The 2016 KTM Duke 690 comes with an upgraded engine that features 7% more power and 6% more torque and is now a Euro-IV compliant version, courtesy of the updated exhaust unit.
While KTM’s next awaited offering is the 800cc twin-cylinder street-fighter dubbed as the ‘Duke 790’, the Austrian manufacturer has released details of the 2016 Duke 690 along with images of the prototype. Set to be officially unveiled at the EICMA show later this year in Italy, the new KTM Duke 690 gets a host of upgrades for the 2016 model year and will keep the bike fresh till the Duke 790 makes it to the market by 2017. Starting with the changes, the company has updated the LC4 single-cylinder engine on the new Duke 690 by increasing the bore, but has also shortened the stroke in order to keep the displacement the same.
KTM has made the cylinder more compact this time while using larger diameter valves, whereas the rev limit has been increased by 1000 RPM. In order to compensate for the increased rev limit and larger piston, a second balance shaft has been added to reduce vibrations. With the upgraded engine, the 2016 Duke 690 produces 7 percent more power and has seen a 6 percent increase in torque output, while power delivery is smoother at low RPMs. Compared to the motor, the Trellis frame remains pretty much the same, but KTM has changed the triple clamp offset for improved handling capabilities.
The exhaust has been upgraded as well on the 2016 KTM Duke 690, which makes the engine an Euro-IV compliant unit. In terms of equipment, the new KTM Duke 690 will come with three riding modes – Sport, Street and Rain, while the Bosch 9M+ switchable ABS unit will come as standard. Traction Control though will be offered as an optional fitment. The electronic settings will be displayed on a new TFT screen, a first for the company. Complete details on the motorcycle will be available at EICMA in November, while sales internationally will commence by early 2016. The automaker will also showcase the R spec version of the Duke 690 at the motorcycle show complete with upgraded tech wizardry, suspension and brakes to match the higher power output.
