I'm a closet traitor ....

[wurzel]

 Much as I love my Veek,and it's staying with me, I have a few other bikes,a long list I admit!
One worthy of mention that I picked up for knocking about on is a 2016 KTM  390 Duke.
It's a small bike, but my gosh, it is a little peach!
The thing turns faster than a politician,has an eager and healthy turn of speed, and just feels well put together for a cheap bike.
If I take it steady, just staying with the traffic I can get very good fuel consumption.
I rattled out 150 miles on it today in comfort,and was disappointed that I had to park it up and do other things.
No pics of it yet, but I will get some posted, if you're after a reasonably priced fun little runaround they are well worth a look!

[kwackboy]

Great little bike, I've ridden a few but it's a pitty KTM do very little for security.  Especially if you live in London .

[old git]

I so nearly bought one of these little Dukes a fortnight ago. I then remembered that I've no space for any more bikes and that the wife would likely bludgeon me to death if I bought another one. Only kidding but she doesn't understand that there's no such thing as too many bikes

Some really cheap fun for very little money - £3099!!!

Still soooooooooooo tempted. I wish you hadn't posted this, I thought I'd got it out of my system 

[wurzel]

They don't have a lot of security, steering lock and datataged, easy enough to add your own, as I have on my Veek.
I got the 2016 as it is lower and lighter than the 17, but the price of the 17 makes it a bargain..go get one Old  Git, such a lovely bike!

[Angustoyou]

I've been seriously eyeing up the 690 Duke R.  Sooooo light, good power and torque, and a few pre registered bargains (relatively speaking) about.  I'm properly tempted, so much so that I've asked for a trade in price....which was a bit shit.

As with the 390 ride reports are all good and there doesn't seem to be anything that's putting me off.  I do like a single, been out green laning on my CCM404 today and couldn't help thinking about nearly double the power and torque with just another 40kg with a seat that doesn't resemble a breeze block.

And then there's the new 790 Duke, I've been given a fair trade in price against one of those but it's a new generation engine and bike, and the electronics don't hold any appeal for me.  The 690 though....

But I do love my Glee, in a comfortable, stable, dependable, can't-imagine-it-not-being-there kind of way.  The 690 is tempting me though.  The little minx!

Help me!

[wurzel]

I had a 690 enduro, that motor is very potent, I found the enduro too much bike for the green lanes, but on the road it was a hoot!
There....now go get one!
I used to Motocross and enduro a cr500, the 690 motor has the measure of those without the brutality the cr had,that was either full fat or deceleration, in a most abrupt fashion!

[TLPower]

A CR500 Wurzel, you have risen even higher in my estimation.  I went to look at a CR250 that someone had fitted a lighting kit to as a greenlane 'bike. It was mental, it didn't do "pottering" just eruption. I dread to think what the 500 was like....

There has been a thread running regarding the 1290 Duke GT offershttps://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=74&t=1711032

This was a little suprising

[wurzel]

  TLPower, the cr can be very docile, just don't start the thing!  I used to double iPhone the base gasket for ensure in winter, as it takes a bit of edge off the power delivery and let's it rev higher too.
 I looked at the superduke GT, nice bike, but I love my Veek and superduke r too much to get rid of either, and variety is the spice of life they say... 
That video is all about gearing and traction,I put mine against a vmax, full fat one, on an air strip, I geared mine up to Vic Eastwood's advice, and followed his instructions.
Wiseco forged piston, geared too the moon, 3rd gear and dump the clutch at full throttle....it was a  short race to about 90 mph, and the cr got best of three.
I did ask Vic for the torque settings for the cylinder head, he told me it was 'ft', which is one step up from 'fairly tight'! 

[TLPower]

Hero.

[wurzel]

  Not at all, just a fruitcake that has survived thus far, I think there's a few of them in these hallowed halls...

[tallpaul]

A scandalous suggestion. We're all sensible, it's the rest of the world you have to watch out for...

[wurzel]

   Paul,  whist I do agree with you, I remember trying to stay with Tlp on a track day, and seeing the look in his eye before we set off...

[Loz]

If you wonder how good the Cr250 was/is have a watch of this, not bad for 10 year old machinery

[wurzel]

I had a few mx bikes over the years Loz, the cr 250 was a lovely bike, I also had a kwak kx 500, that never hit the limelight like the cr500, but was a good fast bike, running a power valve, unlike the cr.

[frez]

I had one as a loaner while my 1290 was in for a service, good fun.

[wurzel]

Nimble little thing they are Frez. :xmas-smile:

[Angustoyou]

Cheers Wurzel, I took a 690 Duke for a test run.  What a hoot to ride, you weren't wrong about that engine, it's splendid!  As much power and more torque than the vstrom, with 50kg less.  Brilliant!  Wouldn't be the bike for everyone for sure, but I'm having one.   

[wurzel]

   I think you will love the bike Angus,get a 2015 onwards, up to 2013 it was a good idea to replace the rockers and bearings with the parts for later bikes, though mine on a 13 plate was fine, they had a few of the rocker bearings going bad on rare occasions, updated on the later models.
The abs on the later models is welcome too.
I bought the 390 as my partner wants to ride, and there is less chance of lifting the front wheel on them, the 690 will do it for fun in the first three or four gears!

[Angustoyou]

Cheers for the advice Wurzel, I know about the 690 engine from following Lyndon Poskitts adventures.  First came across him on the forums when I had a 950 SM. There are some deals around at the moment on new old stock, so I'm treating myself to a 2017 unregistered R model for £1100 off list price.  There are no more being made of the R version which gets the full electronics package, rearsets, full Akrapovich system and a better front Brembo brake. 

Might as well go all in if you go at all!

[wurzel]

   I'm sure you will have great fun with the bike, nice deal too!
If you get the chance a nice pic or two of your pride and joy would be great!