You're correct Tim, most of my reference is from 690's from '07 up to about 2011. I did sit on a new (2014 iirc) and still found it a bit tall for me, but I'm only 5'6". (same height as OP)

Some of my riding buddies have traded away their 690's for 1290 twins. Some have 500 EXC's for dirt bikes. Not many 690's around in my group. Last 690 I rode I think was a 2011 or 12? not sure. I liked it, but as mentioned, a bit tall for me. But pretty smooth... and FAST.

Good to hear of your trouble free trip. I wondered about the new valve gear up date, here's hoping it's long lived and less troublesome than earlier versions.

I'll have to stop by my local KTM dealer again to try out the latest 690 enduro.

Tim, how do you find the 690 on long asphalt/motorway sections, I test rode a 690 a couple of years ago and hated the close ratio box, what's your cruising speed and what sprocket sizes do you run? 70mpg is pretty good.

__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

I have a Husqvarna 701, in almost all respects it's a 690 Enduro R but with none of that horrible orange paint.

I cruise along the autobahn at roughly 130 kph and I'm quite comfortable doing so, on my 2016 bike the vibes smooth out over 115. Aftermarket windscreen helps a lot.

The gearbox is fairly flexible, I don't have any issues with it - it's very different to my old Tiger and takes a little more work, more regular changes, but for me it works for everything from single track to autobahn.

I should note that I'm on the stock sprockets, whatever they are. I've felt no desire to change.

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

If you look up the technical specs for the ratios on the 6-speed box of the 690 compared to those of the 5-speed box on the XT660Z, you would think the 690 ratios are totally unsuitable, with 1st gear too high and 6th gear too low, but the reality for me is that they are perfect. I have never, ever, wished for a lower first gear, and I think that's possibly because the bike is so light and easy off-tarmac that I ride more confidently.

I generally don't exceed 105 kph (65 mph) on main roads at the start of my trips as I am saving my tyres for the rough stuff, but towards the end am happy to be cruising at 130 kph (81 mph). The engine just loves to rev and I feel I'm rewarding it for all the previous distance at restrained speeds. Any faster than 130 kph and my neck aches with the wind, so I will look at fitting an extension to the touring screen.

This is the first bike I've ever had that I am totally OK with the ratios, I've never changed from the stock sprockets.

__________________
"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)

Thanks for the replies guys, I will have to take a 690 out for another test ride I guess

__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

I'm shopping for a new bike too ... problem is ... think I need more than one bike to cover all the bases! As versatile as my DR650 is ... looking for a better "road only" bike to do group rides with my buddies. (many riding KTM 1290's, R1200GS, Kawi Versys 1000LT, V-Strom) We ride 90% road, only easy dirt roads occasionally.

I'm bombarded with ideas and suggestions from friends, now its come down to doing some test rides. Bikes I've considered:
1. Ducati HyperStrada (great deals on used ones here ... $6500 to $7000 used)
Love the looks, not sure how well it might work. Anyone?

2. Kawi Versys 1000LT (2 friends own them, hoping to get a LONGER test ride)
Very impressed with short test ride I did. (20 minutes) $11K base price.

3. KTM Duke 690 ... this one just popped up on the radar. I owned a 2001 Duke ll. Great bike, not a good travel bike but fun back road scratcher. The NEW Duke 690 (2016) is claimed to be much better ... smoother with new engine, great seat and more. Great nimble handling.

Pre-2016 Duke's aren't quite as smooth, much cheaper (used bikes).
Base price on new 690 $9K USD, used ones, low miles, $6000 to $7000. Never ridden new generation Duke 690.
(did ride older 690 Enduro on road)

I realize the Kawi Versys is by far the best long range road touring bike but it's a big, heavy bike, which after my Tiger 1050, kind of swore off bikes this big.

My buddies claim the big Kawi rides like a 250 ... light, flickable and agile as Hell for such a BIG BIKE. All day smooth, fast, you can pack on a ton of stuff. My brief test ride sort of confirmed this ... but I need more time on board to be sure.

Things is, for my local road rides we rarely are out more than 3 days. Always Motels, never camping. So ... in theory ... the 690 Duke could work. I've done this before. Small set of panniers or nice top bag may work out. ??

The WR250R is still on the radar too ... and will probably end up being my next
LD travel bike project. Just need to find a good deal ... near new ones, $5500 to $6000 USD. I've ridden the WR ... loved it.

I recently test rode a '15 FJ-09 (Tracer in UK). Thought I'd love it ... hated it.

Any comments on any of these bikes? ... or should I just keep my DR650?

As Tim and Arma hustle along on their 690 R's, instead of a Duke, how about a 690 R with a second set of Supermoto wheels? so you can swop from dirt to road. Are the Duke/R models gearbox ratios different or just the final drive sprockets?
I guess you will dip out a little on braking, 320mm front disc on the Duke v 300mm on the R, but it does still have ABS.....
Im still waiting to see what this KTM 790 twin turns out like

__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

It's a very popular topic of conversation on the 690 and 701 threads at ADV Rider, lots of people with Enduros are getting either original supermoto wheels or custom made ones and putting them on their bikes. I do belive there is some messing about with spacers required, but it's one of those performance mods I've not paid much attention to, I'm a slow and steady type.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

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

I have tried ktm 690 enduro r many time and somehow we didn't get along,
the ergonomics for me is bad, frame doesn't feel like was designed for adventure bike.