KTM 690 Duke / R (2016-2019) Simplified Maintenance Schedule
This is the maintenance schedule for the KTM 690 Duke and 690 Duke R, made between 2016 and 2019.
The KTM 690 Duke and Duke R are based on the 693 cc single-cylinder 690 engine that has powered a number of other modern singles, like the KTM 690 Enduro R.
It’s a short-stroke single with a 105mm bore and 80mm stroke. The engine has a single overhead chain-driven camshaft and four valves. The engine is tuned quite aggressively for high power output.
The 690 Duke R version of the 690 Duke has the same underlying platform, but comes with a few upgrades.
From 2019, KTM replaced the KTM 690 Duke and Duke R with the KTM 790 Duke (with no R model until the 890).
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KTM 690 Duke / Duke R Service Intervals
Like other 690 singles, the KTM 690 Duke and Duke R have fairly aggressive (for KTM) service intervals of 10000 km / 6200 miles.
You have to do a service on the 690 Duke every 10000 km (6200 miles), at which point you change the oil and filter, clean the oil screens, change the air filter and fuel screen, and check the valve clearances.
Luckily the valve clearance check isn’t too involved, as there’s just one piston and the valves are easy to read and adjust.
Spark plug changes are every two services, but while you have the plugs out for the valve service you should inspect them.
Finally, keep you brake fluid and coolant up to date, every two and four years respectively.
Maintenance Schedule for the KTM 690 Duke (2016-2019)
In the manual (see the screenshots below), the KTM 690 Duke’s maintenance is split up into “required” and “recommended” maintenance, but most of the items in the “recommended” column are required for other motorcycles.
To simplify the maintenance schedule for the KTM 690 Duke and Duke R, we’ve broken it out into two parts:
- The standard inspection checklist, which you do with every minor service, and
- The maintenance schedule
Standard inspection checklist
Below is the standard inspection checklist for the KTM 690 Enduro R. Do this according to the schedule below.
Most of the items you can do at home, but some of them a dealer needs special equipment for.
| km x 1000 |
|---|
| [Dealer] Read out the fault memory using the KTM diagnostics tool. |
| Check that the electrical system is functioning properly. |
| Check the front brake linings. |
| Check the rear brake linings. |
| Check the brake discs. |
| Check the brake lines for damage and leakage |
| Check the front brake fluid level. |
| Check the rear brake fluid level. |
| Check the hydraulic clutch fluid level |
| Check the free travel of the foot brake lever |
| Check the shock absorber and fork for leaks. |
| Check the steering head bearing play |
| Check the wheel bearing for play |
| Check the tire condition |
| Check tire pressure |
| Check the chain tension |
| Check the antifreeze and coolant level |
| Check the cables for damage and routing without kinks |
| Check the fuel pressure. |
| Check that the radiator fan is functioning properly. |
| Check all hoses (fuel, coolant, bleeder, drainage, etc.) and sleeves for cracking, tightness, and incorrect routing |
| Empty the drainage hoses |
| Check screws and nuts for tightness |
| Grease all moving parts (e.g. side stand, hand lever, chain, etc.) and check for smooth operation. Grease with lithium soap-based grease |
| Final check: Check the vehicle is roadworthy and take a test ride. |
| [Dealer] Read out the error memory after the test ride using the KTM diagnostics tool. |
| [Dealer] Reset the service interval on the display |
| [Dealer] Make a service entry in KTMDealer.net and the included booklet |
Maintenance schedule
Below is the maintenance that you should do regularly on your KTM bike.
As above, the below schedule is a combination of the “required” and “recommended” maintenance tables from the manual
| miles x 1000 | 0.62 | 6.2 | 12.4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 1 | 10 | 20 | Every |
| Perform the full multi-point inspection (see regular maintenance checklist above) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the engine oil | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the oil filter. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the air filter (KT-6912), clean the air filter box | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check the valve clearances (cold) Intake: 0.10-0.15mm Exhaust: 0.20-0.25 mm | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Change the spark plugs (NGK Iridium IX: LKAR9BI-10, LMAR7DI-10) | ✓ | |||
| Change the fuel screen | ✓ | |||
| Change the front brake fluid. (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | |||
| Change the rear brake fluid. (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | |||
| Change the hydraulic clutch fluid (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | |||
| Change the coolant (Motorex Coolant M3.0) | 4 years | |||
| Check the frame | ✓ | |||
| Check the link fork | ✓ |
Chain Maintenance
KTM recommends you maintain the chain according to the following schedule for the 690 Duke.
| Chain maintenance | Every |
|---|---|
| Clean and lubricate the chain (use Motorex Chain Clean) | 1000 km / 620 mi, or after riding in rain |
| Check chain tension, and adjust as necessary Chain tension: 5mm / 0.2 in between chain, when taught, and swing arm | 10000 km / 6200 mi |
To measure the chain tension, do the following.
- Put the transmission in neutral and raise the motorcycle onto a track stand or the side stand.
- Move the chain so that any tight position is in the middle of the chain, between the sprockets.
- Push the chain upward with a finger.
- Measure the distance between the sliding guard and the chain. This should be 5mm on the 690 Enduro R.
- To adjust chain tension, loosen the axle nuts, adjust the chain tension with the adjusting screws, and re-tighten the axle nuts to 90 Nm / 66 ft-lb.
Wheel and Tire Specs for the KTM 690 Duke / R
The KTM 690 Duke / R has the following tire sizes, plus these recommended tire pressures (cold).
| Wheel | Tire size | Tire pressure (cold) |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 ZR 17 M/C 58W TL | 2 bar / 29 psi |
| Rear | 160/60 ZR 17 M/C 69W TL | 2-2.2 bar / 29-32 psi (depending on load). |
The 690 Duke ships with Metzeler Sportec M7 tires standard.
About the KTM 690 Duke / Duke R
The KTM 690 Duke R is a very unique bike — a very light and agile naked sport standard powered by a single-cylinder engine.
You can’t quite compare the KTM 690 Duke with any other modern motorcycle. No other manufacturer is making sport standards with singles. This is the domain of supermotos — which even these days are often powered by twins (like the Ducati Hypermotard 950).
The engine in the KTM 690 Duke and Duke R is what makes it special. It’s a 693 cc single-cylinder engine that’s oversquare. The base model is tuned for 54 kW (73 bhp) at 8000 rpm; the R makes a tad more thanks to its standard Akrapovic exhaust.
While the base model KTM 690 Duke is still a very fun bike, the R version gets some significant upgrades, in all the important places — brakes, suspension, ride aids, and even engine tune.
Below is a table of how the 690 Duke and Duke R compare.
| Model | KTM 690 Duke (2016-2019) | KTM 690 Duke R (2016-2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Front suspension (43mm WP inverted fork) | Non-adjustable | Fully-adjustable |
| Rear suspension (WP Monoshock) | WP monoshock, preload-adjustable | WP monoshock, fully-adjustable |
| Front brake caliper (on 300 mm disc) | Brembo M4.32 | Brembo M50 |
| Ride aids | Standard ABS | Cornering ABS + TC |
| Ride modes | Optional extra ride modse and Supermoto mode | 3 ride modes standard + Standard Supermoto Mode |
| Exhaust | Standard | Akrapovic |
| Seat height | 835mm | 865mm |
Regardless of which you own, maintenance is the same. It’s mercifully easy on a single-cylinder engine as it’s also quite frequent at 6200 miles / 10000-kilometer intervals.
Riding the KTM 690 Duke or Duke R is a ball of fun. The single-cylinder engine is both smooth and rev happy — not at all what most people expect from a “thumper”.
Torque comes on around 3000 rpm, but before that you risk lugging the engine a little if you keep it in stock gearing (which is 16:40 for both the Duke and Duke R).
And while there’s ~80% of peak torque all over the rpm range from 3000 to 9000 rpm, there’s a distinct bump over 5000 rpm, with a plateau extending out to about 7500 rpm of peak torque. So this is a bike that likes to be kept on the boil.
The braking difference between the standard 690 Duke and the R isn’t so apparent when you’re riding about town. Even on track, both brakes are very able to make the bike skid, should you turn safety controls off.
But what gives some riders a lot of confidence is knowing they have all those ride aids behind them on the R. Cornering ABS means you can grab a handful of brakes going into a corner and you won’t be stood up and driven into the sand (or worse, if you’re not on a track).
The real alternative to the 690 Duke is Yamaha’s understated middleweight, the Yamaha MT-07. The thing is, you need to make a ton of upgrades to the MT-07 to get it to the same level of braking and suspension performance, for it to be track-ready. And even then, you’ll still have a bike that makes about the same kind of power but weighs a massive 20 kg / 44 lb heavier.
Reference — Manual for the KTM 690 Duke and Duke R
Below are screenshots.
You can download manuals for KTM motorcycles directly from KTM.
