Never Meet Your Heros - KTM Duke 690 Ride-on Review Motovlog

[@Dm-yt4bg]

Don't let this review put you off! It nearly did me, I had to try a mate's to convince myself otherwise. In 35 years of motorcycling it's probably one of the most FUN bikes I've ever ridden! Yes it has it's foibles, but you forget all of these when you're actually riding it,. I wouldn't buy one for touring, but on twisty country roads it's a blast! Dick's right about those TFT screens though, doesn't suit the bike and they're bloomin' hard to read! All in all, really fun bike if ridden like it should be on roads it was built for.

[@johnDukemaster]

Totally agree with you. Been riding many different bikes for more than 38 years and this is lovely! So I bought one, picking it up on friday.

[@christopherwheatley7845]

Agree 👍 the r version even better

[@indigo196799]

For me it is up to now the most fun bike i ever rode in 40 years.

[@DickWhistles]

Sylvain Bélanger glad you’re happy. Thanks for the comment.

[@skidmark5766]

I own a 2014 model, had it for 8 years. Totally love this bike an it's my 1st one! Contrary to you I think it is a great city, very nimble and light, loads of torque all across the range, good brakes and fuel efficient. This bike will do pretty much anything you want it to do despite not having a super high top speed and you NEED something else than sport tires if you plan riding on gravel roads. Yes there is a lot of vibrations but it is part of its charm. The thing is, this is not a bike for everyone, it's a bike designed for a very specific crowd who will know how to appreciate all of its quirks, if you're the right type of rider this bike will grow into you!!

[@DickWhistles]

Thanks for your owner’s perspective.

[@nickfry7705]

Odd and rather subjective review. To me its a brilliant lightweight bike then I might be being subjective as well. I've had a few bikes and this is definitely the most fun bike I've had.

[@kforce349]

Please don't let this review stop you trying this bike, if you're into goldwings or screaming sports bikes you really will hate it. If you want the most fun commute to work on an amazing thin, light bike with mighty midrange torque, you will absolutely love it! Its not a straight 6 but the repeated comments on vibration are way way overblown, sure the mirrors shake, but your hands&bum are comfortable for a couple of hours ride. I agree the brake peddle it too high. Also the 'a prefer a 390' means you prefer inferior breaks and suspension, and you love changing gear 10x more and spending more time screaming at 10k rpm with numb fingers rather that comfortably at 5k rpm waiting to unleash the engine

[@DickWhistles]

k force Thanks for the comment. I appreciate that you love your bike, as we all should. I personally own 21 at the moment - none screaming sports bikes. My current favourite is a Royal Enfield 500 single - so keep that in mind when I refer to the vibrations - as I know a thing or two about a vibbie bike. As for a thin, light bike with mid range torque, surely any of the Duke’s competitors do it better. Ride safe.

[@nickfry7705]

@@DickWhistles I'm interested to know which of "any of the Duke’s competitors" does it better, Pretty well all its competition seem fatter, heavier, don't have its fantastic handling and lack character.

[@chrisbartrum3201]

Always miss that strident little trumpet, the dulcet tone and incisive review. Ride on, Mr.Whistles, always a pleasure.

[@muertinix]

The reason the rear brake and gear lever are set like that is because the bike is intended to be ridden with sturdy motorcycle boots, even dirt boots as the bike is a hybrid naked/supermoto thingy. It's ktm. In terms of vibration... that is as smooth as you'll get with a massive single like that. You should've seen the old lc4 My take is that this bike is perfect for the supermoto & dirt fiend that wants something almost just as fun but more refined, practical and comfortable. If you've been riding the average street bike eg mt07, yeah the duke will feel unfamiliar, unrefined and aggressive. But if you've been riding a supermoto with a rock hard seat, tiny fuel tank and enough vibration to make any girl stop by the side of the road every 5 minutes, this bike is a dream. It's a very niche sort of bike. 690 duke definitely has its issues that you'd only notice in the long run. But it's a naughty bike, a hoon through and through, you need skill and balls to really appreciate it. Granted, not everyone wants to drift around corners and do wheelies everywhere and that's fine, it's not meant for everyone.

[@frankbock760]

Nice view of the gas cap. Would like to see what your part of the world looks like.

[@MarxOutThere]

The things you don't like about it are understandable & does put other people's opinion of this bike in a better light. I'm just here to refresh myself on this bike before I go look at a 2nd hand buy.

[@philclarke7712]

Brake pedal is also adjustable.

[@nikitis13]

Everything you mentioned about the Duke 690 rings true with me Dick. I foolishly bought one on a whim a few years ago after remembering a short, fun test ride on a perfectly smooth bit of tarmac. Never re-tested in real world, hot summer, traffic conditions. Shi#, what a mistake! One month into ownership and I couldn't wait to see the back of it. Fun on those rare occasions when the tires were warm, the road was smooth, the air was cool, the throttle was pinned and there was no traffic in sight for miles. It's the quintessential 10/10ths bike, ride it anything below its intended, highly tuned race bred design and you'll be cursing all the way through ownership. It will torture you with heat, annoy you with niggling reliability issues, buck, surge and crash about at slower speeds. Definitely not a wise choice as a daily commuter bike.

[@DickWhistles]

Katsas13 thanks for the honest owner’s perspective. What do you ride now?

[@nikitis13]

@@DickWhistles currently between bikes Dick. Sold my bike last December, a modified Triumph Scrambler 865. Still can't decide what to replace it with... My head says Suzuki Vstrom 650 or Versys 300 but each time my heart protests. Toying with the idea of a Royal Enfield and that's how I stumbled across your most excellent vlog! :) I'll arrange a test ride on the much anticipated Interceptor but I really want to try a classic 500 as well. Keep up the great posts!

[@daza3620]

I just got an older duke 690, from this review it sounds like KTM made some bad changes between models, I have been loving the bike so far.

[@christianweller4288]

I've always had a real love of big singles too. Looking at the specs this looks like a real winner. Just goes to show that reality and the sales blurb are often far apart.

[@nickfry7705]

I wouldn't let this review stop you trying one, they are great fun.

[@mloclam6917]

I would be interested to see your impressions of the versys 650

[@DickWhistles]

Malcolm Horne Thanks for the comment. I will see if I can find one to ride. Ride safe.

[@beetleything1864]

"i think i'd like this bike more if i had a vagina" ha ha hah hahahahaaa :)

[@moderatefkr6666]

Like an offload bike, but without the softer and more progressive suspension maybe? I wonder how many of the issues you discovered can be cured. Not all I'm sure. Nice review DW.

[@DickWhistles]

Moderate Fkr Thanks for the comment and continued viewership. Always enjoy your insights.

[@omarkgad]

Duke 690 is the best commuter bike, issues mentioned here is barely noticeable

[@DickWhistles]

Except by me. Thanks for the comment.

[@Phunker1]

The original Duke drew you in, and you complain about the vibrations of the 690? You should have gotten that Gold Wing.

[@DickWhistles]

Huh?

[@leslieaustin151]

Hmm, that shattered a few illusions! Not that I can afford a KTM of any sort.. (sigh). Thanks for another good (and funny) one Dick. When are you coming up this way (Chester)? The Sinnis Apache awaits your arrival.. Les

[@jimmymarks600]

I couldnt be bothered with that thing either, but to be fair if i was 23 again my opinion would be different. You wanta try the clutch pull on the vtwin aprilias, youl have a left hand like pop eye after owning one of them. bound to be due a Whistles stops soon.

[@DickWhistles]

Thanks for the comment. Whistles Stop coming soon! Thanks for reminding me.

[@shaneweightman]

I’ve owned and ridden a lot of bikes over the last 40 yrs . And the Ktm, lc640 was the worst, like a vibrator on wheels , ,,, no joke hated the thing but that was 10 yrs ago so guess things have improved since then but I’m not keen on Ktm S , or the LC8 cheers Shane uk 🇬🇧

[@ChronicTHCBlaze]

Hi Dick I'm a subscriber, how tall are u in feet??

[@DickWhistles]

Sorry, I see this is a year old! But only just got the notification... I’m sure it’s irrelevant now, but I am 5’ 7”. All the best.

[@shaunblow9779]

Always had singles ktm are not the smoothest, but they are the most powerful , with that performance there is always going to be a compromise , ride mine like iv stole it , it all makes sense then .

[@DickWhistles]

Shaun Blow thanks for the owner’s perspective!

[@Jaffa1951]

Well, at least the clutch was ok, but, I gather not your crotch. Brilliant!! Laugh out loud funny.

[@DickWhistles]

geoff newman glad you enjoyed it. Have a gander at some of my other videos. Thanks for the comment.

[@Jaffa1951]

Hi @@DickWhistles. Already have - and Subscribed - Thoroughly enjoying watching them. Don't always agree with you but, enjoy them, nevertheless.

[@caroldave4037]

Hi I rode.. a duke previous gen...rotax engine ...it was like sitting on a pneumatic road drill awfulllllllll...the new ones are slightly better...newest are way to expensive.. complicated .. far to much tech...and very poor warranties..love your channel...cheers from dave

[@splodge57]

Not much going for it then. That display looks cheap, give me two analogue clocks. Look forward to the Enfield 650 twin review. Where are they?

[@DickWhistles]

splodge 57 Thanks for the comment. I agree about clocks. Funny you ask about the twins. I am actually going up to my local RE today to find out. I know they were delayed for UK release until “Early September” due to manufacturing hiccups- responsibility rested on new facility and introduction of new engines to mass production (the first 40 I think were hand built). I am hoping they are not delayed further. I am itching to buy - uh try... to try one. Stay tuned. Ride safe.

[@splodge57]

Thank you. An orange Interceptor would be a nice Christmas present to yourself...if they're any good.

[@WyreForestBiker]

Glad I'm not the only one who think KTM's are vastly overrated ..

[@perekelund8088]

Just like the Harleys. Bah!

[@MarxOutThere]

Considering heaps of people don't like them, well unless they're into dirtbikes, I would be surprised if they ARE overrated.

[@MieyGorengBasah]

Looks like you really hate the bike. Should just change the video title to "i hate ktm duke 690".review is about advantage and disadvantage.also same point repeated 10x times so funny lol.did someone you hate own that bike or something lol.also i feel you quite short thats why u have all that uncomfortable riding position.im 178cm,use it for about 6 years now and got 130k km mileage on it.very comfortable riding position,but yes the vibration is there.i can live with it due to all the other advantage that it has.i have try few other model from other manufacture and this riding position is very comfy i love it :)

[@moderatefkr6666]

Oh, and you can get better Chinese displays on ebay!

[@roberthillberry1816]

Little too much ready to race hey

[@huugie025]

Damn, what a bad 'review'. Looks to me like you had an opinion before riding it.

[@DickWhistles]

Hugo van Geffen then you weren’t listening.

[@perekelund8088]

Good review. Really not my type of bike. Seems like Harleys, cool looks, useless for any serious riding. Really old, yes, in a bad way old, outdated, uncomfortable. Yawn.