By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
KTM 690 Duke (MY2012) vs Ducati Monster 696 (MY2008)
KTM 690 Duke vs Ducati Monster 696: which one's easier to live with every day.
Downhill into a tight bend, the KTM 690 Duke's brake lever can wait until late, and it's still shed its speed before the turn. The Ducati Monster 696's Brembos bite hard with good feel.
So which one do you buy?
The 690 Duke has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Edges it: 690 Duke
In the twisties, the 690 Duke asks a bit less of you to go quickly. Put it down to a sportier chassis and more feel through the bars. Call it a modest edge.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear winner on value
The 690 Duke costs less, but that doesn't make it the better buy. Neither bike is the clear winner on value alone. Your choice depends on what you want it for.
What makes each one tick
690 Duke
Behind the 690 Duke's wide bar, the light chassis threads through moving traffic and puts the front tire exactly where you aim it. Uphill, the throttle stays pinned. The single only hangs with bigger bikes on a climb when it's wrung out. Its motor runs smoother once it's got real miles.
Nils rode the 690 Duke in the Canary Islands in 2011, in Hungary in 2012, and in the Canary Islands in 2025 (NastyNils Testride).
Monster 696
Corner entry asks for only a small push on the bar before the light chassis drops onto its line. The seat and bars set a mildly sporty crouch that doesn't wear on you in city traffic. It flicks from lean to lean.
Nils rode the Monster 696 in 2009 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Monster 696 has the lower seat: 30.3 in (770 mm) vs 32.9 in (835 mm).
- The Monster 696 makes more peak power: 80 hp (59 kW) vs 67 hp (49 kW).
- The Monster 696 has the larger fuel tank: 4.0 US gal (15 L) vs 3.6 US gal (13.8 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not built for this
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
Look at commuting, running costs, and a first bike and you'll find two bikes doing the same job equally well. Fit is what breaks the tie.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
690 Duke
Strengths
- Throttle answers right now
- A single with real range
- Turns in without negotiation
- Brakes that never run short
- Cheap to feed for the fun
Trade-offs
- A fork you cannot adjust
- Gearbox gets sloppy with miles
- Alternator is a known weak point
- Coast in and the rear skates
- Below-average reliability and build quality
Monster 696
What owners say
Strengths
- Characterful, torquey V-twin
- Strong braking performance
Known problems to check before you buy
690 Duke
- Electrical troubles (stator failure, wiring gremlins) Several owners have reported premature stator failure, intermittent electrical issues, and wiring faults, sometimes leading to breakdowns.
Monster 696
- Main wiring harness recall Recall 09V142000 Ducati recalled MY2009 Monster 696 motorcycles (NHTSA Campaign 09V142000) because the main wiring harness could contact the vertical cylinder head and exhaust pipe, risking electrical damage or unexpected loss of engine performance. Dealers reposition and fasten the wiring harness to the frame free of charge.
- Oil leak from left side of engine Some owners report an oil leak originating from the left side of the engine.
- Battery drain issues Some bikes suffer from excessive battery drain when left unused for a few days, possibly due to parasitic draw or a weak charging system.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 12-year-old 690 Duke with a 12-year-old Monster 696.
- 690 Duke
- about $4,700
- Monster 696
- about $5,300
At 12 years old, the KTM 690 Duke sits around $4,700 while the Ducati Monster 696 runs about $5,300. That's a $600 gap in the Duke's favor. These are estimates from the used market, not live listings.
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Rear tire
- 160/60-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 690 Duke | Monster 696 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.9 in (835 mm) | 30.3 in (770 mm) |
| 690 Duke | Monster 696 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 690 cc | 696 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder | L-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air-cooled |
| Power | 67 hp (49 kW) | 80 hp (59 kW) |
| Torque | 52 lb-ft (70 Nm) | 51 lb-ft (69 Nm) |
| 690 Duke | Monster 696 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 56 mpg (US) / 4.2 L/100 km | 37 mpg (US) / 6.28 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 3.6 US gal (13.8 L) | 4.0 US gal (15 L) |
| 690 Duke | Monster 696 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 120/60-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 690 Duke | Monster 696 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Option (from 2010) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
