690 Duke: I got one!

[letsburnbridges]

Bought one last Thursday, it may be the only one in PA. I love it to death I already put 700 miles on her. Anyone else have one? I eat sportbikes alive in the twisties on her.

She needs a pipe, the stock sounds kinda weak for a 650cc single cylinder. Any options other than Akrapovic, they want like 2400 bucks.

[jsg1206]

I just bought one also, have about 570 miles on it, just about break in.... the only exhaust I have found is the Akrapovic, the quote I got was
-KTM 690 Duke Akrapovic Titanium Full Exhaust System -
$2599.99 very expensive for a 6-8hp gain
any idea what map setting comes standard ? taking it back to the shop after "break-in" 620 miles and ask them to set the map to more aggressive.... anyone have experience with this ? ready to hit the track with the bike, fortunately, texas has several track riding schools

[27superace]

Hey guys!
I'm new here. Just bought a Superduke and now I'm looking for a nice exhaust system too.
Did you ever hear about Remus??? Any opinions???
I already contacted their distributer (Maxmoto) and checked their website. I also found an exhaust for your bike:Maxmoto.com/KTM 690
Hope that helps you!?
Would appreciate some feedback

[gearider]

Originally Posted by jsg1206

I just bought one also, have about 570 miles on it, just about break in.... the only exhaust I have found is the Akrapovic, the quote I got was
-KTM 690 Duke Akrapovic Titanium Full Exhaust System -
$2599.99 very expensive for a 6-8hp gain
any idea what map setting comes standard ? taking it back to the shop after "break-in" 620 miles and ask them to set the map to more aggressive.... anyone have experience with this ? ready to hit the track with the bike, fortunately, texas has several track riding schools

I have one as well with about 650 miles on it. You can reset the map under the seat on the right hand side. Its in a black rubber like cover which keeps it waterproof. Just pull it off of the metal post. Pull the cover off of it and you will see numbers from 0 - 10 (I think, I don't have my bike handy). I think 1) is 30% cut in power 2) is suppose to make very abrupt power and some don't like it. 3) is factory setting.

The way they have it mounted is probably the week point of the bike. It does run great and handles better than my Ducati.

[letsburnbridges]

I've put around 1300 on mine already, now I'm shopping for an exhaust. The akrapovic one is just too ridiculously priced. Leo Vince makes a nice dual setup for the 2007 SM 690 and I am wondering if it would work on the duke. They have the same engine, swingarm, and tail section. FMF is producing a slip-on for $899 but it hasnt been released yet, probly within a month or so.

Here
http://www.leovinceusa.com/cart/search.php?Model=SM%20690&Make=KTM&Year=2007&Line= SBK

I actually went down going through an intersection this past weekend, nice and slow, just slid out when I hit some shale. It scratched the handlebar end and a tiny tiny scratch on the tail section and thats it, I was surprised.

I set the map on setting 2 after the break in period and she seems much more responsive and torquey. I like 2 a lot better than 3 but havent tried any of the others. (why does the manual only describe 1-3??)

[gearider]

Originally Posted by letsburnbridges

I've put around 1300 on mine already, now I'm shopping for an exhaust. The akrapovic one is just too ridiculously priced. Leo Vince makes a nice dual setup for the 2007 SM 690 and I am wondering if it would work on the duke. They have the same engine, swingarm, and tail section. FMF is producing a slip-on for $899 but it hasnt been released yet, probly within a month or so.

Here
http://www.leovinceusa.com/cart/search.php?Model=SM%20690&Make=KTM&Year=2007&Line= SBK

I actually went down going through an intersection this past weekend, nice and slow, just slid out when I hit some shale. It scratched the handlebar end and a tiny tiny scratch on the tail section and thats it, I was surprised.

I set the map on setting 2 after the break in period and she seems much more responsive and torquey. I like 2 a lot better than 3 but havent tried any of the others. (why does the manual only describe 1-3??)

I agree the akrapovic is extremely high, I could have added that $2200.00 to the price I paid for the bike and almost rode off on a SuperDuke with a lot more power.

Hate that you went down but good that you walked away from it.

I'm performing the 600 mile service tomorrow if I can finish the Ducati first. Then I'll be on the road the rest of the day.

"why does the manual only describe 1-3??)" I think its because the numbers go from 0 - 10 on the dial and it's stating the other numbers mean nothing. That would be my guess.

[gearider]

I have a starting issue and wanted to know if you guys have experienced it.

When the bike is warmed up or cold, it will (sometimes) barely turn over, like the battery is dead. Then always on the second try, it fires up, like nothing was ever wrong.

I took it too the dealer which btw are the best I have ever worked with (Commonwealth Motorcycles located in Louisville, KY). They changed the battery, ran multiple tests and phoned KTM and nothing, the bike is perfect from that perspective. They did get it to happen 5 times while it was in the shop. However about every 3rd to 4th time I try to start it, it will just barely turn over. Once again, it ALWAYS starts on the second try, like nothing is wrong.

Commonwealth thinks the bike is at top dead center when this happens which does not open the compression release. It does sound possible to me. They phoned two of their customers with the 690 SM (basically same motor/transmission) and they said the motor sometimes did not start on the first attempt with them either but I could not pin down if were talking about the same thing.

Has anybody experienced this or should I ask for a new starter?

Many, many thanks for any answers you can give me on this. Outside of this one issue, this is the most fun bike I have ever ridden. Deals Gap hear I come.

[letsburnbridges]

Originally Posted by gearider

I have a starting issue and wanted to know if you guys have experienced it.

When the bike is warmed up or cold, it will (sometimes) barely turn over, like the battery is dead. Then always on the second try, it fires up, like nothing was ever wrong.

I took it too the dealer which btw are the best I have ever worked with (Commonwealth Motorcycles located in Louisville, KY). They changed the battery, ran multiple tests and phoned KTM and nothing, the bike is perfect from that perspective. They did get it to happen 5 times while it was in the shop. However about every 3rd to 4th time I try to start it, it will just barely turn over. Once again, it ALWAYS starts on the second try, like nothing is wrong.

Commonwealth thinks the bike is at top dead center when this happens which does not open the compression release. It does sound possible to me. They phoned two of their customers with the 690 SM (basically same motor/transmission) and they said the motor sometimes did not start on the first attempt with them either but I could not pin down if were talking about the same thing.

Has anybody experienced this or should I ask for a new starter?

Many, many thanks for any answers you can give me on this. Outside of this one issue, this is the most fun bike I have ever ridden. Deals Gap hear I come.

check and make sure the wire on the starter is tight, mine was loose and the dealer told me several of their KTMs had that problem, the factory is forgetting to tighten it.

[jsg1206]

for you fellow 690 Duke owner's out there, this month's Cycle World Shootout section features the Ducati 696 vs. KTM 690 Duke......... sorry Ducati lovers, you lose........ good article........ back to the exhaust question, has anyone found a good header / exhaust system other than Akrapovic's insanely priced system ?

[gearider]

Originally Posted by jsg1206

for you fellow 690 Duke owner's out there, this month's Cycle World Shootout section features the Ducati 696 vs. KTM 690 Duke......... sorry Ducati lovers, you lose........ good article........ back to the exhaust question, has anyone found a good header / exhaust system other than Akrapovic's insanely priced system ?

I hope this doesn't come off as arrogant but I currently own both bikes, right down to the color's that Cycle World tested and they are right. The 696 feels somewhat sluggish. It reminds me of a late 80's, early 90's bike. the handlebars need to be pushed down in the curves. The Duke on the other hand falls into the curves and is the most fun bike I have ever ridden.

Don't get me wrong I love the Duc but I love the Duke more. Matter of fact I'm looking out my office window at it right now.

BTW, today I turned MAP setting to one. I think its suppose to take out something like 30% of the power. It's a very different bike on this setting, I like it but it had a hard time scooting past cars this morning on the parkway.

I'm heading to California the 18th of this month and if I could find a comfortable seat for the Duke, I would take it instead of the Duc.