KTM 690 Enduro

[Slide Panda]

Engine reliability? though the E model is a slightly smaller motor than the current R.

They changed out all the 690s as far as I know, from 650 (mine) to a full 690cc. Nothing crazy - though it is wise to keep an eye on the exhaust rocker. There's an auto-decompression device that seems to be not so good for one of the bearings on that rocker

What about ease of maintenance? I.e. how hard is it to get to the battery, airfilter ec.

Very easy to get to both. Remove seat and the battery is there as it the filter lid which is secured by two bolts. Oil changes are a tad fussy as they use the paper cartridge filters in a horizontal recess - so you need to fish them out with a pick or punch a hole in the end and hook 'em. They won't just drop out

Any long term issues? I know the 690R models had that left side crank case bearing issue resolved, but any other known ones?

Early ones needed new fuel filters very very early. Like a couple thousand miles early. If left too long they resulted in burned out fuel pumps.

Hows the FI? Clean smooth and responsive?

It benefits from some tweaking. The O2 sensor makes it a bit jabby at low RPM low throttle combos. Also *needs* remapping to run any lest restricted exhaust lest you enjoy stalling.

[DanTheMan]

I have been riding more in enduro mode lately. I have a 08 smc that ive adapted the bigger wheels to for full knobies.

If your doing technical single track you will find its short coming. Turing radius sucks and really shows up on tight corners. And it has a lot of power for the dirt. You can ride all day in second, but have to be really smooth on the power. In fact you want to ride in second and lug it around out of the power band in the tighter stuff. A lot of clutch work. Im sure if mine was geared lower the power would be more usable in tighter stuff, but i'm running the street gearing.

I don't really see the weight as being an issue to prevent you from using the bike on technical stuff, just turing radius and power.

Tire choice will help with feel on the street. I was running pirelli scorpion pros (soft terrain tire) and they are horrible on the street. Just put on some D606's and they feel 100% better.

 

[koko64]

They changed out all the 690s as far as I know, from 650 (mine) to a full 690cc. Nothing crazy - though it is wise to keep an eye on the exhaust rocker. There's an auto-decompression device that seems to be not so good for one of the bearings on that rocker

Yeah I saw one that needed early rocker replacement after only low kms on warranty. Was told it was not uncommon. The part itself (rocker and bearing kit) was surprisingly not expensive (but then maybe that's the issue).

[1.21GW]

Any chance you looked at any of the Husq 600-sized bikes?  Sadly, they pulled the line, probably in connection with the KTM purchase so as to not compete with itself.  but by all account some great bikes that are maybe a step up from the DR/KLR but not as expensive (and finicky) as the KTMs.   There are some near-new TR650s out there for ~$5k.  Dump another $1500 in aftermarket stuff (probably needs a bigger tank for more range, along with pannier mounts) and you have a basically new, farkled, reliable, easy-to-work-on DS.

Anyway, just a thought since I continue to look at options out there and the Husqs are very enticing alternatives.

KLR650,  TR650 and KTM 690 showdown:

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/reviews/husqvarna-tr650-terra-vs-kawasaki-klr650-vs-ktm-690-enduro-r-singles-club

[Slide Panda]

Yeah I saw one that needed early rocker replacement after only low kms on warranty. Was told it was not uncommon. The part itself (rocker and bearing kit) was surprisingly not expensive (but then maybe that's the issue).

There was a run of rockers with bad bearings - I can't recall the date span. But ones made in a specific time range were prone to going off extra early.

Even with *better* bearings, the bearing that contacts the cam lobe which has the auto-decompression integrated seems to go off sooner than one might hope.

It's easy enough to check on - aside from the time commitment to get in under the airbox. Really the airbox is the most annoying time consuming part. I've very much considered going to the EVO II kit with it's pod filter just to eliminate the GD airbox.

[Langanobob]

He Man, over a month since your last post on this topic.  How's the bike search going?  You got  me looking at KTM 690's!

[Langanobob]

<snip>

If your doing technical single track you will find its short coming. Turing radius sucks and really shows up on tight corners. And it has a lot of power for the dirt. You can ride all day in second, but have to be really smooth on the power. In fact you want to ride in second and lug it around out of the power band in the tighter stuff. A lot of clutch work. Im sure if mine was geared lower the power would be more usable in tighter stuff, but i'm running the street gearing.

I don't really see the weight as being an issue to prevent you from using the bike on technical stuff, just turing radius and power.

<unsnip>

I read a review somewhere on the 2014 model and it mentioned that the turning radius could be tightened up by adjusting the stops, evidently they came from the factory adjusted out on their test bike.  Never owned any sort of KTM yet, but one is getting to the top of my wish list.

[He Man]

I decided to buy it next year and ended up buying a KX250F and am in the process of getting it turned into a enduro bike.

[Langanobob]

Bet you'll have so much fun on the Kawasaki that you'll forget all about the KTM.

[He Man]

probably.  im going through some paperwork to get it street legal through the Vermont method. it works for bikes under 300cc.