KTM 690 Duke and Yamaha MT-07 in comparison test

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KTM 690 Duke and Yamaha MT-07 in the test (2016)

Best seller duel

Shorter stroke, more revving, even more performance: the new KTM 690 Duke defines new standards among single-cylinder bikes. These virtues are enough to keep even the similarly powerful two-cylinder Yamaha MT-07 in check?

The KTM waits with a single cylinder banging without being excessively loud 6th90 Duke at the start of the comparison test. The now fifth generation of the Duke from Austria has been refined again for the 2016 season. The noble single now sends its pistons up and down through a 105 millimeter bore, mobilizing 79 measured, perfectly healthy and Euro 4 exhaust-cleaned horsepower at 8200 revolutions. Mamma mia.

KTM 690 Duke and Yamaha MT-07 in comparison test

Best seller duel

KTM 690 Duke thus already on the secret throne of the bestseller in the class up to 80 hp, the Yamaha MT-07?

MT-07 the better companion in urban traffic flow

Shaking is a good keyword. Because this is exactly how the KTM engine always comes to the fore when the speed drops too far. It is true that the Austrians of the KTM 690 Duke have acquired more and more manners from generation to generation, which also allow a bearable everyday life in the flow of urban traffic.

But the KTM 690 Duke doesn’t really feel at home here. In contrast to the Yamaha MT-07. Satisfied, the two-cylinder engine takes on the gas right at the bottom, delighted by its uniformity. Without forgetting the emotion. Finally, deep inside the engine, a crankshaft rotates with a 270 degree crank pin offset. It imitates a 90-degree V-engine in the best way, spices up beautiful concentricity with lots of character.

Very different when it comes to running culture

How differently the two motorcycles interpret the subject of smooth running at low speeds can be seen on every meter of city traffic. At 50 km / h, the KTM 690 Duke only allows you to move forward in third gear with great sensitivity. The left hand always remains in a careful position to intervene with a grip on the smooth and very finely adjustable clutch to reduce chain whips and engine stuttering. On the Yamaha MT-07 you can swim in traffic at the same speed in fourth gear. This is a good thing, because your clutch is rougher and fine interventions at the grinding point require more concentration.

And out of town? Little changes in the basic nature of the KTM 690 Duke and Yamaha MT-07. Driving the KTM through the area in gear six at the permitted country road speed is a tough undertaking. The Yamaha does this much more calmly and confidently.

Nippon twos cannot be shaken off

So, the topic of everyday life is ticked off, now butter with the fish! Nobody buys a KTM 690 Duke to get through disdainful, must-have stages. The paths lure with curves, from sixth gear it goes downwards until the gear steps easily find each other somewhere between number two and four. A speed limit raised to 9000 rpm must be used (600 rpm more compared to the last Duke). All synapses scream attack.

As if stung by a tarantula, the KTM 690 Duke dashes towards the first corner. Jagged around the corner like a tuna fleeing from a great white shark. With a full tank of 170 kilograms, it almost automatically folds into an inclined position. The single cylinder turns splendidly upwards, sweeps through the speed ladder like a tenor looking for the high C. A tight bend comes into view. Thanks to the anti-hopping clutch, the gears sort themselves without any punches when downshifting. At the same time, the right hand grabs the brake lever. The delay is correct, but requires a lot of force. The fine metering at the ABS control limit could also be nicer. The KTM driver thinks he is in motorcycle warrior heaven, and the Yamaha MT-07 has long since written off. But a look into the mirror, which offers good consideration, reveals that the Nippon double is still there. Can not be shaken off. Question marks form in the brain of the KTM driver. This can not be!

Yamaha MT-07 also front in the mountain classification

I can. Because the Yamaha two-man always pushes ahead well at any speed. Not every gear always has to match the curve, a lot of elasticity relaxes when chasing the KTM 690 Duke. And she sees no land against the Yamaha MT-07 at the exit of the curve when the throttle valves release their full cross-section. This is shown by the pulling power at which the KTM can easily hold its own in front of the Yamaha above 140 km / h.

In addition to the standard recorded values ​​of 60 to 180 km / h, MOTORRAD also subjected the two test motorcycles to a typical mountain rating, as occurs on any curvy incline. In this case, rushing through a tight bend simulates a draft measurement in second gear from 30 to 80 km / h. With 2.4 to 2.8 seconds, the duel is clearly noticeable for the Yamaha MT-07.

KTM 690 Duke a lightweight

And because the brake system, including the double discs, is clearly ahead of the KTM counterpart in terms of fading, controllability and effectiveness, the Austrian can only weigh in on her slightly better handling due to the narrower rear tire and her lower weight at the corner entrance. At 170 kilograms, it is a lightweight. However, at just 28 pounds more, the Yamaha MT-07 also defies obesity. At the apex the Duke tries to stay on the very tight radius inside and in front thanks to his splendid lean angle. But at the exit of the bend, the Yamaha reminds itself time and time again, the KTM 690 Duke drives along in front of it. Pro KTM only works when the road becomes wavy. Then the MT-07 becomes a rocking horse. The missing cushioning of the spring elements makes them rock back and forth like the head of a bobble dog on the parcel shelf.

When it comes to the chassis, the Duke is not without faults and faults, but it runs more precisely on poor roads. It conveys more feedback – due to the stiffer front and rear damping compared to the Japanese two-cylinder. And something else ensures that the KTM 690 Duke easily outperforms the Yamaha on poor asphalt: its traction control. The extra feature, which is not standard, keeps the single from Mattighofen safely on track. With the Yamaha MT-07 there is no TC for money and good words.

Yamaha MT-07 pampers you with a narrow knee

The curves and hairpin bends are finely dissected behind the duo. What remains? In any case, a note on ergonomics. The Yamaha MT-07 pampers with a narrow knee, makes it low, light and suitable for beginners. The driver crouches in her center, his hands find space on the well-cranked handlebars by themselves. Only the knee angle tends to be narrow, at least for people over 185 centimeters. Measured the distance between the seat and footrests is 51 centimeters.

If that’s too bad for your knees, you might find the right playing partner in the KTM 690 Duke. A full 56 centimeters are between the space for the driver and the footrests. For orientation: even a large BMW R 1200 GS only offers a standard distance of 57 centimeters between the seat and the rests, which makes the KTM almost a real touring motorcycle, at least from this point of view. This is also due to the fact that the rider sits enthroned at a lofty 835 millimeter seat height on the Austrian bike, while the Yamaha rider is 25 millimeters less. The fact that it is still enough to stalemate in terms of ergonomics is due to the distance between the handlebars and the driver. The Yamaha hits the golden mean here, the KTM pushes the wide sail rod closer to him.

KTM in basic equipment 2000 euros more expensive

The Duke and MT-07 are significantly further apart when looking at costs. When it comes to consumption, both of them hold back elegantly with 4.0 liters for the KTM and 3.7 liters for the Yamaha over 100 kilometers of country roads. And also with the inspections, which are only due every 10,000 kilometers for the two, they go easy on the wallet. It looks different with the purchase price. At 6395 euros, the Yamaha is a real bargain, the KTM 690 Duke is 2000 euros more expensive in basic equipment. For this difference, the only noteworthy point of criticism of the Yamaha MT-07, namely the chassis, could easily be ironed out.

And yet the small Yamaha would still be the better offer, viewed soberly. But that doesn’t make the KTM a bad motorcycle. It’s just different, more extreme. She always wants to be actively moved, is always looking for the ideal line, wants to scurry and wag, knows no break, no restraint, no simple letting go. All of this does not make it easy to deal with her in everyday life. But as soon as just a piece of free asphalt opens up in front of her front wheel, she dashes forward. Drive, awaken the racer in you. And to put it very subjectively: that is really good fun.

Raise your leg: Easily controllable and powerful motors seduce you into unicycling.

The KTM Duke 690 is just the one for a few who casually tolerate its not-so-good properties and are all the more delighted with its outstanding features such as the strongest single-cylinder in motorcycle construction, combined with its playful lightness. She is a good character, with rough edges and a lot of verve.

The Yamaha MT-07 does not have a completely contrary nature – its engine alone is much too lively for that, drives too lustfully forward – but it is much more engaging, is the one for everyone. To the extent that she dispenses with corners and edges, she also loses verve. She can do anything and can do almost anything. Objectively, it is always on par with the KTM 690 Duke – or even surpasses it in many ways. Only when it comes to experience, when it comes to emotions, does the Duke keep them a little at a distance. A fact that you quickly forget when you see the price on the sales contract.

Performance measurements

Power on the crankshaft. Measurements on the Dynojet roller test stand 250, corrected according to 95/1 / EG, maximum possible deviation.

The KTM 690 Duke presses almost 80 hp out of its single cylinder – an unbelievable value. But just like in real life, the Yamaha MT-07 is not defeated when it comes to performance measurement. The beginning of the two curves shows that it runs much smoother, especially downwards (measurement in sixth gear).

Even below 3000 rpm the Yamaha MT-07 spoils you with measurable propulsion, the KTM 690 Duke only shakes itself roughly, only 1000 rpm later paints a clean curve on paper. The single cylinder is a high-performance unit that would rather turn upwards to almost 9000 rpm than press downwards. The torque curve of both motorcycles is slightly bumpy up to the peak value, not straight. However, nothing of this is noticeable when driving.

Technical data and measured values

KTM 690 Duke and Yamaha MT-07.

engine

KTM 690 Duke Yamaha MT-07
type design Single cylinder four-stroke engine Two-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine
injection 1 x Ø 50 mm 2 x Ø 38 mm
coupling Multi-disc oil bath clutch (anti-hopping) Multi-disc oil bath clutch
Boron x stroke 105.0 x 80.0 mm 80.0 x 68.6 mm
Displacement 693 cc 690 cc
compression 12.7: 1 11.5: 1
power 54.0 kW (73 hp) at 8000 rpm 55.0 kW (75 PS) at 9000 rpm
Torque 74 Nm at 6500 rpm 68 Nm at 6500 rpm

landing gear

KTM 690 Duke
 Yamaha MT-07
frame Steel tubular frame, engine is load-bearing Bridge frame made of tubular steel
fork Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm Telescopic fork, Ø 41 mm
Brakes front / rear Ø 320/240 mm Ø 282/245 mm
Systems assistance ABS, traction control (1) SECTION
bikes 3.50 x 17; 5.00 x 17 3.50 x 17; 5.50 x 17
tires 120/70 ZR 17; 160/60 ZR 17 120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17
Tires Metzeler M 7 RR, front "M" Michelin Pilot Road 3, rear "A"

mass and weight

KTM 690 Duke
 Yamaha MT-07
wheelbase 1466 mm 1400 mm
Steering head angle 63.5 degrees 65.5 degrees
trailing 122 mm 90 mm
Front / rear suspension travel 135/135 mm 130/130 mm
Seat height (2) 835 mm 810 mm
Weight with full tank (2) 170 kg 184 kg
Payload (2) 180 kg 171 kg
Tank capacity / reserve 14.0 / 3.2 liters 14.0 liters
Service intervals 10,000 km 10,000 km
price 8395 euros 6395 euros
Price test motorcycle 9768 Euro (3) 6395 euros
Additional costs 250 euro 275 euros

MOTORCYCLE readings

KTM 690 Duke
 Yamaha MT-07
Top speed * 188 km / h 207 km / h
acceleration
0-100 km / h 3.8 sec 3.8 sec
0-140 km / h 6.7 sec 6.9 sec
0-200 km / h – 24.7 sec
Draft
60-100 km / h 5.0 sec 4.0 sec
100-140 km / h 5.0 sec 4.7 sec
140-180 km / h 6.2 sec 6.4 sec
Consumption country road / 100 km 4.0 liters 3.7 liters
Reach country road 350 km

378 km

* Manufacturer information;

(1): subject to a surcharge (included in the Track Pack);

(2): MOTORCYCLE measurements;

(3): Wave brake disc rear (134 euros), Wave brake disc front (248 euros), front spoiler (200 euros), dongle (92 euros), factory oil filler plug (21 euros), factory oil filter cover (27 euros), factory Ignition cover screw (21 euros), filter box cover (42 euros), foot brake cylinder cover (30 euros), hand brake cylinder cover (47 euros), clutch master cylinder cover (27 euros), crash bar set (158 euros), tank pad (32 euros), track pack (294 euros).

MOTORCYCLE scoring

engine

maximum number of points KTM 690 Duke Yamaha MT-07
Draft 40 24 27
acceleration 40 19th 19th
Top speed 30th 10 14th
Engine characteristics 30th 20th 25th
Responsiveness 20th 13 15th
Load change 20th 13 13
Smoothness 20th 10 14th
coupling 10 9 7th
circuit 20th 14th 12th
Gear ratio 10 9 9
Start 10 8th 9
total 250 149 164

Lots of power, more speed. The Yamaha MT-07 is ahead of the KTM 690 Duke in almost all other aspects of driving dynamics, impressively demonstrating the potential of the modern two-cylinder. Only the operation of the clutch and transmission is not so good. The KTM is ahead here, spoiled with low operating forces and almost perfect controllability.

Winner engine: Yamaha MT-07.

landing gear

maximum number of points
 KTM 690 Duke
Yamaha MT-07
Handiness 40 34 33
Stability in turns 40 26th 22nd
Steering behavior 40 28 29
feedback 10 7th 7th
Inclined position 20th 18th 15th
Straight-line stability 20th 16 14th
Suspension tuning in front 20th 12th 11
Chassis set-up at the rear 20th 12th 9
Adjustment options undercarriage 10 1 1
Suspension comfort 10 6th 8th
Driving behavior with a passenger 20th 9 11
total
 250
 169
 160

Both of them turn around the corner easily. The KTM always comes up trumps when the chassis of the Yamaha MT-07 reaches its limits. This offers a lot of comfort, but no reserves. The KTM 690 Duke shows how it’s done. Foregoing a bit of comfort, but noticeably gaining stability in curves and straight ahead. Great: the Duke’s lean angles.

Winner chassis: KTM 690 Duke.

everyday life

maximum number of points
 KTM 690 Duke
 Yamaha MT-07
Ergonomics driver 40 27 27
Ergonomics pillion 20th 7th 4th
Windbreak 20th 0 0
view 20th 11 13
light 20th 11 13
Furnishing 30th 22nd 17th
Handling / maintenance 30th 21st 19th
Luggage storage 10 2 1
Payload 10 4th 3
Tidy 30th 21st 24
processing 20th 15th 15th
total
 250
 141 136

The KTM as the winner of the everyday classification? The basis for this is provided by the extensive equipment list of the KTM 690 Duke. Equipped with numerous non-standard features such as traction control, it sets itself apart from the Yamaha MT-07. All extras that improve the function, however, also flow directly into the price-performance rating, which means they are put into perspective again.

Winner everyday: KTM 690 Duke.

security

maximum number of points
 KTM 690 Duke
 Yamaha MT-07
Braking effect 40 26th 29
Brake metering 30th 20th 21st
Braking with a passenger / fading 20th 10 14th
Righting moment when braking 10 8th 8th
ABS function 20th 12th 13
Handlebar slapping 20th 15th 14th
Ground clearance 10 6th 7th
total
 150
 97
 106

Two are better than one. With its double disc system, the Yamaha MT-07 decelerates better than the KTM 690 Duke, and above all works with less fading. That is the basis for victory in this chapter.

Winner security: Yamaha MT-07.

costs

maximum number of points
 KTM 690 Duke Yamaha MT-07
guarantee 30th 17th 15th
Consumption (country road) 30th 24 26th
Inspection costs 20th 15th 15th
Maintenance costs 20th 15th 15th
total
 150
 71 71

Low running costs: KTM 690 Duke and Yamaha MT-07 are both easy on the wallet.

Winner cost: KTM 690 Duke / Yamaha MT-07.

Overall rating

maximum number of points
 KTM 690 Duke
 Yamaha MT-07
Overall rating 1000 627 637
placement 2. 1.
Price-performance note 1.0 (top grade) 2.1 1.0

Price-performance winner: The Yamaha MT-07 gives the nerd in a positive sense, more motorcycle for the money is hard to imagine.

MOTORCYCLE test result

At the end of the day, the bestseller from Yamaha wins the test.

1st place: Yamaha MT-07

The Yamaha MT-07 collects significantly more points than the KTM 690 Duke and is much cheaper. A test victory could hardly be any clearer. The two-cylinder is a motorcycle that can be recommended to everyone without hesitation, whether novice or expert.

2nd place: KTM 690 Duke

The Duke is almost never good. Gone are the days when it was jerky and rough. The KTM 690 Duke is now also suitable for everyday use and behaves amazingly well-mannered. She is forgiven for remaining more extreme and challenging than a Yamaha MT-07.

Used KTM 690 Duke and Yamaha MT-07 in price comparison

1000PS marketplace app

In terms of price, the two naked bikes are very reasonable.

If you go by the prices on the used market, the KTM 690 Duke is the winner of the comparison. In its current design, it has been on the market longer than the Yamaha MT-07 and is therefore cheaper for buyers. However, there is a large selection of both motorcycles, so the decision will definitely not be an easy one. Here is the price comparison: used Yamaha MT-07 and KTM 690 Duke in Germany.

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