The most sophisticated, most refined and most powerful single cylinder engine in the world not only provides the 690 Duke with unbelievable riding fun, it also delivered exhilarating performance to the KTM racers used in the 2012 edition of the European Junior Cup, held in the context of the World Superbike series. The new 690 Duke R is not just the spitting image of that EJC racer. This formidable flicking tool for absolute pros and connoisseurs also benefits from the same suspension. The “R” chassis is higher, with stiffer springs and more damping than the 690 Duke. But above all, it is widely adjustable in order to span the complete bandwidth, from a relaxed back-roads swing to no-holdsbarred race track mayhem.

READY TO RACE WITH SLICKS
The new, fully adjustable Upside-down forks of the 690 Duke R are distinguished by a complete separation of the rebound damping (in the right fork tube) from the compression damping stage (in the left tube) as well as new, orange anodized, machined triple clamps. All this ensures a sensitive fork response, the prerequisite for optimum grip even in extreme situations. The new WP rear shock with external reservoir also offers all conceivable set-up options, even including separate high and low speed compression adjustments. Thusly equipped, the 690 Duke R’s suspension is as well suited for a comfortable ride on third-rate back roads as for ambitious track duty on slicks.

ONLY THE BEST OF EVERYTHING
The Brembo brakes of the new 690 Duke R also set new standards: machined from solid high-strength aluminium, the new radial M50 calliper is six per cent lighter than the previous top product and even more rigid. Combined with the bespoke, radial master cylinder, it ensures a sensitive action, top brake force and first-rate feedback. The Bosch 9M+ ABS with rollover protection as seen in the 690 Duke has gained an additional Supermoto mode in the “R” operable by dongle, in which the rear wheel is allowed to lock up or slide despite the ABS. And that’s by no means the end of it: The features list of the new 690 Duke R extends from the exclusive Akrapovic silencer, to new footpegs and handlebars for aggressive but relaxed ergonomics, to standard crash bars.