FRAME AND SWINGARM

 

The 9 kg tubular trellis frame made from chrome-molybdenum steel and the equally lightweight, smoking hot swingarm, die-cast in aluminum, impress with extreme levels of torsional stiffness, providing the 148,5 kg Duke with excellent tracking stability and a continuous flow of information to the rider. New triple clamps lower the fork offset, which underlines this characteristic even further. You’ll notice.

SUSPENSION

 

The upside-down fork on the Duke (with a 43 mm diameter) and pivot-arm articulated pressurized-gas monoshock, both by WP, excel with flawless tuning and a broad spectrum of use for all demands, from relaxed cruising to hammering around on closed circuits. The options are limitless, and so is your lean angle.

BRAKES

 

The Duke's extremely powerful, precise and easily applied Brembo® brakes impress with outstanding controllability. At the front wheel, a radially-mounted, four-piston, fixed brake caliper bites onto a floating 320 mm disc. Thanks to a forgiving setup of the two-channel ABS, the huge potential of these brakes can always be fully utilized.

RIDE MODE TECHNOLOGY

 

Three different ride modes (‘Sport’, ‘Street’ and ‘Rain’) not only moderate the power delivery, but also tell the traction control system how crazy the rear wheel can get, depending on the situation. 'Sport' and 'Rain' ride modes are available as optional extra in the 'Track pack'..

TRACTION CONTROL (TC)

 

In relation to the selected ride mode, traction control allows for different amounts of rear wheel slippage. From being in full control in the rain, to mastering controlled power slides out of corners: It’s all within the push of a button. TC is available as an integrated part of the optional ‘Track pack’.

MOTOR SLIP REGULATION (MSR)

 

MSR avoids rear wheel lock-up when you chop the throttle or drop the clutch on downshifts. Feeling lucky? Just turn it off entirely, so you can get your slide on like a boss. Just as TC, MSR is offered as an optional extra or as an integrated part of the optional ‘Track pack’.

ENGINE

 

The brilliant LC4 showcases twenty-four carats of fun. From the trademark 690 cm³ thumper, the engineers have now extracted a whopping 73 hp (54 kW) and 74 Nm of torque, making light work of the equally lightweight 690 Duke. How it happened? They completely reworked the cylinder head, inserted a new, ultra light and extremely strong piston and connection rod, rerouted the air intake through a resonator chamber and provided the new crankshaft with new sleeve bearings. As a result, the powerband now is a thousand rpm wider, which means an even more uniform power delivery, especially in the mid to high rev range. Twin ignition featuring plug-selective mapping, rock solid but featherweight internals and optimized intake and exhaust systems cultivate this massive mono to be as strong as it is smooth, assisted by an advanced ride-by-wire system with three riding modes, which guarantees great refinement as well as low fuel consumption and emission figures. You’re green, while they’re green with envy. And you haven’t even begun mentioning upmarket goodies like a standard slipper clutch.

NEW CYLINDER HEAD

 

Inside the new cylinder head, the exhaust valves are actuated by roller rockers while the camshaft powers the intake valves. Therefore, the ignition timings can be controlled with far greater accuracy. The result is more peak power over a broader rev range. Win-win!

SECOND BALANCER SHAFT

 

In a free-revving firecracker like this, you want to smooth things out a bit. That’s why the camshaft serves as a bonus balancer shaft, nipping annoying vibrations in the bud.

ENGINE MANAGEMENT

 

The electronic engine management system lives to make the LC4 shine. Twin ignition with individual mappings for each spark plug ensures that your precious fuel is always burned to perfection, irrespective of load and engine speed. And then there is genuine ride-by-wire, in other words: Electronically controlled throttle valve actuation without any mechanical linkage. You’d be forgiven for thinking it runs on cream. Whipped cream, that is.