KTM 690R vs 450EXC

[kxb44]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on one of theses bikes. They are both leftover 09 models. The EXC is $6999, the 690R is $8999. Use will be 70% trail and 30% pavement. I guess my biggest concern with the 450EXC is the maintenance intervals. Anyone have experience with both that can offer some sound advice?

[stormdog]

I own both and it really is an apples to oranges kind of question.There are way to many variables for a total stranger to help you very much with this purchase.
My guess is you are about to be hammered by folks telling you which one is "best"

[Crit Rat]

Comes down to what kind of dirt riding you like.

Singletrack get the 450.

Fire roads get the 690.

Bikes are always compromises...

[Dirt Hooker]

do a search- you will find these 2 bikes have been discussed, compared, criticized, applauded etc... till your fingers can't click another button

[Yellow Pig]

The 690 & 450 are too close together.

You need to spread the gap so you can justify having both.

I'd say go with a KTM950SE on the top and and an EXC450 on the bottom.

The perfect couple!

[Seth S]

If that 70% dirt is going to include riding in lots of hare scrambles, enduros, and turkey runs....and is going to lead into more and more technical riding then go for the 450. If your 70% trails is going to be more on the fire road, open fast trails, with less of the super technical stuff....or longer rides to reach the trail head then consider the 690. I have the 690...I take it everywhere but there are times when a 450 would be preferable.

[marin ktm]

I have ridden both, and like everyone says...450 for single track, 690 for other more open riding. The shocking disappointment for me with the 690 was the turning radius. It is way bigger than my 450 or my 990.

[kxb44]

Originally Posted by stormdog

I own both and it really is an apples to oranges kind of question.There are way to many variables for a total stranger to help you very much with this purchase.
My guess is you are about to be hammered by folks telling you which one is "best"

I was hoping there was someone out there that owned both. Tell me your likes and dislikes for each bike and what is involved as far as the extra maintenance on the 450.

[Seth S]

Originally Posted by marin ktm

I have ridden both, and like everyone says...450 for single track, 690 for other more open riding. The shocking disappointment for me with the 690 was the turning radius. It is way bigger than my 450 or my 990.

yes the turning radius on the 690 is limited. That said it has not yet been a problem on any trail or single track I have ridden.

[Off the grid]

A good buddy that I ride with has both.

He always rides the 690. It's that good.

If I could afford another bike it would be a 690. It will do anything the 450 will do but is 50lbs heavier.

The intervals for the 450 are not that bad....normal dirt bike stuff. Air filter every ride, oil every 2-500, valves every 500-1k, etc. Much of it depends on how/what you ride rather than how much. For instance my 450 almost exclusively sees dirt. 5% of the time it is on pavement, mostly for linking trails together. Hence, it gets maintained like a dirt bike.

[Vector Leto]

Originally Posted by kxb44

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on one of theses bikes. They are both leftover 09 models. The EXC is $6999, the 690R is $8999. Use will be 70% trail and 30% pavement. I guess my biggest concern with the 450EXC is the maintenance intervals. Anyone have experience with both that can offer some sound advice?

Those are great prices! Buy both.

Where are these bikes?

[unlawfulsm]

Originally Posted by Off the grid

A good buddy that I ride with has both.

He always rides the 690. It's that good.

If I could afford another bike it would be a 690. It will do anything the 450 will do but is 50lbs heavier.

The intervals for the 450 are not that bad....normal dirt bike stuff. Air filter every ride, oil every 2-500, valves every 500-1k, etc. Much of it depends on how/what you ride rather than how much. For instance my 450 almost exclusively sees dirt. 5% of the time it is on pavement, mostly for linking trails together. Hence, it gets maintained like a dirt bike.

I would have to agree & I love my 690R, but if it was a 450 I would have had to look at the valves 14 times in 11 months. Thats too much for me. I looked at the valves once this year and they were in spec. That was a big factor in my decision. Plus the 690 is a go anywhere anytime type of bike. I have toured on it, jumped and ridden single track. Just a jack of all trades in my book. Kind of like a modern KLR with more power, a chassis, suspension and real brakes. Its more of the KLR type of concept.

[greengoose]

Its a tough decision but either way you get a great bike heres a couple of things to consider

1 - The first time you ride the 690 through tight woods and technical rocky uphills you will wish you had the 450 the 690 might do it but it will be a lot of work, where as the technical stuff is just straight up fun on the 450.

2 - The first time you ride the 450 on the blacktop for 75 miles you will wish you had the 690, I love my Hooligan commute to work and blasting on open desert two track and backcountry roads on the 690.

3- The 690 can be outfitted for touring I dressed mine up last year and did 2500 miles thru Alaska.

4- thats a great price on the 450

5- dont let the maintenance thing make your decision for you the 450 maintenance is really not that difficult

[Seth S]

690R: Now Dakar Proven:




http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=532791

[666]

I am not sure that 690 is race proven. Did you mean that highly modified 690 is race proven?

If you really going to ride tight and technical single track - 690 would be a pig, plus it's vulnerable for it.

It takes 30 minutes or less to check and adjust valves on 450. At least on up to 07. Newer 450 presumably keep valves in spec much better,because of the shims I guess.

Valves don't move that much if you don't race or don't ride in a lot of dust and slowly.