KTM 530 or 690????

[mike_123]

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another vote for the 530

even though mine spent the first 6 months of its life in and out of the shop on a weekly basis with massive oil consumption problems i love it now that its fixed right

i find the power of the ktm unlike any other bike ive ridden with excellent throttle control,never ending power/torque,excellent balance a good quality tight feeling did i mention torque

bit of a maintanace pig but i enjoy tinkering with it.the seat sucks did i mention torque

knowing what i know now abotu the bike i would have beat them down on the price and gotten the fan jet kit and desmog all included in a even better price.i think dealers are pretty willing to deal now as sales might be down a little.i think they should be selling bikes RIDE READY without needing the jet kit fan or desmog done

 

[cactusreid]

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i'd rather be able to carry more fuel! i can't use all the power my present bikes have,but range sure is nice.

 

[cactusreid]

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i'd rather be able to carry more fuel! i can't use all the power my present bikes have,but range sure is nice.

 

[North]

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Range is important and it sucks to have to carry fuel, but...it's power that puts a smile on my face.

 

[mike_123]

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north what kind of range are you getting on your 530

i find i usually switch over to reserve at about 150 to 170 kms depending where and how im riding

ive easily gotten 200 km but then i start to get nervous.this is a combination of trails and roads .tight single track sips up a tad more fuel

id rather have the power and be able to fix the range with an aftermarket fuel tank rather then havign the range and fixing the power with aftermarket parts

and yes the smile a 530 provides is just awsome

 

[North]

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Hi Mike,

I have 13 L tank now, but what you get sounds about right for what I was getting with my stock tank.

 

[CuboiD]

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I have the 690 and love it. I ride about 50/50 on and offroad, the bike is TALL on the road so you get a good view of traffic, but if you are under 6 footyou might be stretching your legs a bit,offroad this makes for good ground clearance.

It depends what you are going to be riding mostly, as some other guys said, when you have that big long and tall 690 on some tight trails, a 530 or 450 would be better. But for open logging roads and B type stuff the 690 is awesome.

In an ideal world i would have the 690 for weekend rides/tours/exploring, and then a 300xc or a 450 trail bike forhair scrambles/races/ and enduro style events, just because the 690 is heavier and taller and can't be manueverd as well as a smaller bike.

On the highway in 6th you can cruise all day at 110kph comfortably, your ass will wear out before the bike does, 3rd 4th and 5th are pretty close, i wish the gears had a wider ratio because the bike has so much torque, and also that 1st was a bit lower for the tight offroad stuff.All that is just nitpicking though, straight out of the box go get a better skidplate and you can go anywhere on this thing.

I really wanted a 530 as well but decided on the 690 for longer road trips, the LC4 engine is tried and tested, i say just try and find both and try them out, see which suits you best

good luck, it's a tough decision, but either way you will end up with a hell of a good bike

 

[KTM-Bryon]

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I have the 690 R and I like it as my only bikebecause I have no truck or trailer. The 690 will get you anywhere. I bought mine used in Fort McMurray and rode it back to Vancouver in 3 days. Since then I have been on the trails from Squamish to Chilliwack plus the last two DSBC "A" rides.

I think a 200/250/300 EXC would make a perfect 2nd bike because those 330 poundscan really wear you outplus I have seen the DSBC bus U-turn better! However I am leaning towards a trials bike for my 2nd bike...

It looks like we should get a 690 ride going in the spring. A full 690cc's pitcher.

 

[cactusreid]

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big ]boar kit coming out. make it a 700, trying to get a hold of a performance chip any ideas?

why?? does yur uncle own a tire store? i can't keep tires on my 525,and a 690 has a wack more power than the 525!

 

[Mac525]

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I have a 525 and i agree with most of the guys if you are more trail get the 525. More road stick with the 690 but the power of the 525 with a jd jet kit is awsome.. Hey North where did you get that fender/saddle bag set up

 

[lost530]

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I had a 2008 530. Loved it. my first ride was in the snow in northern alberta and never looked back. Definately lose the stock battery and get a better one. JD Jet kit is a must also.

Definately gonna get another one if mine isnt recovered!!!

 

[Rock Chucker 1]

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hey guys. just my 2 bits. I just sold my 690E. great bike, absolutlly no complaints for what it is designed for. tons of power. sus. brakes etc. Having a new daughter and not doing so many trips for a while I picked up a ktm 450exc. love the bike for riding more trails and single track close to home. i rode my 690 on the trails which it can do well but at the end of the day you know it. the 450 feels a ton lighter and way more fun off road. each has there pros and cons. just decide what style of riding your into

 

[triplenickel]

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Where you'll be riding bajaman I say 690, for the guys saying a 690 can't do A routes it's not the bike that's the issue. As for Pauls overheating issue he just needs to get it properly jetted, my 525 never spit a drop in several years of riding in warmer climates than the Island, they're both sweet bikes but I'd say 690 easily.:hb:

 

[bajaman]

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triplenickel wrote:

Where you'll be riding bajaman I say 690, for the guys saying a 690 can't do A routes it's not the bike that's the issue. As for Pauls overheating issue he just needs to get it properly jetted, my 525 never spit a drop in several years of riding in warmer climates than the Island, they're both sweet bikes but I'd say 690 easily.:hb:

Riding...Everywhere

I think there could be a 690 in my future...Just have to get rid on DRZ..:mad3:I have no problem with the weigh issue....I'm 6 ft and 260 lb SO throwing around the 690 shouldn't be a problem...:tup:



:hb: