2013 KTM 690 Duke questions!

[From A Riders View]

So I currently ride a CBR250R, I'm looking to upgrade to a more powerful and capable bike. I went to look at the new 2013 600rr at a Honda dealer the other day, but when I walked in there were about 40 KTMs sitting in front of me...so I sat on a 690 Duke and really like it.

A friend of mine however seems to think that I'd be digging my own grave with it because it's a KTM and they're supposed to be unreliable. I've done some searching and most problems seem to be minor warranty issues, or engines grenading...the engines seem to be rare and a very repeated story.

I really like the Duke, the dealer I went to had a Reps 2013 there (not supposed to be out for 2 months, but I'm in New England and don't have winter gear so I wouldn't be riding for at least that long anyway...).

So, all that I ask is that you share your OWN experiences with these bikes, or more specifically the 690 motors (I think the main thing that needs to be reliable), and if you don't have your own experiences and feel like sharing another riders, please just provide a link to their story. Thanks much for your help, stay safe!

[rufus]

[QUOTE

A friend of mine however seems to think that I'd be digging my own grave with it because it's a KTM and they're supposed to be unreliable. [/QUOTE]



I keep reading this on the internet................but let me tell you about my experience.
I bought a new 03 525 exc in 2002. I sold it a couple of months ago. It was without a doubt the most reliable trouble free bike i have ever owned. Moreso than the honda xr 600 i had before it, or any of the other 30 or so bikes i have owned. I had a 990 adventiure for a couple of years. i only put about 10,00 miles on it but hod NO problems. I just bought a low miles 06 525 and would not hesitate to ride it anywhere. I rode my 03 from tulsa to oregon on the trans am trail. I have been a dirt rider for nearly 40 years. 90% of the guys i know ride KTMs now. MOSTLY because they so reliable. A friend of mine put over 80 races on his KTM with nothing but fresh oil and air filters. No motor work at all. Got to a local enduro and ask around. You wil talk to many many riders who ride/race the same KTM for years without a single problem.

[nevgriff64]

Welcome to the Forum From A Riders View.

Lets move this over to Thumpers for you mate. Orange Crush is for the 950/990 Twins.

[From A Riders View]

Originally Posted by nevgriff64

Welcome to the Forum From A Riders View.

Lets move this over to Thumpers for you mate. Orange Crush is for the 950/990 Twins.

Thanks, I just saw "KTM" and posted there Thanks for helping!

[mrbreeze]

I must say I am curious about this bike. I don't mean to be nosy, but what is the price? I have found lots of info on the Duke online, but no one ever mentioons $$$.

Is it free?

thanks

[motocityktm]

2013 KTM 690 Duke MSRP is $8999 and will be available in white or black.

[From A Riders View]

Yes, MSRP is $8,999 in the US. I'll probably end up getting the black version if I get one :)

[Dotbond]

Main question is, what sort of riding do you do, or plan on doing. The 690 will be a real hoot around town and on the open road twisties. I have a 2012 690 Enduro and it is a blast. Sod all vibration as well.
The Duke doesn't have a fairing like the Honda, will that worry you on a cold and windy day?

[TheMuffinMan]

They are reliable. I wouldn't say as reliable as a 600 japanese bike but unless you do more than 60,000 miles there's nothing to worry about and even then many have gone longer without issue. I have the dirt bike version of the Duke and it's phenomenal. The power to weight ratio makes it very fun to ride.


The dirt bike version is stupidly easy to work on, not sure about the Duke but a few extra plastic bits can't be too hard to take off.

Do it I say! But I may be biased

[mcftw]

Originally Posted by TheMuffinMan

They are reliable. I wouldn't say as reliable as a 600 japanese bike but unless you do more than 60,000 miles there's nothing to worry about and even then many have gone longer without issue. I have the dirt bike version of the Duke and it's phenomenal. The power to weight ratio makes it very fun to ride.

I definitely agree with this.

If there was ever a 650 single made for the street, it was definitely the 690.

[From A Riders View]

Originally Posted by Dotbond

Main question is, what sort of riding do you do, or plan on doing. The 690 will be a real hoot around town and on the open road twisties. I have a 2012 690 Enduro and it is a blast. Sod all vibration as well.
The Duke doesn't have a fairing like the Honda, will that worry you on a cold and windy day?

I'm not sure. I currently ride a 2012 CBR250R, the fairing doesn't do too much but it helps a bit. I've ridden that think from Mass to Maine (5 hours of highway) in 30-40 degree temps...that wasn't too fun since I don't really have any cold weather motorcycle gear (I was wearing my leathers over a few layers of thermals and wind blocking gear

Anyways, I have a full face Shoei, and wear full leather gear...I don't think the lack of fairing will be that bad. I'm looking at moving more south as well, I'll use it a lot in the town/city (in college), but also love to take it into the twisties (live in the White Mountains up in NH).

Do you guys think an extended warranty would be a good idea?

Also, I take my bike EVERYWHERE. I put 3,600 miles on my 250, 1,000 were done within the first 10 days of owning it. I only got to ride for about a month, maybe a month and a half last year...and I only did went on the highway for one trip (down and back).

[mcftw]

If you're mainly riding in town and in twisties, you won't find many better (more fun) bikes. But I could see why your friend warned you...he didn't want you to have too much more fun than him

[micah360]

man... I have been seriously drooling over this bike to.... It looks great.

[From A Riders View]

Originally Posted by mcftw

If you're mainly riding in town and in twisties, you won't find many better (more fun) bikes. But I could see why your friend warned you...he didn't want you to have too much more fun than him

Haha possibly! He just got a DRZ400 and sold his SV650 last year when I bought my 250.

Anybody else want to share their experiences?