KTM 690 Duke against Yamaha MT-07 in the test

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KTM 690 Duke and Yamaha MT-07 in the test (2014)

Adrenaline down to the last tip of your hair

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Toys are things that you would like to have, but not absolutely necessary. But they have a positive effect on our lives. Like the new Yamaha MT-07 and the KTM 690 Duke. Let The Games Begin.

Japanese twin rascal versus Austrian single. The brand new one Yamaha MT-07 skilfully draws our attention with its hit price of just 5,495 euros. On top of that, she also competes to wrest the crown of the Pole-Setter of handiness from the KTM 690 Duke. But does the quality suffer at such a price, and does that mean that the fun falls by the wayside? Two-cylinder or single-cylinder? There are many questions.

KTM 690 Duke and Yamaha MT-07 in comparison test

Adrenaline down to the last hair tip

Yamaha MT-07 ergonomically designed

So nothing stands in the way of your purchase. Except maybe the question of which of the two should it be? The competitors differ significantly in design. In terms of quality, the Yamaha MT-07 is in no way inferior to the KTM 690 Duke, despite the significant price difference. The KTM looks aggressive, the Yamaha cultivates understatement.

The engine concepts are as unequal as they look different. If the KTM 690 Duke only lets a large piston with a diameter of 102 mm oscillate the long path of 84.5 mm, the Yamaha engineers try two pistons with 80 mm each over a distance of only 68.6 mm each. Both engines bring it to 690 cm³ each. The engine of the Yamaha MT-07 was provided with the crank pin offset of 270 degrees known from the R1 and is very narrow for an in-line twin.

Take a seat and feel good is the motto. The Yamaha MT-07 is ergonomically designed. The comparatively narrow handlebar of 680 mm (KTM 780 mm) fits the hand well. Small and large people feel good quickly. The low center of gravity immediately suggests the feeling of maneuverability despite the total weight of 181 kg. The seating position is casual and close to the rear wheel.

Awesome wheelie exercise bike

The engine sound is quiet and therefore a little powerless – but the impression is deceptive. The MT-07 drive is just an ingenious, quiet motor. The joy donor can already be driven at 2000 rpm. Its smooth running and the simultaneous liveliness inspire immediately. It stands for torque in all positions and jerk-free pulling power, whether at 2500 or 10,500 rpm. The slightest twist on the throttle is transformed into easily controllable propulsion.

If you briefly pluck the smooth clutch, the front wheel lifts up quickly. Thanks to the propulsion, the wheelie can also be held for endless kilometers. The Yamaha MT-07 is a great wheelie exercise bike! And what’s good for a wheelie is a delight for cornering. Due to the small rotating masses, close to the apex you can accelerate again early and do real meters.

The assembled Michelin is inherently handy, but that’s more of a disadvantage for the Yamaha MT-07. Because of the pointed front wheel contour of the Pilot Power 3, the front of the already handy MT-07 tends to tip inward when cornering. On top of that, the handlebars reach far back and you hardly have any feeling for the front wheel. This is uncomfortable because it is not very sporty and therefore a damper for the fun moments.

The front brake is more successful. The stoppers with two discs instead of the individual 320s of the KTM 690 Duke are easy to dose, are sporty and transparent as appropriate for the vehicle. That could be good for braking into corners late, but in the end the much too soft chassis thwarts such driving maneuvers. The front dips deep, the rear is also sprung and dampened. One looks in vain for adjusting screws. In experienced hands, the Yamaha MT-07 swings like a litter through the curves. That feels quick, but that is quickly put into perspective when the KTM sweeps by on the outside.

KTM 690 Duke with a much firmer chassis

The more aggressive ergonomics of the KTM 690 Duke works. Young and old alike can sit comfortably on it. The proximity to the front wheel, the entire sporty design of the bike and the much firmer chassis are what turn it on. There are also points of criticism with the latter, such as the non-adjustable rebound and compression stage and the insensitive response behavior. Despite the poorly functioning slipper clutch, you are super fast on the brakes and in the bend. Thanks to its enormous freedom from lean angles, the KTM will also eat a few super athletes there. At only 163 kilos, the Duke is the screamer in corners and turns.

In the direct acceleration duel, the Yamaha MT-07 is a few meters ahead, despite its extra weight. The KTM 690 Duke suggests a strong start, which is hardly surprising when you study the torque with the vertical climbs in our performance diagram, but it doesn’t deliver enough to cushion the Yamaha.

Draft? What can 70 hp offer??

On top of that, it is precisely these waves that make the robust single-cylinder known as bullies and make wheeling with it so difficult. The KTM 690 Duke is much easier on the rear wheel, but playing in balance on the gas is worlds easier thanks to the more even torque curve with the Yamaha MT-07.

If, on the other hand, you shoot yourself at the rough engine, the instinct to play with the KTM 690 Duke is unchecked. A battle of concepts ignites, Austrian nature boy against Japanese finesse. Every turn is fought, every millimeter of our test track is used. We don’t give anything to each other, and certainly not to the other. So easily over an hour goes by until reason wins again and one leaves the other. This is pure fun and adrenaline down to the last tip of your hair – and all with just 70 hp!

Taken by the horns, the bikes are demanding, but never overwhelming. The fact that the KTM 690 Duke is the winner in the end is due to its more sporty orientation. Driving at what feels like a lean angle is a lot of fun and yet it is not always that far beyond the road traffic regulations. In contrast to potent super athletes, the fun factor is very pronounced even at lower speeds and never stressful – just playful.

Data and measured values ​​KTM 690 Duke

The more aggressive ergonomics of the KTM works. Young and old alike can sit comfortably on it.

drive
Single cylinder engine, four valves, 51.5 kW (70 hp) at 7500 rpm *, 70 Nm at 5500 rpm *, 690 cm³, bore / stroke: 102.0 / 84.5 mm, compression ratio: 12.6: 1, Ignition / injection system, 46 mm throttle valves, hydraulically operated multi-disc oil bath anti-hopping clutch, six-speed gearbox, G-Kat, chain.

frame & Brakes
Steel tubular space frame, steering head angle: 63.5 degrees, caster: 115 mm, wheelbase: 1466 mm, upside-down fork, Ø fork inner tube: 43 mm, not adjustable. Central spring strut with deflection, adjustable in the spring base. Front / rear spring travel: 135/135 mm, cast light alloy wheels, 3.50 x 17 / 5.00 x 17, front tires: 120/70 ZR 17, rear: 160/60 ZR 17, first tires: Michelin Pilot Power, 320 mm single disc brakes with radially attached four-piston fixed caliper at the front, 240 mm single disc with single-piston floating caliper at the rear, ABS.

Max. Rear wheel power **: 48 kW (65 PS) at 176 km / h

Acceleration**
0-100 km / h: 3.8s
0–150 km / h: 8.1 s
0-200 km / h: –

Draft **
50-100 km / h: 5.8 s
100-150 km / h: 6.1 s

Top speed *: 188 km / h

measurements and weight
Length / width / height: 2130/900/1340 mm, seat / handlebar height: 830/1100 mm, handlebar width: 780 mm, 163 kg fully fueled, v./h .: 49.5 / 50.5%.

consumption
Fuel type: Super unleaded. Average test consumption: 5.5 liters / 100 km, tank capacity 14.0 liters, range:
255 km.

Setup fork
stat.neg. Spring travel: not adjustable, damping: not adjustable, level: standard.

Setup shock absorber
stat.neg. Spring travel: standard, damping: not adjustable, level: standard.

Base price: 7895 euros (plus additional costs)

Data and measured values ​​Yamaha MT-07

The MT-07 drive is an ingenious, quiet motor. The joy donor can already be driven at 2000 rpm.

drive
Two-cylinder in-line engine, four valves / cylinder, 55 kW (75 PS) at 9000 / min *, 68 Nm at 6500 / min *, 690 cm³, bore / stroke: 80.0 / 68.6 mm, compression ratio: 11.5: 1, ignition / injection system, 38 mm throttle valves, mechanically operated multi-plate oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, G-Kat, chain.

frame & Brakes
Tubular steel bridge frame, steering head angle: 65.5 degrees, caster: 90 mm, wheelbase: 1400 mm, telescopic fork, inner fork tube diameter: 41 mm, not adjustable. Central spring strut with deflection, adjustable in the spring base. Spring travel front / rear: 130/130 mm, cast light alloy wheels, 3.50 x 17 / 5.50 x 17, front tires: 120/70 ZR 17, rear: 180/55 ZR 17, first tires: Michelin Pilot Road "A" , 282- mm double disc brake with four-piston fixed calipers at the front, 245 mm single disc with single-piston floating caliper at the rear.

Max. Rear wheel power **: 51kW (69 PS) at 196 km / h

Acceleration**
0-100 km / h: 3.8 s
0–150 km / h: 7.9 s
0-200 km / h: 24.7 s   

Draft **
50-100 km / h: 5.0 s
100–150 km / h: 6.0 s

Top speed *: 207 km / h

measurements and weight
Length / width / height: 2120/860/1210 mm, seat / handlebar height: 810/1050 mm, handlebar width: 680 mm, 181 kg fully fueled, v./h .: 48.7 / 51.3%.

consumption
Fuel type: Super unleaded. Average test consumption: 5.0 liters / 100 km, tank capacity 14.0 liters, range:
280 km.

Setup fork
stat.neg. Spring travel: not adjustable, damping: not adjustable, level: standard.

Setup shock absorber
stat.neg. Spring travel: standard, damping: not adjustable, level: standard.

Base price
5495 euros (plus additional costs), ABS version 5995 euros (plus ancillary costs).

Evaluation and conclusion

In contrast to potent super athletes, the fun factor is very pronounced even at lower speeds and never stressful – just playful.

Max.
Points  		KTM
690 Duke  		Yamaha
MT-07
drive
acceleration  10 1 1
Draft 10 4th 5
Power delivery  10 7th 10
Responsiveness 10 9 9
Load change reaction 10 8th 8th
Running culture 10 5 9
Gear actuation 10 6th 8th
Gear ratio 10 9 9
Clutch function 10 6th 5
Traction control 10 – –
Subtotal 100 55 64
landing gear
Driving stability 10 8th 6th
Handiness 10 9 8th
Cornering stability 10 8th 5
feedback 10 8th 5
Suspension tuning in front  10 7th 5
Chassis set-up at the rear  10 8th 5
Braking effect 10 6th 8th
Brake metering 10 7th 8th
Righting moment when braking  10 8th 8th
ABS function 10 8th –
Subtotal 100 77 58
Everyday life and driving fun
Sitting position 10 7th 6th
Windbreak 10 1 1
Furnishing 10 5 4th
consumption 10 8th 9
Driving fun 10 8th 8th
Subtotal 50 29 28
Total 250 161 150
placement   1. 2.

Conclusion

PS

The performance measurement of the KTM 690 Duke and Yamaha MT-07.

1. KTM 690 Duke
Even without ABS, she would have deserved to win. From the perspective of the sportiest motorcycle magazine, rightly so. Experienced pilots have a lot of fun with the rabble engine, and the feedback from the bike on the aging Michelin Pilot Power is still great. Great for hot infights, it may be too rough for most beginners.

2. Yamaha MT-07
Whether you are a beginner, a returnee or even a racer, everyone loves the MT-07 engine. It is a source of joy at any speed and turns the country road into a playground. The low price is a clear buy recommendation. You can’t go wrong with the high quality standard of the bike. The rest of the money is invested in the chassis and you’re in the front.

Technical specifications

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