KTM Duke 200 and 690

KTM’s Duke family is growing fast. Last year, there were just two models, one at each end of the displacement range: 125 Duke and 990 SuperDuke R. Now, the gap has been partly filled with the introduction of the new 200 Duke and 690 Duke.

The 200 Duke exploits the well-balanced rolling gear of the 125 Duke; it is, in short, a 125 Duke on steroids. The 200 only weighs 278 pounds, just 4 more than the 125. But its 200cc mill generates 26 horsepower at 10,000 rpm (plus 11 hp) and 14.7 foot-pounds of torque (plus 5.9 ft.-lb.) at 6800 rpm. The 3200-rpm spread between peak torque and peak power solidly underlines the excellent flexibility of this engine and should qualify the 200 Duke as a very functional urban commuter for fuel-consumption-conscious grownups with a taste for zippy performance and fun on two wheels.

Next step on the displacement ladder is the 690 Duke. With 70 hp at 7500 rpm and 51.6 ft.-lb. of torque at 5500, this is a serious Thumper. Thank goodness it is fitted with an electric starter! The 690 Duke promises to be a very hot performer, given its claimed dry weight of 329 pounds.

Wheelbase spans a substantial 57.7 inches, surprisingly exceeding that of the V-Twin 990 Duke by more than half an inch. The 690 also has more-relaxed front-end geometry: 26.6 degrees of rake and 4.5 inches of trail vs. the 990’s 22.7 degrees and 3.7 inches. The 690 rides on 120/70-17 and 160/60-17 Michelin Pilot Sport radials mounted on five-spoke cast aluminum Marchesini wheels. Stopping power is supplied by a Brembo radial-mount four-piston caliper pinching a single 320mm disc. A slipper clutch is also standard.

Thanks to its substantial torque and light weight, the 690 Duke is expected to compete with the Ducati Monster 696 and maybe even the 796.