Anyone racing a KTM 690 Duke?

It got a power bump this year. Against the SV and FZ07, it has more power, more torque, and less weight. Will the aerodynamics kill me?

 

That is a cool looking bike. Smaller bikes that are not running 160 mph are not hurt by aero issues as much as faster bikes are. (I run an EX500 and an R3 both with just front number plates). Love the look of the tubular handlebars, but I would change it to clip-ons to get out of the wind a bit, and just ride it. I bet you would have a ton of fun and do just fine.

 

You will be demolished by fast guys on sv's.

And i LOVE Ktm

 

Do you say this because of the rider, or the bike?

The numbers indicate that this year's duke could be a good choice. But I know it's not all about the numbers, thus, this thread.

 

Paging Grady A. to the white courtesy phone..... He races one and does pretty good on it. The thing feels like it weighs 50 pounds.

 

It's like 35lbs lighter in stock trim than an FZ07R...

 

73 HP claimed at the brochure... I doubt it makes as much at the wheel as either twin. I think they're super cool too, but you're asking for an uphill battle in every respect going against 650-700 twins.

 

umm... this guy should know- pretty sure he'd be trying to sell the KTM if it was feasible (since he, like, sells KTMs and stuff)

 

I helped him roll it to tech last year. It was like picking up an empty beer bottle that you think is full - I almost threw it on the ground.

 

Then add in the weight difference and it looks pretty good...

 

Looks promising. Go for it! No doubt a KTM single with 70 HP will be super reliable.

 

$10k vs $7k is its biggest disadvantage.

 

looks feasible. think anyone would notice if I put 690 bodywork on my 1290?

 

the ktm is 9

 

Yeah so buy one already

 

Grady and I had some good battles last year on his 690 vs my SS SV.

I'm not all that fast, so a well-ridden SV should beat a 690.

 

I just got in after a very long day at work and Papa sent me the link to this thread
I will comment further with some pics tomorrow but will say this:
Mine now weighs under 300lbs with gas. Sub frame was the biggest fat reduction dropping almost 20 lbs
It is the easiest bike to ride that I ever have ridden
If you are racing one in WERA it is DSS, DSB and Clubman legal
So no SVs
If you are racing it in CCS you will be up against SVs that in SBK form can make much more horsepower
Mine has the KTM cam, full Ti Akropovic and K&N
It is a 2013 Duke and KTM says their EJC in that configuration makes 80hp
Not likely but it is strong
It is never cheap to buy a new bike and make it a racer. That is the approach I took and have a very "individual" bike
Quick, stupid fun to ride and will live longer than I will.
I asked Bob Michael (B&E Motorsports in Easton MD where I bought the bike) to ride it for a session at a track day at Summit Point
Bob is fast and experienced
He was passing people in every turn on the track
A fast rider will have a hoot on one
But then again so do I

 

80hp and 300#. Now I understand why you usually motored me on the straight at Summit. I was like, damn, I can't run down that big fella on a KTM single, WTF?!, lol.

 

Oh yeah. Pics please!

 

What all does it take to race prep? Are the forks adjustable? Shock?