KTM 690 Enduro, which model?
 

Hello travellers! This is my first post here,

I'll be finishing university in the near future and am planning on spending the time after that travelling by motorcycle as much as I can. I have been riding for some years now but mostly on streets, since where I live there isn't much dirt that you are allowed to ride on.

I have ridden different bikes, the last was a BMW 100GS airhead. I am by no means a professional mechanic, but have worked on all my bikes in the past and got to the point where I always have been able to replace and repair everything myself.

I have owned a KTM 690 Enduro before (which got stolen :( ) and loved that bike. Like any bike it had it's issues. After reading up as much as possible I have decided to get a second one. I think it's the by that will suit me best for the trips I plan. I'm aware there are pos and cons, but that bike always took me anywhere, be it road or offroad. Sure it's heavy for a dirtbike and small for a road bike. Most important, I always had fun riding it and in the end, that probably what it's all about.

The first trips will probably be around Europe, since I live here. The Balkans, Poland. But my goal is to do a trip through South America and the Andean mountains. I want to ride as far from paved roads as possible, not to race or rally just to get a lost and see what nature has to offer.

The KTM 690 Enduro has been chaning over the yeas, the last iteration of that being a big update in 2019 with quickshifter (are you serious?) and more electronics.

I don't need ultra-fancy electronics. I sure don't need a quickshifter. The less I have, the easier it will be to repair. I know my way around a multimeter, but I don't want redundant stuff I will never need on my bike.

What year's model of the KTM 690 Enduro would you recommend?

I read that the service intervals are longer after the 2013 model. Have the gotten bigger after that? That sure would be a plus. Also you used to be able to hook up a ODB-2 adapter to read errors and see what the problem is, is that still true? What is the most reliable model year?
Is the 2019's motor upgrade worth the money and extra stuff that comes with it?


Thank for any feedback, I hope someone has owned or repaired a few of these and can tell me more. I'll probably buy a used one, but if the 2019 is really that much better I'll also consider a new one.

Cheers!

Pablo

I am lurking at ktm 689 enduro R as well, but 2019 model.
I think considering the changes I would rather aim at new model.
I don't care about electronics as well but other stuff is good to have.
I have 500 exc and servicing is easy, 690R should be even easier and less frequent.
Hopefully they put in more reliable fuel pump and gearing is changed for better,
didn't tested yet though.

Good review/comparison to previous model here:



few highlights below:

- NEW Dynamic LC4 single-cylinder engine with less vibration and more power featuring electronic fuel injection, Ride-by-Wire technology, dual balancer shafts, PASC slipper clutch and 6-speed gearbox.
- NEW styling based on the EXC family for a more aggressive look and enhanced ergonomics.
- NEW chassis for optimized rider feel and control with a lower seat (910 mm / 35.8 in) while keeping the same suspension travel.
- Cornering ABS with Offroad mode (to disengage rear ABS) for hard braking under all circumstances and the Quickshifter+ for smooth clutchless shifting.
- Motorcycle traction control (MTC), motor slip regulation (MSR) and Street and Offroad ride modes that can be switched directly from the handlebars for controlled power delivery.

https://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/k...-690-enduro-r/

@donpablo: 2012 model year is when the big changes were made. Before then there were two models of 690, a high seat version with black frame called the 690 E and a very high seat version with orange frame called the 690 R for which you probably needed to have an inseam of 34 inches or more.

From 2012 the 690 E ceased production and the 690 R suspension was changed to the previous 690 E height.
At the same time the engine was enlarged from 650 to 690cc, service intervals increased, better front light and a rev counter added. There were many complaints about reliability on earlier models but this seemed to improve dramatically from 2012.

In 2014 ABS was added and an option to show gear position in place of trip odometer.

In 2019 better fueling, smoother motor, larger fuel tank (by 1.5 litre), traction control, but the rev counter removed.