Does anybody have a KTM 690 Enduro R?
- Thread starter Reza
- Start date
04klr
Well-known member
sure, i'm downtown Kamloops... c'mon over. Or you can go to a katoom dealer and they'll let you sit on one, where you will find it's not the bike for the inseam challenged tho it can be lowered (bah! nonsense!) being flatfooted at a stop is highly overrated and quite unnecessary.
Very interesting bike. Some don't like it all and some think it's the best bike ever, and they may be right! In the 12 thou km's put on mine since late march this year, my thoughts are that it's an amazing ride. Gobs of power, the riders edge tuned suspension is plush and very stable bike at any speed! and capable of carrying a load with little change to the ride. The new 690 has even more power and is less buzzy though personally mine is no more buzzy than a klr yet with (almost) double the power. As a dirt bike the, designed to dominate the Dakar, bike has one main difference when compared to say a 525 in that lofting the front over downed trees is a bit of a challenge due to the tendency to spin the rear rather than lofting the front up and over, a minor detail besides who doesn't love spinning the tire! It weighs more than hundreds of pounds less than your GS, turns tighter, climbs better, stops better, and will likely beat it in a drag race well up to silly speeds, and you will lose forever that fear of knocking off a cylinder. The only time you may miss the big lump of Beemer may be on a long boring stretch's of slab that go on for a 1000km. Read here recently that inmate Offworder has parted with his in leiu of a 790, surely a move he'd like to rescind as the 690 in my house will spank a 790 anywhere, anyday! And it's stablemate 990 isn't going anywhere soon, other than for a ride!
fwiw, There's my far more than .02c worth,
here at Spoolmak lk. sans luggage,
and con luggage.
Very interesting bike. Some don't like it all and some think it's the best bike ever, and they may be right! In the 12 thou km's put on mine since late march this year, my thoughts are that it's an amazing ride. Gobs of power, the riders edge tuned suspension is plush and very stable bike at any speed! and capable of carrying a load with little change to the ride. The new 690 has even more power and is less buzzy though personally mine is no more buzzy than a klr yet with (almost) double the power. As a dirt bike the, designed to dominate the Dakar, bike has one main difference when compared to say a 525 in that lofting the front over downed trees is a bit of a challenge due to the tendency to spin the rear rather than lofting the front up and over, a minor detail besides who doesn't love spinning the tire! It weighs more than hundreds of pounds less than your GS, turns tighter, climbs better, stops better, and will likely beat it in a drag race well up to silly speeds, and you will lose forever that fear of knocking off a cylinder. The only time you may miss the big lump of Beemer may be on a long boring stretch's of slab that go on for a 1000km. Read here recently that inmate Offworder has parted with his in leiu of a 790, surely a move he'd like to rescind as the 690 in my house will spank a 790 anywhere, anyday! And it's stablemate 990 isn't going anywhere soon, other than for a ride!
fwiw, There's my far more than .02c worth,
here at Spoolmak lk. sans luggage,
and con luggage.
Last edited:
lagbc
Active member
@PercivalSludge is selling his 690 as he is looking at moving to AT or similar bike: https://vancouver.craigslist.org/pml/mcy/d/port-coquitlam-2018-ktm-690-enduro/7171651608.html
offworlder
Moderator
@04klr - I've had my share of 690s, and yes they're awesome. (I'm actually the antagonist in this story, and have been pushing @Reza to check out a 690 
). As with anything there are compromises, but the 690 is the closest thing to one bike that might be able to just do it all (save for the extreme ends of the spectrum; nasty technical gnar, and endlessly long and boring stretches of tarmac).
). As with anything there are compromises, but the 690 is the closest thing to one bike that might be able to just do it all (save for the extreme ends of the spectrum; nasty technical gnar, and endlessly long and boring stretches of tarmac).
johnny72
New member
johnny72
New member
How durable is that bike overall and that left side pipe from drops , I'm a left side dropper and im concerned over pipe durability , not sure if I should get the 690 or just get a cheaper dr650 , xr650 , drz400 or even wr250r.... and save some $$$ or if the the 690 is the shit and worth it....
04klr
Well-known member
while stopped one day to keep my gloves warm I stuffed my glove into the void in the left gas tank and promptly melted a hole in the fanger of my brand new not cheep gloves on the pipe which I've learned is right there, doh!!
from a damage point of view I see no reason as to why the pipe may be vulnerable? and yes overall the bike is very durable. (do the well known fixes like gas tank bolts etc.)
Fun fact: when used for the job it is intended to do, the answer is easily, yes, the 690 is the shit. While clearly in gnarly tight woods the Wr will be a better choice, most anywhere else against all four of your choices, the 690 will rule. Not to say at all that all of the choices you've mentioned are not good rides as they all are. and all four are not injected (wr?) thus have the reliably of a non electronics laden bike, not to say that the injected are problematic, but you get my drift.
Klr's are notoriously reliable due to simplicity and an antique tractor motor that needs, air, gas, spark, and it will take you when fully loaded up and over 16000 foot passes in the Andes, trust me on that!
If you just want a bike to go for a ride then any of the other money wallet friendly bikes will work and put a grin on your face.
But should you want a caught with hands in the cookie jar, giddy look to your face then step up to the 690/701. Monster power, great suspension (properly set-up) and as the bike was designed to dominate the Dakar, the handling is superb.
but I'm just a bald old guy, whaddo-ino.
from a damage point of view I see no reason as to why the pipe may be vulnerable? and yes overall the bike is very durable. (do the well known fixes like gas tank bolts etc.)
Fun fact: when used for the job it is intended to do, the answer is easily, yes, the 690 is the shit. While clearly in gnarly tight woods the Wr will be a better choice, most anywhere else against all four of your choices, the 690 will rule. Not to say at all that all of the choices you've mentioned are not good rides as they all are. and all four are not injected (wr?) thus have the reliably of a non electronics laden bike, not to say that the injected are problematic, but you get my drift.
Klr's are notoriously reliable due to simplicity and an antique tractor motor that needs, air, gas, spark, and it will take you when fully loaded up and over 16000 foot passes in the Andes, trust me on that!
If you just want a bike to go for a ride then any of the other money wallet friendly bikes will work and put a grin on your face.
But should you want a caught with hands in the cookie jar, giddy look to your face then step up to the 690/701. Monster power, great suspension (properly set-up) and as the bike was designed to dominate the Dakar, the handling is superb.
but I'm just a bald old guy, whaddo-ino.
uncle milkbone
New member
My '18 is for sale on kijiji (and craigslist). https://www.kijiji.ca/v-motorcycle-other/terrace/2018-ktm-690-enduro-r/1561653922
Now that I think about it I should post it on here.
It's in Terrace. If it wasn't for current travel restrictions, I'd be happy to bring it to the Lower Mainland to a serious buyer. I'm keeping my '14 690ER and bought a T7 and I don't need three bikes. Both 690's have been extremely reliable and surefooted on fsr's, WABDR, Cascade Discovery Route, as well as pavement.
Now that I think about it I should post it on here.
It's in Terrace. If it wasn't for current travel restrictions, I'd be happy to bring it to the Lower Mainland to a serious buyer. I'm keeping my '14 690ER and bought a T7 and I don't need three bikes. Both 690's have been extremely reliable and surefooted on fsr's, WABDR, Cascade Discovery Route, as well as pavement.
uncle milkbone
New member
Not right now because I think it's a selling feature (people ask about selling it separately a lot!!) but I could in a month or so if I don't sell the bike. I'll message you.