2012 KTM 690 Duke

[HarleyR]

KTM recently released the 2012 model with a few updates.
Service intervals increased to 10,000kms.
Fuel consumption reduced by 10%
styling changed to more reflect its big brother the super duke.

The biggest surprise however was the price. Dropped from $15,500 ride away to $11,500.

This put it straight to the top of my 'next bike list' and i went down to causeway today to look at ordering one in.

So i was wondering if anyone here has any personal experience with KTM road bikes:
Are they built well?
Made to last?
Is the LC4 engine as bulletproof as im told it is?
If there are any problems with the bike are ktm easy to deal with for warranty issues?

Thanks!

[agrid]

I had a couple of 640SMs, they were fantastic, superb build quality and fittings. That price is real cheap and has me contemplating trading the Hyper.

[inertia]

I have a 2008 model KTM690 Duke, love it to bits! So much fun to ride! Can blast twisties with confidence and throw it round if needed! Mine has 16000km's on it, looks like new and rides like new! Build quality is fantastic on them, and this is the third KTM i have owned.
The LC4 engine really is bulletproof as it has a low rev ceiling and they have been refining it for years.
My mum actually rides a 990 superduke every day. It's a mid 2000 model and even after 7-8 years old, and 80,000km's KTM replaced the starter torque limiting clutch for free under warranty the other week.
KTM parts arent massively high for replacement parts either.

[imitch]

How quick is the duke? $11500 is a great price!

[Vosy]

Any pics yet? Also would contemplate one of these...

[HarleyR]

uploadfromtaptalk1327447175241.jpg

[HarleyR]

How quick is the duke? $11500 is a great price!

They arent the quickest bikes, they are made for corners rather than straight lines!

[Brute]

They arent the quickest bikes, they are made for wheelies rather than straight lines!

Fixed

[Cam]

The official promotional videos for this bike are fucking dreadful.

What happened to the awesome regular KTM promo team?

[HarleyR]

Fixed

And stoppies

[Wilson]

Superduke! Same bike, better wheelies.

[Barfridge]

hrmm... interesting

[HarleyR]

hrmm... interesting

New bike time?

[Barfridge]

financially that would be a stupid thing to do

[StreetHawk]

Apparently the new one is made in India, hence the price.

For those that don't know the others are made in Austria.

[thro]

Fuck me, that's a hell of a lot of bike for the price.

I've got my eye on the super duke for my next bike, but at that price, the little Duke looks awfully tempting.... the Super Duke now only comes in R form and retails for about 22-24k i think?

I'll bet that the little duke is WAY more than half the bike


edit:
as to speed - with 50kw it should be able to get up near 200, gearing permitting (which is plenty for a naked anyhow). but more importantly, being a 650cc single, it should have a HEAP of bottom end pull for day to day street riding crap, and wheelies, etc.


also: checking the spec against the 2011 duke R - it looks like they've gone down from 48mm to 43mm front forks. now i'm not concerned about the MM, but just wondering if there has been any impact as far as handling goes vs the previous Duke R....

[agrid]

KTM have released a pumped-up version of its 690 Duke based on the European Junior Cup machines.

The KTM 690 Duke Track isn't road legal, weighs just 140kg dry (10kg less than standard) and puts out 79bhp (9bhp more than standard).

The bike features a different airbox, camshafts and a full Akrapovic exhaust system. There's also Marchesini wheels, a slipper clutch and uprated Brembo braking system. A single seat finishes off the racing look.



Read more: KTM 690 Duke 'Track' edition - Motorcycle news: New bikes - Visordown

http://s1.visordown.com/uploads/imag...inal/46581.jpg

[Drasius]

Way too much orange, and I like orange.

[Groz]

Wtf... so cheap! On my list on bikes i'm considering now.

[HarleyR]

So has anyone seriously looked at one of these? I ended up buying a 2008 KTM 690 Duke

These bikes are seriously good fun! Such a great hoon bike for around town. The handling on these bikes is nothing short of incredible, and those brembos pull you up super quick!