KTM 690 Enduro R Review... After 1 Year of Ownership
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- čas přidán 18. 12. 2019
- KTM 690 Enduro R review. One year of ownership review of the KTM 690 Enduro R. The 690 Enduro is a fantastic machine. I’ve put up serveral reviews of this motorcycle, but this review of the KTM 690 is the most relevant because we’ve been through a lot together over the past year and I really feel that I’ve tested the limits of the machine. This is my long term review of the KTM 690 Enduro R.
See links below for video references
Full KTM 690 ENDURO R • KTM 690 ENDURO R
2:43 Rade Garage Tank www.radegarage.com/parts/ktm-...
4:55 www.adventure-spec.com/defaul...
5:27 KTM Adventure Footpegs: amzn.to/2PZHmrZThese are cool too:www.radegarage.com/parts-us/k...
6:17 Cycra Pro Bend Ultra: amzn.to/2PyTFwt
7:30 Trail Tech Riser: amzn.to/2PEJerv
9:24 LED Tail • KTM 690 Enduro R Owner...
10:37 Stegz Giveaway • Video
11:12 Bash Plate: www.adventure-spec.com/defaul...
12:30 TiresMetzler MC360s amzn.to/36QyzQ1 • Metzler MC360 Mid/Hard...
Kenda Big Block amzn.to/2Q6Bu0q • Kenda Big Block Review...
Continental TKC80 amzn.to/2Z1EleS • KTM 690 Enduro R Burno...
14:35 Fork Spring Change • KTM 690 Enduro R Fork ...
16:35 Airbox Mod • KTM 690 Airbox Mod - P...
17:30 Kev's O2 Controller • Kev's O2 Controller fo...
18:04 Fuel Filter amzn.to/2QIuLfk • KTM 690 Stalling Issue...
20:35 Liteloc Rimlocks 1.85 amzn.to/38SwbtZ
20:48 NOMar Weights amzn.to/38RsWTv
24:53 ProGrip 786 Rally amzn.to/2s4I7bg • ProGrip Rally Grips Fi...
25:43 Best Mirror amzn.to/337OlFd • Best Dual Sport Mirror...
Inov8 TrailTalon 235 amzn.to/35Cn3HR
Beginning narration: Adam Riemann - Sport
Fricken great review. I really appreciate your views as you speak to both on road and off road uses. So thank you for that. Very informative and helpful
Charles odle 10k review coming very very soon.
coolman! watched the wholw thing, very cool to see you thinking about all improvements. im similar with going for ideas that make sense. definitly one of the best ideas video for the 690. thsnks again
Thank you very much for your in-depth report
Dude thanks for this excellent overview of your beautiful bike!!
Thank you for watching it 🤙 Many more videos in the playlist.
awesome video and narration enjoyed it a lot even though i don't have this bike ThanksYou!
Dave S. Glad you enjoyed 🤙
Hey Mate, great video, it covered most of the things i have found as well, and I think you are right you cannot just have one bike to do everything. I was also very torn between the 690 and the Husky 501/Ktm 500 exc. In the end I found a really nice low mileage 2016 690 with lots of accessories already on it, pretty much built for whatever I could have thrown at it. I almost bought a 2018 model year brand new, but with all the accessories, it made this one the best deal. I do about 20 miles a day commute in city traffic, then head to the hills west of Brisbane(Australia) on my days off to play. The only thing I have found so far I don't like was my rear tire choice of the Michelin Anakee Wild, it is useless in the mud, but very good for everything else. I will probably end up putting the Dunlop 606 on the rear when this one is worn out, even though it is only available in 130 width, as it grips in the mud that much better. Great review, cant wait to see a bike tow a bike...haha.
The stock MT-21s were ok tires roasted them fast. The Metzler MC360 mid-hard was a stellar tire on this bike... and it was only 120/80. They make a soft too. The road barking in the wet will pucker your butt, but thats the sacrifice for off-road bliss. I think the Motoz Tractionator would be good on it. You have access to those, unfortunately I don’t. I have a Metzler Karoo 3 on it right now. It seems to work great on the street and I suspect it will do fair off-road, albeit not in the mud. 606 I haven’t personally run, but it was the go to dual sport tire I sold when I was at the shop. Don’t think they hold up too well.
Enjoy your beast! And yes, there are a few videos with towing. I have a couple good tow clips, but not sure when they’ll appear in a video. I’m currently busted up 🤷🏼♂️
@@JohnHowerton137 Motoz tractionators on mine for off roading, no rim-locks first time out ripped the rear tube apart. Incredible traction hanging quite easily with the average riders on off road bikes. BTW i'm 61 years old and riding with sub 40 year old guys.
herman leeuwner I suspected they're good tires. Got to have rimlocks unless you're running like 26+ PSI. Too much power. I have dual rimlocks in the front.
Truly hope I'm still riding in my 60s! 🤙
John, I share your passion for the "Big Girl" She is a Sweetheart, btw, you got off lite. I got closer to $16k in mine. She is often rode in the forests & trails of North Georgia & Tennessee. Has seen the back country of Colorado. I agree about the seat, Only after tearing the stock seat did I replace it with a KTM hard parts seat. I am not putting a "Fatty" seat on this Performance bike. I run a lot more Factory KTM Euro Bike parts & set-ups. Keep on giving this ride the Love it deserves! ( like you I also own other KTM's for other missions!)
I'm on my second seat at well. 7-ish days after I put on my beautiful custom Motoseat cover, my unconscious moron neighbor at the time ran it over while I was washing it... then backed over it! 🤦♂️ I bought a basically brand new OEM seat on ebay for $89.
I bet you have some nice riding in those parts. Enjoy! Appreciate you watching and your comment 🤙
Thank you for the handguard trick with longer bolts and spacers.
Yeah, the angles of the dangles are WAY better.
Hi john great review, very practical and no nonsense. Can I ask you please what are the stegpegz?
They are a device you lean back into with your boots to lock in your legs and take some load out of your arms when you’re a weak weekend warrior like me 😋
Thank You for your Genuine Honesty....I am looking at both the 690 and Husky's 701...Great tips thnx.
Kent Koontz Thank you.
Either way you aren't making a mistake (same bike) Probably just look for the best dealer support. 701 has kind of a funky seat cover and maybe less avail aftermarket taillight options (I have no evidence of that). That's about the only hangups I could see with the Husky.
@@JohnHowerton137 are their clips you can put on the orange frame to change the color instead of painting it?
Hey John love your channel. Just wondered if you do your own valves adjustments and if so do you plan on doing a vid? I have a 2021 but should be pretty similar, I think. Thx
I would, but I haven't. I planned on doing one, but my time is so limited because of work, I'll probably end up taking it to the shop. It's been years 🤣
I imagine somebody has a video out there. Maybe SMR or 701. A lot of those out there racing Supermoto.
Fantastic video mate, thanks 👍
Thanks for watching 🤙
Thanks for that detailed review. I bought an africa twin when they first came out, thought they were cool. I rode it across Canada twice and had my fun off road with it but the novelty wore off quickly. Riding enduro bikes and switching to the africa twin is like jumping off a supermodel onto a sumo wrestler. So after that first year the new africa twin just sat in storage for the past 2 years. I started getting excited about the 790 and 700 tenere, until I ran into a guy with a 790 and found that it was just as fat as the africa twin. Now I'm really thinking the 690 has probably been a better bike for me all along even though it's not quite as sexy as the new flashy adv bikes... Thanks again for the good info.
690 only feels fat if your coming off a motocross bike. Even then, it’s mostly down at the boot. A little bit maybe at the mid seat. If you want it to feel natural, you HAVE TO get a set of Rally Pegs. If you ride off road, a really good set of aggressive knobbies will make it feel like it went on a diet. Good tires and finding your preferred pressures makes it pretty nice to ride everywhere. I really enjoy the bike. I’ve been riding it just around town so much that I forgot how well it rips on the highway. 50 min Highway commute yesterday... 60-100mph in a snap 😁 I prefer the 16T front sprocket (vs 15). Cruises at 60 like a dream.
The new 690 with the updated bodywork is pretty sexy. ADV bikes are cool, but they’re far too bloated for what I do. No freeways here, which is about the only place where I could see wanting one outside of the novelty you mention.
husky is my next purchase.......
Neautiful decals, nice combination
As someone who has a 2019 and have ridden a 2017, the OEM seat on the older bikes kick ass.The new ones are less comfortable than a 500exc. on mine I just loosened the OEM seat cover and stuffed a small air hawk in it.
Yeah I think it's pretty good myself. I wouldn't want it any softer. I spent up to 36 hours in a weekend on it before and never had any issues.
Another great video, with handy information👍
I have a friend your size who rides big bores (650RR, 1190, etc..) seat height not a huge deal until you start dabbing a lot, are in slippery terrain, or trying to push the machine like your tail is on fire. That's when you start to feel the weight bossing you around.
@@JohnHowerton137 that is intresting, good to know.
typically I'll encounter dry land. the slippery muddy days are a bit rare but do happen. A bit bossy on a rare slippery day for a good road, and dirt road riding experience doesn't seem too bad a trade off for me.
it seems this bike is as close to a best overall at doing a little bit of everything, while looking awesome👌.
I had looked at the ktm500 but I would do alot of driving once in town with 18 Wheelers, and not as comfortable I imagine be so light weight with gust of winds hitting.
in a country perspective from your videos a ktm690 looks to have alot more Utility. That was something I found very interesting that you almost use it as a jeep, made me laugh to see you pulling a trailer 😄
The hight was something I was concerned about being 5"8(with shoes), but maybe not so bad with practice.
I would like to ask if my weight is a concern as I am 140lb, i don't know if that might be something to think about? Or if not an issue
@@oscarbear7498 you can get used to the on the street 500 pretty quickly. You just have to relax. The wind gusts are sketchy with a death grip, but when you learn to relax... tolerable. I had a 350EXC and once you get used to the suspension’s bouncy feel on the road it isn’t a big deal. 690 is far more planted feeling though right from the get go.
I was 140 when I started making these videos. Usually 150-155 now a days. Sitting closer to 165 at the moment. 🤭 Damn Faucivirus got me fat.
Nice review 👍👍
Hello, i just bought the 2016 690 and am loving it. My question is....have you ridden the new 2021 690 or 2020 with the bakancing shaft in it and is it smoother? My biggest complaibt with my/our bike is the vibes in the bars ,seat and pegs. I will be upgrading this bike next year hopefully and would love another 690, but i also love pavement and long days . Ive done 600 + km days bit they are not the most enjoyable. Thanks in advance for your imput. And thanks for all your content. Your an inspiration. I love in B.C. Canada and have wanted to do a channep such as yours for a while now.
I haven't ridden it, but I'm sure it helps.
To reduce some vibes, put on Rally Grips, open up the intake (the choked off engine vibrates more) and put better beefier handguards than stock. They'll act as bar weights. Other things that can help are the stock skid plate or other polymer plate, bar damping systems, more street like tires.
Honestly the vibes don't bother me at all, but I do remember when it was new, it was more than I was expecting. My bike has most or all the things above done to it. I didn't realize how rough the bike runs stock until I had to put my stock air filter back in. Feels like there's a rag stuck in the throttle body!
I’m diggin the graphics!
www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Graphics-kit-KTM-SMC-R-2012-2013-2014-2015-2016-2017-2018-SMC-690-STICKER/233387191396
Great detail, I appreciate it. Is that the stock speedo?
Yes, on models up to 2018.
Great video! How sturdy are those rear grab handles for repeated use maneuvering/picking up the bike after a fall in the dirt?
Totally fine for picking it up in a dump or backend slide. Have many times 🤣 You’re not going to throw it on a stand with them. Not because they’re not strong enough... but because most humans aren’t burly enough to lift the 690 and it’s too high of a point to grab unless you were like 6’7”. Hats off to anyone who can!
peenywalli those same holes are also used for the saddle bag racks. I had loaded Tusk large boxes on mine for a while. They are pretty burly. 10mm x 1.75 maybe?
Thanks, this was so useful.
Glad it helped. If you have any more questions, just leave a comment. I have like 50 other videos I can direct you too, or I can make a new one? 🤣🤙
Great video! “If you ride these frickin things off road you have to turn the abs off or you’re gonna die” I was laughing my ass off at that.
🤣 I speak the truth!
It’s so funny to me because most of the guys putting out the videos for that bike come from a street background. You obviously come from a motocross background, I really appreciate that when looking to buy one. Thank you for the videos and frankness!
@@levifogg2273 I don't have anything to gain from not being honest. KTM isn't paying me. I could be more critical of it, but I also try and keep in perspective what the avg guy who picks up a bike like this will need and try to keep it real world. If I dont't love something, I'll tell you. Not very often is my ego swayed too much by how much my pocket book spent. I just sell that shit and get something else that I think will fit the need 🤣
I mean... stuff like the forks could be a lot better, but honestly the bike shouldn't be ridden off-road any more aggressively to need better, and it's still best in class. Some dude upgrading from a KLR 650 will think these forks are a gift from God! I stiffened them up to make it handle better offroad because it rode too low in the stroke, but I feel like that took away from the way it handled on the road. Avg guy is probably dirt roading this thing at 25mph. It's a fine compromise for that.
1st gear would be nicer if it was lower, and it seemed like the 2nd-3rd gear gap was a little tall off-road. That said, never had a problem with the gear spacing on the road. If a guy didn't have to hit speeds over 60 sustained ever, you could drop a 14T counter on and it would probably be great. I may even do that, because I tow now and actually don't really need 6th. And my clutch would appreciate the lower first 🤣 When I was riding lots of pavement, the 16T make it a hwy cruising dream. Thats the gearing the Duke with the same engine uses.
Make sure you check the comments in my videos. I usually have a ton more info in them than I do in the actual videos, because I suck at monologues 🤣
Thanks for the comment and watching 🤙
Hey man nice review. Just wanted to tell you my KLR has 2.8 million miles on it and has never had an oil change or broken down. It also won Dakar AND Isle of Man.
Well if it's horsepower increased as it's oil consumption grew I'd say those are pretty typical results. You didn't get a lemon, but it sound like you might have gotten a "Monday bike."
@@JohnHowerton137 Hahah, Monday bike I love it. I experience a lot of the same responses you mentioned from the KLR community but from the Dr650 community when KTM gets brought up.. I am looking into the 690 to replace the DR650 and I am pretty certain its the bike for job.
Yeah, those communities generally don't understand that there is zero performance from those motorcycles. It doesn't mean they aren't good bikes for many people, especially in bullet proof Briggs & Stratton low-output but industrial reliability situations, but I prefer a chassis that doesn't flex so bad it feels like the back end is going to pass the front and a wheel that has enough power to spin in a gear other than 1st above 4,000ft elevation.
There is some reliability loss when you actually have the ability to travel faster speeds. This isn't unique to motorcycles. Honda Civics are more reliable that Porches. I can also beat those Honda Civics off the traffic light line on my 49cc Honda Ruckus until about 20mph 🤣
I've debunked the Japanese snail cult in many of my comments sections. It just is what it is... motorcycle politics.
I would ride a Yamaha Tenere. I'd want the Pol setup though. Most people don't realize his bike is miles from stock, but the stock bike does seem to be a decent platform.
John, Your videos and responses to my question have carried me through my KTM 690 ownership. I love this bike, but wow did I have a low point when it was acting all sorts of funky because of the ECU. I literally avoided my 690 for months because she ran like a dog, and until I learned to reset the ECU, it was like having a new bike again. Now I find excuses to ride it anywhere, lately through rain, cold and freezing temps! One question I have, is what's your advice on a dirt cheap spark arrest for the stock exhaust? I would love to get a Wings slip on, but money is going to be tight until the summer.
Glad to hear. Maybe I should have done a video on the ECU reset. Haha! I’ve done it several times... more as a precaution when I was messing around with the airbox and electronics.
So here’s the kicker, and why my exhaust is still stock... not many of the aftermarket silencers have spark arrestors! A good majority of the “pipes” are manufactured in Europe where there are no laws requiring spark arrestors. United States is the only place that requires spark screens. So when you’re looking for a pipe, many will show you a “DB killer” but that is not a US Forestry approved spark arrestor, it’s only a decibel reducer.
Most places aren’t Nazi on checking spark arrestors, so many people just don’t care and run without them. The places I ride are very dry and near “sacred” ancestral places or “threatened” species of plants and animals being that this is the only place on the planet they live. Most of the 4x4 people around where I ride don’t care (throw out cigs, beer bottles, Hot CATs in tall grass, no mufflers, etc..), but if I was the guy who set the place on fire with my dirtbike I’d have a hard time living with that, and it would also make headlines! “Pesky Dirtbike Burns Down Everything Special in the World!”
Most of the pipes that do have spark arrestors are wicked expensive. So all that said, if you don’t need a spark Check out some NICE cheap options from Dominator or Beowulf. There are a whole host of others. Leo Vince etc... some are insanely long because the can is generic across many models and not designed specifically for the 690. Just know that if a Forest Ranger inspects you, you wont pass.
Glad you’re back in love with your 690. I very much love mine! I have a super cool 690 video coming soon. I promise you’ve never seen anything like it 😉
I'm running the Yoshimura Muffler on my 2016 690 and it comes with an optional spark arrestor insert.
How do you feel about the overall durability of this bike to low speed spills/crashes on dirt roads etc. ? I took mine down for the first time earlier when I misjudged the ability to leave a rut with weight on the rear tire. I picked the bike up and straightened out the mirror, picked a couple tall weeds out of the gap in the side fairing. I scratched the clutch cover a little bit and little bit on the rear swing arm. Otherwise the bike really didn't have any issue with the crash. I was impressed, I honestly feared the worst being as the bike has such a huge radiator. Ordered some crash bars to feel better about it. Thanks for all the great information in the video.
John Lemon Most common things I see are bent handlebar risers and the brake pedal. Both those are butter. At like 370lbs fueled the risers crush pretty much every time you take a decent dump. Good news is... they're cheaper than handlebars 👍
Outside of that, I think they're pretty tough. The rear master cylinder could be fairly vulnerable, and yes the radiator is pretty big. It's more in the center though, so it doesn't seem to be as susceptible to side impacts. The fuel tank in the back makes me a little bit nervous in really rocky stuff, but plastic is pretty darn tough and is actually repairable so I think that's more paranoia than anything.
Make sure you grind the teeth off the inside of the brake pedal ASAP!!! I have a video about that. Some plastic protection for the side covers isn't a bad idea. If my case wasn't an already broken, I'd get some.
Enjoy her! Watch a bunch of my videos. I found most of the chinks in the armor. I'm not cleared to ride yet from my accident, but I just got done sitting on mine making vroom vroom noises 😋
@@JohnHowerton137 Its awful, what happened to you at the track. I really hope you get as close to 101% as you can, seeing some of the riding you can do makes me scared! I know I'd miss it though, looks like a rush : ) Thanks for the information as well, puts me at ease. This is the first bike I've had that I would consider expensive and it was really depressing to drop it for the first time. I doubt my crash was quick enough or bad enough to have bent the risers. If I may, why don't you have any crash bars on your 690? What is your preference?
John Lemon thanks. I almost took my 690 to that track before I got my 350EXC 🤣 The 350 barely survived (one bent wheel), so Not sure I 690 or me would’ve fared so well. I bought the 250SX. I suck too much now for that powerful of a bike, the riding areas are too small, and the ergonomics from that generation of KTM don’t feel super natural to me, so I sold it and bought the 250XC-F the next day. If the ebike would go about 40 miles on a charge, or Alta was still in business, I probably wouldn’t own a gas bike. I really do like riding 250Fs though, so I’m happy with it. I swapped in the tamer throttle cam and programmed the mellow mud map into the handlebar switch, so it’ll feel like 30HP now. Should be able to finally ring the tits off this bike like the old days. I ride bikes better when they’re wide open, I don’t really know how to bog things. The Ebike has helped with that since there’s no clutch or sound, but there’s a lot of hours of Revlimiter programming under me. I think the RPM noise just makes me more alert and aware of my surroundings.
I dont take my 690 off road too much anymore. When I do, it’s not too hairy or aggressive. Ryan Hughes rode it up and down the mountain with two women and then two men on the back of it with the ABS on!!! About the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen 🤣 3 grown adults sitting on a 690 with a trailer hitch and a bald Kenda Big Block tire climbing to 11,000ft in the rocks. The only thing that happened was the clutch faded to nothing. We let the bike cool for about 15 minutes and it worked again.
I was pushing the limits offroad on the 690, so I figured it was smart to get a dedicated dirt bike and not trash my $10k baby. I think they can take a reasonable beating, but I don’t think it or I were enjoying that beating we were getting. It’s not exactly a motocross bike. I love it so much though and even more now that when I ride it I don’t have to anything “out of my system” because I have other bikes to do that on. I can just ride it like a normal human and look at nature 🤣
The first crashes on new bikes are always the worst! They get much easier after that. My KLR 650 basically ripped off the back subfender hours after I left the dealership and again the next day. My 690 had a broken clutch case on like the third day. She was looking a little rough about two weeks in 🤣 My 350 got wasted in a crash during a race days after I got it, my friend ate shit down the asphalt on my Ebike sometime during the first week 😖 that certainly de-virgined the shiny. My 250F did some cartwheels in this last incident... so hopefully we got all that stuff out of the way now 🤣 The kid I sold my super shiny 250SX to.. looped it on asphalt and hit a parked car minutes into ownership. It’s not quite as shiny now. LOL!
Back in the old days every time I sold a 50SX or a 65SX to dad, I tried to talk them into buying a rear fender before they left the store. Usually dad would wash the bike after the first ride and proceed to loop it out blowing off the rear fender 🤣 After all, it’s just a wimpy kids bike right? 🤷🏼♂️🤦♂️
Jon have u had any in tank fuel filter issues??
Great video. Informative..
No, but plan to replace it before I do. Probably going to open that up the same time I service the valves.
Yes, my bike suddenly started running poorly. Shop said it needed a new top end. $2,000 later, with a new top end, it still ran like crap. They found a low fuel pressure and swapped out the broken in-tank fuel filter and seals and now it runs normal again.
Love those graphics!! Can you post where they are from and did you put them over oem graphics, get new plastics? Love the look.
I'll get back to you with link. Actually for SMC. Over OEM
Great, thanks
www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Graphics-kit-KTM-SMC-R-2012-2013-2014-2015-2016-2017-2018-SMC-690-STICKER/233387191396
This video made me want to go out and ride my DR650 :)
I believe you should 😋
I wanna see you tow with the 690! That's crazy I gotta see it!
It's in random videos. Watch some of the shorter 690 ones.
Hi John, I also fell in love with my 2011 690 Enduro R when I got it in 2013, especially when coming from a 640 Enduro which was much heavier, you should keep it for at least 6-7 years and maybe your review will be different. The first owner when he bought it new, and it was still under warranty, one of the rocker arms broke, and every 10,000kms a rocker arm broke! So two intake and two exhaust rocker arms have been replaced since its new, very strange! I was the head mechanic for a KTM dealer in Tanzania, East Africa, for three years, I have no doubt that this bike performance wise is at the top but this kind of thing would of not happened to a Honda or Yamaha. And since I'm in very damp climate the rubbers at top and bottom of the Tank were completely finished so now I've replaced with rubber from old tires(they will never rot, bike has been Tropicalized!). Good luck with your bike....
It's a well known problem those early ones had. KTM updated those parts years ago. One of my best friends has a VERY low hours Honda XR 650R nuked in his garage right now. The most meticulous guy you'll ever meet. My Yamaha TT225 lost an oil pump the 3rd ride and blew the motor to the moon.... I was a squid riding my first bike. I've seen so many blown up YZ125s I could go crosseyed. I rebuild one twice in one day after it blew up in both qualifying motos at a national. Stock bike.Yamaha didn't relieve the exhaust bridge that year. Why didn't Honda EVER put a decent chain guide on the XR/CRF 80-100? About every damn one of them has a broken case. I could go on all night. My point being... companies make bad stuff sometimes 🤷♂️ Some of them fix it. Never say never.
Those were some good tips. Ethanol makes the tanks swell also. My 08 I have to modify the rear plastic and stretch it over the tank
humzilla707 ethanol gas sucks. I hate it. Luckily with the ocean we have lots of gas stations that have ethanol free. Everything runs soooo much better on ethanol free. I really didn’t understand how much until I stopped running ethanol in my scooter and saw the gas mileage improve 27 miles per gallon! and it could pull like 5 miles an hour more up hills.
Humzilla707, I have the same issue on my smcr. How and where are you stretching the plastics to get them lined back up?
@@evanheffley1625 getting all bolts started with just a few threads, and drilling out the holes oval so it doesn't have to stretch as far. The bottom side bolts are the hardest to get in on mine and I can just barely get it to fit.
Yeah, I had to do the same thing. I thought you meant you were actually somehow stretching the plastic, like with a heat gun or something. It bugs me seeing that gap in the tail section. I have thought about plastic welding in a piece to bridge the gap (it's only a large gap on the brake side), and then a graphics kit could probably hide any marks from smoothing and sanding. A new tank is like 1500 bucks, I'm not to the point where I want to spend that to fix it though.
Good review. You didn't mention anything about vibration? I ride my XR650L mostly on gravel, dirt roads, and trails. Does your front end feel planted on gravel? Why no rack?
Vibration wasn't worth mentioning. The people that whine about it, should get back in their Escalades. It's a big single, it vibrates as much, or less than one would think. It handles extremely well for it's weight (not heavy for the class). Will do more than the XR would ever deam of. See my older videos from last year. It'll do everything your 690L will and twice as fast because the chassis is much more modern and the engine has a lot more HP. It won't lug as low as your XL in stock trim. Maybe with mapping and a pipe, but I can't answer that honestly. Doesn't have that "Lawn Tractor" feel. I haven't ridden big Honda's much, but it's not like the KLR and other big air cooled bikes like TT500 etc.. that I have some time on.
I have pannier racks, but I took them off for better off-road worthiness and I just ride with a small USWE backpack most of the time.
So you don't ride gravel.
I ride gravel and much worse. Mostly worse. I live on an island called "The Rock" 🤣 Just lower the air pressure down from the street pressures.
@@JohnHowerton137 "The Rock"? Newfoundland?
I bought this bike to do 70/30 offroad onroad and I ended up enjoying it so much offroad I didn't even bother registering it to ride it on the road. Literally treat it like a dirt bike and easily hang with buddies on 450's. Then again I'm a big dude and tall and used to throwing around much larger bikes on road course racetracks so maybe that's why it's not intimidating to me at all. I wish people didn't pass off the notion that this bike is not good for trails/its too heavy, I almost didn't buy it because of that. It is not even close to being too big, If it is your first bike then sure but that rule applies to any other type of motorsport.
Yeah, if you're over like 6'1" 200 lbs it's not intimidating at all unless maybe the trails were crazy slick. It's not geared super for trails, but if that's where its at most the time drop a 14T counter and maybe add a few to the back as needed. It's a fantastic fire road bike. Feels real planted. I'm probably a little more suited for a 500EXC, but I don't regret buying the 690. It's been a fantastic bike.
Is there a vid about the graphics? Btw I like your riding skills!
No, but when I have time I'll post to them.
www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Graphics-kit-KTM-SMC-R-2012-2013-2014-2015-2016-2017-2018-SMC-690-STICKER/233387191396
Cool video
My bike in the highway at speed of 70 miles starts shaking at the front wheel.... do you also feel the shaking? Any tips on that?
Yes, lots 🤣
First make sure you have the proper rider sag in the rear shock.
Second make sure the forks aren't slid up too high in the forks. They should be close to flush. Some people do that to "lower the bike." It doesn't work that way, all it does is stinkbug the stance. If the rider sag is too stiff on too of that, it's compounded.
Make sure the bars arent rolled too far forward. Angle should be close to parallel with the forks.
Put all the clickers back to a stock setting. If someone has "Upgraded" the suspension, you may need to see a tuner to set it back up for you.
Make sure front tire isn't worn out or worn weird, and the bead is properly seated all the way around. Maybe it needs balanced if it isn't.
Make sure the chain isn't super short and someone slid the axle blocks into a far forward position. This changes the wheel base (shorter).
All these things affect high speed handling. You will likely find one, several, or all of them wrong. If it still shakes after that, it's likely you. Your body and/or seating position is incorrect and riding technique poor. At the higher speeds you might be like a kite.
Hope that helps.
My friend is selling his 2018 690 enduro in 8,000 it only has 1,456 miles on it, he had an accident doing wheeling but it only got some scratches. Should i buy or pass?
Seems about in line with market price. That’s basically barely broken in. Look to see what they’re going for, but seems fair. It’s a great machine. I love mine more every day.
i love the tach, too bad the new ones ditched it
Yeah it's actually nice to read. I think the new one is like the 701.
Old guy here. I took the wifey on a two up trip through silver ton and rode a lot of the double wide fire roads. This was on an Africa Twin. Lordy was that an ordeal. No more two up on rocks. And.. the lighter the bike the better for everything but the interstate. 500exc or this bike at the top of the weight scale. I currently ride a street legal 450 XCW.
690 weighs quite a bit more than the 500. The 500 and your 450 are very similar in weight. The 690 is totally highway-able. Totally fine on fire roads, especially with decent tires, but you’ll start to feel the weight more when it starts to slide. You get that dirtbike cockpit and experience more like the 500, but the 690 itself is a little closer to the Africa Twin than the 500. If wifey is going to get on it at all... you’re on the 690.
Yeah just get the old lady her own damn bike! lol
@@JohnHowerton137 I now own the latest gen 690 and agree that power and ride wise the 690 is quite fine for the highway EXCEPT for the lack of windshield/windscreen ...What I don't understand is the lack of aftermarket options....basically choice between really expensive elaborate heavy rally affairs or else ttiny little screens that screw onto headlight housing and do nothing at all to keep wind off your face. NOTHING in between for this and many other such bikes! I envision something that replaces the handlebar mounts with upright dual channel screen mount (machines billet aluminum!) and then you could have a set of windshields to choose from that would slide into the channel on each side and then have some kind of friction clamp to secure it....a really tall touring version and a really short off-road version and maybe one or two in between....with my idea it would take 30 seconds to swap em....unfortunately NO BODY offers that! And btw it could aslost be universal mounted like that which I think should appeal like hell to aftermarket manufacturers! Anyone listening?? PLEASE BUILD THAT!!
@@dougiequick1 yeah, it wouldn't be much at all to design a quality bracket. It bothered me for about a 1/2 a minute coming from a few weeks of commuting on a KLR650 every day, but now I actually rather enjoy the wind cruising below 70.
If my machinist friend lived here, I'd probably design and sell one.
Where did you order those decals?? beautiful!
Scroll through the comments. I've linked it in there a few times.
So what about the Turning radius on the 690.... I've hear you can Modify the other so the turning radius is tighter more like a 350 or 500 exc...?
KTM's in general have adjustable steering stops. I'd say it turns just as tight as any other KTM I've had, but because it weighs more you don't lean it over in the tight turns as much, so that maybe makes the radius feel not as tight as the trail specific EXC bikes.
It's not an EXC. it handles the road with much better manners. The EXC handles the trail better with the same manners. Doesn't make it a better or worse bike, it's just different.
I think the seat is one of those "it will be good after X miles"
because it is VERY hard (atleast the ones i sat on)
Yes, but it's more about your expectations changing, not the foam breaking in.
Soft in general is not good, whether it be seats, beds, chairs or shoes. They create more problems at the price of instant gratification.
Looks great. Bet it’s awesome too. Def a perfect zombie apocalypse bike...
When it is the first bike video you have seen
thank you excellent reviews 👍
Only 150 miles. Mate, you should try a Ducati 696. 120 miles. When I got my SMCR I was well chuffed with the mileage.
Thanks for the tip on the brake peddle, I'll check it out at the weekend
One thing that annoys me is setting the sag. It's hard to get into the shock. On my 640 it was easy.
The seat is subjective. My ass is painful after a 30 mile ride to work. You have a tougher ass. Swings and roundabouts. I weigh 13 Stone (182lb). I still wouldn't buy an SC seat though, absolute rip off for a seat.
Headlight bulb, put a Lucas 100w in (Not Osram, crap). Nice bright white light.
Exhaust had to go on mine too. You can fry an egg on it after a short ride. Thanks EU, tossers.
Yeah, my Duke was only like 100 as well. Sag is a total bitch and the collar is TIGHT! If I was just a little richer, I'd put an X-Trig on it too. Pipe is mind-bogglingly hot. Melted a few covers on it. Hoping I have some tax return (also thanks EU tossers 🤣) for a pipe.
how is handling comparing to 500 exc-f?
Totally different. On the road... a 500EXC has the mediocre handling characteristics of a dirtbike. The 690 on the road handles like a street oriented bike, but feels like you’re riding a dirtbike, not a street bike. I’m a dirtbike lover, so I really love that about it.
In the dirt... swap the above. You feel the 690s weight. It’s pretty capable to go wherever you want, but it’s going to go there slower.
Bottom line, one of the bikes is going to be a sacrifice depending on what you’re riding.
Did I miss the part where you talk about the graphics?
I don't think I talked about the graphics, but if you scroll through the comments, I posted a link to them which is probably expired by now... but will probably still lead you to the seller.
Are those silver clips on the frame?
Those are Stegpegs without the pucks. I was commuting a lot in shorts, so I took them off. The brackets are good at protecting the tank from my boots. I’m so hard on the sides of bikes it worked out good!
Have you ridden the new 2019 690 for comparison?
Nope, I'm sure its wonderful. Seems like KTM went after some of the weaker links from this generation.
2019 is a game changer! Coming from a 2008 to 2019 myself.
If you want it snappy, change the sprockets. Exhaust is more sound than anything. Air filter change is not a good idea in my opinion unless it gets re tuned. They are already really lean from the factory. I don’t know how you went that long on that awful sounding quiet exhaust
It runs within spec and I have a fuel controller on it. Yes, I have a love hate relationship with that muffler. I think the neighbors love it, but it's heavy and DAMN HOT!
Were you doing a giveaway on that bike?
For StegPegz
Let me guess. You ride road bicycles ? The seat like every ktm bike is pretty firm. Can I stand it yes. Is it comfortable? NO. Are seatconcepts more comfortable. Hell yes.. PS I dont think I would spend the money either, but I bought the bike used and it came with a seat concept.
Well, thats a whole different situation 🤣 If mine came with a Seat Concepts... I wouldn’t be going out and buying an OEM unless was it ripped.
Seat Concepts is at least appropriate on the 690 type bike, but my buddy has a bunch of them on his off-road bikes. Personally I’d sell ebay those on ebay and get a Acerbis X-Seat or something. They Encourage sitting because they’re comfortable.
In 1996 Yamaha changed the YZ seats to a very thin one. Their centerfold ad said, “Why would we change the seat on the 1995 bike of the year? Because nobody wins sitting on their butt!” Brilliant 😋
350 pounds maybe heavy, but the 690 even with a Pillion at the back its still lighter than an Africa Twin.
Right. Much more off-road worthy than those, or even the new 790. Obviously those are much better for the long hauls.
My thoughts exactly! 👍
Where u get them graphics son
They were from a guy on ebay. Think the link is in description maybe, but the link is broken. Not sure why he stopped making them, I sold a bunch for him.
I have the 2019 and the seat is murder, it is not a matter of toughening up. At a buck 50 I guess any old seat will do, At 240, not so much.
240 might get you compressed all the way down to the Fiberglass pan. My grip was more at the masses who want everything to have a couch like 1986. You and I are also outliers. The majority of the dual-sporters out there will also be fine with the suspension, but you at 240 and me trying to ride the wheels off the thing... requires stiffer springs or valving changes.
Amazing bikes that just need a few personalized tweaks. Enjoy the ride 🤙
How'd u get that for 9 grand in 2018?
I’ve got people 😉 Also helps if you’re a better salesman (deal maker), than the salesman. Industry experience. I also got 0.9% interest for 60 months 🤣 I wrote up the deal... they just typed the numbers into a computer and signed it. I did a deal for 10k OTD on a ‘20 500EXC during covid too. Try to even find one of those!
Helped my brother buy a new truck one time... dealer took my deal. The sales guy came back out of the office and said, “My sales manager wants to know if you want a job?” Pure gold. My brother laughed his ass off when we drove away 🤣
@@JohnHowerton137 I'm tryna get one right now but I can't get one if Everytime I look at the bike I think about how I didn't get a good deal. How do I write out a deal? Just specify what I'll pay, and what I won't pay (lol), and then specify the simple interest loan plus apr? That's everything right. No freight or prep. 80 $ max doc fee. What am I missing? Should I shoot below msrp? What kind of apr rate should I demand with a 730-750 credit score?
Good start, but a little more complicated than that. Good salesman always has control of the sale. Not going to get that covered in CZcams comments, sorry.
Right now, you have to pay more. Covid caused a shortage of inventory. Massive shortage! No dealer with a half a brain is going to let anything go these days, IF they even have one. The better part of the desirable units obtained are pre-sold.
If the bike has value to you, you will pay it.. or else you won't own one. It's value will increase when you see someone else riding it passed you on the road and your garage has a empty corner 😉 You'll be waiting another 5 months and into Summer before the early released 2022s start landing... IF they aren't presold. I don't know my dealer was even able to get a 690E this year, if he did, it sold without hitting the floor. Got 2 supermotos. Retail + $1,000 for wheels and it's a E 🤣
How tall are you?
6'
Living on an island that's half the size of the county I live in, a 690 is probably overkill. Here in Colorado I have to run on I-70 and state and county highways to link mountain trails. I've tried smaller and bigger bikes. For here in the Rockies it's a Unicorn for all roads and trails IMO.
Right. 500EXC is not really something you want on the interstate for more than a few exits 🤣 690 is an adventure bike here. Top speed limit 60mph. On the mainland 10-1190 are probably great, but honestly, as much as I’d love to have one, I wouldn’t want it here except as a commuter. Terrain is too nasty. Even on the 690 your neck hair will be standing up.
Last year I was planning on moving to CO. 690 was going into a container because I knew it would be great for that open terrain.
@@JohnHowerton137 I always smile when I see big 1000cc+ bikes on passes like Mosquito or Ophir. Stick with the 690. It's plenty big to ride anywhere between Denver and Salt Lake on freeway and capable when asked to go on single track or mining passes.
“Capable” That’s basically why I love it. It’s my explorer bike. Ride it everywhere, find new things, cool things go back and visit on my 350 😋
I was a bike-only many years ago but now my knees are too painful for riding (boohoo!! not happy at all about that!) I completely missed the ADV/dirt bike craze so I enjoy watching you guys' experiences on YT.
It's a bit odd how the premier ADV/dirt motorcycle brand seemed somehow to manage to overlook the significant issues of tiny footpegs, engine cover damage from the brake pedal, overly soft fork springs and minor damage to the headlight casing during their extensive and comprehensive pre-release off-road product testing.
First off, what’s wrong with your knees? I solve problems for a living. Knees are part of that.
The soft forks I’ll let them off the hook for. It handles on the road a little better set up that way. Suspension is tough in general because there is no one size fits all solution. Especially when you have someone like me pushing it’s limits offroad and the next guy wanting a sofa chair that goes fast to work on asphalt. All my bikes get suspension work. I think I’ve had maybe one (2001 KTM 250sx) that had zero done to it. Everything else from XR80s getting thicker oil, to MX bikes getting springs and valving.
YT people have been bagging on my new ebike for it’s soft suspension... if I have to re-spring and re-valve a MX specific bike for MX, why wouldn’t I have to do the same to a bike that was set up for slow moving trails and someone 20lbs lighter than me? It’s one of those 🤦♂️ moments. Just people who have no understanding of what it takes to make a bike go faster. There is a whole industry around suspension adjustment. Each rider spends months testing preseason every year just to find a few base settings. Basically nobody runs stock suspension above B level racing, and most people don’t period.
I’ll let them off for the headlight too, because I don’t think they were jumping manufactured ramps on it 🤣 I believe those things are fixed for the 19 and newer model.
The brake pedal is a hard one for me to swallow! KTM is usually much better about updating stuff like that and they didn’t for a long time. Still shorter than the usual Japanese timeline. LOL!
I guess the footpegs are a preference thing and maybe people riding mostly on the road with smaller feet don’t mind them, but I really feel they are too small. The rally pegs make the bike feel like a normal MX bike with normal size pegs because of the bikes girth. The pegs on the 690 stock are the same pegs as the pre-17 pegs for all the other dirt specific bikes. Probably just saving some money for something most people wouldn’t notice.
Appreciate you watching 🤙
@@JohnHowerton137 I used to do a lot of mountain running from my twenties to my forties. I never observed any appropriate preparatory exercise regimes and I never used the best footwear for my runs. Running downhill's been the real killer. Consequently my knees can now barely tolerate a gentle walk of more than 5-6 miles without considerable pain and sitting on a bike for more than a couple of miles is now sadly out of the question. (It was a very sad day indeed back in 2010 when I had to sell my trusty old XTZ750 on which I'd spent many, many hours turning it from a bag of nails into a very comfy continental tourer).
If you've any genuinely effective solutions for my knees, I'm all ears and I'll be diving into my wallet for a DR-Z in less than a heartbeat! (Much obliged for your reply).
Keyboard Dancers did you know I’m a mountain runner, professional shoe fitter, consultant, triathlete, and a guy who also used to not be able to run at all? 😉 I help billionaires, world champions, pros, rock stars, doctors, Podiatrists, therapists, shoe company staff, 80 year olds, fat people, and even some weekend warriors 😆 Pretty good chance I can help. I’ll likely do that on CZcams soon too.
You have an instagram account? I can probably help with just a few photos of your legs and feet. Maybe a video if you’re really messed up. LOL
Keyboard Dancers instagram.com/p/Bk-s_KhFkrD/ US Championships 2018
John, I am torn between the 690 and an f800 GS. I know that sounds like it should be an easy choice, and 90% of the time I think I'd go for the 690, I guess my question is I'm considering taking my 8-year-old son with me on some overnight camp trips on the bike, and I'm thinking if I put panniers on the 690 there would be no way there would be room for my 8-year-old and his legs to get to the passenger pegs. One obvious thought would be to modify the brackets to move the bags rear a little bit to make room for your legs. In any case since you sound like you use yours to haul passengers from time to time does that sound retarded to you? I've got a plated wr400 which is old but still works great, I'm thinking maybe I'm better off just to go for the big GS and keep my 400. I both your thoughts since you've lived with the 690.
Totally valid thought, but... at least with the Tusk racks that I put on mine, they have a passenger peg bracket on the rack (I think for Bikemaster pegs). So now your decision is even harder 🤣
The 800 GS will be way more comfortable on road for both of you, but the 690 is still a lot more dirtbike if you want to actually ride it off-road when go camping. And if you're going the GS route... you can throw the 790 and 1090 into the mix.
Glad I could help make your decision more complicated. Haha
2008 ktm 690 seat was so hidius that i sold that bike.Change powersetting mild citydrive.
ok ok how much you weigh?
@@JohnHowerton137 I might be 100kg then seat was too soft 08 model so it was like sitting plastic frame of seat.Husaberg 650 seat is more comfy even it too narrow longer ride.
Yeah, with gear you're probably pushing close to 240lbs without a backpack. Technically you were sitting on fiberglass. The Seat Concepts probably would have changed things for you. I'm sub-200 even with my pack loaded. Basically perfect.
Your's seams to be the weight class that typically has issues. Heavier weights need stiffer foam durometers (and/or thicker). It's a drawback of being outside the avg consumer size. Stiffer Suspension, lower pegs, maybe higher bars are also the norm for bigger dudes.
The Husaberg seat is probably much deeper in the saddle with more space sans fuel injection and smog stuff.
The seat on the 24 is horrible it’s rock solid no give at all
Yeah, I've sat on them. It's firmer than these. It'll break down. Everyone said the same thing about these bikes.
Personally I don't like soft things at all. Soft is generally bad for posture and biomechanics. I sit on firm or folding chairs most the time and don't wear mushy shoes. My bed is the softest thing I own and if I could afford a new stiffer mattress, I would. The first one when I bought it got exchanged for the firmest they had. I slept on a plywood box with a mattress topper for years. I don't want to go back to that, but I don't have a lot of the typical lazy body issues (back, etc..) that other people have... despite having sustained exponentially injuries than most people.
Enjoy the bike. They are awesome. And if you need a different seat, Seat Concepts does make nice stuff.
I have 6 bikes and planning on buying more. They aren't nor will they ever be my "life":
Ripping off our man Adam Riemann at the start
He's been in the description for 3 years and tagged in other places. Not a secret. Not exactly the first time someone has used a audio or video clip from somewhere else Brah. Prob 80% of the content on YT does 🤣
Year rather. I was thinking this was a early 2019 video.
350 pounds that's heavy...lol
Back when I was racing Yamaha DT 250 at 9 years that bike was heavy. Guess what I learned to ride and didn't have to pick it up...
Curb weights always sound heavy. It's still best in class.
@@JohnHowerton137 im a really tall dude and this bike was made for me, 18,000kms on a 2016 zero issues. can go anywhere a 250 can. you need the brawns to wrestle it around but its rewarding. also the seat is great! not gonna waste my money on a new seat unless it breaks!
I agree, it’ll go everywhere with just a little more effort and little slower pace. I thoroughly enjoy owning it.
Sea foam is a bad ideea . Read about it.
Please share. I've seen, heard, and experienced nothing but good.
Just this week it cleaned up the rough running scooter I bought. Starts better, idles normal now and increased like 3 mph. I literally did nothing else to the engine. If you really want to feel if something works... put it in a gutless scooter.
I ran it in my 350EXC for 100 hours, much of that revving the shit out of it with a lean blue pipe to the point of spitting coolant on several occasions. 140hrs on the top end and no smoke, not even a valve adjustment. Top ends usually need serviced about 110 hours. I know the guy who still owns it, still the stock top end (not sure the hours).
This 690 had been running it every tank since after about 1,500 miles. It's at 11,000 now. Pulls a 400lb trailer up mountains at 60mph+ least once a week and bounced off the rev limiter for 1,000s of miles before that. Starts and runs perfectly, burns no oil, hasn't needed a valve adjust, and hasn't had the fuel system problems that some people claim these bikes have.
Unless I see evidence otherwise, I can't see not using it, especially when the mechanics at the shop all swear by it. "Just pour a bunch of Seafoam in it."
@@JohnHowerton137 czcams.com/users/results?search_query=scott+killmer+sea+seafoam+
@@fcalin21 thank you. That's pretty much the first negative I've seen, but I'll need a lot more than that.
While I imagine he must be very knowledgable to have 3.5M subs, I've seen dozens of videos with actual tests, cameras, pull downs (4-stroke). I didn't start using it without looking a bit because I knew nothing about FI when I got back into this.
I tested oils and looked at maybe hundreds of 2T engines when I was part manager for 8 years. I used Spectro SX (32:1) in my 2T and it was the best damn oil for carbon by a long shot. Practically zero buildup so no need for additives (plus we rebuilt 2T race bikes fairly often anyway). Many used Redline (Tom Morgan swears by it because of the dyno), but we had a lot of blown up bikes on that (even at 32 & 40:1) and those engines always had a real light colored carbon that was hard as hell.
This guys own subs fill the comments with Seafoam testimonials! I have my own anecdotes and the shop mechanics (my buddys) were the ones recommended it in the first place.
One contrarian opinion based on old info isn't enough for me, but I appreciate you commenting. After my scooter this past week I was considering doing a video about Seafoam right when your comment notification popped up. I'll look around a little more before I make one.
@@JohnHowerton137 I understand your position. I am torn now. I have seen tests an d it is not so clear now. Apparently you are right. Maybe it does ruin the catalitic convertor. I don't know.
@@fcalin21 seems like it’s a waste of money at worst and harmless at best. I anecdotally feel like it works and will continue to use it.