2012 KTM 690 Duke - Cheaper, More Powerful, & ABS

After teasing us with some photos and video of its new Duke, KTM finally unveiled the 2012 KTM 690 Duke at EICMA this morning. With 90% of the bike being completely brand new, KTM says the new 690 Duke brings the Austrian company back to its street-naked roots, with an off-road influence of course. Accordingly, at the heart of the KTM 690 Duke is a 690cc LC4 single-cylinder thumper that puts out a crushing 70hp and 51 lbs•ft of torque, while the whole motorcycle package weighs only 330 lbs (without fuel).

Further refining the LC4 single-cylidner motor, KTM has created a new cylinder head, and added a dual-ignition system & ride-by-wire throttle for the 690 Duke. Anti-lock brakes have also been added to the 2012 KTM 690 Duke, as the Austrian company has tapped Bosch to use the Bosch 9M+ ABS package. Lastly, braking power comes from a Brembo radially-mounted caliper with a single 320mm brake disc, while suspension is handle by KTM subsidiary WP, and consists of fully-adjustable 43mm front forks, and a fully-adjustable rear shock.

KTM is continuing its use of a Chromium-Molybdenum steel trellis frame; while overall, the Austrian company has built the 690 Duke to be more durable on the road and more affordable to own (both in price and maintenance) for consumers. Additionally, the 2012 KTM 690 Duke also comes with a larger fuel tank (3.7 gallons), as well as improved fuel economy. Perhaps the only fatal flaw in the old 690, KTM is now boasting a 10,000km (6,200 mile) service interval, which is better a figure, but not a great one.

In person, the KTM 690 Duke is your typical Kiska-polished hooligan machine that looks like it would be a blast on any favorite back road, or when used as a tool of urban destruction. Kiska has certainly found its stride on designing KTM’s graphics package, and the KTM 690 Duke continues the Austrian company’s edgy feel for the street market. It’s just a damn shame that the 2012 KTM 690 Duke isn’t coming to America, because you know…naked bikes don’t sell in the USA (insert eye roll here).