I very much appreciate your candor and honesty here. And I’m very glad you’ve found a bike you love. I’m by nature a nostalgic bloke of sorts, and love the idea of keeping my tools for as long as I can. All the best.
Enjoyable and honest review of your relationship with the 690👍. I have the “refined” 2019 version with about 12k miles/20k Km and it has been a solid lightweight adventure machine. You have inspired me to keep it in the garage!
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV - Will do the same. I upgraded to an aftermarket fuel pump and am diligent about keeping the strainer and filters clean so no issues there. Understand the newer OEM pumps are much improved.
I am a bit over 60 Dave My Doctor said you need something to keep your fitness I have a few bikes but come across a 690 at a bargain thanks Dave Love the channel that 501 is very cool
Great video Dave. I had a 2017 701E that I had spent time and money on, spilled blood, sweat and tears over, and it was 95% dialled in for me. Ot was a keeper for sure. Then some bas..rd stole it a few weeks ago after some great riding on Salisbury Plains, England. I'm now looking for another 690/701 to start again because they are such a versatile off road machine. Onwards and upwards!
Bad luck Steve. I've noticed over time alot of those bike gets stolen in the UK. Yeah they make for a great bike. My 2021 Husky 701 needs some suspension work to get it up to this old 690.
You will get another one your glad with I'm sure. I ride a plain 2016 701 E and I'm glad to have the 275mm travel which I fully use. I don't miss any of the newer elektronics nor the aditional 8hp. I addeted the ABS Dongle that's a cool Blockfir sure. But mybe the quickshifter is the only thing that could be a little benefit, "nice to have"
Hey Dave...the 690 and you...this is a true lovestory, honestly...😊... i really love that story and i can really understand, why your sweety is still by your side...you've spend so many adventures together and you prepared her in a way, she fits perfectly to you...a companion and friend of that kind, you're never going to sell easily...and it is that relationship between men and their machines which makes the whole "bike-thing" emotional...😊 oh i love your channel Dave...please never stop making videos like that...all the best from Germany-West is sending to you (and Clubby and Nugget and the 690...😊) Felix...😊
One of best true life bike reviews on RU-vid ive been watching your videos for years and although id love to buy one of the new bikes being realistic ive always bought 2nd hand and this kind of review is exactly what i wish i had more often! Thanks for your great content and look forward to more videos.
At the age of 60 I have owned over 25 bikes I turn them over not because they are bad bikes I just get bored and I am a king at wasting money but I currently own a 2022 690 have it professionally lowered and set for my height and weight, the reliability issues are always on back of my mind, I have only done 4000ks on it but it has been faultless a great bike and I think it will be a keeper
As a CRF300 Rally rider, i don't even consider reliability, as it runs likes a dream haha. But admittedly being an ex owner of an R6 & R1 road riding, i find myself watching KTM/HUSKY/GAS GAS "690" reviews. I miss the thrills of potentially looping out (But this also keeps me out of trouble and still making money at work). I'm in multiple social media groups and all the mature blokes put so much S**T on big KTMs with photos of putting them on the trailer. Apparently they can't touch the discontinued DR650? haha.
I think the rocker arm issue has been fixed by KTM, as well as the airbox issue. Fuel pump might just be a filter thing as noted in the video. Might end up with one here in a few years even as I've picked on this bike for its faults.
I have the 2019 690 with the twin counter balancer and ABS and TC maps. The only reliability issues I've had has been the battery and the side stand sensor and ABS switch. Only the battery and side stand switch left me stranded but since replacing both ( bypassed the side stand switch) the bike never misses a beat. I've done week long adventures and camped off the bike and it handles it all from single track to Hwy. The current shape 690 (2019 onwards) is something special, there is nothing else like it (aside from the Husky & GasGas) and it is something to be tested and enjoyed. I dare anyone to ride one in anger and not have a big grin on their face.
My 2018 KTM 690 Enduro R has been my first bike. I love it! This past week I rode it to check out a seller’s 500. When I rode away on my 690 I’d affirmed in my mind that the 690 is still the bike for me. Off-road or on-road, it does it well.
I know what you mean, I have been tempted to move away so many times but every time I try something else, I just cant do it, for all its faults, and every bike has faults, nothing else seems to hit the spot. I tested a Desert X yesterday, convince it was my ultimate dream Unicorn, but frankly, it left me cold and as I rode home I, just like yourself, realised what an amazing bike the 690 is.
Thanks for sharing Dave She is clearly a part of the family, the adventures experienced are irreplaceable and I sure every time you swing a leg over your totally at home.
I fully share your sentiments. I own a 2010 690 R with 72.000 km and counting. This raw feeling, the absence of compromise, that is just very special. The original Bilux ESC headlight has just this year been replaced by a Rade Garage tower with LED lights. That’s a difference. I had a Safari front tank on a different 2013 690 which was really reliable, other than the left fuel line so close to the exhaust. I keep my 690 for Rally and other special occasions. The adventure travel is now on my 890 R. I guess I’ll keep this bike!
Your London to Sydney video was the reason I bought a 690 enduro. Got myself a 2012 and made a lot of my own modifications to it over the last few years to suit the riding / events I do on it. I was at the ABR festival in the UK this year and was amazed to see you there doing a talk. Just missed it unfortunately, but was able to explain to my friend that your video was the reason I got the 690. Wont be getting rid of mine anytime soon, a true do it all bike. Cheers Dave
Best 690 video on RU-vid!!! Honest and complete. These are great bikes and deliver so much performance but the owner needs to have a working knowledge and ability for its long-term success.
I did 57.000 km from south of Spain to Magadan via Mongolia and Kazakhstan and then on to Japan with a very similar setup in conditions I havent encountered since. She made it flawlessly with only the starter motor needing some TLC because of water ingress after too many river crossings. Loved her to bits and dearly miss her as she is now in hands of a new rider. Contemplating whether to buy the new apparently much smoother version and prepare her again or take it a notch down and go for the Tenere World Raid. Time will tell! Safe riding to everyone!
Great to watch. I love the story the repairs and patchwork modifications tell. I hope for a similar long relationship with my 23 701 LR, it’s already written a few chapters
Your 690 and your adventures on it was a massive contributor to me getting into Adv. Good to see you are hanging onto her Dave. I love my 2016 701, and plan to maintain it for the long haul. Cheers for the vid.
In 2020, Husqvarna took the 690/701 series to the next level with the 701 Long Range (LR) edition which gave you a 383lb (173kg) bike producing 74hp while carrying 6.4 gallons of fuel (23.8L) providing a whopping 350+ miles (550km) of range between fill ups! And it had two fuel pumps for redundancy! It's a shame they didn't make more of them or haven't made the retrofit kits easy to obtain.
My ktm640 adv had news since 1999 or 25 years now. Also have BMW 1150 r since 2000 or 24 years. Both still work fine. Yes keep up on preventive maintenance and repairs
I have just returned from a 10,00Klm ride on my 2012 690, it never missd a beat - like yours, this one will never leve my side either. Everything you highlighted is so true, they are a great all rounder and a beast in the sand....clocked over 52,000 on this trip. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Great video mate! I bought a 2018 with 580 miles in 2022 and I been loving it . Sold the F800GSA and purchased a Triumph for the road riding I still need that . But my dirt is My Ktm 690 R. Around Bend Oregon out on 2 wheels
Sideshow here! I bought my Hard Kit 690 from your previous Video. Showed you some pics at Tasmania GS Safari. Since then I've taken it Cairns to the tip return. About to do Cairns Darwin next week. I have an intimate knowledge of the in tank fuel system. Struggled from Musgrave station to the tip after a bad batch of fuel. Bit I got there. Now sprung for 120kg rider and luggage. The seat height is a real issue for me. I'm either going to get used to it on this trip. Or sell it on return. Still got the R1200gs as well. Between those 2 bikes, the 690 does not go well fully loaded. See how it goes this time with the right springs. Great Vid. Keep it up champ.
Thanks for this Dave. Soon after getting my 990 Adv S in 2011, I started following your channel and eagerly watched your earlier adventures on this 690 all those years ago and I'm glad you still have it. I reluctantly sold my 2011 690 after 3 years of great fun in 2017 and missed it a lot. Then, a few months ago I bought a 2017 model and super stoked to add the sweet spot again between my 990 and 300. Yes all these bikes is hedonism, but it is such a unique bike compared to my other two. After several basic upgrades & farkles, I am now going through the deliberation process as I'm considering a Rade Garage tower & screen. I won't be changing to bigger tanks but have the RG underseat tank to expand the 690 range similar to my 990 when out riding with my son.
Once you build a bike and know it you don't want to let go. The confidence factor rates above all else. There are shortcomings on all bikes but you learn to handle them on Your bike. Be safe Dave.
True love❤This is the man who REALLY now's is the bike good or not.. if I ever thinking about selling my 09 690😢 i just watch this video and get my self together🫡
I enjoyed your video and have enjoyed my first year on an adventurized 2013. I installed expensive Mako 360 bar mounts and foam overlays over ODI grips to greatly improve vibration which was my biggest complaint. I also followed an Austrian race tech tip to get the factory timing chain tensioner working properly and increase engine longevity (since I have 23K on it) by using Motul 300V off road 15w 60. They have proven increased engine longevity.
Absolut gold mine of info, the 690 from ´10-15 is what I have in mind of buying and getting a "dakar kit" for it. Im new to the MC world frankly I dont even have a licens yet but I am riding a 250 4 stroke enduro alot to get prepared for the ADV riding. I know the bike is tall and Im about 5.8(173 cm) but I have learned to handle the 250 that have a seatheight of 91 cm. I have looked at ALOT of bikes and frankly the 690 for me is perfect, I dont want to skull drag a heavy twin when Im alone in the middle of nowhere. as for reliability, whell these bikes often have traveled a long way by now so one can easy enough see what needs to be done. And a big plus is the price here in Sweden where you can get a 12-15 for around 5-8k US dollars. By the way love the channel I always find great videos to check out and I have been doing that for a few months and there is still alot of videos left. So keep sending it and stay strong!
I was excited when the poll came out and I saw everyone wanted to see the 690- Excellent video! Very likely in the spring of '24 I will be able to graduate from my beginner bike (Versys 650) to a "dream" bike. I've been going back and forth between the 690/701 Enduro platform and the 790R/890R/901 EXP platform. Realistically I won't be spending as much time on technical trails as I will mostly be commuting and on the weekends getting on gravel/dirt/2-track forest roads. What are your thoughts? Thank you!
I am rewatching this rewiev and I wonder- did the last year in motorcycling have changed your mind on the bike? I ask as I think of getting a 690 in near future, and whilst I love the idea of having something lighter, and maybe id have to learn riding more aggresively if I do pick one, has the new Enfield 450, or the MT450 change your standpoint on light-ish bikes to ride both on and offroad? Also it was a pleasure and a privelage to meet you at the ABR festival this year, and I hope to meet you again Dave!
Well I'm about to take the long term Himalayan 450 on a 4000 km loop. So come back to me when I've finished that. Ironically my intention was to take the 690.
Hopefully the good old thumper will always be around. They are just so different to the twins off-road. Don't know how to describe it. It is like driving a Jeep Wrangler. It makes you feel like a youngster again.
I love my '17 690. It's been setup as an adventure bike with a bevy of products, rally tower, safari tank, etc. I find it very easy to work on and do all of it myself. I've added a few fuel filters and upgraded the mahle in tank filter, plus did the Oberon clutch slave. Since my bike is a '17 it does have the upgraded rocker arms. I did check the rocker arms when I checked the valve clearances recently and they looked fine. I'll replace them at my next valve check just because though. When I'm on a trip I carry a spare fuel pump just in case, I got the Quantum pump since it's got a lifetime warranty. Overall this is my favorite bike ever, there's simply nothing that does what it can do and weigh under 400lbs. Any of the "mid weight" bikes weigh 100-125lbs more...
Good impartial review. Obviously the greater part of the kilometres have been off road, so the wear and tear is not comparable to road Km. There's a lot of good work been done on that bike. Well done, mate. I hope my 890 Adventure lasts as well as yours has done. Great job on the exhaust shield, by the way.
Worth the wait Dave, great stuff, just picked up a mint 6500 mile 1st edition 2008 lovin it and already starting fitting some choice upgrades…😬🤣. Cheers 🍻
hello thanks for the great video , i have only just bought a new 2022 model 690 , so far loving it , im not new to motorcycling as ridden off road and mx , and had a 2011 ktm 250 exc for 11 years , also a ktm 500 exc and did purchase a 2021 ktm 390 adventure , i found it abit to much roady for me and now have to 690 , so yea , thats a great video as i would like to think this will be a long term keeper , cheers steve / Geraldton
Always enjoy your videos, and based on your review, I have looked for a reasonably priced used 701 LR for the last few years, but there are few to be had. Hence, I put down a deposit on a Kove 450 Rally (31 liters of fuel capacity, ABS, and a bit lighter and much cheaper than the 701 LR I was looking for). Reliability and parts availability are concerns but the Kove team respectably finished the Dakar with all three bikes so I have some hope. I look forward to more of your content - I've learned a great deal from your work.
I've been riding 6 years, am tall enough to flat foot these things, and have just been presented an opportunity to trade my Versys 650 for one of these, kitted out almost identically to how you've got this thing. Very tempting, since I've been wanting to get more into the dirt for years...
Deja Vu. My 09 bike with 40K's has had all the same reliability issues & always in the most inconvenient outback locations. Subframe bolts upgraded to high tensile. Snapped around Warburton WA. Big problem. Many similar mods (tanks / suspension) & unique induction mods + ECU reflash by me. Huge mid range power brilliant for the Simpson sand dunes (East to west), Yeh, will never sell. Bike is too good. Cant part with my modified 04 KLR either. Or my R80GS, DR800, 525EXC and the rest. I don't think I have a problem. Love your channel...
Have the same dash plate on my 14. Also protects the brake lever and the rest of the bike. Did several tries. I use the Touratech/original rack and although it is not that nice like the RallyRaid one, it's rock solid. Last autumn, a 14t truck rolled over the back of the bike without damaging the tank. I admit that I was more than lucky that nothing serious happened when slidding into that oncoming truck. Guess after that I have to keep mine with its currently 33tkm, too.
I like your review and recognise many of your comments, I have been watching your London to Sydney trip several times. While I used my BMW GS 1250 ADV for adventure riding in Europe (Northcape 2X, etc) I’m not even considering using it for my planned trip from Europe to Melbourne next year as I do own a 2009 690 RFR which just had an engine upgrade (torque and reliability) and a 2011 690 with all the Rally mods. I just have to make up my mind, which one to take or invite a mate to join me and we’ll take both for our trip down under soon…😉
That's not quite right. The 690s have 1.7 litres of oil and service interval of 10,000 kilometres. The EXÇ range has much smaller volumes and requires changing about every 1000ks.
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV So when do you change your oil. I change every 3000k regardless. I know others that have stuffed their motors because they didn't and stuck to the recommended by KTM. I think the trade off of more regular maintenance and less catastrophes. Simple. Yes I'm changing to the 890 because of old knees.
I was just talking to him on the phone. He has completely lost interest in adventure riding. He now does ocean swimming and ebike riding on the soft stuff. We still keep in touch. But I have no inclination of swimming out in the ocean!
@@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV I'm sure whatever he's doing it will be with an infectious enthusiasm, as with you and and the rest of your crew. Thanks for all your hard work on this channel it's much appreciated.
I've had my 2010 690 SMC road focused bike for 3 years now and just attempted to post it online for sale to buy a 790 Duke. Now im having second thoughts mate!!
Great vid, thanks for sharing. Could you point me in the direction of the lower temp thermostat please? Mine is running super hot here in the NZ summer when the trails slow down and get steep. The fan was on most of the day yesterday! 😣
I always comment on your videos "you can pry my XR650R out of my cold dead hands", but to be fair I also have the exact same bike, rally raid kit and all. The only thing wrong with the bike are the length of my legs!
Nice bike. You’ve definitely made it yours that’s the difference to just buying another new bike out the crate like the rest. I run a ktm 2004 950 adventure And race it in uk 🇬🇧 rally’s Sounds awesome
Great story about your 690. I hope I can keep a bike for a long time in the future but I imagine with more and more technology and Euro 5 stuff coming into bikes, their hassle-free life gets shorter and shorter. A couple of questions on your 690: 1) do you have any long rides or further mods planned for it? 2) $-wise, how much have you put into it do you reckon as a %age of the original cost?
I've gone from London to Sydney, really not far to make it a round the worlder. Seriously consider that. I think the best way to answer that is to direct you to the Rally Raid Products UK website as all of the important stuff came from there. Add a Seat Concepts seat, some bar risers and you could work out the cost. I'd skip the tower. I think it would be worth either looking for one already built, but they are rare, or think about buying a 2018 model. No later as the EVO 2 tanks won't fit on. To be what I have now on say a 2023 model in Australia (this is all theoretical because you can't fit the tanks and tower to the newer bikes) at a guess $26,000 AU
Sorry if I missed this in the video. Why is the 690 suspension better than your 701? I believe you said the front was revalved and proper springs installed for your weight. What about the rear shock? Nice video. I like the changeup from new bike testing. Cheers!
Revalving front and rear. With my 701 it just has the correct springs for weight and purpose. The 690 forks are more amenable to valving and respond better than the 701s. That said, you can fit an Off road Ktech kit like I have on my 501 and that works a treat.
A great Machine Dave, I'm considering purchasing one and trading the 1190. Hate the thought of Electronics' traction / sensors ect ect. Throttle, clutch and brake applications do the same thing in my book anyway.. Great Review bud.. Barmy
Would love to ride such a bike in Ozzie some day. Back home there is just not enough exiting terrain. Right now on holiday in Oz. Too bad there's no riding included 😢
Dave 12 years is nothing. I had my 1989 XR600 RK for 30 years and only sold it October 2022 because I was not riding bush any longer and upgraded for a cruiser Honda 2005 Shadow VT750c. When you get a bike that does pretty much everything then the old saying if it ain't broke don't fix it, rings truer than anything. Having the newest shiny new thing is just excess. IMO
I bought a 2013 last year that the original owner adventurized and worked most of the bugs out of. I found the vibration harsh and spent big dollars for the US patented Mako 360 bar mount with the softest polymer option and also put cheap foam overlays over ODI grips. The vibration is greatly reduced. I can also move the Mako 360 to my 300xc which helped me justify the cost.
Great video, thanks guys. Maybe not a good idea to use songs with lyrics while you’re talking, was a bit distracting. Other than that, awesomeness as usual!
I am planning to buy a 690, after a rather negative experience with a 1st series 790. For the mods, are you reccommending Rally Raid or Rade Garage? By the way, some of your trips are un my bucket list...
I don't know why KTM didn't continue with a 640 Adventure variant. It looks like you've built a 690 Adventure and maybe there just aren't that many people who would use it that way.
My 2011 690R has 75k km of adventures and stil shines. Now I can change a rocker arm or a clogged fuel injector in the forest with the stardard spare kit. It is a bike born for the dakar with pros and cons. But it still has non competitors.
GREAT STORY 🙂 My 450 ktm is now a 10 year partner, i hope my 500 lasts as long with me - the 500 does many more miles - i keep considering dropping the 450 for a 690, maybe one day but i argue that then the 500 and 690 are actually quite similar so .....
Great vid mate. Im thinking of letting the 1190r go for something like a 690, so your vid helps. Question... with all the new bike you play with, do you find time to ride the old girl?
@MotorcycleAdventureDirtbikeTV yeah, fair enough. Thanks for the great content. Keep it up. If you ever want to throw an adv bike around Chucky's bush tracks, let me know. I have access via his uncle. Three Bridges, vic
my 09 ktm 690 piston is a display piece in my study. Reminder, Dont buy a ktm again :) Sort of true. my next dirtbike was a 70° husaberg. it still works perfectly. I should add the reason is the reliability issues. My rocker arms let go mid ride. It had just been to my local ktm dealer so they would check them. they didnt know it was common failure, they didnt even check IMO. So top end got rebuilt. Fuel system failed twice, bike ran bad, once again ktm didnt help. So replaced everything and got tune ECU and sorted it myself. I did learn a lot though. now i check everything myself. I sold the 690 when i had it running mint and suspension setup for 90kg. Tempting to keep but I was done. Someone else got a bike that was almost running like new plus the safari tank, seat concepts etc. If it had the tower it would be setup like yours.
I have a 2017 ktm 690 enduro r and my main complaint is that at speeds 85mph or above on the road it develops a very light disconnected feeling in the front end. I’ve tried everything I can to get rid of it. Balancing wheels, adding steering damper, suspension settings and different tires but it remains. I have a feeling that it may be the front fender creating lift at those high speeds. Other than that the bikes been a lot of fun both on and off-road.
My 09 still going like a bullet. It’s my daily commute. The bike just hates sprockets and tires, it always tries to destroy them 😂. I’ve had a few stuttery injector moments but I’ve learned to purge it now as regular maintenance. I’m guessing it just debris in the fuel tank from age that blocks it. Love my bike 💪
Which thermostat did you install if you know. My 690 SMC 2009 flames out and has blown off the airbox from the inlet manifold on restart multiple times to where I now carry some basic tools haha. Love my bike, but would like to do this mod.
I got a 690 2022 a few weeks ago to compliment my 1290. I already started working on it by removing the passwnger footpegs as the bracets pushed out my heel into uncomfortable positions. Felt like i couldnt stand properly since if i avoided the bracket i would be braking or shifting accidentally. I hope this will cure the neutrals i have been hitting before the change
I believe you are hitting the neutrals because you've haven't yet adapted to the way the quick shifter works. I had a similar challenge. It takes a long time to trust it. What I would do is go for a ride and purposefully focus on gear shifting and don't come back until you're shifting 98% of the time correctly. Do that a couple of times and I'm convinced you won't be hitting those false neutrals, which aren't, they're just you not shifting correctly. I don't know how many journalists say the same the thing. It's them.
Can you get in the ear of the rally raid uk guys and tell to make a new front tank system for the 2019-2023 bikes please???? It’s the best system out there and a real shame that they aren’t supporting them 🙏
I discuss this with them a couple of years ago. It's a tremendous hassle to redesign the tanks for the different frame. It's heaps of work for little reward.
I've had a lil' KTM 390 Adv for a few years now and wondering what's next. Can't decide if I should go Tuareg 660 or keep it lightweight with a KTM 690 instead?? Long distance comfort is important but so is lighter weight since a lot of my offroad is solo. Thoughts??
That latest model if I could afford it. I have a 2021 Husky 701 and it is so much refined than my 2012 690, that behaves like a snorting stallion. The complexity isn't too much but there is some good stuff in there, the dirt traction control is outstanding and seamless and the lean sensitive traction control is a real saver when you're riding dodgy tyres on a wet slippery road.
We shall see. The 501 is for shorter more intense trips. A crossing of the Simpson, or desert runs of Victorian High Country. The 701 is a more gentrified 2011 690 with amazingly safe traction control.
I'm trading in my 2018 SAR on a 690 just waiting for the dealer to locate one. Really liked the 1290 but she is a big girl and I ain't getting any younger.
Some years ago i binge watched your london to sydney ride...inspired me a lot. Thanks so far. And with all the videos the riding community have put out over the years its a shame how war and tensions shrink the world of the adventure rider. Keep going Dave. P.s. nugget rocks
