It is a super fun /lite bike in the corners .You have to hit the corners with this bike ! I have this new 690 duke to go along with my Ducati's and Aprilia bikes . Nice to change it up !!! Any vibrations are minimal and absolutely do not bother me at all !! This is my first KTM and First single !!Check out the KTM forum and you will see how much this bike is loved . The Trac pack is 250.00
Thanks for posting this vid. I've been wanting to ride one but they're really rare here in rural Alabama so I doubt I will ever get the chance. I've ridden the FZ-07 and I own a FZ-09 so your video and especially your comments on the vibrations helped me put it all in perspective. BE SAFE RIDE FAR.
I have never ridden the 690, but I own a 390. In the same way, you must keep the revs around 6000 rpms and then its fairly smooth. I think the 390 is a great price in canada $5500 but the 690 seams to be a little high compared to the competition. BUT, if it's anything like the 390, it really comes down to the handling. The 390 handling is mind-blowing! It inspires so much confidence and feels so great....but at just over 300lbs it should. I will test drive the 690 one day just for fun...to see if it's worth it.
Noticed there was no mention of the Triumph Street Triple R when comparing the Duke to similar bikes. I realize you can't mention every single competitor, just wondering it there was a reason for leaving it out? I'm also wondering it the Street Triple R is something you might be reviewing in the future? Would be nice to hear you opinion on it and have it compared to the FZ-/MT-07, and other bikes ofc.
There is a type of person that loves a large displacement single. I am one of them. Even though I have a Tiger 800, Street Triple 675R & a WR250R, I still have my 2008 KLR650 & love it. The KLR is actually a 685 as I put the big bore kit in it with some other engine mods also. I just love the KLR. There is something about a big single that makes them a blast to ride. Yes they vibrate, yes they lug in lower RPM's, yes they run out of steam at higher RPM's. But they have a character you just can't get in multi-cylinder engines. And with a decent after market exhaust, they sound awesome. You will never get all the vibes out of a single, but that is something that gives a single it charm to me. I do agree that the KTM690 is at the upper end of the price scale, but I have ridden several of them & I love the thing & would pay the extra $$ for it if my KLR ever kicks the bucket.
I took mine to Phillip Island racetrack last week and PASSED a 1290 on the outside on multiple occasions, The straight was a very different story. 194 kmh flat out.
I love the look of this bike. The riding position felt great when I sat on it. I love that feeling that you are right over the front wheel. I do see your points and with the new sv650 I really am re-thinking it. I'm not a fan of most of the looks of the other options though but for the price tag it is a tough sale.
I loved my old KTM 620 had no balancing shafts it was really snappy It felt like there was more tq than HP witch made it supper fun when drag racing my buddy's on the Harley's lol
It'd be nice if they could somehow split the riders into groups of intended riding style or experience, I was there a few hours before you and took out a Super Duke and Super Adventure. I had the same dandy in front of me for both rides and he severely hampered my enjoyment. Constantly on and off throttle, all over the road, intently fidgeting with the menus, breaking waaaaaaay before stops and corners to slowly coast and twice he let cars merge into the middle of the group as we were leaving St. Albert, thankfully Mark rode up and gave him shit the second time. Anyway, nice video man and I agree, I think they're great bikes but not worth the money over the competition.
In advance thank you for the nice bike- vid's. Singel zylinder motorcycle's have many fans, i am one of them. There are quite some reasons why you would choose this kind of engine, some like the the rought power delivery other like the vibrations to a certain level of course. Once i lost my reg. plate because of that characteristc of a singel 650cc, just two rings around the bolts were left of the pice of aluminium plate. You can tell the plate got vibrated the shit out of it, but on the other hand you feel every sroke pushing you, bore stroke ratio of my enginge is 1:1. Yea got some torque. Pro of a one cylinder are lightweight mostly decent torque, less friction in the engine caused by less moving parts therefor fuel efficient, but you can argue about that. You should take the "Duke" on a curvaceous path to have a real feeling for this bike. Im sorry that you got numb legs after 10 minutes riding, but luckily the vibes did not affect your balls. You should go with a electric bike instead there are almost no vibrations! I have the most respect for people that serve thair country by risking their live with the gun in their hand to secure freedom for themselve and others. But this does not protect you beeing dumb. Pleas take a look at you'r review and better reviews and try to improve you production. You did not even get the bikes name strait. Aha no engine likes too low rev, the least a singel zylinder ;). Cheers
Agree with previous statement. What is this? The closest to a curve was something this bike would do in 180km/h and they did what, 50? This was the lamest review ever. Come on man. You need to challenge that front dude a bit.
