2016 KTM 690 Duke R Review, Jeff Ware

Jeff Ware tests the KTM 690 Duke and KTM 690 Duke R back to back to find out what these awesome naked fun machine's are like.
For the full review visit bikereview.com.au
Jeff Ware

[@stevedavison7392]

Great review! I've owned 2 (std versions - latest a '16) now and seen many a review and you are the absolute first to say that this is definitively NOT a commuter - which for me is spot on. Like Burnsy says below you can ride it slow if you wish but feathering that clutch gets pretty tiresome after a while. I would disagree with one thing though, I think the bike needs to be at or above 4.5 k rpm for it to really start to work rather than the 5.5k you refer to, though I hear where you're coming from. Botton line is that this bike, with its awesome engine (and don't forget the superb downhill engine breaking) is a real Alp carver - after driving it down in the back of a van :-). Steve (UK)

[@changeurlife3471]

All the way from New Jersey USA … great job mate!!

[@burns0100]

Wouldn't say go home if your riding the bike around town, all bikes even big monsters are capable of being ridden slow and easy. If you don't plan on ever doing any highway riding or going over 60 then id say go home. 5/7 days of the week I'm riding my bike below 60, the other 2 days I'm hitting it as hard as i can on the highway. Id say this bike is ideal for that. Wouldn't go the 390 and wouldn't go the 1290 either for that kind of riding, 690 just feels right for being that all rounder.

[@Bruce.Wallace]

How good do you think it would be at the track ??

[@TheBlackPharoah]

I love my Duke!! Ride hard!!

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Thanks mate yes they are awesome!!!

[@1990-t1j]

If you have to rev it to get going, it defeats its purpose. Big singles should have low-down punch.

[@indigo196799]

Ride it and say that again. ..

[@1990-t1j]

@@zed5129 You are right, Zed. Since I made that uneducated point, I bought a 390. It has loads of low-down punch for a 373cc single.