KTM have totally reworked their Duke 690 for 2012 with acceptable styling but has this taken away from the hooligan nature of the punchy single?
Here's what the British motorcycling press said in their 2012 KTM 690 Duke reviews:
"It may not have the same aggressive looks as its predecessor, but don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s no less fun to ride." Michael Guy, Motorcyclenews.com - December 2011
"This is a bike that's about good, simple fun - while being everyday useable. It's comfortable, it's quick and smooth enough to cruise on motorways, and it has all the speed you can use on twisty roads and the handling to make riding on them a delight." Simon Weir, RiDE magazine - March 2012
"So yes, the KTM has been softened and tamed. But completely neutered? No, it hasn't been emasculated, it's very much intact and functioning - the compromises and concessions have given the single-cylinder its best-ever chance of widespread acceptance." Martin Fitz-Gibbons, Bike magazine - March 2012
"So perhaps the Duke has lost a fraction of the old model's adjustability and hooliganistic appeal, but it's gained in other areas and still has plenty of KTM cred...On reaching it's 18th birthday, KTM's original bad-boy single has finally come of age." Roland Brown, Performance Bikes - March 2012
"After all, this bike is the most powerful and refined single-cylinder machine out there and even with the practical changes, is still fantastic at what it does best - effortlessly carving up snaking B-roads and slicing through congested cities." Melanie Falconer, Motorcycle Sport & Leisure - March 2012
"Here is a single that thinks its a twin. A single that, all of a sudden, doesn't have to be just for the people who expect a single to be a bit shit in many areas of its performance range." Mark Forsyth, Visordown - January 2012 Read the full review
