[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Actually buddy the 690 is a single, and its in real fact comparatively quite impressively frugal on the highways per most international comparos which pit it against its closest natural competitor - the Ninja 650.

My point of reference (and the reason for identifying with the comic) is my twin which I find incredibly thirsty, which when combined with a tiny tank makes for lots of stops. I understand the literature was 690-specific, but KTMs generally stop more than the others.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by Steeroid

My point of reference (and the reason for identifying with the comic) is my twin which I find incredibly thirsty, which when combined with a tiny tank makes for lots of stops. I understand the literature was 690-specific, but KTMs generally stop more than the others.

Sorry, I completely missed out the orgasmic garage in your signature. Why even speak about a humble 690 when you have the big momma!

When you say thirsty, how thirsty exactly?

[mandhir.s.bajwa]

As said by many here, I've witnessed the real nature of 690. By all means, It's one heck of a frugal and fast bike with amazing riding characteristics and is equally planted and balanced on straights as well as on curves.
Got to see the bike for first time in India at Buddh International circuit during one of the track days. 690 gave tough fight to alot of 600's and 1000's and it was fun watching this single overtaking Inlines and twins on curves.

[Abhi_Automobile]

Does this mean that it is coming to India? Or just for testing purpose?

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by Abhi_Automobile

Does this mean that it is coming to India? Or just for testing purpose?

looks like its someone's personal import and they're having fun with it on track.

[ebonho]

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[pratap.pratu]

Is this displayed in the showroom?

[ebonho]

That's what I was told by someone who Whatsapped this photo to me.

[Abhi_Automobile]

What

Is this coming? Or just an eyewash? I am ready to wait for this if it's on the radar..keeping HD Street@4.1 in mind for a bike manufactured in India, I can see this one going for something like 3.5 ex showroom (I assume Bajaj is planning to manufacture this in India)

[mobike008]

I doubt if this will come anytime soon in future. First one to come will be the RC390.

Maybe next year. Just maybe !!!

[4k_jz]

Looks like the super bike market will be huge and diverse when I would be out in the market looking for one. But I am quite sure my first bike is going to be a Duke 200.
What a bike! (something I can ask my dad for and he wont consider me a gone case)

[sammyboy]

I saw one during one of my rides to Kolar, but it was probably an import and the rider was travelling with a pillion. Looked awesome, and was accompanied by a Tiger 800 and a Ninja 650.
If priced well, and history kind of suggests it might be, it might find a lot of buyers.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by Abhi_Automobile

I can see this one going for something like 3.5 ex showroom (I assume Bajaj is planning to manufacture this in India)

Amit Nandi once told me that the only way the 690 would come to India (and would make sense to Bajaj - both of which were not happening at the time about 2 years ago) was if this bie were to be built here.

Were it to come in as the N650, it would cost upward of 8-9 lacs here.

So yes, if its coming, its going to be built here. And if its going to be built here, Bajaj is going to price it just right.

P.S. Just hope (and pray) they loosen the purse strings on the wheels this time .....

P.P.S. A bike that does 190-195+ kmph one does not want grenading mag alloys.

P.P.P.S. Not that one wants self same grenading mag alloys on bikes that do 170-175+ kmph eaither ....... just saying.

Originally Posted by mobike008

I doubt if this will come anytime soon in future. First one to come will be the RC390.

Maybe next year. Just maybe !!!

Next year (2015) is very soon - at least in my book. I am hoping that they ditch any plans of the Adventure (highly unlikely per recent reports anyways) in whatever small trim, and concentrate of getting this brute of a machine to us middle weight starved Indian bikers.

Originally Posted by 4k_jz

Duke 200.
What a bike!

What a bike indeed.

Originally Posted by sammyboy

Looked awesome, and was accompanied by a Tiger 800 and a Ninja 650.

Some good company to be riding in. Did it look much smaller than the Tiger? And the Ninja? I remember seeing one in Geneva. It hardly looked a little bigger than our baby Dukes (same impression in the trackday photos of the bike and rider above) - that's why I'm asking.

[sammyboy]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Some good company to be riding in. Did it look much smaller than the Tiger? And the Ninja? I remember seeing one in Geneva. It hardly looked a little bigger than our baby Dukes (same impression in the trackday photos of the bike and rider above) - that's why I'm asking.

Looked slightly bigger than the 390 but not as big as the Tiger, as you observed. The seat looked nice and comfy though, considering the ones on its smaller cousins.
Took a second glance to realize its a 690.

[Insearch]

After having had the 390 for past couple of months I have been bowled over by it's abilities and was hoping to upgrade to the 690 next year. And then this article caught my eye. It seems that a completely new 790 is going to replace the 690. If this is true then I am in for a longer wait. Here is an excerpt:

"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. The replacement of the Duke 690 (likely to be called the Duke 790) will be developed by Bajaj Auto, all of the above information was revealed by us a few months back in a detailed post (you can read it HERE. KTM had confirmed earlier this year that they are working on two twin-cylinder engines of capacity 500cc and 800cc. The latter motor will find its way into the Duke 690 replacement."

Link to the complete article:Link

Would it make the bike heavier? Because that would take away the great character the 690 has around corners. On the positive side, we can expect it to be faster in straight line and maybe a better sounding exhaust...

Whatever be the end result the wait has been prolonged (if the news is true), and I am dissappointed on that account. Doc: would you have any news or updates on this?