| KTM, Austria's sports bike maker, is planning to launch | | | | or braking hard. The bike does not pitch or wallow |
| its bike as a joint venture with Bajaj in India. Initially | | | | too much, and the single 320mm front brake disc |
| KTM will launch Duke 690 in the Indian motorcycle | | | | offers adequate stopping power. |
| market. KTM Duke 690 will largely be developed at | | | | Steering accuracy at high speeds and stability in fast |
| Bajaj’s Chakan, India plant and will be marketed | | | | corners is exemplary. The lightweight (149kg) Duke |
| through Bajaj’s Probiking showrooms. This joint | | | | gives you the confidence to ride it as hard as you |
| venture of KTM and Bajaj may be extended to | | | | want. And yet, the suspension is not too hard or too |
| manufacture scooters as well. | | | | soft – it’s just right for twisty mountain |
| The new 690 Duke has the pleasure of introducing | | | | roads and even works well on the racetrack, should |
| itself as one unique-looking motorcycle with | | | | you take the bike to one. Top speed is around |
| performance to match. KTM made the revamp visible | | | | 180km/h, which isn’t too bad. Overall, the KTM |
| by building a new frame and fitting the bike with new | | | | 690 Duke is just beautiful – the perfect |
| fairings and seat, but what really makes this bike | | | | single-cylinder bike… |
| stand out is its powerful new engine together with | | | | The current generation Duke has the LC4 engine, |
| the strong sound coming from a new under engine | | | | which is a huge improvement over the previous one. |
| exhaust. | | | | Sixty-five horses may not sound much, but when |
| Riding Impressions: | | | | you have a bike that weighs just 148kilos and |
| Powered by KTM’s 654 cc, 65 bhp LC4 | | | | handles like a dream with top spec WP suspension, it |
| single-cylinder engine, the 690 Duke is light, agile and | | | | translates into loads of excitement. During the ride, |
| fun to ride. Perhaps more fun than the 65 bhp power | | | | every corner I rode through was an experience. |
| output may suggest. Motociclismo tested the bike | | | | Even the small forest road we took had me enjoying |
| recently, and here are some excerpts from what | | | | every bit of the bike. |
| they have to say about it: | | | | Earlier, the Duke did show a quick 180 km / h with |
| The 690 Duke can be surprisingly tempting. It looks | | | | another 20 or so to come, but anything over 130-140 |
| better than its other 690-series cousins, has better | | | | km / h means straining your neck muscles. The ratios |
| ergonomics and a character that’s all its own. | | | | of the six-speed box are nicely spread. The bike also |
| Mechanically, the Duke seems to vibrate a bit less | | | | has a three way power mode switch under the seat |
| than other 690 bikes of KTM. | | | | for three different fuel mappings. Already, enthusiasts |
| On the move, the bike feels responsive – twist | | | | around biking forums are looking forward to the |
| the throttle and the small Duke picks up speed | | | | Duke. Start saving as the bike will be here sooner |
| immediately – it almost makes you forget | | | | than you can imagine. |
| you’re riding a bike with a 65bhp single-cylinder | | | | KTM first introduced the Duke in 1994 as a |
| engine. Wind protection is non-existent, but otherwise | | | | supermoto bike featuring a 609 cc single-cylinder |
| the Duke can be as suitable for longer rides as some | | | | which came to life using a kick start. It was the |
| of the bigger, more powerful bikes. | | | | manufacturer’s first stock supermoto machine |
| With firmer, shorter-travel suspension than other | | | | and it could be easily distinguished due to its unique |
| KTM 690s, the Duke feels better when accelerating | | | | styling and spoked wheels. |