2017 KTM Duke 690 - Demo Ride Full Review
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 тра 2017
- Motorcycle Melee takes a demo ride on the new 2017 KTM Duke 690. Fun factor of 10 folks - here's the full review. You will not believe this is a single! More fun to ride than the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer.
Thanks again to Mike Horvath at GO AZ Motorcycles in Scottsdale, AZ. Website: www.goaz.com/ Phone: (480) 609-1800
Address:
15500 N Hayden Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85260 - Авто та транспорт
With the nice weather I am enjoying riding my 2017 Kawasaki x300 Versys and my 2013 KTM Duke 690 Supermoto. Today I rode both of them back to back and delighted in discovering the attributes of each of these wonderful motorcycles. Here is my evaluation: My Kawasaki seems like a Rolls Royce compared to the KTM Duke. It's engine is much smoother and much more quiet. The clutch throw is much softer but has a longer pull. I like the gear shifting on the KTM best. It is a bit clunky but has a short positive throw and more precise clicking into gear. The clutch is fast and positive. The KTM has way more power and acceleration than my Kawasaki. But that is an unfair comparison considering that the Duke has more than twice the displacement. The guages and features are far nicer on the Kawasaki. I like the gear position indicator and the fuel gauge that Kawasaki offers. The KTM has a far more comfortable seat compared to the Kawasaki. However, the seating position of the Kawasaki is much nicer than the KTM. Both are fairly tall motorcycles. I recently lowered my Kawasaki 1-1/2" which I highly recommend if you are shorter than 6 feet tall. My Kawasaki feels better balanced than the KTM, but only slightly. The KTM has so much torgue, so less down shifting is required. Just twist the throttle and go in any gear. The Kawasaki has a very high revving engine. It takes 7,500 rpm to cruise 65 mph. The KTM rarely needs more than 4,000 rpm. The Kawasaki engine internals sound smooth as silk. The KTM sounds like it is grinding bolts internally. The KTM has a very jerkey low range, not very tractable. The Kawasaki is the opposite. Very smooth. Both motorcycles shine in the twisties and curves. Both motorcycles are very flickable. The KTM may have a slight edge in handling but overall I prefer the ride of the Kawasaki. My final impression is that both motorcycles are wonderful, the Duke for it's torque and power, the Kawasaki for it's dual sport smoothness. If I could own just one or the other I would keep the Kawasaki for it's Rolls Royce build quality, smoothness, handling and quietness.
I'm right there with you. I've been on a 28 year break from riding. Just got my license and looking at this and an FZ07.
drumminham have you considered the Triumph Street Twin? I'm now hooked on riding motorcycles. Can't imagine not riding now!
Hello. Nice video, I didn't get to hear the sounds of the bike much, I'm not sure if it was because when you ran the video back and since this is a review for potential buyers, that you couldn't hear? I 100% agree about the visibility of the screen being absolutely horrible. For a lot of people even a type of danger. And I agree that everyone seems to gauk at it as it is a awesome looking bike. And fun as hell to ride. Thanks again.
Josh Hill too much wind noise so I had to do a voiceover.
Awsome bike
I enjoyed your video :) Keep it up!
MisterBassBoost thanks for watching and commenting.
Looking at this and the 17' fz09. Which would you rather own? Which is more fun?
I was looking at a Ducati Scrambler too, but the power wasn't terribly impressive after a test ride. ..can't test ride a KTM or Yamaha here.
Excuse me, but does "engine break-in" means anything to you ?
At the begining of the video, the seller says the bike is brand new and is about to be sold to somebody... and you treat this bike like that ??
Thanks for the video. My local motorcycle dealer has a bunch of these on special right now so I've been looking up reviews before I take a test ride. My feedback would be to take a look at some of the popular motorvlogging channels and see what they use for a sound set up. It should be possible to get a set up that cuts out most of the wind noise so you can do the review and we can hear the bike at the same time.
If I didn't ride 100 miles per day on the highway I would buy this bike - local dealers here also have some on sale. I would worry that a single cylinder would not hold up well to 100 miles a day at 80+ MPH for my commute. Good luck and thanks for the recommendations on sound setup!!
My daily commute is more like 40 miles, mostly filtering through city traffic so I look for light and narrow in a bike as well as a tall riding position to help visibilty. On paper this is the perfect bike to replace my little Suzuki Gladius which my legs are too long for now I am less of a beginner. My only other consideration is will the local bike thieves be more drawn to the KTM as sadly attempted bike theft is something I have to deal with every few months already with my current 'unfashionable' bike.
You 're 5' 5" tall and didn't think the seat was too high? Just wondering. I know it weighs 325 or so, but I am short of leg, too and am very interested to know if you thought it was OK, at stops.
Jim Stinnett I wear boots all the time. There's about 1" of sole so I sneak in an inch. At stops I was on my toes but not tippy toes. I didn't feel anytime that I couldn't maintain balance. I've been riding 500 miles a week for about 7 years.
Well done and informative video. Two points of possible improvement: 1) 12 minutes in before the test ride starts, most videos appear to be just that long. 2) Kudos for keeping your head on a swivel for your own self preservation, but it got a little nauseating. Maybe a chest cam mount in addition to the helmet cam then edit together. Thanks again!
Scott - thanks for taking the time to watch the video and offer some feedback. It is good feedback which I will implement on future videos.
I appreciate that you recognize the reason for the camera's overt movements (safety). I'll have to figure a solution to allow good coverage of the ride without all that movement. Your idea of a chest-mounted camera is great - maybe there's a magnetic or suction mount I could use on the gas tank?
Thanks again!
too much camera motion. i got motion sickness watching it. but love the bike.
Lee Winchester thanks for watching. Yes, I spend too much time looking out for the next person who is trying to kill me. I'm trying to minimize that during reviews.
Dude gotta say to long waiting and you show your license on camera 📷 and other vital info , don’t do that bad idea , great bike good review once you riding “
Good to know it is more fun than the Ducati Cafe..what about your bike..is yours as much fun? This bike sounds kind of clunky.
I would render the video without the red bars and the "Motorcycle Melee > Ride Safer bla bla". And turn off the stabilisation. Just my taste. But nice Review anyways! :)
MultiF 95 thanks for the comment. What makes it look like there was any stabilization? I didn't set it to stabilize once it was uploaded to UA-cam.
Motorcycle Melee Than it might be your camera. You can see that by looking at your helmet. It looks like if your camera hold is loose. But its obviously not, isnt it?
12 minute is all before start driving !!!
Thank you for taking the time to give me the feedback. You have a good point. I was trying to capture some of the process of doing a demo ride. I'm sure I could've shaved off some of that preliminary stuff.
Thanks again!
Rick
More than half the video your not riding. Also mount camera on bike, not helmet. Moves around to much. Not much sound of the bike? By your riding In guessing you don't have much experience?
Sound like a diesel
just looks like 125cc, shame
No it fucking doesn’t 😂 you’ve obviously never seen one in real life they’re a very big bike.