First trail ride on KTM 690 Rally Raid

[merlings1200]

After a lot of searching I managed to find a 2012 690 with all the RR bling and only 2000 miles on the clock.

Picked it up down in Basingstoke 10 days ago, so last Friday and Saturday it was time to try the 690 on some green lanes.

To start the Friday morning my wife cooks me a great British fry up no picture of the breakfast but here is my wife on the garden swing.

 

[merlings1200]

So after the hearty breakfast I set of from home for a 25 mile road ride to the first green lane nr to the village of Brilley, I had not ridden this lane for a few years it had become very overgrown.
It was not long befor the lane became quit rutted from the 4x4 this was no problem for the 690

 

[merlings1200]

It was getting very hot the sun was shining so it was time for a break a bottle of water and admire the view.

 

[merlings1200]

After checking the good old paper OS maps and putting the next part of the route into the Montana GPS it was time to go again.
At the end of Brilley Mud slot I turned right onto the Tarmac for about 3miles to the next green lane.
this lane took me to the village of New Church on the Welsh border, as it was lunch time I was hoping for a village shop or pub neither is this village so a few more miles on the Tarmac to the next lane.
A small river to ford then an up hill climb to the start of Doctors Pool this lane takes you across the top of red hill some great views.

 

[merlings1200]

At the end of Doctors Pool I headed for Llanbeadr Hill and Twin Tobacco's Grave this is a nice long lane across the top of the hills with no gates that takes you back down into the Wye Vally to the last short lane of the day.
Time to take the bridge across the river Wye and take the Tarmac up to Builth re fuel the the bike and have Pork pie, from Builth I headed to Rhayader and the Ellan Vally to meet my wife.

On Saturday morning I met up with Collin from trailrides Wales and set of for Strata Florida sorry no pictures as I forgot the camera.

 

[Timolgra]

Ya tart, very nice

 

[merlings1200]

Ya tart, very nice

Timmy
I take it you mean my bike not Jude.......

 

[Timolgra]

Timmy
I take it you mean my bike not Jude.......

You of course, I'd never dare say that about your good lady

 

[merlings1200]

I've been out on the 690 again this evening and really enjoying the ride.

Now in two minds whether to put my X Challenge up for sale here is a couple of pics if your interested in buying it PM me for more details.

 

[FERRET]

Don't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I bought a blinged up 690 did, sold my XC , did the TAT and realised I had made a mistake, fortunately I managed to get my XC back.
If I was you I would do a couple of proper trips on the 690 before deciding to get rid of the XC, just my 2 penneth

 

[fatbob99]

KTM's really nice , be interesting to know how your ownership goes with time.
I am seriously considering chopping in my 1190 for one of these.
Bike looks like great fun

 

[Mav]

Don't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I bought a blinged up 690 did, sold my XC , did the TAT and realised I had made a mistake, fortunately I managed to get my XC back.
If I was you I would do a couple of proper trips on the 690 before deciding to get rid of the XC, just my 2 penneth

Interested to hear why the XC is better than the 690? Obviously the 690 is the trendy choice

 

[FERRET]

Obviously its a personal choice, however I find the XC far more spacious ergonomically for me, and also a better balance for on / off road riding.
The 690 did everything I asked and of course the suspension is better, however after 4000 miles of trails/roads (60% trails) I preferred the character and feel of the XC, the XC engine is superb and pulls like a tractor and just plods along, a bit like me really.

After my second ownership of the XC I still feel that I made the right choice in swopping back.

 

[finn]

hmmm thats nice

(not that orange thingy)

Whats it worth?

 

[FERRET]

Thought you didn't like your XC?

 

[finn]

Thought you didn't like your XC?

Certainly not at the top on BYG in winter

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

Nice bike there, good scenery and trails on your doorstep. Enjoy your new bike

 

[Mav]

Obviously its a personal choice, however I find the XC far more spacious ergonomically for me, and also a better balance for on / off road riding.
The 690 did everything I asked and of course the suspension is better, however after 4000 miles of trails/roads (60% trails) I preferred the character and feel of the XC, the XC engine is superb and pulls like a tractor and just plods along, a bit like me really.

After my second ownership of the XC I still feel that I made the right choice in swopping back.

Thanks - always good to hear opinions based on experience

 

[merlings1200]

I took the 690 out again yesterday, started the day by meeting up with Andy on his Honda XR 400.

First lane followed the river Wye down to Newbridge from there we took the Tarmac upto Llandod and across to Giants Grave, this lane starts with an up hill grassy climb.

 

[Timolgra]

Never mind pics of that bike, we want more of Jude