2027 KTM 690 Rally

[JulesDive]

Updated motorcycle comparison — UK prices and servicing (October 2026)

I’ve added the UK new prices, oil-change intervals and valve-clearance checks. The servicing differences are particularly interesting, especially between the Kove and KTM.

Specification Suzuki DR-Z4S Kove 450 Rally KTM 690 Enduro R (2026) Honda CRF300 Rally
UK new price £7,999 £8,500 £10,499 £6,599
Engine 398 cc 449 cc 693 cc 286 cc
Power 38 hp 42 hp 78 hp 27 hp
Weight 151 kg 155 kg 162 kg 153 kg
Fuel capacity 8.7 L 31 L 13.3 L 12.8 L
Seat height 920 mm 950 mm 935 mm 885 mm
Gearbox 5-speed 6-speed 6-speed 6-speed
Oil-change interval 3,750 miles 1,240 miles* 9,320 miles 8,000 miles
Valve-clearance check 15,000 miles approx. 1,240 miles* 18,640 miles 16,000 miles

Prices are published UK list/OTR prices, not necessarily the lowest dealer offers. Honda’s £6,599 is the published 2025 model-year price.

*The Kove intervals are from an available 450 Rally owner’s manual, which specifies frequent oil and valve checks. Confirm the schedule for the exact UK Euro 5 bike with Kove UK before purchasing.

Important servicing observations

* KTM 690: The 2026 model has significantly improved servicing intervals, with oil changes every 9,320 miles and valve checks every 18,640 miles.
* Suzuki DR-Z4S: Oil changes every 3,750 miles or 12 months, with valve checks every 15,000 miles.
* Honda CRF300 Rally: The European maintenance schedule specifies oil changes every 12,000 km (approximately 7,456 miles) or 12 months, and valve checks every 24,000 km (14,913 miles). These are slightly shorter than the rounded figures in the table.
* Kove 450 Rally: The frequent servicing requirements could be a significant disadvantage for long-distance travel, so I would verify them with the UK importer before committing.

The 2026 KTM 690 Enduro R is particularly attractive if you want a motorcycle capable of covering substantial road mileage between off-road trips. Its servicing intervals are now longer than those of the Suzuki and potentially much longer than those of the Kove.


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[JulesDive]

Some thoughts above from AI assistant.

The Suzuki still looks very attractive for UK green lanes etc.
Not sure if the lack of 6th gear would be a problem in reality. Depends on your mix of riding and how many longer/faster road stages you do to link together the off-road sections.

I will try to find off road centres in the UK next summer to test ride the Suzuki DR4S and if I can find it the KTM 690 Rally. The 8 year warranty and international dealer network for the Suzuki ( Morocco , Iceland , Spain, Portugal etc ) is quite appealing for a long term ownership .

On the other hand, I’m getting older.
So if not now then probably never for the 690.


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[karlp]

Have they changed the gear ratios on the KTM 690 to make it more travel friendly

 

[Arsey]

Have they changed the gear ratios on the KTM 690 to make it more travel friendly

Don’t think so .
I’m pretty sure I had the same gear ratios in my 701LR and it was very travel friendly

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Don’t think so .
I’m pretty sure I had the same gear ratios in my 701LR and it was very travel friendly

Gear it for one use and it's not brilliant at the other usage

Very close ratios, from the ones I have ridden and the orginal design brief for the 690 was a Supermoto SMC- R, so internal gear ratios were of no consequence

 

[cookie]

Gear it for one use and it's not brilliant at the other usage

Very close ratios, from the ones I have ridden and the orginal design brief for the 690 was a Supermoto SMC- R, so internal gear ratios were of no consequence

This is true.

But...

If you put decent off road tyres on a 690 you'll probably not be that worried about high cruising speeds. I've not ridden one but I suspect the DRZ is likely the same.

What I did with my 701 is get a second set of wheels so Trackers on one set and TKC80s on the other. Different rear sprocket on each so i got gearing more suited to the job in hand. I've gone a stage further now, sold the 701 and just have an MT09 and an FE350. Horses for courses.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

This is true.

But...

If you put decent off road tyres on a 690 you'll probably not be that worried about high cruising speeds. I've not ridden one but I suspect the DRZ is likely the same.

What I did with my 701 is get a second set of wheels so Trackers on one set and TKC80s on the other. Different rear sprocket on each so i got gearing more suited to the job in hand. I've gone a stage further now, sold the 701 and just have an MT09 and an FE350. Horses for courses.

I thought the same, when I rode 2-3 690's over the years

 

[karlp]

Don’t think so .
I’m pretty sure I had the same gear ratios in my 701LR and it was very travel friendly

When I had a 690 the gear ratios were like a motocross - very close ratio

I bought a Nova racing gearset that made a huge difference - lower first and higher sixth

 

[Arsey]

When I had a 690 the gear ratios were like a motocross - very close ratio

I bought a Nova racing gearset that made a huge difference - lower first and higher sixth

According to the internet the gear ratios are identical in the 690 and 701.
I took my 701 to Spain and France and it was just fine sat at speed onroad

 

[bod]

I dithered too long on a 701LR, and they stopped making them!
May just cave in on one of these if KTM do their usual over production and discount trick.
Happy with the 890 ADV R so won't be too hasty!