KTM Duke 200 and 690

Two new sporting Singles from Austria.

KTM Duke 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.

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 200 Duke

KTM 200 Duke