2014 KTM Duke 690 Review

[@jerryinman3044]

Great video. I stepped down from Gixer 1000 and ZX-10R though I have owned many many bikes including couple KLR 650. Decided since I just turned 70 I’ll slow down a little. I just put a down payment on a brand new 2015 Duke 690. I’m not planning on completing purchase until after first of the year. It’s colder than a well digger’s lunch pail here and expecting snow tomorrow plus I don’t want to claim it on my taxes this year. Glad I found your video. I figure the 2014 & 2015 didn’t change that much, if any.

[@charlesfoster141]

With the nice weather I am enjoying riding my 2017 Kawasaki x300 Versys and my 2013 KTM Duke 690 Supermoto. Today I rode both of them back to back and delighted in discovering the attributes of each of these wonderful motorcycles. Here is my evaluation: My Kawasaki seems like a Rolls Royce compared to the KTM Duke. It's engine is much smoother and much more quiet. The clutch throw is much softer but has a longer pull. I like the gear shifting on the KTM best. It is a bit clunky but has a short positive throw and more precise clicking into gear. The clutch is fast and positive. The KTM has way more power and acceleration than my Kawasaki. But that is an unfair comparison considering that the Duke has more than twice the displacement. The guages and features are far nicer on the Kawasaki. I like the gear position indicator and the fuel gauge that Kawasaki offers. The KTM has a far more comfortable seat compared to the Kawasaki. However, the seating position of the Kawasaki is much nicer than the KTM. Both are fairly tall motorcycles. I recently lowered my Kawasaki 1-1/2" which I highly recommend if you are shorter than 6 feet tall. My Kawasaki feels better balanced than the KTM, but only slightly. The KTM has so much torgue, so less down shifting is required. Just twist the throttle and go in any gear. The Kawasaki has a very high revving engine. It takes 7,500 rpm to cruise 65 mph. The KTM rarely needs more than 4,000 rpm. The Kawasaki engine internals sound smooth as silk. The KTM sounds like it is grinding bolts internally. The KTM has a very jerkey low range, not very tractable. The Kawasaki is the opposite. Very smooth. Both motorcycles shine in the twisties and curves. Both motorcycles are very flickable. The KTM may have a slight edge in handling but overall I prefer the ride of the Kawasaki. My final impression is that both motorcycles are wonderful, the Duke for it's torque and power, the Kawasaki for it's dual sport smoothness. If I could own just one or the other I would keep the Kawasaki for it's Rolls Royce build quality, smoothness, handling and quietness.

[@voicetube]

Randy from Auto Auction Rebuilds brought me here :-)

[@karigilbert1984]

Love my Duke 690, only thing between 1st and 2nd I've stuck it into N a few times. Can't be a wimpy shifter.

[@jons6368]

I'm a little late on this reply. There is a fix for that. If you still have your Duke, go to Factory-Pro KTM, and they have a replacement spring for the detent arm. It's not hard to do if you have half a brain, and I've never missed a shift since.

[@Obscurexxxx]

I'm only 5'3. Do you think that toes of my both feet will be able to touch the ground?

[@genelode]

how tall are you?

[@RentThisRide]

+genelode I am 5'6 150 pounds.