I just got my first look at the 690 Duke in person at the DC Motorcycle Show and I've gotta say, I liked it a lot. Light, aggressive styling, decent power, what's not to like? Well, the price. $9500. Seems like a bit much, especially considering that you can get a Monster for less than that ($8000). Thoughts?

 

Looks like about 7 and change to me... maybe 7800 because of the exchange rate

 

Yeeeeeesh. $9,500? Who does KTM think they are? H-D?

 

I like it alot except for the exhaust.

 

I really like this bike. Great looks (although gold wheels could improve that). Light weight. Cool factor. Unfortunately, its price puts it out of consideration for me.

For under $8k you can buy:

- Street Triple
- Monster 696
- FZ6
- Husqvarna SM610
- SV650

Just about any naked bike under 700CC comes home at a price point of under $8k. KTM's LC4 motor is shared across several bikes, I dont see the reason for such a price premium - especially given their limited dealer network. If a smaller manufacturer (Husky) can bring similar bikes to the market for nearly $2000 less, your price point is just not going to help you get people's hard earned in the showroom.

When you start pushing $10k for the bike - you're nearly into hypermotard territory - and I'd much rather pimp one of those than a 690 single.

 

I always thought the same held true for the 990; isn't it $13k and then some?

 

You can get a 990 super duke for $12k new, but MSRP is almost $14k.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You can get a 990 super duke for $12k new, but MSRP is almost $14k.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Maybe the same disparity will run for the 690...

fwiw, I like the 690 SuMo more than the Duke.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MSchu &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Looks like about 7 and change to me... maybe 7800 because of the exchange rate</TD></TR></TABLE>

Dealer reps at the show were quoting $9500

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Brian* &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Dealer reps at the show were quoting $9500</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wha.... are they on crack

 

yeah, any number of SM's i'd rather BUY.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bad-monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yeah, any number of SM's i'd rather BUY.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Maybe its me but, I dont consider to be a true SM, but rather a sport bike styled after a SM.

Just my .02

 

Like I said while I was at the show, it was my favorite bike there, but DEFINITELY not worth the asking price. Perhaps I'll keep my eyes peeled for used ones down the line.

Only thing is - it only has one brake rotor so I don't like it for that reason alone!!! zOINKS!!!! /fanboi

 

sounds to be priced a bit high for what u get, theyll come down tho just wait it out.

 

yea, generally KTM are expensive. But I think they look fantastic.

 

Sorry guys, But KTM's come off as expensive, because they're dealers REFUSE to deal on prices.

BUT, they are a few out there that WILL work on the price, and come down, a lot.

1. Munn Racing - They are amazing, register at KTMTALK.com, and you'll get taken care of well as far as pricing. Munnracing.com

2. Motohouse - Great shop, hidden, and basicly unknown. They will gladly deal on prices. motohouseaz.com

This past year, I finally got a KTM dealership to take care of me, and I LOVE the bikes. Even if I had to pay full price for any of my KTM stuff, I would after having owned them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GraphiteAccord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sorry guys, But KTM's come off as expensive, because they're dealers REFUSE to deal on prices.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I don't think so. The high prices are the MSRP's set by KTM, not prices set by the dealers. Sure, dealers may not be willing to deal much off those prices but the problem is that the prices were too high in the first place.

 

The exchange rate is what has the prices jacked up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Matt Sterbator &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The exchange rate is what has the prices jacked up. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I'm sure that accounts for some of it, but KTM's prices are out of line with even other European manufacturers. For instance, the Triumph Street Triple is $7999. The Street Triple has a lot more power, only shares its engine with one other bike (the 690 is in 3 models), and the dollar is even weaker against the British Pound than it is against the Euro. There's no reason the 690 Duke should be $1500 more than the Street Triple. At least, not that I can see.

 

Some of it may be due to the economies of scale... smaller companies have to charge a slightly higher price because they do not make as many units, but frankly... I don't see much more than 7-8 sitting there regardless of maker