Decisions, decisions!

[mhsnowy]

I have been offered my old KTM 690 Enduro which I bought new in 2008, back from the person who bought it off me. It is well sorted with all the original Rally Raid fuel tanks, upgraded forks and rear shock etc etc etc. The list goes on.

But do I get rid of the Xchallenge and get the 690 or not?

What would you do?

 

[Timolgra]

Wait and see is the obvious answer but I have a similar dilemma, I have a stunning Rally Raid 690 but won't sell my 640ADV so in my heart I know the 690 may go.

 

[magno]

Dean

If you have any long trips keep the XC. Unless you want to become very, very good at spannering. There is a reason why Walter Colebatch is rebuilding his XC rather than using a KTM. Arguably the 690 is a better bike to ride. But when you're stuck at the side of the road in the middle of nowhere the benefits evaporate.

 

[GFJ]

Must have been some reason why you decided to sell the 690 in the 1st place? Has anything changed in those factors since then? If not, then it may have been the correct decision and it's just nostalgia that's swaying you now?

Nice choice though

 

[mhsnowy]

Must have been some reason why you decided to sell the 690 in the 1st place? Has anything changed in those factors since then? If not, then it may have been the correct decision and it's just nostalgia that's swaying you now?

Nice choice though

I only sold it cos everyone else got big twin adventure bikes for travelling further a field by road then going off road on the trails. I got a Super Enduro, then after a couple of years everyone went back to the lighter singles. At that time there were no second hand 690's around so ended up with the Xchallenge instead.

 

[Timolgra]

Arguably the 690 is a better bike to ride. But when you're stuck at the side of the road in the middle of nowhere the benefits evaporate.

I can't see why you use the word arguably, there's no doubt

As for your other observation........

 

[magno]

 

[Timolgra]

Did you search the net for that or was it personal experience because I has to tow an XC with a KTM 690 a few weeks ago but no pics......

 

[mhsnowy]

I'm enjoying this.......1 - 1 Only picture evidence counts!

 

[Timolgra]

I'm enjoying this.......1 - 1 Only picture evidence counts!

I'll settle for a draw

 

[magno]

 

[magno]

Dean - Get what your heart tells you. I have an old Lancia and am therefore used to getting funny looks for my choice. It boils down to what you want. Sod what anyone else thinks.

 

[magno]

Towing pic was in Kazakhstan 2012. It got fixed in the end. But only after Rod flew back to the UK to get some parts and then fly back.

 

[Timolgra]

Towing pic was in Kazakhstan 2012. It got fixed in the end. But only after Rod flew back to the UK to get some parts and then fly back.

What was wrong with it, cam followers?

 

[magno]

The infamous fuel pump. Well documented now but a complete f****r to sort in the field. Most of the issues with these bikes are well known now. The 2 690's ahead of us on the BAM last year needed constant attention and even were held up needing an entire new cylinder head at one point. The Xc's seem to need less attention - but maybe KTM riders ride faster and that shortens service life?

 

[Timolgra]

The infamous fuel pump. Well documented now but a complete f****r to sort in the field. Most of the issues with these bikes are well known now. The 2 690's ahead of us on the BAM last year needed constant attention and even were held up needing an entire new cylinder head at one point. The Xc's seem to need less attention - but maybe KTM riders ride faster and that shortens service life?

I've fitted a CycleWorks pump to mine and re plumbed to an external filter, I reckon in the unlikely event of this pump failing I could change it in an under an hour. I carry a spare one.
I've also fitted a pair of new rockers as a precaution.

I doubt the faults you describe are down to the bikes being ridden faster though, a fuel pump doesn't really know how fast it's going, more likely dirt into the fuel tank and I guess the head was down to a cam follower fecking the cam??, but those are potentials which warrant carrying spares on a big big trip with a 690, admittedly those faults tend not to occur on the XC.....but I'm not sure the OP is going to Siberia ....anyway blah blah, I'd be more concerned with the ECU (s)

Like you say, get the bike which your heart tells you

 

[Nothingtosee]

Did you search the net for that or was it personal experience because I has to tow an XC with a KTM 690 a few weeks ago but no pics......

To be fair that was because some muppet left the ignition on

 

[Timolgra]

To be fair that was because some muppet left the ignition on

Shhhhh .....I have to take any opportunity I can mate as you can see

 

[mhsnowy]

Well I'm going to have a look and test ride of it tomorrow, so will be able to do a back to back ride with the 2 bikes.
Might make my decision a bit easier!

 

[Losttheplot]

Well I'm going to have a look and test ride of it tomorrow, so will be able to do a back to back ride with the 2 bikes.
Might make my decision a bit easier!

I'd be interested to know how the 2 bikes feel power wise, especially now you've had the X remapped.

Just out of interest, what is the intended use for the bike you decide to stick with?