My 690 Duke Review. (lengthy) - Page 2

mminob · 08-26-2011, 02:28 PM

Great bike to improve your corner speed skills at the track...Try doing some trackdays at a kart track or smaller road course with twisty tight stuff...This bike has to be ridden hard to really understand it's potential as one of the funnest street bikes ever sold...Congradulations and I really want a Duke 690 R...

Florida Lime · 08-26-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mminob

Great bike to improve your corner speed skills at the track...Try doing some trackdays at a kart track or smaller road course with twisty tight stuff...This bike has to be ridden hard to really understand it's potential as one of the funnest street bikes ever sold...Congradulations and I really want a Duke 690 R...

I had a Duke II, and did several trackdays with it. Nothing like passing the bigger bikes on the outside - as long as you could hold them off for a straight section.

I'd love a 690R also, but I just checked again, and KTM doesn't even list the regular 690 anymore......

sportmotogear · 09-14-2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florida Lime

I had a Duke II, and did several trackdays with it. Nothing like passing the bigger bikes on the outside - as long as you could hold them off for a straight section.

I'd love a 690R also, but I just checked again, and KTM doesn't even list the regular 690 anymore......

Why am I always attracted to the unobtanium?

misanthropic · 09-14-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportmotogear

Why am I always attracted to the unobtanium?

Action Motorsports in Decatur has one for sale. Edit, it's a regular 690 Duke.

Damo108 · 04-08-2012, 09:31 PM

Greetings all,
I recently purchase a new 2010 Duke 690, all black and I am expecting delivery this coming week. I discovered this review months ago and it solidified my choice and confirmed what I new all along...I had found what I had been looking for after years of searching.
Something slick, tough, raw and powerful gracefully balanced in a machine. Funny, I originally discovered the duke as a toy my 5 year old brought home from Wally World over a year ago. I still have the little 1/38 scale Duke 690 and it served as a great little tool as I day dreamed every day of when I would get a chance to try one out. Finally last fall 2011, I had an opportunity to test ride one and I loved it!! Started saving up and found a great deal out of Pennsylvania. And now my Duke is on its way here as I type, I am exrtemely excited.
I grew up riding dirt bikes as a kid and teenager and trotted around town in high school on little Yamaha 250 cc street bike out of the 80's. Been mainly a summer rider through the years, catching a few long riding weekends with my dad on his HD and Honda from time to time. Now I am getn some wheels of my own, more my flavor, needless to say its going to be a great summer here in Houston, TX as I plan to spin out some miles breaking in my new road mustang!

Terrytori, how has the Duke treated you, assuming you still have one, be cool to get an update.

Your Ever Well Wisher,
Damo

Minimike · 06-10-2012, 05:04 AM

Both my brother & my son have 690 Duke's and I've been having bike envy. Especially when I'm trying to keep up on mountain roads.

Son decided to sell his, since it's not much of a two up bike. I knew there was a reason we put the Leo Vince can, CRG Levers, and the Orange Giant Loop tank bag on it.

He's bring it up to the mountains in a couple of weeks and dad's going to help him out by taking it off his hands.

Don't know where I'm going to store it; but, sacrifices must be made sometimes. Guess the riding mower is going to be sitting under a tarp. Will post a picture of the bike on the Cherohala Skyway in a couple weeks.

minimike

996DL · 06-10-2012, 10:53 AM

A new to you 690 Duke, in the hills and roads of Tennessee, almost sounds like cheating to me...

Sourced a 61 Duo Glide, out of the Tri City area in early eighties,
from a wonderful gentleman and the local riding looked to die for !

Congratulations !

996DL

HyperPete · 06-10-2012, 01:41 PM

aah, mind ticking away...KTM appear to have brought only a few of these into Oz, i love the white one (current model)

took one for a very short ride recently, the deal didnt go ahead for silly reasons, but this report confirms what i thought it would be like, so nice of you to rekindle a dream in me.

.. I am now feeling old and mature

and pondering between this lovely toy and the new Ninja 1000...come spring time could be fun time...

Great review/report by the way!

Minimike · 06-11-2012, 06:27 AM

Raining today. Going to web surf for 690 Duke farkles.

HyperPete · 06-15-2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperPete

aah, mind ticking away...KTM appear to have brought only a few of these into Oz, i love the white one (current model)

took one for a very short ride recently, the deal didnt go ahead for silly reasons, but this report confirms what i thought it would be like, so nice of you to rekindle a dream in me.

.. I am now feeling old and mature

and pondering between this lovely toy and the new Ninja 1000...come spring time could be fun time...

Great review/report by the way!

Just editing the above mentioned dream...

I've secured a new White 2012 model today, gotta travel a few miles to get it (only 250), but...most likely pick it up NEXT weekend, so much for a mature desicion to wait for spring time

,we're about to get into the middle of winter here, but..its riding weather year round most of the time...and, I'm only 1 KM from the best road in Oz, the Oxley Highway, think that would get me back in the mood and running in the new baby

I'm thrilled, cant wait

(pic borrowed from google, thanks)

Minimike · 06-17-2012, 06:19 AM

Post some pics when you get your new ride!

tobyyarwood · 06-18-2012, 01:19 AM

Please don't call Oscar Wilde a paedophile, he was in love with a young man. A paedophile is someone who is sexually attracted to children!

Terrytori · 06-18-2012, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damo108

Terrytori, how has the Duke treated you, assuming you still have one, be cool to get an update.

Damon... the Duke treated me just fine until I had hernia surgery and had a big hunk o' Teflon mesh stapled
onto my mid section. After that, slinging a leg over it was... well... Uncomfortable.

I offed it, and got another Sporty to work on.

Question is... Would I now buy another?

I think it's the scooter equivalent of a Lotus Exige... Scalpel sharp, and riotous fun... for an hour/ 90 minutes.

Although seemingly light years apart, I would seriously consider a WR 250 X, instead. Nowhere near the grunt but
same giggle factor in the kinky bits and a whole lot less demanding on a daily basis. I've logged lots of miles on that Yammie and think it wonderful.

HyperPete · 06-24-2012, 03:48 AM

Picked it up Saturday afternoon, did 300 of the 450km home, saving the fun bits for Sunday, getting down to minus 4c added to the need to enjoy a warm country club over night stay

Talk about fun! fits me very well, great handing, comes with Pilot Powers, the throttle mode is good for cruising and endless twisters..only 500km, so far I'm

impressed

Cortez · 06-24-2012, 06:38 AM

I hope it's better then the old model, since they screwed up
the looks (subjective stuff, I know), I hope they made it ride
better at least.

Not that it needed to be better or anything, it's an amazing
bike even in the old edition.

I'd just want to see how the 690cc engine goes compared to
the 650cc in the old bike.

..and if I could afford a used 690R.. omg..

08-26-2011, 02:28 PM	#16
mminob Adventurer Joined: Mar 2011 Location: Ocean Beach,California Oddometer: 54	Supermoto Hooligin for Fun... Great bike to improve your corner speed skills at the track...Try doing some trackdays at a kart track or smaller road course with twisty tight stuff...This bike has to be ridden hard to really understand it's potential as one of the funnest street bikes ever sold...Congradulations and I really want a Duke 690 R... Attached Images

04-08-2012, 09:31 PM	#20
Damo108 n00b Joined: Dec 2011 Oddometer: 2	New 2010 Duke, on its way home!!! Greetings all, I recently purchase a new 2010 Duke 690, all black and I am expecting delivery this coming week. I discovered this review months ago and it solidified my choice and confirmed what I new all along...I had found what I had been looking for after years of searching. Something slick, tough, raw and powerful gracefully balanced in a machine. Funny, I originally discovered the duke as a toy my 5 year old brought home from Wally World over a year ago. I still have the little 1/38 scale Duke 690 and it served as a great little tool as I day dreamed every day of when I would get a chance to try one out. Finally last fall 2011, I had an opportunity to test ride one and I loved it!! Started saving up and found a great deal out of Pennsylvania. And now my Duke is on its way here as I type, I am exrtemely excited. I grew up riding dirt bikes as a kid and teenager and trotted around town in high school on little Yamaha 250 cc street bike out of the 80's. Been mainly a summer rider through the years, catching a few long riding weekends with my dad on his HD and Honda from time to time. Now I am getn some wheels of my own, more my flavor, needless to say its going to be a great summer here in Houston, TX as I plan to spin out some miles breaking in my new road mustang! Terrytori, how has the Duke treated you, assuming you still have one, be cool to get an update. Your Ever Well Wisher, Damo

06-10-2012, 05:04 AM	#21
Minimike Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Tellico Plains, TN Oddometer: 857	Both my brother & my son have 690 Duke's and I've been having bike envy. Especially when I'm trying to keep up on mountain roads. Son decided to sell his, since it's not much of a two up bike. I knew there was a reason we put the Leo Vince can, CRG Levers, and the Orange Giant Loop tank bag on it. He's bring it up to the mountains in a couple of weeks and dad's going to help him out by taking it off his hands. Don't know where I'm going to store it; but, sacrifices must be made sometimes. Guess the riding mower is going to be sitting under a tarp. Will post a picture of the bike on the Cherohala Skyway in a couple weeks. minimike __________________ Tellico Motorcycle Outfitters 106a Scott Street Tellico Plains, TN 37385 423-253-2088 http://tellicomoto.com The great riding pleasure is "to crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women", all from a smaller, less powerful bike.

06-10-2012, 01:41 PM	#23
HyperPete Studly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Walcha, Australia Oddometer: 646	aah, mind ticking away...KTM appear to have brought only a few of these into Oz, i love the white one (current model) took one for a very short ride recently, the deal didnt go ahead for silly reasons, but this report confirms what i thought it would be like, so nice of you to rekindle a dream in me. .. I am now feeling old and mature and pondering between this lovely toy and the new Ninja 1000...come spring time could be fun time... Great review/report by the way! __________________ 2012 KTM 690 DUKE

06-11-2012, 06:27 AM	#24
Minimike Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Tellico Plains, TN Oddometer: 857	Raining today. Going to web surf for 690 Duke farkles. __________________ Tellico Motorcycle Outfitters 106a Scott Street Tellico Plains, TN 37385 423-253-2088 http://tellicomoto.com The great riding pleasure is "to crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women", all from a smaller, less powerful bike.

06-10-2012, 10:53 AM	#22
996DL Buell me Joined: Aug 2006 Location: too far from the Rockies... Oddometer: 2,020	A new to you 690 Duke, in the hills and roads of Tennessee, almost sounds like cheating to me... Sourced a 61 Duo Glide, out of the Tri City area in early eighties, from a wonderful gentleman and the local riding looked to die for ! Congratulations ! 996DL

06-17-2012, 06:19 AM	#26
Minimike Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Tellico Plains, TN Oddometer: 857	Post some pics when you get your new ride! __________________ Tellico Motorcycle Outfitters 106a Scott Street Tellico Plains, TN 37385 423-253-2088 http://tellicomoto.com The great riding pleasure is "to crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women", all from a smaller, less powerful bike.

06-18-2012, 01:19 AM	#27
tobyyarwood n00b Joined: Nov 2007 Oddometer: 1	Please don't call Oscar Wilde a paedophile Please don't call Oscar Wilde a paedophile, he was in love with a young man. A paedophile is someone who is sexually attracted to children!

06-24-2012, 03:48 AM	#29
HyperPete Studly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Walcha, Australia Oddometer: 646	new baby arrived this weekend! Picked it up Saturday afternoon, did 300 of the 450km home, saving the fun bits for Sunday, getting down to minus 4c added to the need to enjoy a warm country club over night stay Talk about fun! fits me very well, great handing, comes with Pilot Powers, the throttle mode is good for cruising and endless twisters..only 500km, so far I'm impressed __________________ 2012 KTM 690 DUKE

06-24-2012, 06:38 AM	#30
Cortez BAZINGA! Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Croatia Oddometer: 3,898	I hope it's better then the old model, since they screwed up the looks (subjective stuff, I know), I hope they made it ride better at least. Not that it needed to be better or anything, it's an amazing bike even in the old edition. I'd just want to see how the 690cc engine goes compared to the 650cc in the old bike. ..and if I could afford a used 690R.. omg.. __________________ '12 Kymco Downtown 300i ABS, '08 Yamaha FZ6n S2 ABS SOLD: '03 Peugeot Speedfight2, '07 Kawasaki ER6F ABS, '06 Kymco Agility 125 My Flickr gallery

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