Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
Just stumbled across this old thread.
So Endurodude ... are you still shopping for a KTM 690?
Any thoughts lately about this? :confused1:
I recently got another test ride on a friends 690. It's always impressive in the power dept! Love it! Love the brakes too. So got to thinking if a properly set up KTM 690 could ever replace my DR650?
The worrying thing is HOW FEW 690's are out there doing the BIG miles as travel bikes: all packed up and crossing continents. So far, not many besides Noah and Colebatch's friend in Mongolia. I'm sure there are a few more ... but I don't see many.
Seems the closer I look at the 690, the more "known issues" crop up.

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I bet it made you smile when you test rode it
There are many many people traveling on 690s now and in the last few years.
Lyndon Poskitt "Races to places". He is on a 690 rally. He is doing races and traveling on the same bike.
Lyndon Poskitt / Adventure Spec
Around the world with Lukas M. In central Asia somwhere. Slow to update.
https://www.facebook.com/aroundtheworldwithlukasm
Overland ride. UK dude going down through Africa solo on a 690.
Overland Ride | Cornwall to Cape Town
Into the world. They did 2up through Africa on a Tenare 660 then did Central asia last summer on a drz400 and a 690 ktm.
Into The World – Motorcycle Adventures in Africa, Europe and Asia
Continental Drift. London to Sydney on 2 690s. they have some sweet videos. and they recently did an un-assisted crossing of the Simpson desert.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Conti...95235653852940
25000 miles with luke and nick through Africa. If you read this, you will not buy a 690. But i'm riding his bike now and it has 109,000 km.
25,000 miles with Luke and Nick - ADVrider
RTW on a KTM 690
RTW KTM 690 Enduro - ADVrider
I know I'm forgetting some.
Known problems are not problems because they can be fixed. Every bike has problems.. the 690 is now well sorted out. And the following is quite passionate because it is such a good bike.
There is lots of info here:
690 Hall of Wisdom - KTM 690 Wiki
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