690 duke too much for a new person??

ZQ8Dude · 04-02-2008, 12:38 PM

I didnt wanna jack that other guys thread so i thought i'd ask here.

Its rated at 65hp w/ 49ftlbs of torque and weighs 324lbs.

ajd187 · 04-02-2008, 12:40 PM

That seems reasonable. It apparently looks a lot faster than it is with those kind of numbers.

FatHawk · 04-02-2008, 12:43 PM

Never ridden one, but looking at the specs I would only be worried about the rake/trail numbers and the brakes. 4 pot brembo radial mounts, prolly have a lot of bite. Seat height might be a little imposing for a new rider too.

Engine looks perfect though. My $.02

Tripped1 · 04-02-2008, 12:54 PM

I'd stear clear without any motorcycle experience.

The HP is a bit low but it makes as much torque as a Daytona 675 and with the geometry and weight I bet that thing RIPS. There are a number of far better starter bikes out there.

smashbox · 04-02-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tripped1

I'd stear clear without any motorcycle experience.

The HP is a bit low but it makes as much torque as a Daytona 675 and with the geometry and weight I bet that thing RIPS. There are a number of far better starter bikes out there.

although the torque may be close to what the 675 makes i'm sure the power curve isn't like the 675. the 675 is a screamer made to ride the track. this bike looks a lot more street rideable and i'd have to see the power specs compared to the 675 in order to really see what the difference is.. this is the first i've seen/heard about this bike i knew about the superduke 990 but not this one.. i'd say it looks pretty sweet but the brakes seem like they are very powerful.

Tripped1 · 04-02-2008, 01:26 PM

I rode a 990 last weekend.

IF they have remotely the same frame it's handles as fast as a lot of the 600cc SS bikes out there. That alone would make it a poor starter choice. Not to mention the brakes are ready to toss you over the bars with just two fingers. Power aside, I'll stand by my post.

edit...retard typing

ZQ8Dude · 04-02-2008, 01:36 PM

Well here's a dyno sheet i found of a 690sm(should be the same engine?)

mikeym · 04-02-2008, 01:43 PM

the 690 duke is too much for a beginner bike.. the torque ratings are too much for a beginners bike, not to mention its expensive for a first bike... but ktms do have a record for being bombproof, you wouldn't have a problem dropping it

~mikeym

zmeiaspas · 04-02-2008, 04:45 PM

Offtopic: considering the boner I got looking at the pic, I think I'm in love!

soccerpimp09 · 04-02-2008, 06:09 PM

too expensive for a first bike if you ask me - make a great 2nd bike though if the money is there.... I wouldn't spend 10k on a starter bike...

RwS Films · 04-02-2008, 06:33 PM

Getting parts after you wreck would be a bit slower considering they don't have as many dealerships. $0.02

ZQ8Dude · 04-02-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RwS Films

Getting parts after you wreck would be a bit slower considering they don't have as many dealerships. $0.02

yeah, but there is a huge one right down the road from me.

The price is a pretty big deterent, but at the same time its priced like the average 600...so it'd an instance of squid-like spending. Just gotta debate if i could live with that.

Although i still need to check it out in person.

baldheadeddork · 04-02-2008, 07:17 PM

There are worse beginner bikes, but there are some that are a lot better, too.

The horsepower on the Duke isn't a problem. It's the torque and the weight. This bike will power wheelie more easily than most racer replicas. Guys who have ridden large bikes for years ride something like the Duke 690 or the Husky 510 and come back amazed at how hard it accelerates.

I'd say go for it if you have a lot of motocross or enduro experience. (Bikes only - quads don't count.) But if you don't, I'd recommend the Suzuki DR-Z 400M or the new Yamaha motard. Those are both a blast to ride but the limits aren't as sharp.

ZQ8Dude · 04-02-2008, 07:53 PM

Honestly, i think the drz, and especially the yamaha are a waste of money. I've dug around a SM website and the same thing is said about the DRZ over and over. Its a fun bike, but is butt slow and personally i'd rather buy a regular sportbike then one of them.

Gaolee · 04-02-2008, 08:10 PM

Are you assuming you will keep your first bike forever? If so, then butt slow matters. If not, you should be more concerned about resale value than how fast or slow your first bike is. Heck, I have been riding a while and have a vague idea of what going fast is like, and I have thought pretty seriously about a DRZ or even a DR650 for commuting and general bashing around. Slow is a relative term.