KTM HAS revealed upgrades to the 690 Duke giving more power and torque, along with pictures of a pre-production prototype – but only to favoured bike publications.
Changes include an increased bore and shorter stroke in the 693cc single-cylinder engine, a power boost from 67hp to around 73hp and a 6% increase in torque. The red line is up from 8,500rpm to 9,000rpm and vibration is said to have been reduced with an additional balancer shaft in the cylinder head. Other changes include the adoption of riding modes, traction control, a colour dash and a new seat.
An ‘R’ version will get even more power and cornering ABS, like the 1290 Super Adventure. The 690 Duke R will also have WP suspension, Brembo brakes and wire-spoked wheels.
Five publications from across Europe, including one from the UK, were given details along with a set of publicity pictures. This morning KTM was continuing to withhold the publicity pictures from other titles, even after publication.
When Visordown asked whether pictures or details were available, we were told: ‘No official communication will come from KTM with regards to new or updated bikes for 2016 until the EICMA show on November 17.’
After Visordown asked for an explanation, a spokesman supplied the four images you see here, a sample of those made available elsewhere.
As yet we’ve received no official explanation for publicity images being selectively withheld. The spokesman said details of the pre-production prototype were provided in interviews at an exclusive event in Austria.
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