KTM 690 Duke in the test

KTM 690 Duke in the test

Homologated for A2 driving license

KTM is pushing the homologated KTM 690 Duke for the A2 driver’s license, i.e. the 48 HP class, with 44 horses. We rode the entry-level motorcycle.

But be careful! Not a scandal, but regulations. In addition to the aforementioned maximum output of 48 HP (corresponds to 35 kW), this also provides a maximum output of 0.2 kW / kg. This results in a minimum weight of 175 kilograms. Since the KTM 6th90 Duke but only weighs 163 kilos with a full tank, there were only two homologation options: weight up or performance down. Point one is forbidden among athletes by itself. The rest comes up.

KTM 690 Duke in the test

Homologated for A2 driving license

Throttling via modified mapping

Will the wild stallion turn into a tired gelding? Take it, take it. Even if the performance curves convey a different picture, up to around 5,000 tours the stew leaves little to be desired apart from pronounced vibrations, but above that the KTM 690 Duke’s ease of revving decreases rapidly. Turning higher doesn’t bring anything in the gears from three upwards. The throttling, which was carried out exclusively via a modified mapping, effectively transforms a GTI into a TDI.

With the right, round driving style, this is also fun. So let it run, drive around, brake a little, turn the corner at an angle and pull it up again early – this is how meters are made. The tightly tuned chassis, which is not adjustable except for the spring preload at the rear, as well as the Michelin Pilot Power rubbers are open to rapid movement. Should it go halfway straight ahead for a long time, the forward thrust of the KTM 690 Duke continues up to 173 km / h. Not a bad value.

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The speed range is very narrow

Moved in this way, the Duke approves 4.6 liters of super from the 14-liter tank, the lid of which stubbornly refuses to stay open independently when refueling, which is quite annoying. In slow mode it is only 3.5 liters, although driving slowly or at low revs is not a matter for the KTM 690 Duke. With less than 3,000 revolutions, she likes to chop the chain, especially in the upper gears. In practice, this results in an extremely narrow speed range, and this is where the six-speed gearbox comes into play. On the test motorcycle, she was quite imprecise, and she also liked to put in an intermediate idle between the fifth and sixth.

Another thing that bothers us: The KTM 690 Duke does not, of course, defy the current trend towards short and as tight stems as possible. And as nice as the aluminum frame rear looks in dry conditions, when it is wet, a good part of the road dirt finds its way up to the helmet. Basically, the Duke is not the one for everyone, but exactly the one for some. OK then!

Technical specifications

Bilski

A real eye-catcher: frame rear made of cast aluminum. Underneath is the voluminous airbox.

engine
Water-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, a balance shaft, an overhead, chain-driven camshaft, four valves, roller rocker arm, dry sump lubrication, injection, Ø 46 mm, regulated catalytic converter, alternator 224 W, battery 12 V / 8 Ah, hydraulically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch (anti-hopping), Six-speed gearbox, O-ring chain, secondary ratio 40:16.
Bore x stroke: 102.0 x 84.5 mm
Displacement: 690 cm³
Compression ratio: 12.6: 1
Rated output: 32 kW (44 PS) at 7000 rpm
Max. Torque: 62 Nm at 4500 rpm

landing gear
Steel tubular frame, load-bearing motor, upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base, front disc brake, Ø 320 mm, four-piston fixed caliper, rear disc brake, Ø 240 mm, single-piston floating caliper, SECTION.
Cast aluminum wheels: 3.50 x 17; 5.00 x 17
Tires: 120/70 ZR 17; 160/60 ZR 17

mass and weight
Wheelbase 1466 mm, steering head angle 63.5 degrees, caster 115 mm, spring travel f / r 135/135 mm, weight with a full tank of 163 kg, payload 187 kg, tank capacity / reserve 14.0 / 3.2 liters.
Guarantee: two years
Colors: white, black
Price / additional costs: 7,495 / 250 euros

Performance
Top speed *: 173 km / h
Acceleration:
0–100 km / h5.0 sec
0–140 km / h 11.2 sec
Draft:
60-100 km / h 4.8 sec
100–140 km / h 6.5 sec

* MOTORCYCLE measurement

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