KTM 690 DUKE (2016 - 2019) Review

Basic design faults that KTM refuse to accept. Fuel tank leaks due to poor design.

Poor quality fasteners.

The top-spec suspension and brakes were the main reason I went for the R model, and I'm very glad I did. Rear suspension is excellent, front needed some fiddling with, but very happy with it now. Full fat Brembo M50 caliper and radial master cylinder make for seriously impressive brakes. OE tyres were Metzeler M7RR and I rate them very highly.

Bonkers (but in the best possible way). You need to treat it a bit like a two-stroke and definitely don't lug it, but it absolutely thrives on revs. I found the low down fuelling snatchy as standard and had it remapped at BSD, which fixed that and made it even better. 73 rear wheel hp, anyone?

Not had any problems with it, but needed two recalls before its first service (potentially leaky fuel tank and replaced piston in front brake master cylinder). It doesn't see salty roads and build quality looks pretty good. The 'R' transfer on the tank is starting to peel a bit (first world problems).

I've not hit a major service interval yet, so take the above with a pinch of salt. I change the oil and filter every year before it's put away for the winter, as the oil capacity is only 1.7 litres and it has a hard life. Doesn't use any oil between changes, which I put down to my 'tough love' running in routine. Remarkably frugal on fuel, even when being given the beans.

The R model comes as standard with the Track Pack, which is nice. I also removed the big, ugly, heavy catalytic converter and replaced it with a link pipe. I can now change the oil without it going everywhere and it sounds like a big single should, but not stupidly loud.

Love the agility and light weight of this bike. Tendency to turn the handlebar inwards so I need to hold it as necessary. Suspensions are average, but fine for me.

Gorgeous sound, plenty of torque and power. Engine doesn´t like low revs, starts to stall whenever engine goes below 2,000+ rpm. But that engine sound puts a smile on my face.

Not a single problem with the bike. A loose bolt on the sidestand quickly fixed.

KTM bikes are somehow expensive to own but maintenance is easy and not expensive. I don´t use it much, so just oil, filters and coolant once a year.

It has the basics. I did´t get the special package, but its is fine for me. Added black handguards to my black and white Duke.

Superb all round bike. Stiff but compliant ride, otherworldly handling...effortless and way faster in bends than a litrebike or SS600 - I had to recalibrate my reference points on familiar roads. Think and turn. Comfy ( only second bike of very many that I didn't bin the stock seat); lovely exhaust note (fist bike ever where I didn't bin the can for an aftermarket item); stock M7RRs brilliant. Brakes perfect, never engages ABS no matter how aggressive I ride.

Incredibly smooth for a big single; tons of grunt but smoothly singing along at extralegal speeds. As fast as a road bike ever needs to be. Sure it's a bit lumpy at below 3K so just keep it in proper gear

Really a 4.5. Warranty service no problem. Loose bolts and faulty petrol gauge.

Very reasonable, nain dealer seems to know their stuff

Not much in way of equipment but never feel I need it.

Excellent brakes [ upgraded ktm wavey discs front and rear ] abs , traction control , street , sport and rain modes is a £ 250 option but well worth it . You can ride for as long as you like . Its comfy with ergo seat but does get vibey on long rides out .

Bags of torque for a 690 single . Its quick for what it is [ 690 single ] keep it in the right gear and you cant stop smiling . Cruise at 80 mph no problem but wind becomes a problem above that due to no protection .

Bought new in 2019 . Only problem i have had was leaking rear shock after 850 miles , replaced under warranty .

Pricey for annual oil and filter change and general going over .

Abs , rider modes [option] traction control tft screen . Ergo seat and rear seat cowl more comfy and look the part

Front Brembo dual piston has bite and stops on a dime however i do use trail rear Brembo brake quite a bit and that's also just as effective. not changed any pads as yet but braking efficiency has a lot to do with bikes light weight i would guess. Ride quality is good once mods to stop the judder effect through villages and towns have been fitted - best £50 you could spend to improve stock machine

Total powerhouse for what it is...73bhp from a single, boatload of torque relative to CC's. What's not to like. In 3rd gear it will pull like a train cleaning and strongly from around 40 till she almost hits the limiter around 75-80 before changing up. I also find the gearbox so much better that the Honda CB500F I had prior which jumped out of gear occassionally.. She has a solid change, slipper assist clutch. Only word of caution make sure you use the very expensive Motul 10-60 recommended oil and i would change more frequently than the recommended 6k intervals but that's a personal preference.

No problems whatsover to date [all though she did some fully serviced and MOT'd including new C&S set and tyres with Oxford heated grips] having done 10k prior so not sure whether prior owners ironed out any niggles. I find the fittings and overall quality better that the Honda CB500F I had prior, everything from the paint quality on the engine, galvanised fittings and alloy everywhere which i assume contributes to its "insane" light weight" feel.

Brembo Brakes, Slipper Clutch, TFT screen [looks a tiny bit dated compared to latest but better than LCD], WP suspension [I will change the rear shock as I do carry pillion quite often for a Nitron or Wilbers], Hydraulic Magura clutch. Not as good as the best for equipment but then you are buying for the riding experience and fun not for all the latest "trinkets and gizmos", never forget that..

Comfortable ride overall

Fab engine just let down by everything around it!

Warped fuel tank, leaking rear shock (unserviceable), goes to support the mcn reviews that build quality is a concern, even on their 2020 models.

Pay through the nose for ktm dealer servicing on a machine that’s fraught with issues.

Track pack is a hefty £250 extra. Why wasn’t this standard on both 690 models??

Firm to stiff, works well when bonkers.

73 hp for a 690 single is a lot, but it hates running below 3,750 / 4,000 rpm. With stock gearing you need to stay in 2nd gear in a 30mph limit or the engine jackhammers in the frame, which sounds to pedestrians that you are deliberately holding a lower gear (which you are). Like many owners I swapped to a sprocket with 2 extra teeth on the rear with just enables me to get into 3rd at 28 mph.

Looks really well built, the only issue I had in 14 months was the side stand pivot bolt became loose. A touch of locktight and retorqued was all that was required.

The bike is so light the sticky tyres last twice as long as expected.

Minimal, ABS, lights and a horn. Motorcycling at its purest?

Brakes superb. There's an air of sophistication and high quality about the ride yet it's still a tad raw and just that characterful bit of vibey. Gearbox can be a bit hit-and-miss but I suspect part if that is me not being used to it and another part possibly the shift lever might need a wee adjustment and another part might it being brand new. Handling is hard to explain - utterly unlike anything I've ever ridden - telepathic and if you think too much or are too mechanical about it you can oversteer it SO easily...really lovely though. Suspension is firm and sporty - as expected - but sublime, especially given forks are unadjustable and I am 216lbs naked. Seating position is just unremarkable so far - which may be the best thing you can say about a seating position.

For a 690cc single it is incredible. Great tractability and acceleration. If I am honest, it can be a bit vibey under 4k rpm but I suspect that might get better with bedding in too. It's surprisingly fast even keeping the revs under 6k for break-in period.

Not sure, brand new leftover 2017

At the price I paid for a leftover 2017 in mid 2020, ridiculous value. 50mpg average so far.

Had I not known about the Trackpack, I'd be over the moon. But, in the US it's been discontinued so there's a lot of the bike that just needs to be activated and I can't. LCD dash is great. Gear indicator, especially for this motor, MPG function all highly rated.

The ride has been quite a revelation, and I've been surprised and pleased that as a slightly porky 70-year-old I can do a 500-mile day without feeling shredded by the end of it, stopping to stretch my dodgy knees and back about every 1¼ to 1½ hours. The front single disc is adequate rather than spectacular, but the whole package feels balanced and well-thought-out.

There's just enough vibration to prove the thing is alive and give it great big-single character. It needs to be kept spinning though, as it doesn't pull all that strongly from low revs; brisk overtakes need to drop a gear. Power comes on smoothly through the ride-by-wire throttle, so I guess the fuelling must be pretty well spot-on. I had the optional Track Pack retrofitted, which gives me three ride modes and traction control; I bought this largely for safety reasons, but my insurers whacked my premium up by 40 quid anyway! Early false neutrals disappeared when everything had bedded in, and the hydraulic clutch is super-light but progressive and with plenty of feel.

I'll admit to not being a fastidious bike-cleaner, so it would be nice to have stainless fasteners instead of galvanised, which are showing signs of rust in places. Rust spots also showed up on one of the fork sliders, which KTM replaced under warranty. Quality seems good overall though, with the notable exception of the plastic petrol tank which distorted for unknown reasons and started leaking fuel from the pump flange. To their credit, KTM replaced it out of warranty - but I'd have been knackered if it had happened abroad because I wouldn't have been allowed on a ferry home while leaking fuel.

I haven't owned another modern bike for comparison but the £8K purchase price, including dinky little OEM panniers and a lowering kit, seemed high-ish but not excessive. Fuel economy of mid 40s mpg in normal use and up to 70 or just over on motorway/autobahn riding is pretty good. Fuel range is 150/180 miles, depending on riding type. Now it's out of warranty I'm using a local bike shop rather than the (very good but quite distant) franchised dealer for servicing when it's outside my capacity to do it myself.

My Duke is, frankly, a bit lacking when it comes to equipment. There were no power sockets and an incredibly weedy horn, and the monochrome LCD dash is angled just right to catch the sun more-or-less wherever it is, and become invisible. The OEM panniers I bought with the bike are about the size of the handbag my granddaughter took to her first prom, and their (mild steel) frame mounting brackets started shedding their single coat of paint very quickly. Finally, because it's quite compact, finding storage for a puncture kit and some extra tools is a real problem.

The ride has been quite a revelation, and I've been surprised and pleased that as a slightly porky 70-year-old I can do a 500-mile day without feeling shredded by the end of it, stopping to stretch my dodgy knees and back about every 1¼ to 1½ hours. The front single disc is adequate rather than spectacular, but the whole package feels balanced and well-thought-out.

There's just enough vibration to prove the thing is alive and give it great big-single character. It needs to be kept spinning though, as it doesn't pull all that strongly from low revs; brisk overtakes need to drop a gear. Power comes on smoothly through the ride-by-wire throttle, so I guess the fuelling must be pretty well spot-on. I had the optional Track Pack retrofitted, which gives me three ride modes and traction control; I bought this largely for safety reasons, but my insurers whacked my premium up by 40 quid anyway! Early false neutrals disappeared when everything had bedded in, and the hydraulic clutch is super-light but progressive and with plenty of feel.

I'll admit to not being a fastidious bike-cleaner, so it would be nice to have stainless fasteners instead of galvanised, which are showing signs of rust in places. Rust spots also showed up on one of the fork sliders, which KTM replaced under warranty. Quality seems good overall though, with the notable exception of the plastic petrol tank which distorted for unknown reasons and started leaking fuel from the pump flange. To their credit, KTM replaced it out of warranty - but I'd have been knackered if it had happened abroad because I wouldn't have been allowed on a ferry home while leaking fuel.

I haven't owned another modern bike for comparison but the £8K purchase price, including dinky little OEM panniers and a lowering kit, seemed high-ish but not excessive. Fuel economy of mid 40s mpg in normal use and up to 70 or just over on motorway/autobahn riding is pretty good. Fuel range is 150/180 miles, depending on riding type. Now it's out of warranty I'm using a local bike shop rather than the (very good but quite distant) franchised dealer for servicing when it's outside my capacity to do it myself.

My Duke is, frankly, a bit lacking when it comes to equipment. There were no power sockets and an incredibly weedy horn, and the monochrome LCD dash is angled just right to catch the sun more-or-less wherever it is, and become invisible. The OEM panniers I bought with the bike are about the size of the handbag my granddaughter took to her first prom, and their (mild steel) frame mounting brackets started shedding their single coat of paint very quickly. Finally, because it's quite compact, finding storage for a puncture kit and some extra tools is a real problem.

Excellent road handling. Suspension (rear mainly) could be more confortable but it is efficient.

I do NOT like the low rev behavior of this engine. But if you keep it over 4000 rpm, it's strong, with a lot of torque immediately available. It pulls strong with a very nice sound (OEM exhaust) until 9000rpm! Incredible single.

Only 3000KM, so no probem. When in the market to buy min, I've seen Dukes with more than 30.000KM that were still running strong, so I guess the bike is reliable is you treat her well.

Very expensive for a single, but once again it's the only offer on the market

The "Track Pack" which is only software is an additional 300€ which I think is uncool given the price point of this bike. For the rest, the TFT screen is really nice.

Apart from the seat (powerparts seat makes a big difference, buy it) I love the ride quality. The WPs aren't adjustable but perform real well. Single disk Brembos are very good, not amazing but very good. Plus there's not much mass to stop.

Big thumping single! Agricultural (in a good way) with bags of character and poke. Pops and crackles on overrun. Keep it above 3.5k and you're all good. I've got a twin and an inline four in the garage, but this has most character and my daily go-to ride for short blasts.

Zero problems so far.

Glad I bought the Track Pack which was €250 (I'm in Barcelona). The extra rider modes, ABS modes aren't essential but fun to have. TFT is slick, although in bright direct sun can be difficult to see details. Mirrors are properly ugly and no LED indicators are my only complaints about this bike.

One up and standard suspension was ok, 2 up hopeless reasonable comfort but this is not a long distance bike so for the 1 hour type ride comfort is good enough. Handling one up is ok

Horrible in town, fine on good A and B roads. Gearbox is the worst of the modern road KTM's

Only had the bike for 8 months as i did not like it Nothing went wrong during my ownership

due to my short ownership nothing to add

Poor equipment for price point

This is not a touring bike! (Yes, I've been on reasonably long 600km rides but, wouldn't you rather have a tourer?) For the Alpine roads where I live, it's light and flickable characteristics work just fine round the curves of the mountain roads. It's great in the city as well, as it gets through ridiculously narrow spaces due to it's thin profile. Two hours see's me wanting to get out of the hard seat (KTM Power Parts saddle). In all fairness, after that time the tank may need topping up anyway. The front brakes to me feel somewhat spongy and ineffectual compared to other bikes I've ridden. Unless you are riding slowly, having a presence on the rear brake, for me, is essential for a controlled slowing down or stop.

Gorgeous agricultural sound from the Akropovic exhaust. Brings a smile to my face every ride. Plenty of torque for B roads and mountain curves. The left foot's always busy selecting the correct gear but that's half the fun. This is not a characterless bike!

It's early days as it's only been on the road for 6 months. However, with less than 5,000km on the clock, so far everything has performed very well.

The first oil change after 1200km allowed me to start working through the gears and even though limited to a 14L tank, it's not a big drinker even when opening up the throttle or working the gears thoroughly.

Don't bother with the Power Parts seat as I'm not convinced it's any better than the standard fayre. I elected not to buy the optional TC and variable driving modes in the track pack as I wanted to improve my riding skills first. After 6 months with just ABS I may add it next season. Fascia is ultra clear but needed a shade in the sun. (DigiCharge 6" visor DAL002 works very well). I'd love heated grips which, apparently, are not available.

You need to be able to keep the revs above 3,500 - 4,000. Below that you will be feathering the clutch somewhat, which is not a big problem in itself but if you do a lot of town riding (which I don't) it could become a little tiresome.

Extremely strong for a mid range single cylinder.

No issues as yet.

Engine is excellent, ABS brakes as standard are very welcome, suspension very good as standard and the tyres are very good. The colour display is awesome. The stock exhaust looks and sounds good.