2012 ktm 690 enduro R owners, any major problems ? - Page 13

Pantah · 12-01-2012, 09:18 PM

Mine doesn't stall either, but I am good with the clutch in the slow stuff.

I finally solved the biggest problem.

After:

Before:

Hard to emphasize how bad the stock seat is. It is way too soft and offered no support. I even tried a sheepskin to no avail. Seat Concepts must've lucked into the secret sauce with their seat foam, and then they shaped it to take advantage of it. Lots of support and fairly firm. Brilliant!

ramjet · 12-01-2012, 10:24 PM

I think our bikes need some treatment for the upper black shroud. Just seems unfinished. I want to get some kind of graphic made but I suck at creativity. Where are our artistic brethren?

noobinacan · 12-02-2012, 07:20 AM

doh...Thanks, I'm totally psych'd now about adding this bike to the stable and some diversity on two wheels

Quote:

Originally Posted by wsmc831

Well, since you can't get an auto clutch for the 690, it's a mute point.

My personal experience is its not needed for offroad. I've used an autoclutch/left hand rear brake in my offroad bikes since 02. More than half of those years were spent racing enduros on the west coast/baja. In April I did a long trip in Baja on the 530 where it was beyond reproach. In July I took my newly purchased 10 enduro to the OBCDR, fully loaded, and did very similar riding as I did in Baja.

The 690 was, simply put, outstanding. In SE Oregon in rock gardens that kept us to a crawl, the motor just will NOT stall out. I was amazed at how well it did in all types of offroad conditions. I would still buy an autoclutch if available, but it really isn't necessary, in my opinion.

wsmc831 · 12-02-2012, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pantah

Mine doesn't stall either, but I am good with the clutch in the slow stuff.

I finally solved the biggest problem.

Hard to emphasize how bad the stock seat is. It is way too soft and offered no support. I even tried a sheepskin to no avail. Seat Concepts must've lucked into the secret sauce with their seat foam, and then they shaped it to take advantage of it. Lots of support and fairly firm. Brilliant!

Agreed. They have a tall version coming out as well. Now I have to find a cheap stock seat to give that a try.

FechFech · 12-02-2012, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKINNY

I have an 08 and a 12 model...except for broken lower tanks bolts and a recent clutch slave cylinder replacement, the 08 has had no problems in nearly 12,000 miles...

Hi Skinny,

How much better is the steering lock on the '12 model over the '08 model ? I have a '09 model which I like a lot, except for the steering lock (or rather, the lack of it, it has a turning radius like a truck) and the crappy stock suspension. I'm thinking of upgrading to a '12 or '13 model because KTM claim they improved the steering lock. The suspension could be fixed on my bike of course, but I'd rather spend the money for a suspension job on a newer bike with better steering lock.

Cheers,

FechFech

______________________
Current bikes:
- KTM 990 SMT for the road
- KTM 690E for gravel roads
- KTM 350 EXC-F for offroad riding
- GasGas 250 TXT for practicing offroad skills

SKINNY · 12-02-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FechFech

Hi Skinny,

How much better is the steering lock on the '12 model over the '08 model ? I have a '09 model which I like a lot, except for the steering lock (or rather, the lack of it, it has a turning radius like a truck) and the crappy stock suspension. I'm thinking of upgrading to a '12 or '13 model because KTM claim they improved the steering lock. The suspension could be fixed on my bike of course, but I'd rather spend the money for a suspension job on a newer bike with better steering lock.

Cheers,

FechFech

- GasGas 250 TXT for practicing offroad skills

The steering lock is a lot better..
I noticed the difference as soon as I tried to put the 2012 model in my garage...
no more bouncing off my truck and my wife's car trying to thread my way between them.
Suspension is better also
Same travel as the 08 but much less harsh...

Pantah · 12-02-2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKINNY

The steering lock is a lot better..
I noticed the difference as soon as I tried to put the 2012 model in my garage...
no more bouncing off my truck and my wife's car trying to thread my way between them.
Suspension is better also
Same travel as the 08 but much less harsh...

My suspension was very stiff until it broke in. I did 3 bike bike dual sport rides and that was enough to sweeten the ride. I think it's still on the stiff side in back, but not when I hit a washout or something. Sucks it up nicely.

FechFech · 12-02-2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKINNY

The steering lock is a lot better..
I noticed the difference as soon as I tried to put the 2012 model in my garage...
no more bouncing off my truck and my wife's car trying to thread my way between them.
Suspension is better also
Same travel as the 08 but much less harsh...

Thanks, that's what I wanted to hear :-) I guess it's upgrade time soon...

A few pictures of my current (soon to be old) bike:

Ready for a rally-raid in Morocco:

In the dunes of Erg Chebbi in Morocco:

Between Merzouga and Missour:

sk1d00 · 12-03-2012, 08:40 AM

Okay, I guess this counts as a major problem:

No running lights, brake lights, accessory power, horn, indicators. I have checked fuses 6 and 7 (checked all in fact) and even changed fuses 6 and 7, I've unplugged the battery for a minute (this worked on my car for a past glitch) and unplugged the accessory cable (Garmin GPS62 charger). no joy.

The bike starts and runs fine but non of the above electricals work.

When I test rode the bike this issue occurred and the garage fixed it before I picked up the bike (the rear offside indicator was hanging off so I assumed this was breaking the circuit. It ran fine since then but now only 167 miles on the clock it has failed again. Not impressed. I've had lots of KTMs before and apart from a clutch master cylinder issue on my old 990 Adventure (on my way to sell it - it knew I reckon) they have been reliable.

Any ideas?

- I'm getting it picked (hopefully) by KTM assistance under warranty and I hope to persuade them to drop it back again FOC when fixed.

TheMuffinMan · 12-03-2012, 10:00 AM

I'd check the connections on the back end of the fuse block.

Oldbear · 12-03-2012, 10:44 AM

Since those circuits both deal with rear lights I'd start by checking the wiring that goes to the tail. It's easy to get the cables pinched when you install the rear plastics and/or grab handle bolts.

sk1d00 · 12-05-2012, 10:43 AM

Thanks for the replies guys,

I had a looked at cables running into rear and the fuse box, no joy. One of the molex connectors was well loose (dunno how that would stay connected off-roading) but still no juice. I'll update once the dealer has fixed but my experience with this official KTM garage and electrics on past bikes has been a disappointment - twisted cables and sealed with electrical tape instead of heat shrink; very shoddy.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

leanin · 12-09-2012, 03:38 PM

What did ktm do to improve the steering lock on the 2012? I've been trying to find the details but haven't found anything. A friend has an '08 and his biggest complaint is the turning radius. I'm trying to find out how the 2012 steering lock was improved and how significant it is.

Yellow Pig · 12-09-2012, 04:55 PM

New bottom triple clamp I beleive.

The Letter J · 12-09-2012, 07:07 PM

So how many degrees steering (lock to lock) does it have and how does that compare to the earlier models? I would say that has been my single biggest gripe with my 09 and I would be willing to spend a little bit of money to decrease my turning radius.

Now that I think of it, my fork tubes touch the frame (actually just the headlight strap that attaches to the fork tubes) just after the lower triple clamp hits the radiator shroud so changing the triple clamp(s) alone wouldn't seem to increase steering lock. Hmm. There must be something more to this, or maybe it's all just smoke and mirrors!

12-01-2012, 09:18 PM	#181
Pantah Red Sox Nation Joined: Oct 2004 Location: India Wharf Oddometer: 8,891	Mine doesn't stall either, but I am good with the clutch in the slow stuff. I finally solved the biggest problem. After: Before: Hard to emphasize how bad the stock seat is. It is way too soft and offered no support. I even tried a sheepskin to no avail. Seat Concepts must've lucked into the secret sauce with their seat foam, and then they shaped it to take advantage of it. Lots of support and fairly firm. Brilliant! __________________ Straight ahead and faster -Bo Weaver 1970 "There I was..." -Griffin Niner Three Hotel

12-01-2012, 10:24 PM	#182
ramjet Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2004 Location: 2096 Oddometer: 1,670	I think our bikes need some treatment for the upper black shroud. Just seems unfinished. I want to get some kind of graphic made but I suck at creativity. Where are our artistic brethren? __________________ Qui Desiderant Pacem Preparate Bellum

12-03-2012, 10:00 AM	#190
TheMuffinMan Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Denver, USA Oddometer: 3,692	I'd check the connections on the back end of the fuse block. __________________ "Civilize the mind, but make savage the body." To the house of a friend the way is never long. "Show respect to all, but grovel to none." '12 690 Enduro // 690 Wiki

12-09-2012, 04:55 PM	#194
Yellow Pig Allergic to Asphalt! Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Oddometer: 5,980	New bottom triple clamp I beleive. __________________ So Many Idiots, So Few Comets!!!!!!!!!

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12-03-2012, 08:40 AM	#189
sk1d00 n00b Joined: Oct 2010 Oddometer: 6	Okay, I guess this counts as a major problem: No running lights, brake lights, accessory power, horn, indicators. I have checked fuses 6 and 7 (checked all in fact) and even changed fuses 6 and 7, I've unplugged the battery for a minute (this worked on my car for a past glitch) and unplugged the accessory cable (Garmin GPS62 charger). no joy. The bike starts and runs fine but non of the above electricals work. When I test rode the bike this issue occurred and the garage fixed it before I picked up the bike (the rear offside indicator was hanging off so I assumed this was breaking the circuit. It ran fine since then but now only 167 miles on the clock it has failed again. Not impressed. I've had lots of KTMs before and apart from a clutch master cylinder issue on my old 990 Adventure (on my way to sell it - it knew I reckon) they have been reliable. Any ideas? - I'm getting it picked (hopefully) by KTM assistance under warranty and I hope to persuade them to drop it back again FOC when fixed.

12-03-2012, 10:44 AM	#191
Oldbear Don't want a pickle Joined: Jun 2011 Location: Fin Land Oddometer: 125	Since those circuits both deal with rear lights I'd start by checking the wiring that goes to the tail. It's easy to get the cables pinched when you install the rear plastics and/or grab handle bolts.

12-05-2012, 10:43 AM	#192
sk1d00 n00b Joined: Oct 2010 Oddometer: 6	Thanks for the replies guys, I had a looked at cables running into rear and the fuse box, no joy. One of the molex connectors was well loose (dunno how that would stay connected off-roading) but still no juice. I'll update once the dealer has fixed but my experience with this official KTM garage and electrics on past bikes has been a disappointment - twisted cables and sealed with electrical tape instead of heat shrink; very shoddy. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

12-09-2012, 03:38 PM	#193
leanin Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Oddometer: 115	What did ktm do to improve the steering lock on the 2012? I've been trying to find the details but haven't found anything. A friend has an '08 and his biggest complaint is the turning radius. I'm trying to find out how the 2012 steering lock was improved and how significant it is.

12-09-2012, 07:07 PM	#195
The Letter J lost in the 690 mega Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Santa Maria, CA Oddometer: 316	So how many degrees steering (lock to lock) does it have and how does that compare to the earlier models? I would say that has been my single biggest gripe with my 09 and I would be willing to spend a little bit of money to decrease my turning radius. Now that I think of it, my fork tubes touch the frame (actually just the headlight strap that attaches to the fork tubes) just after the lower triple clamp hits the radiator shroud so changing the triple clamp(s) alone wouldn't seem to increase steering lock. Hmm. There must be something more to this, or maybe it's all just smoke and mirrors!