660 Tenere or 690 KTM enduro

Chris 690R · 01-22-2013, 03:20 PM

Hi guys,

I have just sold my KTM 300 EXC as I feel too old (46 YO) to keep up with the younger guys I ride with. So after 6 months of reaserch I purchased a KTM 690. I have ridden it only a few times, but am now wondering if I did the right thing? It is awsome in the bush and dirt, but riding it on the road seems criminal and a waste of rubber. Plus not so comfortable for long streches on the tar!

I am now thinking that to do true adventure riding you need to do many k's on road to get to dirt. So I am now thinking the Tenere might be a better option and more comfortable???

I love dirt so maybe I need to have 2 bikes?? I am already missing the single stuff when I tried to take the 690 for an easy ride through the single stuff I used to do and struggled???

This adventure stuff seems to be a real compromise!!!

Help comments please!!!!

Chris

crash n bern · 01-22-2013, 03:23 PM

This is easy, get three bikes. One for the single trail, one for gnarly adventure stuff and a big one for the long distance adventure stuff.

Adanac rider · 01-22-2013, 05:26 PM

The 690 is a fun bike.Put on a better seat,small winshield and some d/p tires for a little more comfort and get a plated rfs model for the dirt.

CanadianX · 01-22-2013, 05:43 PM

Pick up a set of super moto rims and tires for the 690 for the days you want to ride on the road.

KTBen · 01-22-2013, 09:46 PM

The 660 is nearly as heavy as a 950 but with half the power so I can't imagine them to be that much fun.

Plenty of people ride there 690s for months on end. Inmate E-dog just rode his from london back to sydney

And heres a few more http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781893

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=834987

Night Falcon · 01-23-2013, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adanac rider

The 690 is a fun bike.Put on a better seat,small winshield and some d/p tires for a little more comfort and get a plated rfs model for the dirt.

+1 The 690 needs a few changes to be a good adv bike but once set up there is nothing else in it's class that comes near it. cept maybe the 640 adv.

Chris 690R · 01-23-2013, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adanac rider

The 690 is a fun bike.Put on a better seat,small winshield and some d/p tires for a little more comfort and get a plated rfs model for the dirt.

Yes this is now what I am thinking! I am still a dirt rider and use the road to get there! I test rode a Tenere 660 today and was way more comfy on the tar than the 690! Funny enough the 2 bikes new are about the same price around $15k. So do I mod the 690 or get a second hand Tenere and spend the diff on another single trail machine WR 450 or similar?

Chris

Chris 690R · 01-23-2013, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash n bern

This is easy, get three bikes. One for the single trail, one for gnarly adventure stuff and a big one for the long distance adventure stuff.

LOL, indeed this would be the perfect scenario! Would just have to convince the wife and kids!

C

toy4fun · 01-23-2013, 04:05 AM

In one of the threads there is a picture of a guy on his BMW God Spoke(GS) with a single rail MC Trailer on back with a yamahe dirt bike on it. I'm leaning towards the KTM 990 becuase it is easy to pick up off the side stand and the clutch only takes my pinky.

Chris 690R · 01-23-2013, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toy4fun

In one of the threads there is a picture of a guy on his BMW God Spoke(GS) with a single rail MC Trailer on back with a yamahe dirt bike on it. I'm leaning towards the KTM 990 becuase it is easy to pick up off the side stand and the clutch only takes my pinky.

That is hilarous!

Can you find the link and post!!!!

Chris

clintnz · 01-23-2013, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris 690R

So do I mod the 690 or get a second hand Tenere and spend the diff on another single trail machine WR 450 or similar?

Chris

Try a decent seat & a windscreen on the 690 first. It's cheap & easy. If you want to mix up your road & dirt there is nothing better than a 690 IMHO.

Cheers
Clint

SportsGuy · 01-23-2013, 07:25 PM

690 - yes, I have one, but even if the Yamaha was available where I live, I'd still go withthe KTM... ;)

Chris 690R · 01-24-2013, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash n bern

This is easy, get three bikes. One for the single trail, one for gnarly adventure stuff and a big one for the long distance adventure stuff.

I test rode a Tenere 660 yesterday and must say it was way more comfortable on the tar than my 690!

Chris

daniel5600 · 01-24-2013, 02:07 AM

A Seat Concepts seat and some risers made a world of difference to my 690. Really comfortable now.

gnuttis · 01-24-2013, 02:42 AM

I had a KTM690EnduroR 2011 that I rode with in Tuareg Rallye 2012.Complete wonderful bike and I miss it even today but Rallye is expensive so had to sell the bike and found a XT660R for a good price. Like the engine in the XT but it is really heavy engine. I told my self that it would be a stock bike but know I change the front fork to a WP from a KTM690EnduroR and a 2-1 system still cheap compared to what I sold my KTM690 for. Are you a dirtrider there are nothing to compare between this bikes the KTM690 is outstanding in every way and if I can afford a new bike say about 3 years it will be a KTM690 again but with real front fork with 300mm travel compared with the 690 -12 shorter travel.

01-22-2013, 03:20 PM	#1
Chris 690R ^OP Adventurer Joined: Dec 2012 Location: Sydney Northern Beaches Oddometer: 66	660 Tenere or 690 KTM enduro Hi guys, I have just sold my KTM 300 EXC as I feel too old (46 YO) to keep up with the younger guys I ride with. So after 6 months of reaserch I purchased a KTM 690. I have ridden it only a few times, but am now wondering if I did the right thing? It is awsome in the bush and dirt, but riding it on the road seems criminal and a waste of rubber. Plus not so comfortable for long streches on the tar! I am now thinking that to do true adventure riding you need to do many k's on road to get to dirt. So I am now thinking the Tenere might be a better option and more comfortable??? I love dirt so maybe I need to have 2 bikes?? I am already missing the single stuff when I tried to take the 690 for an easy ride through the single stuff I used to do and struggled??? This adventure stuff seems to be a real compromise!!! Help comments please!!!! Chris

01-22-2013, 03:23 PM	#2
crash n bern Studly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane Oztrailia Oddometer: 999	This is easy, get three bikes. One for the single trail, one for gnarly adventure stuff and a big one for the long distance adventure stuff. __________________

01-22-2013, 09:46 PM	#5
KTBen Barrrp! Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Pipers Flat, Portland N.S.W. Australia Oddometer: 449	The 660 is nearly as heavy as a 950 but with half the power so I can't imagine them to be that much fun. Plenty of people ride there 690s for months on end. Inmate E-dog just rode his from london back to sydney And heres a few more http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781893 http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=834987 __________________ 690 ADV

01-23-2013, 07:25 PM	#12
SportsGuy icanhazdirt? Joined: Mar 2007 Location: kirkland wa Oddometer: 450	690 - yes, I have one, but even if the Yamaha was available where I live, I'd still go withthe KTM... ;) __________________ dualsport.co - where I collect my dualsport stuff ...and my dogs are still cooler than your dogs!

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01-22-2013, 05:26 PM	#3
Adanac rider The Great Gazoo Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Adanac Alberta Oddometer: 15	The 690 is a fun bike.Put on a better seat,small winshield and some d/p tires for a little more comfort and get a plated rfs model for the dirt.

01-22-2013, 05:43 PM	#4
CanadianX Oh!? That is deep. Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Oddometer: 819	Pick up a set of super moto rims and tires for the 690 for the days you want to ride on the road.

01-23-2013, 04:05 AM	#9
toy4fun toy4fun Joined: Feb 2011 Location: Beautiful downtown Roy, WA Oddometer: 44	In one of the threads there is a picture of a guy on his BMW God Spoke(GS) with a single rail MC Trailer on back with a yamahe dirt bike on it. I'm leaning towards the KTM 990 becuase it is easy to pick up off the side stand and the clutch only takes my pinky.

01-24-2013, 02:07 AM	#14
daniel5600 Adventurer Joined: Nov 2012 Oddometer: 26	A Seat Concepts seat and some risers made a world of difference to my 690. Really comfortable now.

01-24-2013, 02:42 AM	#15
gnuttis Adventurer Joined: Nov 2009 Location: SWEDEN Oddometer: 59	I had a KTM690EnduroR 2011 that I rode with in Tuareg Rallye 2012.Complete wonderful bike and I miss it even today but Rallye is expensive so had to sell the bike and found a XT660R for a good price. Like the engine in the XT but it is really heavy engine. I told my self that it would be a stock bike but know I change the front fork to a WP from a KTM690EnduroR and a 2-1 system still cheap compared to what I sold my KTM690 for. Are you a dirtrider there are nothing to compare between this bikes the KTM690 is outstanding in every way and if I can afford a new bike say about 3 years it will be a KTM690 again but with real front fork with 300mm travel compared with the 690 -12 shorter travel.