2012 KTM 690 Duke R Powerfull Performance

2012 KTM 690 Duke R Review

The world's most powerful series production single-cylinder engine in an ultra-lightweight, radical, precision chassis this is high-end bike technology for purists with style and taste. Finest ingredients, from the hand-laminated carbon-fibre front fender to the coated Torx bolts, underline the status of the 2012 KTM 690 Duke R as an exceptional motorcycle. The appearance of the prestige single is only outshone by its potent ride dynamics. A bike for lateral thinkers and lateral drifters.

2012 KTM 690 Duke R

The 2012 KTM 690 Duke R state-of-the-art water-cooled single-cylinder engine with 51.5 kW (69.1 hp) and fuel injection combines powerful acceleration from the lowest revs with an outstanding free-revving nature and refined engine running. Its series production anti-hopping clutch prevents rear wheel chatter when changing down. The finely balanced crank drive of the 690 single-cylinder converts terrific combustion pressure into unrivalled single-power - thanks to its balancer shaft, which eliminates vibration without having any detrimental effect on the life of the super-single.

2012 KTM 690 Duke R

The KTM 690 Duke R with electronic engine management system always gets optimum performance out of the free-revving LC4 engine. The "electronic power throttle" also helps in achieving tremendously progressive power development: It ensures that the throttle commands from the rider are translated electronically into the optimum throttle valve opening at all times.

2012 KTM 690 Duke R

Everything on the Duke R is not only lightweight and powerful, but also particularly finely made. This begins with the cast aluminium wheels and the coated Torx® bolts, which it has in common with its Duke sister model, and extends well beyond the featherweight, hand-laminated, carbon-fibre fender. The Duke R's 9 kg (20 lb.) lightweight, orange, powder-coated tubular space frame made from chrome-molybdenum steel and the 4 kg (9 lb.) lightweight, high-quality, pin-jointed, die-cast swingarm impress with extreme levels of torsional stiffness and give rise to excellent tracking stability.

2012 KTM 690 Duke R

The Duke R's WP upside-down forks with TiAIN-coated sliding surfaces and 48 mm (1.89 in) upright tube diameter are adjustable in many ways and, alongside all the standard adjustment options, the pivot-arm articulated WP pressurised-gas monoshock even features high-speed and low-speed compression adjustment. The Duke R's extremely powerful and easily applied Brembo® brakes impress with outstanding controllability. On the front wheel, a radially-mounted, four-piston, fixed brake caliper bites onto a floating 320 mm (12.6 in) brake disc.