Cw First Ride Ktm 690 Duke
CW FIRST RIDE KTM 690 DUKE
IGNITION
FIRST RIDE
It's back, and we couldn't be more pleased
Don Canet
A TIGHT ECONOMY and rising costs at the pump have spurred increased interest in fuel-efficient, single-cylinder streetbikes. Much is also owed the supermoto movement for lending a cool factor and styling flair to the modern one-lunger. These days, riding a Single doesn’t mean settling for pedestrian performance or bland aesthetics.
A prime example of this is the 2013 KTM 690 Duke. The Duke’s strikingly aggressive looks are complemented by the most powerful LC4 four-stroke Single the Austrian manufacturer has ever unleashed.
Low and compact, the bike feels smaller than its predecessor, thanks to a slightly shorter 57.4-inch wheelbase and a dished saddle that’s only 32.7 in. off the pavement. With a dry weight of 337 pounds, the KTM 690 Duke is super agile on twisting tarmac and remarkably easy to maneuver in the garage.
A twist of the lightly sprung throttie delivers impressive acceleration
that raises the bar for a Single. On the Cycle World dyno, the 690 pounded out 63.9 peak horsepower at 7630 rpm and a broad spread of torque ramping up to 48.9 foot-pounds at
5420 rpm. In addition to being fitted with a vibration-damping counter-
balancer, this latest LC4 has an "antihopping” slipper clutch and ride-bywire fuel injection.
The Duke’s overall gearing is wellsuited to everyday riding. A tall top cog, relative smoothness and excellent fueling make the KTM one of the most pleasant Singles we’ve ever ridden on the freeway. Dialing up 5000 rpm on the analog tachometer in sixth gear registers an indicated 75 mph on the digital speedometer.
The chassis provides light handling while maintaining a solid degree of stability. The WP suspension strikes a good balance between performance and comfort with abundant cornering clearance. Now that anti-lock is standard, the Duke is safer; we only wish ABS could be toggled off for unadulterated play.
The Duke is back in town, and its $1900 cheaper than the 2009 model last offered, making it the leastexpensive street-legal KTM.
UNLIKE YOUR TYPICAL DUALSPORT OR SUPERMOTO SINGLE, THE DUKE HAS THE LEGS TO TOP "THE TON" WITH EFFORT!
2013 KTM
690 DUKE
ENGINE TYPE dohc inline-Triple
DISPLACEMENT 690cc
SEAT HEIGHT 32.7 in.
FUEL CAPACITY 3.7 gal.
DRY WEIGHT 337 lb.
PRICE $8999
