Okay, so, I got this 690 Duke a while back. It was a 2016 model, and I was pretty stoked about it. I mean, I’d heard good things about this bike, so I pulled the trigger and got one. It was used, but it seemed to be in great shape. At least that’s what I thought when I picked it up.
At first, everything was peachy. Rode it around town, had a blast. But then, things started to get a little weird. I started noticing some fuel smell, I didn’t think much of it initially, figuring that maybe I was just being paranoid. However, the smell persisted and seemed to get stronger with time.
Then there was this one time I was riding on the highway, and the bike just stalled. Like, completely shut off. I coasted to the side of the road, checked the fuel, the oil and everything, but everything looked fine. I tried to start it again, and it fired right up, no problem. It was like nothing had happened. I didn’t know what to make of it.
I did some digging online, and found out that there had been some talk about fuel pump and filter issues with these bikes. Then I found out about a technical bulletin from KTM that said they had stopped the sale of the 2016 and 2017 models because of possible fuel leakage. That got me worried. I kept riding it though, because, you know, I love that bike.
But the problems didn’t stop. Sometimes, when I’d twist the throttle, it wouldn’t respond right away. It felt like there was a delay or something. Other times, the bike would just act up for no reason. It was driving me nuts! I mean, I spent good money on this thing, and it was turning into a headache.
I decided to take a closer look at the fuel pump and filter myself. I pulled them out, and what did I find? The fuel filter was full of black soot. It looked nasty. I ordered a new filter online and waited for it to arrive, but it took forever.
While I was waiting, I read more about the issues people were having with their 690 Dukes. Some folks had trouble-free rides, but others had a bunch of problems. There were talks about weak rear subframes, electrical issues, and even problems with the clutch. A guy said he had two warped front disks. I checked mine, and thank goodness, they were fine. But who knows what other problems I would encounter down the line?
I also learned that KTM had issued a recall on some models because of a damaged clutch seal during assembly. I wondered if my bike was one of them, but I couldn’t find any clear information about it.
Eventually, the new fuel filter arrived, and I replaced the old one. The bike seemed to run better after that, but I was still worried about other potential issues. I mean, this whole experience was turning me off from buying another KTM. It’s a shame because I really liked the bike when it was running properly.
So, that’s my story with the 690 Duke. It’s a fun bike to ride, but the reliability issues are a real bummer. I’m still riding it for now, but I don’t know for how long. Maybe I just got a lemon, or maybe these bikes are just prone to problems. Either way, I wanted to share my experience so that others can be aware of the potential issues before they decide to buy one. Ride safe, everyone!
