The 2016 690 Duke will be available “spring-ish” in dealerships for $8,999 – the same price as the previous version. The cylinder bore increased by 3mm to 105mm, while the stroke dropped 4.5mm to 80mm, maintaining the 693cc displacement. This is not a characterless bike! This engine is shared with the KTM 690 Enduro, 690 SMC & 690 Super Moto. The new motor also revs higher by 1000rpm to 9000, peak power is actually at 8500rpm which is astonishing for a single, so is the smoothness and refinement. Handling is hard to explain - utterly unlike anything I've ever ridden - telepathic and if you think too much or are too mechanical about it you can oversteer it SO easily...really lovely though. The new engine produces more power with a smoother curve than the previous generation. It's very economical. The triple clamp is machined from aluminum. Glad I bought the Track Pack which was €250 (I'm in Barcelona). Buying experience: Real good. The colour display is awesome. I'll admit to not being a fastidious bike-cleaner, so it would be nice to have stainless fasteners instead of galvanised, which are showing signs of rust in places. The Duke started with an off-road chassis and put it in street trim that was able to capitalize on the strengths of the light, upright, quick-steering motorcycle. Now, 3½ years/17k+ miles later (including an 18-day, 4,300-mile trip to Norway last Summer) and despite a few caveats, it's still the bike for me. Join the Motorcycle.com Weekly Newsletter to keep up to date on all things motorcycling. Suspension (rear mainly) could be more confortable but it is efficient. I have no connection with the dealership or any of the staff, other than being a happy customer. Included in the ‘track pack’ is MSR (motor slip regulation), which prevents the rear wheel locking up on heavy downshifts, by increasing the rpm of the motor respectively. Perhaps the most noticeable change to the LC4 is the top end, which, at first glance, appears to have changed from a SOHC to a DOHC arrangement. Think twice. When in the market to buy min, I've seen Dukes with more than 30.000KM that were still running strong, so I guess the bike is reliable is you treat her well. Plain bearings reduce frictional losses. Company Number: LP003328 Registered Office: Academic House, 24-28 Oval Road, London, NW1 7DT. Before we go any further, we need to step back from the current KTM image to remember that, way back prior to 1994, KTM only manufactured dirt-focused motorcycles. The front side of the head, where one would typically find the exhaust cam, has a secondary balance shaft that works in conjunction with the crank-driven balance shaft to quell vibrations. Yes, the new, silent timing chain is rotating a pair of sprockets, but only one is connected to a camshaft. The fuel metering provided by the 50mm throttle body is spot-on in most conditions. The front single disc is adequate rather than spectacular, but the whole package feels balanced and well-thought-out. The brakes follow a similar path. Throughout the ride, depending on the current road conditions, the biggest criticism I could come up with was occasionally thinking that I’d like a click or two more rebound damping on a few sections of road. The 690 might not be the load-lugger I sometimes need, but it’s one of the most enjoyable bikes I’ve used for a day of exploring back-roads. Do miss not having the Trackpack though! Like many owners I swapped to a sprocket with 2 extra teeth on the rear with just enables me to get into 3rd at 28 mph. Buying experience: Bought from Jim Aim in Essex. Although I’m experienced enough to have modulated the rear brake as the tire chirped, the whole process was much less dramatic with the ABS stepping in for a moment to assist. The fork sprouts adjustments for preload, compression damping and rebound damping, while the shock also gains full adjustability. Well, all that has changed. The Favorites menu makes changing ride modes while riding a snap. Get it into the twisties and you, will, fall, in love! Much had changed since last I rode, and I fell in love with the power delivery, the sound, the riding position and the light weight (153kg dry), right away. Still, the height may be off-putting to new riders. Adventure riders will pine for a larger gas tank and a fairing, but long-distance dual-sport riders who relish difficult off-road routes will like it just the way it is. While the forged piston is larger, its weight didn’t increase. It's early days as it's only been on the road for 6 months. H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No. A single, floating 320mm front disc has the pleasure of being clamped by a radially-mounted, four-piston Brembo caliper. The clocks change in colour depending on the light, automatically changing into an easier to read night mode. The fun stopped quickly on this bike for me and i was very happy to sell it for a 790, One up and standard suspension was ok, 2 up hopeless It pulls strong with a very nice sound (OEM exhaust) until 9000rpm! Two hours see's me wanting to get out of the hard seat (KTM Power Parts saddle). While hardly intrusive in many situations, the thumper’s vibrations were always noticeable, but perhaps the reputation of a Single’s buzziness may have inhibited people’s decisions to buy a Duke. Buying experience: The nearby dealer I bought the bike from was fine, but changed hands and no longer has KTM. Dealing with KTM dealers here in Barcelona has been smooth.