Ktm690

[rok-the-boat]

Has anyone had one of these? Duke or Enduro.

Duke: http://www.cycleworld.com/what-ive-b...6-ktm-690-duke

Enduro R:
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2015/...ns-highlights/
http://www.ktm.com/us/enduro/690-enduro-r-2016/
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motor...0-Enduro-R.htm

I heard the 2016 ones have a balance shaft. Is it really necessary I wonder ...
May get me an older one secondhand.
Anything to watch out for in the older ones? Vibration, reliability, for example?

[pritch]

When the 690 Duke first came out the tests talked about the lack of vibration for a single. It had a balancer shaft. The tests will still be online. "The single that thinks it's a twin" was one headline.

The 2016 version has two balancer shafts and is apparently smoother, but the optimistic comments about the earlier one make for a degree of caution.

Having said that, it's on my list of potential replacements for my current bike.

[rok-the-boat]

Yeah, I have seen various tests - mostly pretty good in all aspects. I worry a bit about high mileage examples though. But I have always liked big singles. Just so easy to live with / work on etc. But wire throttle would be new to me. Still, its an amazing machine, as is the Husq 701.

[R650R]

Would like a Huskty 701....

Those KTMs are pretty highly tuned, would want to see some sort of service history. Top end is known weakness at higher km, listen for bad noises.....

[ducatijim]

I have put 12K km on a '15 DukeR.
Bloody smooth, even better than BMW F700 twin.
Really awesome power and delivery, a total hoon of a bike with good manners, fine handling and very light and nimble.

Can't say if the EndoR is similar, hear a lot of dis satisfaction from owners, on the web.( the dirt boys are bloody hard to please but........)

[Bass]

I have put 12K km on a '15 DukeR.

Really awesome power and delivery, a total hoon of a bike with good manners, fine handling and very light and nimble.

All true but yours has been fiddled with, n'est pas?