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Outstanding review. I used to race desert, and some MX on a YZ250. Owned a KLR 650 which was great on the street, but felt like a tractor off road. Now, at 65 I'm equally pulled in both directions. Tough decision!

The more you know about something, the easier and straightforward it becomes. Whether it be issues or not. Your video helps a lot in that reagrd. Tank you.

You mentioned in your video that you're using a 50/50 tire but I'm wondering which tire brand? Thx

Should have had the 690 and xr650r thats what everyone wants to know

YAMAHA SUPER TENERE OR HONDA AFRICA TWIN

I just bought a 2018 r1200gs with 5600 miles. Bike is like new. I love it! Paid 12.5. Best riding bike I’ve owned.

How do you feel this compares to a crf450L/RL with the intention of building it out into something for camping and BDRs, while still using for daily commuting?

I don't know if the 690 is bigger than what I expected or if the T7 is bigger than what I expected, but I definitely did not expect them to look so close in size

No didn't buy it after a 2hr ride on it 1190 that is it was super hot and was on its 3rd starter motor ended up buying a 2016 africa twin with 44k ks on it had it 10mnths now done 25k ks no issues and amazing in the mountains as well as daily commute to work at 60klm round trip daily.

Looking to close on a 2010 GSA… going backwards, I have a 2017 RS… back to the roomier GS for me.

Thanks for this in depth explanation. helpful information.

Just add a set of supermoto wheels and you have a proper dual sport bike.

Tuareg 660 is the best and if you have a tight budget, buy a CFMoto 450MT.

Best Review! So many non-worthy ones out there.

I own both bike's. 2019 Ktm 690 Enduro R and 2023 Honda XR650L. The Honda is way more leisure riding. Definitely more fun on mild terrain and casual jonts. The KTM is more aggressive and requires a little more attention to ride. I find myself on the Honda more often when riding alone. The KTM I ride when I am with a group or when I am in need of a rush. 0to60 KTM all the way. Casual relaxing Honda hands down. My opinion 😊

Great review, thanks!! Just one question, have you tried on the track? Because I'm trying to decide beetween this (or Husqy701) or 500EXC but I'm not sure it it still too heavy to put it on a circuit (amateur level I mean). Thanks a lot!!

You don’t make any sense the bike is under powered but in the same sentence it’s a hand full! I have a 2019 atas it’s a the best bike out there for on and off road adventures

Where im from, Australia, you can't exceed 660cc in your first 2 years of riding a bike. After that 2 years you can sit a test to upgrade your license. This bike ticks all of the boxes but i can't legally ride it yet I looked into the crf300L but a lot of owners are having issues with foot peg welds snapping, the engine cutting out on take off or down shifting from 3rd to 2nd. I've looked at it in person and it just looks like a cheap bike. The drz isnt meant to be good at 60mph otherwise that would be a strong contender. They don't sell the dr650 here anymore due to emission laws and used ones are as much as a new bike I can't get the klx300 here otherwise id probably choose that as the klx models i have to choose from are the 230s or the 250. The build quality looks much better on them than the Honda but im struggling to find aftermarket parts for it Are there any other bikes you can recommend me looking into? The wr250r is something im watching the used market closely for but id rather buy it new if possible. Enduro bikes look good but don't know if the maintenance of them would get old quick aha

Love mine too is a great bike and super reliable

sorry ninety five

Is actually 94 hp Ive got one...

I’ve got a 2017 Africa Twin CRF1000 (non-DCT). It is very close to a T7. About 40 lbs heavier but 30 HP more. Looked up upgrading my AT to T7 but it just didn’t make sense as I have the Honda kitted out for me perfectly and would have to start all over with a new Tenere. I recently bought a Husky FE501E and put a dual sport kit on it. It was an awesome dual sport bike, but I’m not really an awesome dual sport rider anymore at 66 y/o. So I sold the FE and bought a lightly used Husky 701E, which is very close to the same as the 690 with white plastic. The 701 is so much more up my alley, I love it. Takes very little to make the bike Adventure ride ready. Still love and ride my Africa Twin, especially for long days in the saddle with more pavement in the itinerary, but the Husky is the beast that makes your heart beat faster.

Basically you're telling me I need to buy a K-Mart Trail Machine... (KTM)... MEGA Yamaha dude and my perfect bike is a KTM... Why couldn't you just lie about it?!?!?! lol jk - thank you for doing such great reviews - like real world opinions. The specs on the brochures dont matter as much as the real world feel! THANK YOU! :) I just worry about the Tenere 700 being too dang heavy. I'm used to racing YZ250's and love how nimble and flickable they are, and basically I want a YZ250 with a 75-80hp engine, able to cruise at 70-80 on the freeway with a rally faring kit - is that too much to ask?! lol (its not possible I know I know)

In my opinion it looks so good...

The KTM 690 is the most powerful (HP) single cylinder motorcycle engine in the world. 😃

Just picked up a new 690 enduro r. Had a 2014 way back always loved that bike and have missed it since I sold it. Traded my T7 for the 690. T7 was a great bike. Engine and gearing was spot on for off road and the BDR's. I simply wanted a lighter bike I can use on the BDR rides, so I circled back to the KTM. Great video BTW, I will be following along.

The ktm 690 it worth buying amazing bike super fast you won't be disappointed I have a supermoto and it's badass bike

Don't have one but your comments on this video and others seem spot on. Do have a Gen1(07) KLR with a few mods and appreciate the comparisons. Keep thinking of a R1200GS (used) just for giggles. Getting older (72+) so don't ride as hard as used to. Also have a 01 DRZ400E and shipped it off with my son thinking he would get more use out of it. More thoughtful of the battles I want to tackle and live in a VERY rural area with lots of riding opportunities but nobody to ride with (don't want to be "crow" bait :)) Anyway thanks.

Yeah, T7 misses MX position when there's an intense riding. Maybe something can be done with handlebars - I don't know.

Do you have an opinion on why DS riders ‘always’ opt for pod-style dampers (e.g. Scotts), when deciding to add one, as opposed to the linear style frequently OE on sportbikes ? T Y

I would have thought to check the final drive it would have been better to have it on the centre stand , and moving side to side would be a wheel bearing thing ( I’m asking the question )

You have the best KTM 690 comparison videos on U-Tube. My favorite riding tune is “Born to be Wild”. You have great videos, but I stop watching this one at 43 HP. As long as I can ride I want to be able to ride hard and fast. Thanks!

That was a great no nonsense review. 👍 👍!

That AXP bash plate on your 690 - is it the first generation one? Mine has lotsa space on the sides - too much. It could definitely be an inch or more closer to the engine on the sides. Apparently the newer Gen 2 is a more snug fit and would have preferred it but, I'm not buying a new one.

Great review. I had a 2011 690 a few years ago as well as the same XR650L. Loved both but for different reasons. After selling them both in 2017 I always missed the 690 more as a sweet spot between my 300 & 990 to ride different events or when I do medical support for enduros or adv bike events. Last year I filled that gap in my garage with a 2017 690. The XR was a nostalgic ride but remains a nice memory.

i also have to move my bike just a tiny bit and it will go out of neutral easily. I believe it is how the gearbox works, it took me some time also to do smooth shifts between 1st and 2nd gear, however now it feels just natural to me.

1st world problems for sure. Ive got 18,500 miles on my 890R. Love it, its like a magic bike, but in no way feels like a dirtbike to me. Ive ridden 2 strokes all my life and 470+lbs ready to ride is not a dirtbike. But I ride it on all kinds of dirt roads and it will take a wallop and like it, it likes to be pushed harder. On the street for me its an all day 500 mile bike, cruise control is very slick. Such a fun bike on tight backroads. I have serious wheelie issues so the wheelie control button stays on. It wheelies in 3rd at 65mph easy. But I want a 690, always have. Ive put 50,000 miles on my DR and when I get on it now, its like going back to 1985. Done with it. The hunt is pretty much on for a good 690, as new as I can find.

Very nice video, neither bikes on my radar at the moment (getting old, ok guess I am), but the description and pluses and minuses very informative.

Late to the party 😊, thanks for the information. Thinking of a used GS to keep the Gen1 KLR company. Do my own wrenching so mechanicals aren't a problem if the price reflects that. Just getting older and taking it a little easier off-road. Thanks

How much weight is added with all the unicorn mods? (Fairing, tank) +edit+ I did a CRF450L unicorn build and just couldn't get over riding that thing on the road. You say 2hours, I say more like one :) It was amazing on gravel/dirt/jeep/forest service roads but getting there was a chore.

KTM should really put some development on "rallying" the 690.

It all comes down to how much you want/can spend on a motorcycle, the price difference is huge.

Never owned a KTM before, how is this 690 reliability? Any problems should I be aware before I pull that trigger?

Great review, Subbed

At this point, your video is not just a random review, it’s a study material to me🎉🎉 🎉

I bought ktm 690 enduro r its a blast put 7000kms on it lastly first season it a torque monster I love it .Mike from Canada

690!!!!! For the suspension alone

Can’t wait your new video on T700 vs AT🎉🎉

How much the t7 is a sacrifice comper to africa twin or super tenere... for touring? Can it handle 2 up for long days? My current adventure bike is the dr200. I love light and small. I have a road bike. But, if i can have something more comfortable for long days on the freeway, with some ability to go offroad, that will be nice. I hate big bikes... but for the highway, my zx9r, is king... For offroad the dr200 is king....

I’m considering to trade my current KTM 1290 Super Adventure for an Africa Twin 1100, but you touched the point that keeps me from doing it: limited power to overtake while riding at 70 mph