Austrian manufacturer, KTM has announced updates for the KTM 690 DUKE 2016. KTM went a long way down the refinement path with the 690 Duke in 2008, but it lost none of its aggressive overtones. For 2012 the 690 Duke was given more extensive makeover with comfort, engine refinement and new technology top of the priority list. But for 2016 the Austrian firm are going even further to broaden the Duke’s appeal. For 2016, the Duke is getting some great updates to bring about more power, more refinement, and less vibrations. This little scalpel just got a bit sharper.
Cosmetically, the KTM 690 DUKE 2016 prototype looks identical to the current generation model, however, this single-cylinder machine receives more engine muscle, although marginally so. For 2016, the KTM 690 Duke’s new power plant remains almost the same size (it’s up 3 cc to 693). It’s also added a second balancer shaft, which KTM decided was now necessary as this new motor configuration produces more power. Speaking of power, the new KTM Duke 690 adds seven percent more horsepower and six percent more torque to the current motor (69 hp and 52 ft.-lbs) and smoothes out power delivery at low revs. That might not sound like a big bump but, with a wet weight of 352 pounds, it will surely be noticeable. KTM has also updated the exhaust to conform to Euro 4 emission standards. At the heart of the 2016 Duke is a new, more powerful and more torquey engine that revs 1000 rpm higher than the current model, and is the largest single-cylinder engine KTM have ever produced.
It’s still a single, but now boasts an extra balancer shaft inside the cylinder head to help reduce engine vibration. This update to the little Duke addresses the vibrations felt by the rider, which was the biggest issue , while also adding more power and a ton of refinement.
While the current model available felt almost crude given its complete lack of care for comfort or amenities, the KTM 690 DUKE 2016 gets an instrument panel and electronic aids package that is up there with the best of them. In its base model configuration, the bike gets Bosch’s fantastic 9M+ switchable ABS, three rider maps, and KTM’s first TFT color screen. Traction control will be available as an option. The power to the rear wheel can be transferred via three riding modes – Street, Sport, and Rain with a flick of a button from the switchgear on the left-side of the handlebar.
KTM also plan to release an R version, which will get fully adjustable WP suspension, higher-spec brakes, and more electronics. With an estimated 72 horsepower or so, the KTM 690 DUKE 2016 will be right up there performance wise with the Yamaha FZ-07, Suzuki SV-650, Ducati Scrambler, and Kawasaki Ninja 650.
The new updates signal the fact that the KTM 690 Duke will not be discontinued soon. Pictures of the KTM 790 Duke with a twin-cylinder motor undergoing testing were posted recently and it was expected that the 690 Duke will be given the boot. But it seems KTM wants to keep diversity in its product portfolio and the largest single-cylinder displacement production motorcycle will continue to enthral bikers.
The post KTM 690 DUKE 2016 REJUVENATED appeared first on Biker Malaysia.
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