When you thought it couldn't be, the 2016 KTM 690 Duke promises even more power

2023 Author: Nicholas Abramson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 02:44

The saga Duke It wants to continue fighting for 2016 and, a sample of them are the first photos that KTM has already released showing what the model will be like that will see the light for the first time this fall when the salons open their doors. The new one KTM 690 Duke it maintains the main lines of the previous model, betting on a resemblance inherited from the Super Duke and having already lost all the aesthetic features that were reminiscent of the first supermotard. But that does not mean that it has ceased to be very effective on twisting roads, as we were able to see some time ago.

From the first leaked data, what is most striking is that the Austrian brand promises a power greater than the model that is so far on sale. If they already seemed almost crazy 68 hp taken from a 690cc single cylinder (70 hp in the case of the KTM 690 Duke R), the engine has been completely redone to achieve increase its potency by approximately 7% as well as the available torque.

For this, the internal dimensions of the cylinder have been modified, having a shorter stroke and a larger diameter. With this, it is possible to increase the maximum rotation speed by approximately 1,000 more turns and to install larger valves to increase the mixture. We therefore speak that the new KTM 690 Duke could declare something more than 72 hp in the normal version and 75 hp in the Duke R version, which also plans to see the light at the end of the year with a better part of the cycle and electronics.

This new engine incorporates a second balancing shaft which, as they comment, is installed in the cylinder head and allows vibrations (already minimal in the latest versions) to have completely disappeared. Of course, and how could it be otherwise, the redesigned engine and the new exhaust allow emissions to already comply with the Euro4 that will come into force from 2016.

Another novelty is the adoption of a new instrument panel along with much more sophisticated electronics. If you look at the photos, on the left pineapple we find some buttons identical to those installed in the Adventure models and that allow you to move through the menus of the digital display. From them you can also choose three power modes: Rain, Street and Sport.

Regarding active safety systems, in addition to maintaining the ABS 9M can be switched off on the rear wheel, the new KTM 690 Duke will optionally have traction control and the MSR system (Motor Slip Regulation) which is also available on the KTM 1290 Super Adventure. This works in conjunction with the slipper clutch, detecting when the rear wheel is going to slip due to too abrupt downshifting and avoiding this by automatically keeping the electronic throttle slightly open.

The new one KTM 690 Duke promises greater sensations and to be the ultimate weapon on twisty roads.