KTM 690 duke

[carver]

After owning a Kawasaki ER6n, I missed such a bike, in all its basic simplicity, it covered all the bases. It was fun to ride, fast enough (then) economical, and it was reasonably comfortable.
When KTM released the 690 DUKE I was curious to see what it was like.
Here is what I found.
I loved the riding position, very upright, similar to my motard, but more hunched over.
The bike felt very much under you like you are sitting on it, its very agile to ride.
The suspension is a bit firm out of the box, but stays well composed, even at speed, which can be said for the chassis too, which feels very stable.
The engine pulls well, with good mid range, however it defiantly feels like a single, first gear is tall and the fueling means the throttle is on or off.
This bike feels very light to ride, it would be great through tight corners!
The ER6n will smoke it in a straight line, and give it a good run for its money around corners too depending on the rider.
But the ER’s weak point are its brakes, which the 690 excels at.
Stoppies are very easy, wheelies are harder than you would expect dude to the short rev range. (I think its 8000RPM red line!)

So would I get one…no, not for 17K!

[AlBundy]

$17k will be a 55hp+ DRZ sm and it'll be loads more fun... For a shed load less money... And still reliable too...

[pete376403]

Why are they called a 690 when the engine capacity is 654? Or is that considered close enough?

[carver]

Why are they called a 690 when the engine capacity is 654? Or is that considered close enough?

no idea dude...strange...

[marty]

check Carver's picture - the rider is about to be given a 69.0 by his bike!

[marty]

Hey Carver - havd you ridden the Hypermotard Duke at Hamilton Motorcycles?

[carver]

Hey Carver - havd you ridden the Hypermotard Duke at Hamilton Motorcycles?

chances are, i wont be allowed....by them, any good?
i dont really appeal to me

[merv]

i dont really appeal to me

What, I thought you loved yourself!!:lol:

[carver]

What, I thought you loved yourself!!:lol:

haha....
ashes to ashes, dust to dust

[merv]

You see Hitcher is away, I'm just trying to help you with your Engrish carver san.

[tri boy]

Are you now posting images of other riders, to boost your image?
Just asking.
Lame, if you are. Just saying.;)

[carver]

You see Hitcher is away, I'm just trying to help you with your Engrish carver san.

ok sensei, 20 dollar hand job!

[marty]

hamilton motorcycles have never been that friendly to me - i asked to take a 999 for a ride a little while ago just before i bought my current ride, but the sales guy suggested that i could ride it only if i was 'really serious about buying it'.

[carver]

hamilton motorcycles have never been that friendly to me - i asked to take a 999 for a ride a little while ago just before i bought my current ride, but the sales guy suggested that i could ride it only if i was 'really serious about buying it'.

just ask him if he is serious about selling it!
boyd motorcycles are super to me, they let me ride all sorts, including this!
i always end up going back to them

[carver]

Are you now posting images of other riders, to boost your image?
Just asking.
Lame, if you are. Just saying.;)

if i could crash like that i would be proud.
its clearly not me!

boost my image, fuck my image, my reputation is big enough as it is

[idleidolidyll]

given the same rider i reckon the 690 would smoke the ER6 in the twisties

it's just that much lighter

the smc would be even better on the road with it's pothole soaking long travel suspension

mine's run in now, i'll swap rides with ya sometime carver

[carver]

given the same rider i reckon the 690 would smoke the ER6 in the twisties

it's just that much lighter

the smc would be even better on the road with it's pothole soaking long travel suspension

mine's run in now, i'll swap rides with ya sometime carver

sweet, im always keen to try another bike.
i might be on a ZX6RR when i see ya next, dont know if thats your thing.
you ridden the old 625 SMC?
yeah, the duke has much better susp and brakes than the ER!

[idleidolidyll]

i used to have a 640sm, 2003 model

we eventually got 57HP at the back wheel from it on AMPS dyno

the smc is better in every way

sorry mate, my broken and repaired back doesn't do crutch rockets anymore, i can't bend that far over

not sure about the Duke 690 yet.
I reckon the long suspension is better.

5.5 inches..........well that's not even an average bloke is it?!

[carver]

i used to have a 640sm, 2003 model

we eventually got 57HP at the back wheel from it on AMPS dyno

the smc is better in every way

sorry mate, my broken and repaired back doesn't do crutch rockets anymore, i can't bend that far over

not sure about the Duke 690 yet.
I reckon the long suspension is better.

5.5 inches..........well that's not even an average bloke is it?!

oh really, yeah, i understand that.
the dude feels motard-ish to ride.
its kinda a cross between a light naked and a motard....50/50
i think my DRZ would surprise you with its smoothness, if ya used to KTM's

[idleidolidyll]

i think my DRZ would surprise you with its smoothness, if ya used to KTM's

yeah, but it comes at a HP price

a DR is gutless in comparison to the 690 range

my old aermacchi single felt smooth too; it made just 20 HP

compared to the old LC4 motor, the new 690 feels like a multi cylinder

[carver]

yeah, but it comes at a HP price

a DR is gutless in comparison to the 690 range

my old aermacchi single felt smooth too; it made just 20 HP

compared to the old LC4 motor, the new 690 feels like a multi cylinder

i would disagree, its getting there, but it does not feel like a parallel twin.
but the LC4 was rough.

i wanted to say, i like the way your not afraid to give praise to others on here where due, it leaves a positive impression on me.

enjoy your 690!

see ya on the next ride i see ya on!

[idleidolidyll]

i wanted to say, i like the way your not afraid to give praise to others on here where due, it leaves a positive impression on me.



cheers mate

despite complaints to the contrary, i try to be impartial.

i don't care who you are, i only care what you do and say.

respect is due when it's due

'arrogance' is something losers hate in winners