Which thumper for me?

[toma nova]

Work changes will drastically affect my riding for the next few years - I'm likely to be working a continent away from my family for months at a time so any riding will be limited to commuting when back at home and occasional 4-6 hours rides and maybe one trackday a year.  I'd expect about 2000 miles a year max.

I'll be selling the MG but want to keep something in the garage.  I had a blast with my KLX250 motard and am thinking something similar with a little more power and longer legs.  I've never had a KTM so why not?  I'd want either 19/17 wheels for combo street and dirt or two sets of wheels (knobbies and 17s) that can be changed in less than 30 minutes.  I'm 6'3" 200lbs. with a long inseam so 35" seat heights don't bother me.  I don't need two-up but do need a topcase or tailpack.

What KTM models fit?  How old of a bike is too old, reliability wise?  I'm also considering a DRZ400SM - any other interesting lightweight bikes out there?

TIA,
Tom

[Sport-Touring]

[miles]

Get the Duke 690.

[R Doug]

Get the Duke 690.

 

You can do a lot worse and little better than this for a great all-rounder.  

[mugwump58]

  It's on my short short list.

[falconati]

I'd get the Duke, too.

[coho]

I'd get the Duke, too.

When it comes to wisely spending motorsports related money the little yellow baller has strong kung fu.
I'd listen to Pikachu.

[toma nova]

I'm finally ready to find my next bike, 690 Duke.  I've been reading the KTM forums but am not clear on the changes from Gen 1 to current - can someone summarize for me?  Engine, seat, suspension pros / cons?  R vs. standard?

Thanks for the help.

[mugwump58]

Get your hands on the May 2013 issue of Motorcycle Consumer News, the one published in the USA.

[Flyer]

Recently did a KTM demo day, where I sampled the 690 Duke and the RC8.
Really liked the Duke. It was light and nimble (coming off my MTS12), and not nearly as "vibey" as I'd thought it might be.
Chaperoned demos aren't the best way to evaluate a bike, but when the guard wasn't lookin', I did manage to accelerate to 7.5krpm second through third gear, and was very impressed with it's scoot!
The handling felt rock solid. Great feel from the front, and powerful, progressive and easy to modulate front and rear brakes.I didn't try it two-up, but the sales-dude swears it'll handle it fine. I'm not convinced on that point, and the rear seat camoflages it's limitations poorly.
It has a complete lack of wind protection, and would get tiresome on the highway. I can only imagine a windshield would ruin it's dead sexy looks...
But for the last two points...I could be wooed away from the Italian stallion with this one.

[nevinfs327]

My brother has a '14 690 Duke.  Used to commute daily across the city (all urban), day rides up and down the coast, long weekends into the Sierras, and most recently to cross the country from San Francisco to the Jersey Shore.  Some two-up which was fine for shorter trips of 50 or 60 miles.  

I only put on 150 miles or so, but enjoyed the bike.  A little too upright for me.  Power was more than suitable for normal speeds.  Good for low 90s for several hours on end in the Nevada high desert  .  That said, my Street Triple just walked away from it in a few roll on "tests" (closed course, professional riders, etc.).

Suspension and brakes just plain worked - no shortcomings, but nothing that stood out as exceptional.  I did time as a pillion twice in town and it was fine except for butt numbing vibes in start stop traffic.  

He is throwing in the KTM cam kit with his valve adjustment.  Just ordered it, but will see what that means on the power front.

[Indefatigable]

The new 2016 Duke 690 looks even better.  They added a second balance shaft in the head for even better vibe control.  TC, ABS, handlebar switchable ride modes as well.  New valve train design means no more removing the cam to adjust the valves.  

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ktm/2016-ktm-690-duke-690-duke-r-first-ride-review.html/attachment/120215-2016-ktm-690-duke-duke-r-194

[Volfy]

The new 2016 Duke 690 looks even better.  They added a second balance shaft in the head for even better vibe control.  TC, ABS, handlebar switchable ride modes as well.  New valve train design means no more removing the cam to adjust the valves.  

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ktm/2016-ktm-690-duke-690-duke-r-first-ride-review.html/attachment/120215-2016-ktm-690-duke-duke-r-194

Word is the 690 Enduro will get this new engine next year.

[Indefatigable]

I think the 2016 Duke 690 will be my next bike.  I stopped by my locale KTM dealer yesterday but they said they don’t expect the 2016 model until March or April.  

[Indefatigable]

Deposit placed on the 2016 Duke.  It should be in by mid to late February.  

[expatbrit]

Deposit placed on the 2016 Duke.  It should be in by mid to late February.

Nice!! Looking forward to the ride report.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Indefatigable]

Nice 2016 Duke 690 review starting at page 74.  

http://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/625324-cycle-news-2016-issue-01-january-12

[Hotbrakes]

If I could have only one bike the 690 Duke would be it.  Comfy, light, nimble, practical.  Light enough to do some light dual sporting with mild knobbies, cool enough to be seen in public on, and I'm sure it's a blast on the track.

The local KTM dealer got 3 of them two years ago thinking they would sell like hotcakes.  Nope.  They're collecting dust, the motorcycling community is so polarized and its sad.  Crotch rocket or cruiser.  I imagine the FZ-09 recruited anyone considering the Duke and rightly so.  

[Volfy]

Problem is $9k is a lot of benjamins for a single cylinder naked street bike.  Regardless of the "naked" craze the industry is in right now, at least here in the States, nakeds just don't sell in great numbers.  Great bike it might be, but the mini-Duke occupy the small top-end niche of an already small niche market.

[Roadscum]

Problem is $9k is a lot of benjamins for a single cylinder naked street bike.  Regardless of the "naked" craze the industry is in right now, at least here in the States, nakeds just don't sell in great numbers.  Great bike it might be, but the mini-Duke occupy the small top-end niche of an already small niche market.

...When nut'n but the best will do!  Why not?  

Waiting for the local dealer to locate a '16 for me.  

Paul