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KTM 690 Single Cylinder with 63 Horsepower

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KTM 690 Super Moto with 63 horsepower

KTM packs a lot of power into single cylinder engines. I was just going over the Intermot coverage from a couple of weeks ago and I noticed this KTM 690 Supermoto. Reading the specs is interesting, it’s a single cylinder 690, actually displacing 654cc, with a power output of 63 horsepower! That’s not bad.

The absolute high point on the KTM stand – and a highlight of INTERMOT 2006 is the entirely newly developed 690 Supermoto. Driven by an all-new single-cylinder engine with 63 hp, reduced vibration, electronic fuel injection, an easy to operate APTC clutch and a new 6-gear transmission, this bike not only sets new benchmarks in terms of top performance, it also represents a strong statement by the KTM brand concerning the single cylinder.

That could be an interesting engine for all sorts of bikes. Nice.

Link: KTM

Posted on Filed Under: Engines, Motorcycle Business

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Comments

  1. yep, if they only put that motor in a street bike. Something along the lines of the old yamaha SRX or the MZ skorpion would be nice.
    -todd

  2. I have always been impressed with KTM’s engineering and performance philosophy but I have never been able to warm to their styling. The exhaust looks like it is suited for a tractor trailer rig and high mounted front fender (common with most other supermotos as well) look silly. A couple of the new BMW G650 models are a break from this fender thing, but on balance I am waiting for an supermoto that is great looking.

  3. and mid-size cruisers are giving us 35-40 hp from v-twin lumps. what a joke.!
    on a cold day in hell, the manufacturers will let a real enthusiasist design their bikes.

  5. The new Duke has also been seen with under-engine exhaust. 63hp combined with 152kg sounds mighty tempting and if the engine proves to be reliable then KTM will have a winner on it’s hands.

  6. Great concept but unfortunately this thing is hideous. I love big singles having owned several, but I can’t see myself ever getting use to the way this looks, much less falling in love with it. I don’t expect them to build something that looks like my old SR500 or a Gold Star BSA but KTM’s recent attempts at styling are an ugly jumble of disparate elements. Too bad because their engineering and performance are top notch. The deliberately controversial styling has got to be costing them customers. Look at Ducati’s debacle with the change in styling from the 916 to the present line up.

  7. amen to the “this thing is hideous” comments. i have a 650 gs and this ktm would be a nice replacement with the 6 gears, more power, and light weight— except for the ugly factor. i’m not vain, but i do want my bike to look better than that thing.

  9. Stupid question time…
    What’s the reasoning behind 2 exhaust canisters for a thumper engine? It just seems like excess weight to me.

  10. The twin exhaust cans allow you to get a large enough muffler and keep the noise down without it looking like a Yamaha Warrior. A single can would have either been too big or too restrictive to achieve the lofty 63hp for this single. Remember the exhaust has to discharge all 650cc of exhaust at once whereas a multi cylinder bike of the same capacity has much smaller exhaust pulses.
    -todd

  11. I think the KTM 690 Supermoto is awesome looking (especially the frame)

    I loved the 2000 Duke II, which at the time seemed far out.

    Now … it looks modern and cool.

    So will this bike in a short while.

    Old guys move over and let the future unravel as it will …

    PS I have an SRX600 which was considered “daring” when it came out. Old guys didnt like it as much as the more conservative SR500?

  12. I’m really into supermotos but haven’t yet found one that would suit me perfectly. Had a 670cc LC4, a very nice one power-wise all tuned up, but still a bit heavy for motocross tracks etc., and the vibrations were unbearable. Friend’s EXC 525 is a stunning experience to ride, but doesn’t exactly suit for an 80 km daily commute, and the servicing..

    ..but that thing. Sure it’s ugly as hell on the pictures, but maybe there’s room for improvement? That horrible front light-front fender -thingy changed to a “conventional” one, EXC parts perhaps. Twin pipes for a single, up-swept one. Plate holder tidied, maybe some more work to the rear (EXC parts again, rear fender+light?). I certainly see potential.

  13. The KTM marketing director said a sportsbike with this engine is feasible, so something in the lines of a “mini” RC8 may be coming…

  14. Saw one of these today at nec bike show. Looks much better in the flesh, especially the black/grey ‘prestige’ version (cast wheels). Subject to a test ride, I think I’ve found my next bike!

  15. Hugo, was your KTM director answering a question about US probability of a thumper sport bike or a Euro-only one? If KTM sees fit to market a 690/RC4 in the US (california) it would definitely be tops on my list.
    Thanks
    -todd

  17. Todd, there was an interview with him in a German magazine and the KTM marketing director made the statement about the 690 sportsbike meaning it must be in the pipeline. I don’t know if KTM plans on bringing the new single to the US. The sportssingle could be interesting; in Europe there was the Yamaha SRZ660 http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_szr_660_1997.php
    which had a 660 single in a TZR250 frame and handled very well; now imagine such a bike with maybe 17hp more and 10kg’s less…sounds like fun:-)

  18. I don’t understand what the R&D dept is doing to come up with such a design. I’m sure there can come up with something better….it’s not even a love/hate design. Just awful…very disappointing on design. Engine wise is great, hope the D3 look better. :-))

  19. A step in the right direction engine wise. All the Motards are butt ugly. This bike needs a weight reduction. To play in the dirt or unimproved roads heavy bikes are a hand full. If KTM could reduce the weight to about 265 #’s they’d have a real world beater.

  20. Some of the recent KTM designs are pretty succesful like the new Super Duke or the 950 Supermoto, I even thought the R8 concept was pretty amazing. But this thing! the designers must have gone on vacation and maybe the engineers created this monster, its like a platypus version of a motorcycle.

  24. Thanks for the tip Hugo. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out towards Husky to see if the STR ever makes it to the US (I won’t hold my breath). The most enjoyable bikes I’ve owned have been “underpowered” singles. I hope this bike and Derbi’s 659 Mulhacen Cafe make it over here eventually.
    -todd

  25. I Bought one. Its alot sexier in person, I agree it does look ugly on screen, My first bike was a 98 gsxr600 and I want something different this time round.
    Got a chance to sit on it at the Toronto bike show last week, went to my dealer and dropped a deposit 4 days later. Will update after first ride, if im not in jail.

  26. A lot of people seem to think the 690 is ugly, but wait until you see one in the flesh – it’s awesome! I know the styling is new and a bit radical, but then so were plenty of other bikes when they came out – look how everyone reacted to the Hayabusa when Suzuki released it, then they sold zillions of them. I’ve just finished running in my 690, and it is so fast! I’ve caught and easily passed plenty of motos on my local roads, which just can’t live with the 690’s performance – buy one, coz you will not be disappointed. Guess what, I’ve even had other bikers compliment the looks of the bike, with a few saying how cool the exhausts look!

  27. Today I saw a Prototype of a KTM single sportbike (RC4?) in the german Motorcycle magazine “Motorrad”…veeeeeery nice!

  28. Maybe companies the likes of KTM and BMW design bikes like the 690 Supermoto and the F650CS to prove that no one buys singles any more. If only these bikes didn’t look so odd they’d probably sell a ton more. A RC4 or F650S in the likes of the R1200S would be more like it.
    -todd

  29. With the full akropovic system this bike looks REALLY good. Shame that system is so expensive (25% more on top of buying the bike).

    I’ve kind-of got used to the front fender and embraced the idea that it’s different to the norm. However, it does still look very ‘beaky’ in the orange.

    Just ordered one though… ride it and you forget about what it looks like. The new BMWs simply can’t compete (lower power, terrible gearbox) once you’ve ridden the KTM.

  30. Beautiful engine (not to look at, but perfomancewise)! Why cant some manufacturer put such an engine in a low lightweight STREET frame!
    A motorcycle like this eksists, but are handbuilt to a price! Look at aermacchi racing.com and click the button (special bikes)! It has 500cc,and its wheight is only 112kg,and 51hp.It is a pushrod engine, but they can deliver a DOHC as well!

  31. I like it. The new 690 Duke III is even better. It reminds me of all the things I love about the Buell S1 I bought in 2001.

    I love the swingarm and bodywork on the Stunt concept bike, too.

  32. Love them or hate them, you can’t deny that the KTM crew make some very radical performance bikes that are very practical for all kinds of riding environments. Owners swear by their machines being ultra reliable, high performance & bullet proof.(I guess thats the KTM philosophy, to produce bikes that are “race hardend” straight off the factory floor and ready to be enjoyed “without” tinkering and trying to make one better). The 08 model line-up of LC4’s look very tempting indeed so much in fact that I am selling my 3 month old NEW bike and have set my sights on the awsome new Duke 111. I really can’t think of a better performance day to day bike than this, light agile, brilliant power to weight ratio and battle hardened, I think it will make a perfect Mon-Fri carver and should be a very interesting track bike capable of mixing it with anything around the bends.

  33. Looks tons better in the flesh (or metal). I put 50 miles on mine so far. Nice to have something radical you wont see anyone riding where I live. I love it…

  34. I’ve got the only one of the 2008 R models shipped within 40miles of my town.

    The bike is awesome. I traded in my 1999 CBR900RR that i had owned since 2002 and personally put over 28k miles on it.

    Do not regret it at all. On the straights, its a little hard to keep up w/ my friends on the sportbikes, but when its cornering time, im usually on their heals giving them grief or 45seconds + ahead of them.

    Fun is in the corners ;o)

  35. Just taken delivery of 690 supermoto r with the orange frame. fantastic ride, so light so flickable. better than my vfr800, r1150r. love the riding position. even kept the missus happy by telling her i am down grading to a 650. At 61 years old this bike makes me feel 20. will keep for a year then go for the 990.

  36. Am doing a slight conversion on the front beak. cutting it back to just below the head light then removing the small mud guard and fitting the full size carbon in its place. cost £100. it should stop all the road crap from filling the radiator fins.My mate has done it to his and the bike looks really good. will post a pic. when done.

  37. I was thinking to buy Aprilia Dorsoduro (perfect line),but after a few opinions from profesionals,I change my mind.Aprilia and most of the italian’s bikes have perfect design,but I don’t belive them.Now I colect information for the KTM supermoto 690 prestige with akrapovic exhaust and front from Duke and I think that I’ll buy it soon.