested in 2008, but, sadly,
that high-maintenance ripper was dropped from the lineup years ago. You could
step into Ducati’s Monster 696 ($9295) or an Aprilia Shiver 750 ($9499), but
you’d be spending more money and would need to be cool with carrying around an
extra 50-plus pounds.
While its $8999 retail
price seems high for a one-lung motorcycle, this is a terrific and capable
motorcycle that shouldn’t be overlooked by sport-minded riders.
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