So I've had my SF for a year and I'm getting the itch for more power. I've read a lot about the new KTM 690 duke and it looks like a really awesome bike. Considering what I use my SF for (commuting back and forth to work on surface streets, very little highway) it seems like the Duke would hit the spot but with a lot more power. I don't really know anything other than what I've read on the net and some reviews which have been generally positive. Does anyone here have any experience with one? Anyone have any opinions on this?

 

I don't have a lot of info for you, but a few years ago I did get to borrow a 690 Duke for about ten minutes. I fell in love with that thing! That bike is hot, high strung, and hard edged. Totally addictive throbby torque, and tight handling chassis. I'd say go for it! The KLX is fun in the "ride a slow bike fast" sense, in that you can wring it out, ride around with the throttle pinned, and still keep it legal. The Duke will have all the power you'd need for any sort of hooligan hijinx you'd ever want to try.

 

How much money do you have to pay fines? LOL

 

hahaha, so true. That would be $100 per wheelie, so your ticket is $1000 sir. Have a good day.

 

Take a look at the Husaberg 570 while you are looking....

 

If you drive mostly on pavement, why are you looking at a DS bike? I would look at a VStrom/Versys/other that have a nice cockpit & more power. There are a lot of bikes out there if your not doing dirt.

 

The duke is more of a naked bike less of a dual sport really but anyways I like the upright riding position. I would have considered the Vstrom/versys, but they're both ugly (my opinion), overweight (Verysys is 125 lbs heavier than the duke, 150 heavier than my KLX!) and under powered. I've considered the Husqvarna 450/510 SMR and Husaberg but I think they're a bit to high strung to be commuters. The KTM has a surprisingly reasonable maintenance schedule, 5000 KM oil changes and 10000 KM valve checks. If I remember correctly the SMR needs the connecting rod and piston replaced every 15 hours or something crazy. The main reason I tend to look at dual sport/motard type bikes is the light weight/easy handling and the riding position. The KTM duke has 65 hp and only weighs 25 lbs more than our KLXs. Its got a 3.5 gallon tank and according to the reviews I've read can go 200 miles on a tank, so most poeple are getting close to 60 mpg. I'm trying to find a downside of the KTM and the only one I can think of is that it wouldn't be a good highway cruiser but I don't need the bike for that anyways. There's always the WR250X but I don't think it would be worth the hassle because with a 351 big bore kit you can get pretty much to the the WRs power. The ducati hypermotard is about the only other bike I think thats close. I don't know if I could own a ducati though, friend of mine bought a new 848 a few years ago and it had a TON of problems. He had it for about a year then got tired of making payments on a bike that was always in the shop so he traded it in on a GSXR750.

 

My opinion is the vstrom will drive circles around a duke on the highway, a little wt is not so important on the hywy. But you are going to be the one riding it.

 

That may be true but highway performance is about the last thing I need in a bike. I want the bike to blast around the city and get to work. I only take the highway if I have to. My KLX has 3k miles on it, probably 100 of those are on the highway.

 

Well I just called the dealer today to go check it out and they sold it. &$%! They had a left over 2009 for 7999$ Dang. Looks like the 250 lives another day.