2017 KTM 690 Enduro R Review 

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I bought one of these new in 2014 and it has been hands down my favorite enduro bike with a plate I have ever owned. I am 50yrs. old now and have been on two wheels for over 4 decades. I have owned many bikes over the years, but always come back to a bike that I can trail ride with and explore the country roads. The best thing about the 690r is while expensive, it comes with all the right stuff. I only had to do the normal suspension tuning for my weight and I have left this one oem stock. I've spent more on upgrades on previous dual sport/enduro bikes to get them close to this level,,but they still weren't. Still enjoying my KTM and plan to continue to do so...I've got over 25K miles on mine with nothing but valve checks and normal maintenance, and a lot of new rear tires....

Bought mine in 2017 new and I absolutely love this bike! I live in wine country and she loves the hills just pure fun!!!

From an old guy. Going today and get my 2018. I have a Triumph Tiger, just don't want to take it too far off road. Been in a couple of tight spots and it was not much fun to get out. Had plenty of dirt bikes and I surely miss them. Great review, thank you.

Best review I've seen for this bike !

I want one!!!! Damn these bikes are awesome!

Just bought a 2017 690 Enduro. Dealer is pretty honest man and he said that he just got of the phone with KTM about 2 weeks ago and they confirmed that the engine in the 2018 690 Enduro is NOT changing. It will be the same engine. You should be able to get a really good price on a 2017 right now. KTM has a rebate going on. I got a really good price on mine.

Nice rev! As per rear light, it's a US version of it. EU has a led triangle taillight.

*Very nice review! Also bought this bike and will try to make video like this!* Thanks!

One of the most in depth reviews! Solid

Ride on Moto is where I bought my '15 690 Enduro!

I so want a Scrambler but this thing just sings to me like a mermaid in the deep

Dude. i bought a 2016 ktm 690 enduro r. been looking review alot and yourse HANDS down is the best. You truly know and riden dirtbikes with experiences. so exited i have to go pick my bike when snow will melt a bit more. cant wait

The switch under the seat does not change the fuel mapping but the responsiveness of the “ride by wire” throttle. In the sportiest setting it gives you an either “On” or “Off” throttle. Very enjoyable! Not more power but all power available at a touch of the throttle.

Got one of those too, love it, but gotta try that performance mode thingy under the seat

Nice review. There is no difference between 2016 and 2017 KTM 690 Enduro R while the 2017 Husqvarna 701 has the newer LC4 engine coming from the 2016 KTM Duke V with an additional balance shaft and a bit more power and torque at the price of a remarkable higher niveau of rpm, why many say that the "old" LC4 is the better choice for an enduro. Looking for a better looking tail light? Have a look at the European version ;-)

i have one and i have to say the review is quite realistic and accurate. I can´t agree the seat is very confortable, not for me, maybe it´s but only for 60-90 miles. The bike is really fun, honest and lovely. I dont regret changing my sport bike for this. Its almost perfect for real adventure too.

I come from a motocross back ground. As I get older I am more interested in bikes like this. I was curious about sag adjustment on the rear shock. I know I can love or hate my own bikes by not having my sag set properly. I was just curious if you played with that at all. Great review man! Thanks for taking the time to make this. Very very helpful!!

excellent review I used to own a 690 SuperMoto R ... I am going to purchase one of these to compliment my GS1200

I own a '16. Added a 1" drop link since I have a 30" inseam. Steering damper, SC seat, metal skid plate. I'm enjoying it a lot, especially on backroads. :)

hey dude, like many have already stated- amazing review! as an owner of a 2016 which I put 11,00kms already with zero issues besides rear brake pads and tires, I love the bike I ride it every day in insane weather, it never loses traction and the motor keeps on delivering. perfect for long distance

This is a really nice no-nonsense review of this motorcycle. Better than some reviews you'll find on much bigger channels. Some of the much bigger channels would do well to have a review or like you to do their videos.

Great review! The reason for the 100 MPH sticker is the Q speed rating on the tires. They put the same sticker on the 1190 ADV R models with off road tires.

I have a 2014 model and love it, things to watch for are the clutch tab washer breaking and the rocker arms rollers failing and it is worth updating with the updated rocker arms. This bike is awesome off road and on. Great review, well edited and a pleasure to watch, thank you. 😊

Excellent in depth review. Usually RU-vid reviews just catch my interest, and I go looking on the web for my info - not this time

Had to laugh when you said not really designed to ride 2 up very far. I am 6ft 2' and 180 lbs and my girlfriend and I rode from New York to Miami on my 690 ER in 2014 in complete comfort with full luggage too. Admittedly she was sitting on a folded air-mattress but it all worked out fine!

I've watched so many reviews, not just on this bike, and you have the perfect middle ground between facts and feel of the bike. Good job and keep them coming.

I considered long and hard but decided on the 2017 FE501 and modified it a ton! The FMF 4.1 believe it or not added serious punch and wheelie in forth gear with ease. All the torque I need and has Enduristan luggage for adventure trips.

Great review!!! I have major major lust for the 690R. Maybe one day I can get me one.

Thanks for taking the time to do such an in depth review. This is just what I was looking for. One new subscriber!

This is a very thorough review. Lots of detail. Thanks for putting it out there.

At least you can get the balls of your feet down. I remember test riding a KTM Supermoto many years ago and at only 5’6” I had to perform a pole vault just to get ON the thing! 😄😄 It WAS very fun to ride even tho it rained!

Just finding your channel. I live in inwood wv. I currently ride a crf300L it’s my first bike. Tough trying to find places to ride around here. Awesome content though!

Good review, even on my lc4 640 I found the seat height to be way too high, and I missed a gas gauge but the bike was rock solid.

I own a KTM 690, and I LOVE my bike!!!!!! I agree with your review 100%!!!!!

Great vid as usual...I love my 1290SA, and my 500 XC-W...I'd love a whole garage filled with KTM's this bike included!

Great bike, but no fuel gauge. That is just asinine for a bike well over 10K.

Este modo de 2017 es toda una pasada, respecto a polivalencia total ya que lo mismo haces enduro puro y duro que ruedas por todo tipo de carreteras sin problema aunque su punto ideal son las carreteras de montaña donde sacas todo su potencial, con 12l haces unos 200km aprox. si le das caña 180km, es muy recomendable cambiar el asiento por uno blando y más bajo si vas a hacer rutas largas, yo he montado el de touratech y aún siendo muy caro 428€ meréce la pena totalmente gastarse el dinero ya que va ser nuestro punto de apoyo mientras tengamos esta maquina. Las ruedas de origen que lleva la moto son unas SAHARA 3 que son muy buenas en carretera y bien en caminos duros aunque peligrosos con arena o barro ya que pierdes el tacto y caes de lado. No puedo decir nada malo, es ligera y rápida, ideal para hacer todo tipo de condución, eso sí es muy alta la moto.

Had this bike for a year and coming close to 40k kilometers ridden with it... Mine is a 2015 model and yes the vibration is a little overwhelming. By the way, the dial under the seat is ONLY a throttle response mapping... meaning responsiveness of how the throttle reacts! Best DO IT ALL bike...

At around 8:25, the reason the sticker says to not exceed 100mph is because that's all the tires are rated for. Same thing on my 1290 Super Adventure R.

Since there's no frame component to protect the engine case, I don't see this as an enduro bike. The skid plate (whether plastic or metal) is attached directly to the engine so any shock loads the skid plate might take are transmitted right into the engine case. I sold my 690 and eventually got a exc 500 (a no BS real enduro bike).

Great Video, I have just picked up a KTM 690 SMCR. Its amazing!!

the speed limit sticker is for these tires btw :)

Nice review Mario, I hadn't seen this before. Thinking of getting rid of my 1190R for one of these or the 701.

Great review! Nice touch putting a passenger on the back....Now hurry up and do a 2017 Husky 701 Enduro review so I can choose....

Had a nice 2015 Ducati Hypermotard 800 SP....loved it, yet, I think this 690 R will do a great replacement

Wow! I also review motorcycles and I appreciate how much effort would have gone into this review. Amazing work mate - thanks for sharing.

35.8'' is 2.7'' inches lower then the 500exc seat

One thing I would have liked to see is the bikes weight, and what it compares to other dual sports. such as a DRZ400S.

Great review! I'll be sure to keep an eye on your next ones

Thanks for the review and the scenery. Greetings from France.

You should buy a FMF complete exhaust system for it to give it some life and noise!

thank you for the great Video, seems to be much fun on it! keep on riding and sharing.

I just bought the 2016 ktm 1290 super duke r...if it had a little more ground clearance and some knobbies it would be a crazy adventure bike.. can stand straight up while riding it

Thats very good mail, I think the V twins are the way to go with Kato's they're reliable with tree stump pulling power, I've seen the Kiwi KTM hire Vids and that trip looks amazing, some of those roads & trails are just brilliant and the Kiwis know how to put on a show , I'd love do it myself but I can't stand the cold which is why living & riding in Cairns & Port Douglas North Queensland is probably the best place in Oz for bikes because its warm year round with high mountain ranges for motarding & sportbikes and cane fields, Rain Forrest trails & creek crossings for trail riding & enduro plus Daintree & Cape Tribulation is not that far for cruising on Harley's, it's more like Asia than Australia up here and once you go full tropical you never go back.

Why don’t you let the camera work while you are doing the work? Instead of cutting the video?

finally, a review with pillion. Great job man!

my 690 dont have a "no over 100 mph" sticker.. i broke that rule 15 mins in to my first ride and every one since.. did have bar slapper few times when first got the bike but i dont anymore.. think it was just me whisky throttling as you do on SM's

HaHa valve check at 6200 RPM. Go for a ride check the valves, go for a ride check the valves. But seriously again a great review. Oddly enough I was torn between this bike and the 1290 super adventure r. Deciding factor was riding with a passenger although my wife hasn't ridden on the back of the SAR yet because of weather so I guess we'll see.

I've been a subscriber for a while, but never watched this video. The opening line was pure comedy.

Just bought a 2017 enduro from cycle barn. This is what happened, first 2 miles on it!! I leave the shop, After purchasing of the bike. I get on the road get ready to go on the freeway and all of a sudden it bogged down on me and started knocking...😠 and I almost get run over by a semi truck. I managed to get it back, while it was knocking really bad and bogging on me. So at the shop, they take it back and I had to wait two weeks for them to get the part from ktm. Then they still have a knocking sound and they say they have to contact ktm about a new engine for it... Bull shit right, I think so! So they say they cant make it right to contact ktm. I contacted ktm sevice rep Kristen shaw. Ext 4102 I said almost a month now still dont have the bike. Asked if I can have a new 2018 to make it right cause they almost killed me okay....or my 5000 thousand dollars I put down she say nethier of those options are gonna happen. They will fix it, and put me out on the road again. So what happens if they think they fixed it, I get on the road and I die how are they gonna make that right??? Raise me from the dead, No they cant my family does what then huh.... Really reallly fucked up of ktm to treat me like this. So careful buying a bike from ktm or cycle barn. Believe this story or not. I am so fucking pissed im going anywhere and everywhere to let people know how they are treating me....

Thanks for the review just a couple of comments, I have a 2013 model and love it. It was the last model without ABS and its much better off-road. However, they do make very good adventure bikes from the level that I do, gravel roads, off-road tracks, grass, sand and rocky mountain trails right through to around the world travel ( see Lyndon Poskitt on RU-vid). Also, the ugly taillight is only for the American market. The standard tail light is much smaller and tucks in under the rear fender. It is still prone to shattering though but there are good aftermarket LED ones available. For a really good adventure bike experience the 690 does need a few upgrades, as do most adventure bikes. The exhaust muffler is very heavy and gets super hot. An aftermarket muffler reduces weight by 5 kgs and improves horsepower with a remap. (similar to the Husky 701)

Nice review, however would have been great to see much more of a focus on its off road capability. I think people would appreciate seeing this thing being put through its paces in a genuinely off-road environment (ie hill climbs, river crossings, single track, mud etc). Would be good to hear how this compares to something like a Yamaha WR450f or KTM450 for example. Otherwise good to watch.

Wow very nice in-depth review there!

I could be wrong but I think your cables don't belong in that position. If you loft the front wheel or wheelie etc. those cables will get hung up and cause an accident or brake at the banjo bolt.

the first time I see the review with passenger's comments/point of views. I think this is the only one and better to make it a bit longer passenger's views.

"Husq-varna" not "Husq-a-varna" Also the Husqy 701 does have a different engine, it's the latest gen LC4 with more power, torque and almost zero vibrations due to a new counter balance design.

I'm 6'1 and sitting on this bike I couldn't get both feet down. Things so tall

Video was ok but I'm not sure I'd call what he did around @16:00 "dirt riding" When I was a kid I'd ride an old 10 speed street bicycle on rougher terrain than that. My '07 DR650 (which hasn't changed in 20-30 years) is about 25 lbs heavier and even with mods, probably 20 less hp and I can take that through really tough stuff so I'm guessing this one would easily be better.

Great Review Buddy...!

Thanks I had been decided on the ktm until I saw ridingwithtoms experience so I looked it up but its mixed reviews

Very nice bike...saving begins now.

for a $10k to not come with a wind screen and an alum. skid plate is insane!! been eyeing this bike for months now. I may pull the trigger on it this winter.2019

Cool bike wish I could buy one!

I own a 2018....best bike that ive ever owned

A really nice and detailed review!

*Great review dude just picked up a 2016 with 800k on it looking forward to trying it out!* 🇨🇦😀

I was about to skip past the video until I heard West Virginia. ALMOST HEAVEN

Great video! Thanks for the input.

Great review! I would love to see your thoughts on the 2017 701.

Awesome review. Sold!

Wow nice review, I got the 701almost the same thing

Great all around review.

Thank you great video

looks like a fun machine . Well done on the review

You talked about adjusting the steering Damper adjustment when trying to make the front end feel little better. What exactly are you adjusting since it doesn't come with an after market steering Damper????

Really well done video. Thanks for all the information.

The best recense sorry for my eng Great Video !!!!

congrats fot the video very complete review. does it have disconectable ABS?

Really nice detailed review. Thanks!

Fantastic review! Best to you!

Love Ride On Moto! See you on roads I'm always taking. 😂

Great review 2WR. I was curious if you could compare the vibes to the DRZ you used to own. I've heard 690's can be bad at 65-75mph. Is it better/worse than your old DRZ? Thanks.

Great review that bike is a beast

As a former MSF rider coach I got a laugh out of "kill switch", big no no with them. Engine cut off switch. I got corrected about 100 times. Nice bike is there a way to lower the bike without breaking the bank. I think you ment to say "98 lbs on the back"

I just put a deposit on this bike!!! Thanks for posting.

Very nice review. Love those bikes, had a Duke 2 earlier. Subscribed. :)

Good video. Seems like a great bike.

Does it have traction control? Like can i wheelie it?? I hope its only abs

What's with the cables blocking view of the speedo??