2014 KTM 690 Duke - Coolness Factor = 90.8%

[totalmotorcycle]

2014 KTM 690 Duke on the Total Motorcycle Cool Wall

For A LOT MORE photos and information click here: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcyc ... 90Duke.htm





The essence of motorcycling...

Back then, KTM revived the pure, unadulterated single-cylinder motorcycle in the form of the "original" Duke. Judging by the latest 690 Duke that stands before us today, much has been gained: smoothness, room for a pillion passenger, long-distance ability. But what it has never lost is its intensive and elemental ride dynamics. The most cutting-edge series production single-cylinder of our times and a precision chassis with a wealth of outstanding components turn every trip on the 690 Duke into an incomparable and unforgettable riding experience.

2014 KTM 690 Duke - Totalmotorcycle.com Specifications/Technical Details
Canada/USA Price: See Dealer
European MSRP Price: £6.999,00 GBP/EUR*

ENGINE
Design Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, spark-ignition engine, liquid-cooled
Displacement 690 cm³ Totalmotorcycle.com
Bore 102 mm
Stroke 84.5 mm
Performance 50 kW (67 hp)
Starting aid Electric starter, automatic decompressor
Transmission 6-speed, claw shifted
Engine lubrication Semi-dry-sump lubrication with 2 rotor pumps
Primary gear ratio 36:79
Secondary gear ratio 16:40
Cooling system Liquid cooling system, continuous circulation of cooling liquid with water pump
Clutch APTC™ Anti-hopping clutch / hydraulically operated
Ignition system Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment
CHASSIS
Frame Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel, powder-coated
Fork WP Suspension Up Side Down
Shock absorber WP Suspension with Pro Lever linkage
Suspension travel front 135 mm
Suspension travel rear 135 mm
Brake system front Disc brake with radially mounted four-piston brake caliper
Brake system rear Disc brake with single-piston brake caliper, floating
Totalmotorcycle.com Brake discs - diameter front 320 mm
Brake discs - diameter rear 240 mm
Chain 5/8 x 1/4" X Ring
Steering head angle 63.5°
Wheel base 1,466±15 mm
Ground clearance (unloaded) 192 mm
Seat height (unloaded) 835 mm
Total fuel tank capacity approx. 14 l
Unleaded premium fuel (95 RON)
Weight without fuel approx. 149.5 kg
Totalmotorcycle.com

For A LOT MORE photos and information click here: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcyc ... 90Duke.htm

[totalmotorcycle]

Sorry for the 3 hour delay in getting this first bike of 2014 posted. My computer had 2 major hard crashes while I was posting this and it's been nothing but issues to get it running till now.

So, enjoy the bike and Happy New Year!

Mike

[BRUMBEAR]

It just impossible to be a critic nowadays AWESOME

[blues2cruise]

I would have said awesome if it used regular gas. It uses premium so I gave it a cool.

[HYPERR]

Every incarnation of the Katoom Duke are awesome. I've wanted one ever since the first one came out in the mid 1990s; the one that looked like a buck toothed cartoon character. It was called the 620 even though it was a 609.

[montanalifter]

Would be interesting to see what the one person who voted uncool thought was uncool about this bike. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

[Grey Thumper]

I don't think I've ever heard or read about a KTM that was boring. Even the 200cc Duke is loads of fun. So my vote for the 690 is Awesome.

[JackoftheGreen]

Sorta a tough call here between Cool and Awesome. There's definitely nothing UnCool about this Austrian canyon carver.

On the one hand, I'm impressed to see this much power and displacement from a single-cylinder powerplant. I'd expect that to keep the weight down, and at 330 pounds this is definitely a light bike. Also, it's got that ABS system from Bosch, I dunno if this the same system in the article I read but I know KTM and Bosch are doing AMAZING things with ABS right now.

On the other hand, the press copy touts this as an excellent bike for a novice or beginner. But it's over 600cc and just shy of 70HP, so it's certainly not what I'd consider a beginners bike. And then the price tag; 7,000 British Sterling equates to around $11,400 USD. That's a fat price tag for a beginners bike. Do I ding the bike, in all it's glory, for the light the PR people have cast over it? I did with the Hussy we just finished with...

In the end, yes. There's not enough bike here to justify the price, and there's too much price to justify the PR. Still, a Cool.

[High_Side]

I'm a full-on KTM 'Duke fan and voted with my wallet (for a Superduke)but I still prefer the previous version of this bike. I understand that they were trying to widen the appeal with a lower seat and softer lines but they lost something in my opinion.

Here is what a 2010 looked like...

[jstark47]

And then the price tag; 7,000 British Sterling equates to around $11,400 USD. That's a fat price tag for a beginners bike. Do I ding the bike, in all it's glory, for the light the PR people have cast over it? I did with the Hussy we just finished with...

In the end, yes. There's not enough bike here to justify the price, and there's too much price to justify the PR.

I'm kind of curious whether there's really such a thing as a 2014 690 Duke in the USA. If you go to the KTM USA website, everything there about the 690 Duke (picture, manual, etc.) actually pertains to the EU version. The USA price for 2013 690 Duke was $8,999. Our local KTM dealer has several 2013's in stock for that MSRP. I doubt KTM jacked the price up by $2.5K between 2013 and 2014.

Seen in person, the bike seems compact and light. First time I walked by it, I thought to myself "hooligan machine," and snickered a little. The weight and horsepower confirmed it, and it definitely has that hooligan aura. Not a beginner machine for sure.

Awesome for entertainment value. Hooligan bikes rule!