Hello

I am in the early phase of planning a trip through Russia, including a bit of Mongolia as well.
Currently I own a KTM 990 ADV from 2012.
While reading and watching footage from Russia (far east) and Mongolia I start thinking a smaller bike would be a good idea. The KTM 690 seems to have a good reputation.
Considering my own weight (not the usual 80kg driver) I was wondering what you guys would recommend.

Including luggage for this trip I should be pretty close to the max payload. And from what I have seen there is a lot to work on the 690 to get fuel range for example.

So what are your thoughts please?

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Thomas

Your 990 has tubeless tyres which is a huge advantage as punctures can be simply plugged rather than having to take the wheel out to swap inner tubes.

The 690 is a massive 70kg lighter which you would definitely appreciate in poor terrain and it's quite capable of riding across ploughed fields. But wind protection is less which matters in cold climates, and of course so is fuel capacity.

How much fuel range do you need? The 690 has an 11.7-litre tank and as you can see from the Fuelly logs below it is possible to get well 300km range (click for details) from the standard tank when not riding fast on motorways.


UK bike


Spain/Morocco bike

So far (touch wood) no problems other than Lucia's mirror stems breaking with metal fatigue (I think I had failed to tighten the lock nuts). Other than that, just servicing, fresh tyres, oil the chain and top up the engine oil.

Lucia has Michelin BIB mousses fitted so no punctures.

I will keep Lucy on normal tubed tyres but I fitted a Lynx fairing

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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)

I love the ktms they are a very good bike I would have no hesitation riding the 690 or 950, 990 around EU,
I've had one or two, I'm off across Russia next year and I cross out taking a ktm reason being the fuel injection system pance, ktm still hasn't addressed this problem, they struggle to cope with low octane fuel,
Try going for a carb option, xt600 easy to work on very capable bike

There's a potentiometer switch under the 690 seat that adjusts the engine mapping and includes one map for poor quality fuel. I keep the engine mapping on offroad (soft) all the time as I can't be bothered changing it.

Fuel injection has been around a long time (German WWII planes had FI, British had carbs). FI has majorly better fuel consumption with the advantage of being able to handle changes in altitude.

No bike is perfect and googling for 'xt600 carb problems' brings up a fair list of links. Which goes to show that whichever bike you choose, you need to check out potential problems.

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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)

My 2p worth (I've owned both the 990 and the 690)

The 990 will be the better bike on long road sections. The 690 will be the better bike offroad - it isn't brilliant on long tarmac sections but will do them - just think about planning your route to avoid motorways and include dirt roads or twisty stuff.

Fuel range can be addressed fairly easily - as Tim has said, a range of 150 miles is easily achievable and I've seen over 200 miles (once !) on just the standard rear tank. I do have the Safari tank fitted (extra 14 litres) and this has increased the range to 350 to 400 miles. The Safari tank adds weight to the front end of the bike but I've not found it a problem. It also adds a good degree of protection to the radiator if you drop the bike and keeps a lot of the wind and weather away from the riders legs.

You don't need a full on Rally top fairing kit - I'm just using the small KTM 'touring' screen but would be interested if Tim could provide some feedback on the Lynx unit please ?

Fuel injection is not an issue - yes, things can go wrong but if you keep the bike well serviced it should be fine. Preventative maintenance and being prepared can help (look at the Golan fuel filter, carry a spare fuel pump/wiring diagram etc ....) - the 690 is no different to any other bike !

If you go with the 690 look at the seat - I have one from Seat Concepts and it is way better than the standard offering.

I totally agree with you both about these are great bikes, yes there are problems with any bike you choose, as regards carbs and injection units, I no witch one I wouldn't like to be on when it fails, as regard carbs they very rarely go wrong when used regular, I guess you didn't read the post about two guys on 690 going across Russia, there fuel system packed up with in 50 miles of each other, maybe just a coincidence.
As regards to there off road, second to none, seat options how about buying some cycling shorts putting them on under your trousers, ive done 36 hour enduros this way, really very comfy, also done three week tour had two pair, they dry really quick to

On one long trip I used a small AirHawk saddle but I'm not tall and the seat is already at the limit for me and the AirHawk took it over. So to get started with a roll bag on the back I had to stand with my left foot on the peg, right foot on the ground, open the throttle, drop the clutch, and as the bike started moving forward, swing my right foot over. This created some amusement for bystanders so I didn't use the AirHawk again.

I've done some very long journeys—Marrakech to north of Granada in one hop, Harris in the Outer Hebrides to London in one hop, both of which were about 700 miles/1000km, and I find the standard seat is bearable. I put the pillion pegs down and occasionally switch my feet to those, them move around on the seat a lot. Crampbuster on the throttle then you only need to hold the bars extremely loosely.

I like the Lynx R screen, it's adjustable so in hot weather you can lower the screen to improve air flow, when it's cold raise it. It is head and shoulders (sic) over the KTM touring screen. I had an issue with vibration breaking one of the lugs in the headlight frame and Ian at Britannia is shipping over a replacement section FOC, so full marks for customer support.

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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)

Thank you so much for the insights
The 990 is on tubed tyres also, so no difference to the 690, and I am used to it.
690 sounds like a good option for going solo, more easy to pick up. I am no pro when it comes to offroading, so I think i will have to pick it up more than once

I will go to the local dealer and make a testride on the 690 next weekend, and see if I am comfortable on it.

Gonna read the story lowrider mentioned as soon as I find it

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Thomas

Speaking for experience as I own both the 690 and 990, I would opt for the 690. You can ride slab through Russia, but once in Mongolia it's all dirt and many river crossings. The 990 gets dismal fuel economy compared to the 690 and for $750.00 you can put on extra fuel tanks thus raising you distance between fueling to 300 miles.
The 990 will break down or run like crap much sooner than the 690 and if it (2012 990)is like my 2007 990 then the fuel filter is in the tank, PITA to be sure. On the 990 you have dual carbs that get out of whack very quickly and an ECU that seems to go bad over time.

Go 690 and don't look back.

I returned a month ago from UK to Magadan, including Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Western BAM, and Road of Bones (inc Old Summer Road).

I was on an 1190 R riding in parts with guys on 660 Tenere's, and the BAM with a 690 and on the ROB a 640 joined us also. I know the OP was about a 990...

Would a little less weight be nice? Yes. Would I take the 1190 again? Yes!

Having ridden GSA's for 10 years previously, I can't speak highly enough of the 1190 R. The smaller KTM's all had some issues - sub-frames, rear shock, clutch slave cylinder, carb needle snapping, chains breaking. I had none, apart from a very dented front rim (a known weak spot).

I would recommend a fuel range (via cans, filled when needed) in places of 250 miles, 300 to be safe.

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