KTM Duke 690R

The Austrians were among the first to recognize the opportunity offered by the modern single-cylinder four-stroke engine around 1994. With extensive experience driving off-road motorcycles, it was installed in the Mattighofn in the then-new Duke 620 model, which became their best seller. In 22 years they have sold more than 50.000 pieces! The volume of the unit grew over the years: the first had 620 cubic centimeters, the second had 640, and the last in a row in 2008 had 690 cubic centimeters. The latest '2016 Duk has 25 percent new parts, while the L4 engine has as much as half of it. The bend of the unit, which has a different head, a shorter stroke of the forged piston with an updated fuel supply system, grows moderately, but the truth is that with a more decisive spin-up, the engine becomes quite jerky. But the whole package does not tolerate aggressive rampage: it is designed for active driving and / or moderate cruising. For this, the house's traditional steel bar frame and front Brembo single brake with two-channel Bosch ABS are adapted. Like its larger brothers, Duke is equipped with electronics, so the driver can choose from three driving modes: Sport, Street and Rain. The first two have the same power peak, but the power delivery is a bit softer outdoors.

It was nice to whistle on the wide ridges of the road above Koper, but the Duke proved itself on more winding and closed roads. Here its design comes to the fore; easy in the hands, stable in and out of turns. It is true, however, that he prefers more winding country roads and urban twists than the likes of a straight highway. Compared to the standard model, the R model is slightly sportier, but still "off-road" due to slightly offset legs and differently adjusted suspension. The two models differ mainly in hardware (electronic). It will especially appeal to young people for its attractive, sharp-edged look. And that's exactly what Duke is designed for in the first place.

text: Primozh Jurman, photo: Petr Kavchich