I can understand the concern on the gear ratios, at both ends of the scale - on initial use it does feel a bit odd. Both at motorway speeds and at low speeds off road.

But having covered some distance and done some trails on the new bike it really does work, for me at least. 1 and 2 can tackle anything with confidence inspiring ease, unless you go out looking for trouble. To be honest if you're looking for that kind of extremely technical trouble you are probably on the wrong bike. 6 can cruise all day long at 130 - and feel adequately comfortable doing it.

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[ Tim | History - NW Italy/French Rivera, Swiss Alps, Morocco | 2016 - Greece > Albania > Macedonia > Kosovo > Montenegro > Bosnia > Slovenia > Austria ]

Very interesting, with only 80 miles on mine it was an initial observation, we did a muddy track back down to the farm and Sue immediately commented on how much confidence the bike gave her, the engine is so smooth and responsive and somehow even though it is a pretty lightweight machine KTM have given it a big bike feel, the CRF 250's were 1kg heavier but felt like 250's if that makes sense. We have both done many thousands of miles on motorcycles, I have now been riding for 55 years, from the age of 7, we got fed up of the weight of our big bikes and the 250's were very hard work for long distances on the road so we are looking forward to getting to know these new bikes, maybe the perfect all rounder.

Hi I guys just browsing the forum and saw this, I did cut out the Cat on my exhaust when I brought my 690 about a year ago its a 2014 . Its a pretty simple process and had no i'll effect to the running of the bike, I did it to reduce the heat from the exhaust which it has

I took a couple of pics of how I did it and can email Tim and he can post it up.

not sure I can being first post and all

rog

Hi Rog, yes please I would be grateful to see your pictures and will have a go, In am very reluctant to change the silencers, both from the cost point of view, and we don't want more noise. Look forward to seeing them, Graham

Hi I will try and post with pics, this could take some time ...

So my bike is a ktm 690 enduro 2014, I did this to lose some of the heat ( which it has in my opinion) as for a weight saving by buying a akro $$ ££ well I weight 86 kilos and could do with losing a couple of kg's, so this will please the wife and doc

right here we go take one exhaust, I guess anybody doing this can take it off the bike (pretty simple process)


you will cut around the end weld.

I took my exhaust to my local welder to check that he could weld stainless and to get a price. he said yes and put some money in the tea/biscuit fund ( I put in £10) he also gave me a 1mm metal cutting disc, but these are a couple of £ from a hardware store.

Next cut carefully around the weld ( I guess you could use a hacksaw,but it won't be neat) and don't go to deep, then pull apart the pieces

here is the offending cat I drilled a series of holes in it
then used a old cut down broom handle and punched out the cat from the other side.
I then cleaned it up using a wood chisel to scrape off any missed bits, Top tip file off any Burrs before starting otherwise you will need one or two plasters


then put it back together and back to your friendly welder


lastly take it out to give it a good test, I took mine to Maroc and it was a awesome success, I have done about 6,500 miles and no issues

Thank you very much, I will try that when time permits. Graham

Hi Rog

So you're happy with the reduced heat?

Any idea of the weight you saved?

What difference did it make to the sound?

Tim

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)