KTM Dukes

[Smooth]

I think that the 690 looks superb and all reviews seem to rave about them
https://www.1000hp.net/magazin/ktm/ktm_duke_2008/ktm_duke690_orange_2008.jpg

The engine is supposed to be good, although it's probably good "for a single". Does anybody ride one of these as their only bike or are they just an uncomfortable hooligan toy?

In the real world, how far ahead is the bigger Super Duke?

As a cheaper alternative, what are the older Dukes like?
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/972/images/[email protected]
Cheers.
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TDM850

[Dr. DaveJPS]

i looked at the 690Duke last year (as I'd fancied a 640 one when i bought my fazer but I couldn't get one for the right price or with the large capacity tank) but this was when they were still quite new so there where no second hand ( singles seem to suffer massive depreciation) and I found I could get a S/h 950sm for my money, and have enough left over to make up the increased insurance cost.
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"intelligent inattention is preferable to unintelligent tinkering"
www.davejps.com

[JAMSXR]

I had the older model, it was great fun but only as a second bike. It would wheelie of the power in 1, 2 and 3, sounded fantastic, handled like it was on rails and was good for just over a tun. I did not like the fact it became uncomfortable after 30-40 minutes of riding and missed the head down high speed thrill of a sports bike.
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Honda SFX50 > Aprilia SR125 > Aprilia RS125 > Honda RFV400 > K4 GSXR600 > KTM Duke > C1H 636 > K3 GSXR1000 > Aprilia RSV-R > Triumph Street Triple R > Ducati 899 Panigale > Aprilia Tuono 1100 > Triumph Daytona 675R > KTM SuperDuke 1290 2.0

[Dom]

I had one of the older ones as a courtesy bike for a day. It felt like a pushbike after my 950 - so light and incredibly quick to turn in. Christ it was vibey though, and seriously uncomfortable by the end of the day. I was very happy to swap the keys back. Definitely second bike material if anything, I wouldn't have wanted that as my only transport. If I was going down that route I'd favour something like an RS250 anyway.

The 690 may well be a totally different kettle of fish though. I've had a brief go on a 690 enduro and that did seem a lot smoother than the old duke. It's probably worth a test ride.
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Photos and that

[Smooth]

as I suspected, they sound like fun, but not something to do 200 miles on.
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TDM850

[Jayy]

I'm selling my ZX6R to purchase a 640 duke in a couple of weeks time. I've ridden a few mates bikes and they're so much fun. I don't use my bike for daily commutes though, only for pleasure so it won't be a problem for me.

Can see what people are saying about not having them as your main bike though.

[JAMSXR]

[Jayy]

haha, I know, that's what I meant, I can see the logic of not having it as a main bike because of all these reasons.

[JAMSXR]