2016 MY 690?

[JohnnyBoxer]

Mines a 2009 which I've had from new. I fitted a metal bash plate and rox risers when I first had it but nothing else has been changed. It's now on 25k kms. with probably less than 2k on tarmac and I've not had any real issues.

If you're looking for a full on enduro there are better bikes, someone said the forks aren't great which is true, the steering lock can be a nuisance. A wide ratio gearbox is available if you want to go to those lengths. The dirtstar rims may not be as tough as Excel rims but are fine for normal use. The RR tank bolts are probably a good idea. The rocker problem was resolved back in 2011.

Folding mirrors are a good idea on any off roader.

I wouldn't have one with ABS unnecessary complication.

That's probably a good advert for keeping it stock & not messing about with it

Too many owners maybe changing stuff & making it worse

 

[ChasF]

You could get the impression that aftermarket suppliers are there ready to pounce on any new model as soon as it arrives and provide solutions to numerous problems that don't exist. I know the plastic fuel tank/rear subframe was treated with suspicion from the day it was launched but has proved to be relatively trouble free. The cooling fan on mine comes on when it's hot but apparently it's too hot so I'm supposed to fit an aftermarket switch which comes on at a lower temperature. Mine did boil once when the fuse went but otherwise has been fine.

Every bike has its shortcomings. One of my gripes with BMW is that they don't often address issues with one model in the next one - seats, screens, final drives, for example. KTM could be accused of the same with the 690 where newer models seem to have just as many fi issues as the earlier models - or is it just the power of forums?

 

[mhsnowy]

For every 1 or 2 people that have a specific problem there are probably 100 that don't.
You don't tend to hear from the the ones that don't have a problem.

 

[Peak]

For every 1 or 2 people that have a specific problem there are probably 100 that don't.
You don't tend to hear from the the ones that don't have a problem.

Ain't that the truth!

 

[Peak]

An old article I found trawling the web

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle...sordown-new-ktm-690-enduro-r-spied/25971.html

 

[Berin]

I've got a 2011 690R which has done about 8k miles, mostly on piste and trails. It's only used for my long trips with lots of trails. Here are the essentials, in my experience, needed if you are carrying luggage and leaving tarmac behind, and if you're not doing both those things I think there are better bikes.

Rally raid upper and lower tank bolts
Adventure rider bash plate
CJ fuel filler (better than the RR one, but I've an RR one for sale if you want it)
Seat concepts seat - not expensive really, $170 And then fit it yourself to your seat pan. very comfortable and no higher than stock, unlike Renazco which are great but tall
Touratech luggage rack. The rear sub frame could do with a bit of support of you're carrying luggage, and this braces it nicely. use copaslip on any bolts which go into the rear tank/subframe
Rally Raid rad guards
Chris Barnes carbon clutch cover
rally raid fan thermostat switch
Golan fuel filter
Akra or KTM powerparts silencer (the stock one gets hotter than the core of the sun)
camel toe


Suspension. Nothing wrong with it, except it's badly set up out of the box, much too hard. I fitted the right weight of spring, and then spend £200 getting the shock and forks revalved to be much more plush. Most people leap straight in and fit EXC forks, but they have 25mm more travel so you end up pushing them through the yokes and messing up the geometry. Just get the standard suspension set up right.

Since I'm keeping this bike, as I can't see a better travel bike out there, I've also done the following:

HDB handguards and top clamp with built in indicators and mirrors, room for USB socket and switchgear in the top clamp
Garmin Montana wired in via rugged mount
Systech heated grips - fit under the soft foam rally handgrips
Trail tech headlight
Rally raid front tanks for a range approaching 250 miles
Venhill brake hoses
Ralle moto steering damper - great in sand
rally raid billet rear brake lever
rally raid sprocket guard
rally raid engine toolbox
Perun rear reack
pivot pegz - makes a day standing on the pegs a lot less tiring
carry a spare tilt sensor and injector


Mrs Berin has the same, except shortened a bit. We've done lots of trips with these two and one more that a friend has, and the sum total of problems has been:

Fuel injector packed in before a trip - changed it and fitted a fuel filter
Ignition barrel shook itself to bits in the Sahara and caused a short - removed the barrleland hot wired it, fitted replacment barrel at home after the trip
Side stand switch - swapped it out for the dummy switch I carry as a spare

err, that's it. Not even a puncture.

My advice would be get a secondhand one, there's a few good ones about and some may have these mods done. They don't need extra power and I don't think vibes are an issue, we've done some long (400 mile) days, don't need ABS either. I also think the new ones have a load of emissions related guff, too

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[Deleted account 210604001]

Doesnt have the updated motor, but the Husky 701 Enduro has different forks, does this solve any of the ktm's issues without spending ?


RBW.

 

[mhsnowy]

Doesnt have the updated motor, but the Husky 701 Enduro has different forks, does this solve any of the ktm's issues without spending ?


RBW.

Who knows, only time will tell!

 

[Adventure Boy]

No choice with ABS if your buying new, I just tried to get one without ABS but couldn't had to get an ABS model !! mine is the 2016 model and I was told by the dealer the Power is up to bang on 70BHP not sure that's correct but that's what I was told when I parted with my money !! he also said the rocker problem is long sorted as the rear tank bolts now !!

 

[mhsnowy]

Can't see what is different on the rear tank mount bolts between the early models and the later models. the only difference is that the lower mount now supports the exhaust also.
I still changed mine as they are only £20 lower and £27 upper. A small price to pay for just in case!

 

[Adventure Boy]

Can't see what is different on the rear tank mount bolts between the early models and the later models. the only difference is that the lower mount now supports the exhaust also.
I still changed mine as they are only £20 lower and £27 upper. A small price to pay for just in case!

Good call for that money, hardly worth worrying about in the grand scheme of things

 

[mhsnowy]

The ABS is surprisingly good if you fit the ABS dongle.

For off road - Front on rear off
For on road - All on

What is not to like?

 

[Adventure Boy]

The ABS is surprisingly good if you fit the ABS dongle.

For off road - Front on rear off
For on road - All on

What is not to like?

Same as the new Africa Twin, Ill order one, not an Africa Twin I ordered one of them back in November !!