Buebo
It looks like a very nice bike. How does it stop under hard braking from higher speeds? Any issues with it being light? Does it feel stable and maintain traction?

Stephan

http://www.rvaqualine.com.au/sitefil...t/File24_1.JPG

Safari Fuel Tanks
KTM 690 Enduro / 690 Enduro R

Litres: 14
Colours: Orange, Black or Translucent White
Fits: KTM 690 Enduro / 690 Enduro R
Bolts straight on with stock seat
Includes: fuel cap, taps, mounting kit, fuel lines and fuel transfer plate
This tank will let you use your 690 as a true adventure bike, giving a combined fuel capacity of 26 litres. The tank fits on as an addition to the original under seat tank. It is straight forward to install and easy to remove and replace for servicing. There are taps to isolate the fuel in both tanks so servicing can be done without the need to drain fuel (fuel must be drained for initial instillation). This capacity over doubles the range (original tank 12L) and has been molded to retain the original KTM styling and look, and gives you a unique, comfortable knee position on the tank.

The front break feels quite soft and needs a bit more travel on the lever than I'm used to but if you want to you can pull stopies with two fingers on the break.

Haven't tried this on the Autobahn, but emergency breaks at up to 100kph (or so) do pose no problems. At least I don'r sense any nervousnes in the chassis. Of course the mounted tyres have a huge influence on this as well. My wike has Metzler Enduro 3, which do give good traction on the road...

The rear break also works fine (contrary to some reviews I read online).

It sounds like you are running out of reasons for NOT getting the bike. So tomorrow the shop is open, right? Color choice? :)

The one I test rode wheelied much better than my own :thumbup1:

After a quick blast to the HUMM here in Germany I can report that top speed is 174kph.

I will talk to the dealer later (when I return the bike) and see what the street price is and if there's room for bargaining. From the looks of it I also like the R version. Just not sure if I ever could use the additional spring travel. It also might be too high for me.

:mchappy:

Dealer Price was too high for my taste (about 1000€ more than I would have payed online (other KTM Dealer).

I do like the bike and do consider buying it, just need to check out the R-Version and sleep about it for a night or too. Did draw some looks at the German HUMM as well. :thumbup1:

Tenere
 

Tenere...........Tenere...............Tenere...... .......Tenere...........!:eek3::eek3::eek3:

..you'll have to try harder than that :oops2:

Heavy, Heavy, Heavy, Heavy, Ugly, Heavy :innocent:

Seriously, for overlanding the Tenere might even be better (at least I think the oil change interval is longer - I could be mistaken though), but then again at the moment I'm not in the market for a serious overlanding bike.

I doubt I'll be doing RTW anytime soon, so what I'm looking for is a bike to blast around the local mountain roads, ferry to morocco and ride dunes, to the old military roads in the alps, take to the local dirt-track or (and that's what I'll be doing August and September) tour eastern Europe with.

In other words: Having a blast is more important then not having the bike blast and even that should not pose too much of a problem, since KTM offers two years of guarantee, which can be extended up to four years...

Anyhow, I was thinking about the Enduro without R against the Enduro with R, the insanity of buying a bike new that's sure to end up with scars and scratches (also known as character :clap:), and what all the necessary stuff would cost me, when a nice deal came along.

Practically new R with Powerparts Panniers (relabeled Zega boxes), Tankbag, new slip-on exhaust and some more nice stuff with less than 2000km on the clock.

So here it is, my new bike:

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3156/img3202a.jpg

What made this sweet for me was that the bike is ready to go, I just need to install the GPS, pack my stuff and get going...

Only downside is that it's not mine yet, but that will change tomorrow or the day after! :D

Aqualine Safari Fuel Tanks / Aqualine KTM 690 Enduro 14 litre Tank
 

guess you are looking for a xmas gift........ :)


Fits: 690 Enduro / 690 Enduro R - 14Lt.

Includes: fuel cap, taps, mounting kit, fuel lines and fuel transfer plate

This tank will let you use your 690 as a true adventure bike, giving a combined fuel capacity of 26 litres. The tank fits on as an addition to the original under seat tank. It is straight forward to install and easy to remove and replace for servicing. There are taps to isolate the fuel in both tanks so servicing can be done without the need to drain fuel (fuel must be drained for initial instillation). This capacity over doubles the range (original tank 12L) and has been molded to retain the original KTM styling and look, and gives you a unique, comfortable knee position on the tank.

Product Code: AQ-KTM690E-14

Price: £550.00 Inc Vat (£478.26 Exc VAT )

http://www.adventure-spec.com/shop/a.../prod_165.html

ps.
change the few orange parts to some black and you are set... with the bike on that picture.... :)
by the way... nice to have meet you on the HUMM 2009 in Germany... :)

spooky

Nice one!
 

Fantastic bike. I'll be watching your posts eagerly to see how you get on :thumbup1:

I've postet a somewhat more extensive review of the bike on my blog (in german): Fahrbericht KTM 690 Enduro | buebo.de

Before starting on the BIG TRIP (capital letters intended) I'll probably do something smaller, like a couple of days in france and test out if everything's allright and if I get on with the bike as it is.

Until then it's just comuting and running errands now and then :rolleyes2:

Anyhow feel free to ask anything that comes to mind :thumbup1:

So they didn't do a great job of talking you out of it, did they?

Or was it a lost cause from the off?

Looks great (although that seat looks "agressive"!!) Enjoy.

If you tour Germany and France in August and see a Ural with two peeps and a dog, give us a wave as you blast past!!

I rode all round europe and russia on a ktm 950sm (completely different bike I know), reliability was excellent, engine insane, back tyre life not so great.
Only problem I had sometimes was finding dealers in some of the eastern countries for servicing. oh also it seems ktm's are quite a popular bike as mine was knicked in prague.
Thinking about an xr600 or drz400 as my next bike

Sayin that though take the ktm for a spin, you will fall in love