Ktm duke 690 r review malaysia năm 2024

One of the wishes I have on my bucket list is to own a big bike before I hit 40. A long time ago (in the year 1997 to be exact), when I came back from Japan after finishing my studies, I wanted to cry looking at the price tag of big cc motorcycles in Malaysia. Due to all kinds of taxes imposed by the government, they are ridiculously expensive!! Probably, the most expensive in the world! (How ironic, big bikes are cheaper in Singapore than here??) With the fresh grad salary I was getting at that time, there was no way I could afford to buy one. If I want to purchase one, I have to choose between owning a big bike or a car. With family on the way, I had to choose the latter. With a car, I can ferry my family around.

Fast forward to the present time, only at the end of last year, I realized I still didn't fulfill this wish. I already have in my mind a few bikes within my budget to consider including Monster, Shiver, Versys, Dorsoduro, 800GS, Z800, and Street Triple. Finally, I chose KTM Duke 690. There are 2 types of Duke 690. A standard version and the latest one is the R-version which is just launched in September 2013.

KTM has been my dream bike since I bought MZ125SM in 2003. I still keep my old bike and our relationship lasted longer than my marriage :P I like Supermotard look and its riding position. KTM bikes used to be very expensive until they opened up a factory in Malaysia not long ago and Malaysians have the opportunity to purchase CKD (Complete Knocked Down) KTM Dukes with excise duty being exempted by the government. So, the price is slightly more affordable for people like me. Ohhh BMW... please open up a Motorrad factory here, so I can buy BMW 1200GS for my next bike....

KTM Duke 690 (Standard).... Nice bike! KTM Duke 690R (Racing).... Woweee!! What an amazing bike!

At one glance they look similar to a modern street motard style bike and bright orange trellis frame (like Ducati) but there are several racing components that have been added up to the R version. KTM claimed this bike has the most powerful single-cylinder engine ever built. With less than 150kg in weight and with very powerful torque, Duke 690R is a very nimble and agile bike, the handling is top-notch. Suitable for daily commuting, swift between traffics like hooligan and weekend rides to enjoy twisties and turns at trunk roads. However, with only 70 hp, it doesn't have top speed, unlike 4-inline Japanese bikes. Riding on straight highways is kinda boring. For sure you are going to be left behind by other bigger horsepower bikes in motorcycle convoys on the highway.

New riding gears Komine stuff shipped from Japan Ernie helped ship it from Tokyo, thanks babe!

Before I purchase the bike, I went to three different KTM dealers in Klang Valley. Motosing at Jalan Pudu is offering the best deal in town and they have dedicated staff who are attending to my requests and complaints during the purchasing process. Their financier Al-Rajhi Bank also offers the best auto loan for motorcycles available on the market.

Salesman & the mechanic

The bike was ready in less than a month and I'm happy with the services I received from the dealer. The price of the bike was RM52,500 excluding insurance and road tax, only RM6,000 more expensive than the standard version.

The day I pick up the bike

One of the highlights of the R version is the slip-on Akrapovic titanium silencer. Listen to the deeper bass sound exhaust below and it produces an extra 2 horsepower too. Nice huh?! ;)

Latest video after I removed the silencer. It sounds much better!!!!

KTM Powerparts came with the bike are ABS assisted Brembo brakes, Akrapovic slip-on titanium silencer, racing gear & brake levers, ergonomics KTM Powerpart seat scalloped to my bum, single seat cover, orange color crash cages, racing air filter, racing sprocket, anodized orange color triple-clamp, fully adjustable WP front forks and rear suspension, Galfer brake disc, lighter rims, lighter kickstand and many more. Which in total will cost up to twice more as the price difference between standard and R-version.

KTM PowerpartsKTM Powerparts

On top of all the racing components on R-version, the dealer gave me an RM5,200 free voucher to spend on KTM Powerparts. I blinged it up with additional accessories like KTM handguards, radiator grille, a sexy rear light with a shorter plate holder, orange color belly cover, windshield for touring, KTM anodized cover for hydraulic brake & clutch, orange color anodized engine screw cover, KTM rim stickers and tank bag & pad. And the result.... it's a wicked bike!!

Additional accessories

I took it out for a ride to Putrajaya on Sunday, one day after I got the bike. I need a bonding period with the bike before riding it to the office in heavy traffics. Duke 690R is a kinda easy bike to handle even with stronger torque and picks up at mid-range. I just need to get used to it.

Space cop Gaban

Ohhh yeah, this fella is a head-turner on the street. Especially, at the traffic lights. Kids in cars were waving at me. They thought I'm somewhat a Space Cop Gaban...hahaha.

A boy and his toy

I like this picture the most. Look badass in that mirror-shielded helmet.

Sorry girls, I like riding it single-seater

Based on reviews on the Internet, this bike doesn't have top speed. The maximum speed it can go on the highway is up to 190km/h. With powerful torque and a lighter body, it takes only 4.5 seconds to go from 0 to 100km/h. When I get on the bike it feels like handling a scalpel, unbelievably a specialized sharp tool. However, the engine is very rough at low rpm. Just have to play with the clutch but I like it, I like the vibration. Hope to break in the bike quickly, so that I can test its real performance.

Awesome machine

The following weekend, I went up Genting Highland on a solo ride through the old trunk road to Genting Sempah-Awana-Genting Highland. Although the bike is great for city riding, this country road actually brings the bike alive. To my pleasant surprise, made it easy to do sharp turns and fast exits at every lap. I rode in attack position all the time. It has enough power to tap every time I twisted the throttle and I didn't feel tired at all. It was a great 2 hours trip KL-Genting-KL with a stopover at Awana for roti canai and teh tarek.

Asah tayar to Genting

In my opinion, Duke 690R is a fun bike and ideal for daily commuting. Affordable price with all the racing components (I guess still far fetch for most Malaysians, my mum almost fell off the chair when I told her the price. She said with that price tag, I can buy a Perodua MyVi car. But driving MyVi is not as cool and fun as riding Duke 690R!). It has very strong torque but lacks of top speed (how fast can you ride in a traffic jam??). The body is slim and light, with an upright riding position and ABS brakes also incredible; 10,000km service interval and drive-by-wire lower fuel consumption. I have no regret about choosing this bike as my new babe...haha.

Genting foggy ride

Some tips for newbies before you buy a bike. You gotta ask yourself what type of bike is your taste? How much horsepower do you need? (less experienced riders should start with a lesser power engine). What kind of riding position do you like? How much budget do you have? (If you are a beginner, buy a secondhand bike unless you got a better deal for a brand new bike especially many CKD bikes nowadays). How do you use the bike? Is it for weekend rides or daily commuting? Do you like speeding on the highway or riding on twisty roads? Do you like touring or venturing out off-road? Try sitting on a few bikes at the showroom and it is best if you can take it for a test ride. Get a friend to go with you to check if the bike suits your body and look. What I mean is if you are fat, don't go for a sport bike because your big belly will slam the fuel tank every time you hit the break. You should get an easy rider or a cruiser like Harley Davidson or a touring bike. Or if you are too short, don't go for a supermoto or dirtbike. You will be struggling to get on the bike. Whatever it is, don't make a rash purchase. Buying a new bike is an exciting endeavor. If you found the bike and fall in love with it, make sure you will enjoy owning it after the initial thrill fades. If you decided on Duke 690 Standard, don't ever look at Duke 690R because once you look at the 690R you will never go back to the standard version.

How reliable is the KTM 690 Duke?

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating:	4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Ride quality & brakes:	4.6 out of 5 (4.6/5)
Engine:	4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Reliability & build quality:	4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)

KTM 690 Duke (2016-2019) Review | Speed, Specs & Priceswww.motorcyclenews.com › bike-reviews › ktm › 690-dukenull

Is there a recall on KTM 690 Duke?

KTM North America, Inc. has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists with certain 2016 and 2017 690 DUKE motorcycles in which the fuel may seep or leak from the fuel filler neck insert area and the fuel level sensor.

What is the top speed of the KTM 690 Duke R?

KTM 690 Duke.

Is Duke 690 discontinued?

KTM will not launch the Duke 690 in India and the company will discontinue the model in the future, replacing it with a twin-cylinder bike. The said information was revealed by KTM CEO Stefan Pierer at the RC 200 and RC 390 launch event earlier today.