I've only sat on this bike, read a few reviews. In 2016 KTM revised this bike with improvements to the engine. Said to be much smoother than previous generation, more HP and torque too.

So, what's it like?

For me KTM Duke styling has always been good. I owned a KTM Duke ll from 2001 to 2003. Great, no problems ... but was not good as a travel bike. Not ideal carrying anything more than a Toothbrush.

I don't think this current versions is much different either in that regard. I would only use this bike for ON ROAD rides, nothing more challenging than a smooth dirt road for off road. 2 to 5 day rides maximum, so no long tours, no international travel planned.

I worry about comfort on long rides and if a good custom seat can be fitted.
Haven't seen any as of yet, very few of these running round here.
Also have to figure out a way to pack small panniers ...tail bag ... or something? for my short tours. Any ideas? Experience?

Other question is reliability and servicing.
How much can I do myself? I've owned a lot of bikes, have some skills and tools ... but don't want to get into more technical stuff. I probably could manage doing a valve check/adjustment if pushed. Coolant and Oil changes not a problem.

I also hear suspension on this new 690 Duke still needs attention, would have to be revalved front and rear to be make it world class.
Anyone here ride or own this new gen KTM 690?

Hi,

I'm by no means an expert but I've read in several places that picking the Husqvarna 701 Enduro is the better choice. Essentially the same bike but with a lot of improvements.

it's not ktm 690 enduro R which is discontinued but 690 Duke, different bikes.



Mollydog, Duke is really sharp looking bike indeed

Oh.

I am interested, too. Bike-less for a month now. New Duke 690 is looking good, but I am scared about reliability and longevity of the engine.

With KTM this is a valid concern, IMO. My solution was to buy an extended service contract/warranty from the dealer.

In USA I think KTM offer 2 year factory warranty on new bikes. On my first KTM Duke 11, back in 2002, (bought used). Also bought an extended warranty for about $500.

The warranty added 3 years more warranty on top of factory warranty. I never needed any of it. But that Duke did not get much use because I have other bikes then (Vstrom, dirt bike and DR650) I never pushed that Duke hard because I was afraid it would blow up. It did not. No major problems with it ...

Only thing that went wrong was the countershaft nut sprocket came off.
I bought new nut and secured it with tabs better. No more problems.
Good bike from my experience. It was still "like new" when I sold it.

When I sold my KTM it still had a year of warranty left which transferred to new owner. But if you buy a used bike from a private person (not a dealer) then I don't think you can buy extended warranty.

My current Ducati is in the shop now getting repairs. Very expensive repairs. I just bought this bike used from a dealer a few months back. It seized a cam belt bearing, destroyed front cylinder. $$$$$$

Luckily I bought an extended warranty. It cost $800. But the bike was cheap due to high miles. The repair has taken forever and warranty company did not want to pay, but finally have paid. Total repair cost ? OVER $6,000!
All covered under warranty ...

Suffice to say, that Ducati will go up for sale the day I get it back from the shop. Much as I LOVE THAT BIKE ... I can't trust it, ever. So, this is why I'm looking at the new KTM 690 Duke.

I went trough the owners manual:
Valve check, every 10 000 km
oil, every 10 000 km, 1.7 l
compression, 12.7
hp 73

Scared? Yes. Pure fun? Yes, until ...

I don't think this is the case anymore, ktm got better and others got worse.
BTW loose countershaft nut sprocket is know to be found on yamaha xt660 models.

Mu next big bike will be ktm 1090 adventure R and I am not worried about reliability more
then I would for e.g. new Africa Twin.

Seems to me the KTM twins were always more reliable than KTM 4 stroke singles.

The big singles were really bad during the 1990's. By 1999 we saw steady improvements, as I said, my '01 Duke ll was nearly flawless. But KTM keep redesigning the 640 into different forms and different versions, which became the 690.

The Twins had some issues early on but IIRC, since about 2010 they have been solid, based on many riding buddies who ride them since the start of KTM twins.

Early 690's (2006 or '07) had lots of well documented problems. Newest versions are much improved, according the what I read on the forums. Hope this is true ... as I may buy 2017 690 Duke!

adjective, braver, bravest.
1.
possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.


I wish I could make that decision too. I like the bike. If it is more reliable than my xt660r (not a single problem for 55 000 km).... There is no other new bike with that styling, posture and quality of the components I am aware of. H701, no, mt07 tracer, maybe, but after reading the Motorrad dauer test on 50 000km I am not so sure, even they ranked it on the first position.

PS
no KTM dealer in my country, meaning big problems with the warranty.

I'm with you, I would not buy KTM without a really solid warranty. Not only to calm nerves but also for RE-SALE! Much easier to sell your bike if you can offer a warranty with it. (most all warranties here are transferable to new owner ... if you pay a "transfer fee")

If the XT660R was ever for sale here in USA I probably would have bought one to replace my old DR650 Suzuki ... but sadly, none of those 660 Yamaha's ever for sale.