Motorcycle specifications KTM690 DUKE 2012 The age of reason?

phase 4 for the Duke, a clear turning point in its career. Less wild, more polished, more trendy, the design abandons its exacerbated side to become progressively 'roadsterized'. From its origins as a supermot, the Duke has become less extreme, while retaining its originality. The influence of the small 125 is evident, softening the 690's aretes throughout. It's as if the mini gave birth to the big one.

look at its new face - it sums up the philosophy of this Duke '4': more human, less extrovert, sincerely different. The previous version had all the makings of an alien in the world of roadsters. Softer, the new one is still a toy with a touch of consensualism. Formerly under the engine, the pot has been moved to the side of the rear wheel. Suspension travel has been reduced from 140 mm to 135 mm, and the seat has been lowered by 30 mm to 83.5 cm from the ground. A more affordable Duke? Certainly, but still marginal. The Katoche is still a curiosity, with its dry, lively single. Taken from the old 690 R, the LC4 is equipped with dual ignition and spits out 5 more horsepower. Its name really gives away its displacement, and its single piston delivers a punchy 70 bhp at 7,500 rpm. Almost as good as a twin of the same displacement from a Kawa or Suzuki roadster. Bonus: its service interval has been extended to 10,000 kms.

the technical aspects remain the same: inverted fork, steel trellis frame, punchy mono, radial braking with a single front disc, but only 150 kilos on the scales. Granted, the Duke gained 1.5 kg in the process. But we won't hold that against it; it's 20 to 30 kilos lighter than the competition. It's a real toy, both fun and efficient. KTM has added a new, more comfortable saddle, ABS, reworked engine electronics with several (new) mappings and ride-by-wire, a panoply of street- or road-oriented accessories, and to win over the public, the factory has pulled out the ultimate weapon: price. Completely new, the 4th-generation Duke costs 500 euros less, and is up to 1,200 euros less than the 2011 R version, from which it takes the engine. It loses some of its exclusivity, but remains a Duke, an offbeat machine in motorcycle production, previously reserved for connoisseurs, now for the curious, gamers and fun drivers.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos