Why is the KTM Duke 690 R so unreliable?

The KTM Duke 690 R is a ball of fun when you crack it open, yet it has a reliability problem or two. From simple annoyances to severe malfunctions requiring extensive repairs, owners have had a lot of problems. Fuel pump failures, leaking gas tanks, and electrical gremlins are some common complaints. But it’s not known whether all bikes are affected or the problem is limited to a tiny minority. Whether or not proper maintenance can keep most problems at bay is also up for debate, with some arguing that they are built-in design flaws. Over the years KTM has made changes to try and rectify some of these issues, but the bike's reliability reputation lives on in some quarters. So let’s jump into the real world and see if the Duke 690 R is truly high maintenance or just misunderstood.