Driving with Greg from Germany to UB and now on the way back. I can say that the xt 660 is very tough and reliable, and fairly fast offroad with the right driver. We also drove with a couple of KTM's 690s on the northern route, and yes these are awsome in the dirt.. But i dont now if i want one for long trips. We heard what problem they had come acrossed, and a saw cluthbasket come off twice in a day. For me these are high performance racing machines, that can do rtw tours with the right preperation and service. But they are not off the shell rtw toures, like the tenere's.

The broken tenere suspension snoah talks about, was the original suspension for my 24year old xt600 3ds that gave up.

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Christian

My Girlfrind and I ride a KTM 690 (2010) and a KTM 690R (2012) in South America for nearly a year both have 28'000km on the clock. We ride mostly offroad.

Would I buy this bike again?
Yes for me it's perfect!

Why we chose this bike?
light, light and light for a 690ccm. Awsome suspension and a service interval of 10'000km.

What we like on the bike?
With all the boxes, stuff and 26liter of gas is around 200kg. The bike brings you everywhere, very good suspension. The clutch going realy light (one finger). Working on the bike goes very fast and easy. When you fall down nearly nothing will brake. We tested many times :-).

What could be better?
Don't have alot of power under 2000rpm. In this case i like the engine of the BMW G650XChallange more. For me it's the better engine for offroad. Mirrors, indicator and the speedometer have very bad quality. They placed the tank opening on a very stupid place.

What problem we had during the trip?
Twice the speedometer broke down and we got it replaced by KTM.
Once we had a problem with the starterrelais. It didn't open anymore. To fix the problem i need only a hammer :-). We also got replaced by KTM. This are all technical problems we had so far.

What else?
We lost 4 mirrors an 6 indicator :-) I only say offroad.
I do all my service at my one in the KTM Workshop. Order the parts I need in advance.


Choose the bike you like to ride!

Some picture i took in Bolivia
https://plus.google.com/photos/11470...98879410740033

How you adventure riders in north western europe don't slit your wrists due to lack off off-road possibilities is beyond me.

I agree with walter. Personally i think both bikes aren't the best option, but this is always a personal matter different for everyone.

There is another way though. Instead of renting one of each at home rent them in the Pyrenees or Sweden and take the single trail forestry tracks. As an addition to that also rent something like a DRZ-E for half a day and re-ride a track. This gives a real picture on how weight affects the fun factor even with limited to no off-road riding skills.

You might even take extra time to avoid those long and boring main routes and opt for safer, more remote and more adventurous back routes which will pay you back, guaranteed.

Only ever ridden the yam, but did read a story not long ago about two lads riding from london around the world on KTM 690's. Both had massive problems in Russia with the watery fuel destroying the fuel injection system. just my two sense. Im a DR rider because i know I can fix it with a hammer.

23000km into a South Am trip on a heavily upgraded Ten (Ohlins on the back, titanium pipe, Power Commander, blah blah blah). Great bike, tough and reliable. But I still can't get the idea of a Rally Raided 690 out if my head - especially every time I have to pick my mount up out of the sand....

Not been on here for ages,but may as well add some sort of useless contribution...
Had a 2008 660 tenere,have ridden a 690 ktm..but bizarre as it may sound I've done all my travelling on an 84 model 600 tenere..the only negative about is maybe it could have longer legs on the motorways..

Sorry for my absence and really appreciate ALL the opinions. Been working with my son and trying to sell a house so life got in the way but the search is still on and the afore mentioned two bikes are still in the final.
Reasons: Ive had a few older 600/660 singles and wouldn't want to do thousands of miles on tarmac with one period!
Bought an "Unstoppable" BMW F800gs but when shit fuel "stopped it" it took two hours just to reach the spark plugs in my garage! that was the last straw. I hated that bike and it weighed a ton.
I have ridden the Tenere and found it a bit agricultural and underpowered but that was road riding on fast UK tarmac. I'm sure it would be as fast as I need on a big trip. Main reservation is weight which many have mentioned. I took the beamer all over southern Spain off road and the combination of weight and height spoiled any fun.
The Katey (2012) would be much better on dust and mud because of its heritage and yes that fifty kgs would make a big difference even when loaded up (maybe the difference between a bruised or a broken leg).
The KTM is fussy with fuel so maybe strict filtering and a bottle of fuel additive (and maybe a spare fuel pump) would not weigh much.
Ive been watching the eDog London to Sydney videos
London to Sydney motorcycle adventure - Episode 1 - Continental Drift - YouTube
They have done a good job of swinging me towards the Kate.
Have a long talk at the NEC bike show next week and see if I can get a test ride on one.
alan

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have fun with your helmet!