Which KTM Is The Best?

Udders said:
This is why ( as much as I’d like a 701 ) I’m leaning towards a 690. The cost of setting it up and leaving it sat in a garage for months isn’t going to be as high.
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I don't understand, they're virtually the same bike in different plastics???
 
Udders said:
Like I said before, I will only be using it for specific trips. Maybe once or twice a year maximum. I have other bikes and a car so this will be a specialised long range lightweight off roader.

This is why ( as much as I’d like a 701 ) I’m leaning towards a 690. The cost of setting it up and leaving it sat in a garage for months isn’t going to be as high.
I think it’s going to be a soft luggage set up too.
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Then, go for as new a 690 as you can, there were good deals on new ones ,not sure if that’s still the case.

Change the seat if the original doesn’t Suit you. Add a roto pax fuel carrier if you don’t want extra/ bigger tank. Heated grips if your off to Iceland!! And a couple of suitable soft panniers and small dry bag. And that’s it. Too easy to get bogged down in so called absolute necessity ad ons. Everything added equals extra weight.

Use it a bit before you go on any trip so you have confidence in the bike, and enjoy.
 
cookie said:
I don't understand, they're virtually the same bike in different plastics???
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Oh ok. I did say I know nothing about the KTM range! :D I thought the 690 was a lot older? :nenau Is that the 640? I’m sure one of my friends had a 640. It had LC4 on the engine. It also had a huge oil leak! :D
 
doyle said:
Too easy to get bogged down in so called absolute necessity ad ons. Everything added equals extra weight.

Use it a bit before you go on any trip so you have confidence in the bike, and enjoy.
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Fully agree with that approach.
 
I just picked up a new ktm 690 enduro r for £8.3k, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of the last in the country at the discounted price, they seem to be all snapped up and no more stock until next year.. Worth a few phone calls to different ktm dealers though.
 
have a look here, its is an in depth review of the new 701LR the engine with the extra balance shaft, well worth a watch, I wouldnt change my 640 adv, as it is now set up the way I like it, but if I were getting a new bike then the 701 LR would be top of the list

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uTbkRJN7u-A" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
bowser said:
have a look here, its is an in depth review of the new 701LR the engine with the extra balance shaft, well worth a watch, I wouldnt change my 640 adv, as it is now set up the way I like it, but if I were getting a new bike then the 701 LR would be top of the list

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uTbkRJN7u-A" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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The second balancer shaft was first fitted to the 701 in 2017
 
Arsey said:
The second balancer shaft was first fitted to the 701 in 2017
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Something like that may make the difference between a good or a painful trip. I'm told that 640's vibrate badly at road speeds. Badly enough to give someone numb white hands at the end of a 200 mile day and make it all but impossible to deal with clothing buttons etc.
 
No issues with my 2014 690 and vibration.
Personally- I’d fit the under seat tank at 6lts giving a total of 18.5lts and another 5bhp.
Have a brand new set of RR tanks with all the plastics, etc that keep looking at me but struggling to see the point of them tbh. Just more weight where I’d sooner keep it lighter and better balanced.
They’ll go on eBay probably.
 
Packer said:
I'm told that 640's vibrate badly at road speeds. Badly enough to give someone numb white hands at the end of a 200 mile day and make it all but impossible to deal with clothing buttons etc.
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The latest 690 (and presumably 701) are incredibly smooth right across the Rev range. A pretty amazing bit of engineering (to me anyway) which makes them most pleasant to ride.

Not sure about vibes on the 640 as never ridden one, but Timolgra seems to have no problems with his. He does stop at regular intervals for a break though, which I always thought was so he coukd have a smoke (aka Timmy's Tab Time!), but I now wonder if that's a cover up and he's really just trying to get the blood flow and some feeling back into his fingers ;):D
 
Toddmeister said:
The latest 690 (and presumably 701) are incredibly smooth right across the Rev range. A pretty amazing bit of engineering (to me anyway) which makes them most pleasant to ride.

Not sure about vibes on the 640 as never ridden one, but Timolgra seems to have no problems with his. He does stop at regular intervals for a break though, which I always thought was so he coukd have a smoke (aka Timmy's Tab Time!), but I now wonder if that's a cover up and he's really just trying to get the blood flow and some feeling back into his fingers ;):D
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Mine's pretty smooth and the regular stops are to look around while folk catch up :D

Here on its 13th trip around Iceland proving nothing, something or many things.
 

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Timolgra said:
Mine's pretty smooth and the regular stops are to look around while folk catch up :D

Here on its 13th trip around Iceland proving nothing, something or many things.
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:D

...it proves you've been to Iceland a lot!

Hope you're enjoying your "isolation" in Snowdonia, a more preferential penance than having to watch Mamma Mia again ;)
 
So, what do the collective think of summat like this as a base vehicle to modify? :nenau As previously mentioned I know nothing about service intervals on KTM’s. Is this one that needs servicing every week or once a year https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324283737102

Are parts readily available for this model?
 
Udders said:
So, what do the collective think of summat like this as a base vehicle to modify? :nenau As previously mentioned I know nothing about service intervals on KTM’s. Is this one that needs servicing every week or once a year https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324283737102

Are parts readily available for this model?
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How has a bike that old got zero miles ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joe narvey said:
How has a bike that old got zero miles ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Because the cannot confirm the actual mileage, could be one of many reasons however the engine casings using tell tail signs if it’s been used in the way it was made for.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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