Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - KTM 690 Enduro

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- - KTM 690 Enduro - Can it do Africa? (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/ktm-tech/ktm-690-enduro-can-do-64860)

Didn't really calculate mpg but it was over 50, I suppose it just depends on how you ride :scooter:
I don't think they are quite as good as the xchallenge or 660 but I think they are more fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endurodude (Post 445967)

Thanks - all this sounds excellent. What's the general mpg you're getting? Although my current bike is a little heavy, it does 60mpg easily; this is a real plus for overland travel!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endurodude (Post 445967)

Thanks - all this sounds excellent. What's the general mpg you're getting? Although my current bike is a little heavy, it does 60mpg easily; this is a real plus for overland travel!

Depends a lot on whether you are carrying a pillion or not. With a pillion it has been a little more than 5 l/100 km (little less than 55 mpg) on the motorway, a little less on small roads. Without it is usually around 4.2-4.3 l/100km (around 66 mpg). Mix of roads and relatively slow on the highway (110-120 km/h). I had it as low as 3.7 l/100km (76 mpg) on A and B roads riding leisurely on setting 1 (offroad setting, reduced horsepower). Offroad usually between 4.5 and 5 l/100 km). 2010 model btw.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endurodude (Post 445960)

I'm giving serious thought to buying a 690. I would like the Rally fairing and the larger front tanks. If anyone has these (Rallyraid), how much does it add in weight (with / without fuel)? The main reason for the potential purchase is to have a lighter bike, so if it adds serious weight I might have to look elsewhere. Has anyone had any issues carrying luggage (hard / soft)? I'm not looking to take the kitchen sink, but neither am I looking to be a survival minimalist!

Also, how do people find them on motorway stretches? I don't want to do many, but there are times when A to B is useful . . . .

Hi buddy, I don't know how true this is, but have been told that the Rally Raid fairing isn't so great at speed in wind, but I do have the EVO2 tanks fitted(weigh 4kg when empty), so with the extra fuel adds about 10kg. I do have the Rally Raid pannier frames, which are a bit heavy, but only use them for my Wolfman Expedition soft panniers and a duffle across the top, but I've now got my kit down to a minimum, so now just use a small Touratech rack and the GiantLoop Coyote, 20 litre Kriega bag. I can pick the bike up if I drop it, plus ride knarly stuff with very little difficulty. As for fuel range, it all depends on the terrain i.e. tarmac or mud/gravel. I'd say the the average range is 250 miles and i run 15 - 48 sprockets, so can ride 75mph on the motorways and still do the knarly crap.

Oh yes, is regards fairing, I went with the Lynx from Brittannia, as it had a really good dash layout that I could use(Garmin Montana, USB socket, 12v socket, heated grip switch, heated clothing plug) Plus I have 100 watt HID's fitted.

http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/z...psf32d86af.jpg

Let me know if you have more queries :helpsmilie:

"Its unreliable" they said. "Its a bad choice for a RTW bike" they said.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D...0/DSC03043.JPG

All KTMs use oil, so carry some between oil changes. I assume you know not to mix mineral with synthetic oil.

The seat. The standard seat is like a plank and will get uncomfortable on long days.

The large turning radius is not an issue when riding, just when you want to turn the bike around in narrow areas. its a lot of back and forth.

There have also been some fuel pump issues on the 690. You going to carry a spare? The problem is intermittent and if it happens you will be able to get somewhere where you can replace it. You going to carry a spare?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeerG (Post 383063)

Hi Stuart,

I think the 690 is the best bike for it (apart from the 640 Adventure perhaps). I bought one 1,5 years ago and love it. 15.000 km only so far (mostly 2-3000 km trips in Europe) and I have had no issues. I have done trips alone and two-up (my girlfriend loves the bike, too) and I have done motocross trainings and the Enduromania (amateur offroad competition) with it. It is great offroad (use the offroad engine mapping and perhaps a smaller front sprocket) and huge fun onroad as it is both light and powerful and has very good suspension. Other singles I have ridden (BMW F650, Tenere, Suzuki DR) feel sluggish and antiquated in comparison. It don't like it for fast motorway riding though: it is fast and stable enough and does not vibrate much, but it is tiring due to the lack of wind protection, so usually I do only about 100-120 km/h for a more relaxing ride.

Regarding your questions:

Reliability: Apparently much better than the old LC4s (which are better than their reputation). The German Motorrad magazine has done a 50000 km test (with the Duke, which has the same engine) and was impressed with it: Dauertest-Abschlussbilanz: KTM 690 SM - Motorrad-Dauertests - MOTORRAD online As I said, I have had no issues.

Servicing: Easy to work on (much easier than the new 660 Tenere as a friend of mine who owns one says). You need 10W50 or 10W60 oil though. The 2008-2009 models have a service interval of 5000 km, the 2010 model one of 7500 km and the 2012 model one of 10000 km. So if you are happy to carry 2 litres of oil you have a 20 k range with the newest model (and I suppose the other models will also survive a 10 k interval).

Modifications: I bought a new seat (Kahedo is comfortable and I strongly recommend it), engine and radiator guards, small screen and a luggage rack (all Touratech). Even if you use soft luggage I would recommend a rack to support the tank (there is no subframe). The one from Touratech is probably heavier that the one from KTM, but seems much stronger. What still bothers me is the extremely hot standard exhaust (don't want to shell out 500 Euros for an aftermarket one though), the lack of a centre stand and the small tank. The tank is big enough for Europe due to the good fuel efficiency (3.6 l/100 km on my last 2500 trip, 0.5 l less than the new 660 Tenere on the same trip), but for Africa? Rather than buying an expensive tank I would consider using fuel bladders or canisters. Btw, there is also a bad fuel engine mapping which may be useful in Africa. Some people recommend replacing the original tank bolts with stronger ones and protecting the radiator better. Check RTW KTM 690 Enduro - ADVrider , there is a lot of useful advice.

My general advice would be to keep it as light as possible. As with any bike of course, but this one benefits particularly from it as it is very light itself and you will want to preserve the offorad capability. Try to move as much weight forward as possible (especially the liquids and the tools), also because the fuel tank is at the rear.

Hope this helps!

Hey Peerg
I see you've ridden 2up on your 690. I'm looking for a bike that is off road capable and decent with a passenger. How far have you ridden with a passenger on the 690? What kind of seat? Was it really cramped?
I've Sean the Russell day long seat that look really nice for both rider and passenger......anyone have any experience with one

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endurodude (Post 445960)

Rather irrelevant question really - how much is the weight of fuel and a bash plate is what you are really asking .., which is something that is going to be added to any bike - no matter the model.

I can guess though you can add the weight of a pannier type rack to the 690, - as by adding one you are bracing the the plastic fuel tank which is adopting the role of a subframe on the 690.

Without this fuel tank subframe brace (ie; the pannier rack which braces back to the passenger pedal mounting points) .., then don't expect the 690 to carry any loads that you could expect a big adventure bike to carry

The overall weight added by your question is not too much .., even a full KTM factory Dakar bike with the windscreen tower and all the extra fuel tanks / bash protection plates, LED spots and fairings etc only adds an extra 13 -15kg's if you don't include the Rally books, GPS, scotts dampener , and other fancy Rally specific electronics etc , or 'liquids like extra fuel and water.

As an aside I've seen a couple of reports on facebook about repeated failures of 690 transmission shock absorbers. Anyone know if this is a Thing?

it's not a really a question can 690 enduro or any other bike do Africa. Question is how many of say 100 of given bikes sent to Africa will return without a problems. The fact one or two did it like stated above doesn't say much to me, statistics what counts so you need a bigger sample to have true opinion on subject.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tremens (Post 564898)

That's true. Not many 690's crossing continents ... but many more riders going now than a few years ago.

Noah was one of the first to really ride a 690 serious distance ... but check out his post and his LONG LIST of repairs, breakdowns and failures during his extensive RtW tour. Suffice to say, his 690 was FAR from bullet proof ... and Noah knows what he's doing, good mechanic and very good about maintenance. IMO, an "average" rider would not do as well going LD on a 690.

Newer 690's seem better, more reliable. Thing that amazes me are the expensive Dakar look a like fairings regular punters put on their bikes. These things cost THOUSANDS ... just so you look like a racer? :innocent:

So, you spend over $12K USD on the bike ... then four or five thousand more to upgrade fairing, lighting, bigger tank, luggage ... and suspension. There are whole huge threads on suspension upgrades for KTM 690's.

I guess it's not like old days, being an ADV Hippy now is not for low income travelers any more! :oops2:

Surprised there's been no mention of Lyndon Poskitt so far. The Races to Places films give a good idea of what a 690 can do, and what repairs/maintenance might be needed!
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...aces+to+places

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frost Guiding (Post 564949)

as far as I know Lyndon's bike is ktm 690 Rally which is not exactly same bike as enduro R. Besides he has big support, any part can be shipped to him in few days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mollydog (Post 564933)

I guess it's not like old days, being an ADV Hippy now is not for low income travelers any more! :oops2:

There's still a few of us about :rofl:

Then:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...-nearDijon.jpg

Now:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...psfa9wbaxr.jpg

Both pictures taken within about 40 miles of each other but 40yrs apart. :mchappy:

Quote:

Originally Posted by tremens (Post 564950)

as far as I know Lyndon's bike is ktm 690 Rally which is not exactly same bike as enduro R. Besides he has big support, any part can be shipped to him in few days.

You're right, and the biggest difference between the Rally Replica and the stock 690 is in reliability, which Lyndon talks about in his discussions about bike choice.

It's also heavily customised and meticulously re-built and maintained - not a good indicator of what to expect from a stock 690 Enduro or R, even the newer ones.

I'm not suggesting the stock ones are "unreliable" assuming we can all agree on a definition of the word!