KTM 620 DUKE (1994 - 2006) Review

Version: E

Year: 1996

Annual servicing cost: £100

I was about to give up biking again, after 28 years and lots of different bikes and styles, and engines, I just found better things to do with my time, but I had never had a supermoto or similar.......now it's another story, I just love riding this pokey sticky lightweight machine, especially down bumpy C roads where my mates on sports bikes disappear in my mirror ;) The type of bike you can just jump on and find some fun anywhere

Buying experience: £1200 on ebay, bought unseen Sept 2018. Had the wrong main jet, sorted that and instantly got a superb bike

I had a Duke II for a couple of years,fancied a change from large sport bikes. Great fun to and from work,but any distance was agony due to vibration,fingers would go numb and the seat was a thing of torture. In the end it'd had enough with the discomfort and got rid.

I had 2 I had a 1999 and a 2003. The 99 had spoked wheels and had the later engine lc4 it was great the handling is awsome as are the brakes the gearbox is sweet the engine is very strong but you really need to look after the oil and filters as a rebuild is very expensive dont hold the revs either use the torque as redlining it is the best way to kill a big single. I put an iridium plug in as single's can be a pain to start keep the battery on charge to. They start well but if the bike is left for a few weeks with a standard plug they can back fire. The 2003 was the updated model with cast alloy wheels. I prefered the spokes but the 2003 was a lot more civilised and grown up. The great thing about the Duke is the engineering beauty I could just sit and look at it. Dont think about doing much more than a 100miles on it though fuel economy is crap the seat is very uncomfy and they kill chains and sprockets. One tip is though do not leave it unlocked as they are easy to pick up thats why I had 2. Wish I still had it.

Well, I had one of these until some thief stole it. This is just about the perfect bike for riding in the city. Every turn is an adventure and the thing just wants you to be a bad actor. Stock seat sucks but there are alternatives. I was going to get rid of the CV carb but never did. Would have wrecked mileage. Engine is vibey, and the Duke is very skittish on the interstate. Just not its environment. I would defiantly get another one if the price was right. An absolute hoot but not an only bike for somebody like me.

I brought my KTM Duke II this year (recently passed my restricted license) after a bad experience with the people selling me it. I had to wait a month for the restriction of the bike, which i could of done myself in less time. My previous bike was a cagiva mito, which i kind of regret selling for this bike. However it was an experimental buy as i have never owned a supermoto and never will again. Putting all my issues aside the bike is really nice to ride it has power low down which will push you around like a school bully, but doesn't go to the extent of hurting you. If it is a fun supermoto or a commutor your looking for then you are looking at a possible candidate. It's power delivery is very obvious when you punch the throttle open. The vibes you get from the bike makes you feel like your sat on something very agressive and rightly so with that grunt engine between your legs. In public places the bike is a real head turner, but none of that should influence you to buy it. It was reasonable efficient on petrol too. I could go 14 miles a day 5 days a week on 9 pound a fortnight, you could say its impractical but aren't most bikes? It grips surprisingly well in the wet on michelin pilot rubber. Sadly though its not a bike for myself...wait a while and get a GSXR prehaps...but there are times when i can look back and smile remembering the grin factor this bike had

I bought the Duke in 2001 with only 600 miles on the clock. The guy who had it before me said it just wasn't for him. That was 5 years ago and today it now has 31K on the clock, I commute on it every working day and it has never let me down, never not started, never stopped for no reason, never. It's well bolted together and even though it gets rained on bar the odd nut and bolt there's no rust. Even after all those miles and 5 years when I crack open the throttle in second it still scares the crap out of me. I've looked at other bikes but cant find one that comes close for performance and reliability. Buy one, learn how to drive it properly and you will never go back to the plastic clad road rockets. Strengths: Brakes, acceleration, reliability, cost to run, handling and the head turning factor. Weaknesses: Must be serviced by someone that knows what they are doing (oil Bubble), an hour and a half is enough, tank range, motorways are boring, Dont like salt on the roads it eats the aluminium.

Bought this bike after reading rave reveiws about them and it hasn't dissapointed. Brilliant handling and braking from top quality components, grunty engine with excellent mid range power, fantastic build quality. What can I say! I'm now one of the faithful. I can honestly say, I haven't heard any negative comments from anyone thats ridden/owned one. Strengths: Brakes, Suspension, Build quality, Handling and big grin factor. Weaknesses: Low down power which can be transformed with a few simple mods, not comfy for long distances, vibes (If your not used to a big single).

I love this bike, I'm now on my second, it looks amazing and just oozes quality. I only wish the petrol tank held less fuel, some people complain it only does 100 miles per tank, but to me that is 60 miles too many before breaks. After 40 miles my perineum is so sore I have to stop before my concentration is focused totally between my legs as the bike stops flowing along the ashfelt and strikes the nearest piece of foliage, road furniture or vehicle. Strengths: Build quality, componentry, fun factor, cheap to run, cheap insurance. Still looks amazing even 8 years on. Weaknesses: Only 1000 miles per back tyre. Razor like saddle.