Author Topic: KTM 690 for touring (Read 5332 times)

ariefourie · « **on:** September 27, 2012, 12:03:31 pm »

I'm thinking of getting a KTM 690. What are the pro's and cons for using this bike for touring? Any accessories that should be added to make it more long distance friendly?

Arie Fourie

Overlander · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2012, 12:40:55 pm »

Hi Arie

Ek ry die naweek van Pretoria na Ellisras en terug...95% grondpad. Sal jou laat weet...

Wat ek jou kan se tot dusver is dat die vibrasie jou effe vang maar dit is 'n probleem op alle super singles...700cc met een piston is nie die smoothste nie.

Maar nogsteeds love ek die fiets...myne het ek verander met die 990 screen en dual fule tanks..

Gesels later.
Janus

DREWMARX · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2012, 02:00:03 pm »

Arie,

Kry vir jou n' 690. Ek het nounet n' trip van 5600km van Pretoria na Arusha op myne gedoen. Ek het n' 2012 model, geen probleme nie. Die seat was effens nou, maar na n' paar dae raak jy dit gewoont. My pa het baie gesukkel in die sand en grond as wat ek het. Ek sal nie my 690 ooit ruil vir n' bm nie.

Ek het die ekstra tanks op gesit, vat jou range na so 450km toe wat baie gemaklik vir tour is. Verder het ek net n' alu bashplate opgesit en n' paar ander items van PSP racing, soft luggage van ATG en Flying Brick, meer as voldoende pakplek, en laaste n' Zumo 660 GPS.

Hoop dit help. O ja, die fiets het nie een oomblik se probleme gegee nie, en ek het selfs nog tread op my TKC oor na meer as 6000km.

Vra maar gerus as jy iets wil weet.

Drew

Road Hog · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2012, 02:22:48 pm »

JUST DO IT

N[]vA · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2012, 02:26:00 pm »

change the seat, it will make your ass bleed

Dwerg · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2012, 02:26:13 pm »

Quote from: DREWMARX on October 25, 2012, 02:00:03 pm

Ek het die ekstra tanks op gesit, vat jou range na so 450km toe wat baie gemaklik vir tour is.

Is dit met net die tenks voor of voor en agter?

KoToM · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2012, 02:31:46 pm »

you wont get a better bike for one up touring in adv guise with the tanks and fairing

only thing i want to change on mine is the seat, then no subframe at the rear so for serious loading
you need to sort that

ive taken it jhb to lesotho on a adv trip, i use it to climb dunes at marais and ive even done wild west enduro track.
not many bikes that can do all that...

Avontier · « **Reply #7 on:** October 25, 2012, 02:44:47 pm »

Three of us have now done a combined 40 000km on 690's on different trips together. No mechanical issues, just unparalleled fun and games. Our longest day in the saddle was 680km tar, another was almost 500km mostly dirt. The 2012's seat is good enough, and 100% better than the older models. They are truly amazing bikes.

Plot · « **Reply #8 on:** October 25, 2012, 06:03:48 pm »

Agreed, just get one. If your ass hurts, that too will pass. And the grin will make up for it... You don't really need to add anything to the bike, except maybe a bash plate and some long range tanks. FMF pipes are also lekker

DREWMARX · « **Reply #9 on:** October 25, 2012, 06:15:52 pm »

Hey ARIE,

Yes just the tanks in the front, more than enough, didn't add the full fairing, looks pretty mean with the extra tanks.

I also got the Wings Exhaust fitted, sounds lekker and pulls like a beast with the new map settings.

Lekker fiets.

adv · « **Reply #10 on:** October 25, 2012, 07:06:19 pm »

Arie, jy is rambo. Om te WIL toer op n 690 is nie speeletjies nie. Veral nie as jy 500/600 km dae wil doen nie.Gee nie om of hy n Enduro of n ORYX is nie. 200km en my gat is lam!

KTM11 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 26, 2012, 06:45:05 am »

Quote from: Avontier on October 25, 2012, 02:44:47 pm

Three of us have now done a combined 40 000km on 690's on different trips together. No mechanical issues, just unparalleled fun and games. Our longest day in the saddle was 680km tar, another was almost 500km mostly dirt. The 2012's seat is good enough, and 100% better than the older models. They are truly amazing bikes.

I recently changed the seat on my 2008 model and fitted a 2012 model seat, there is a huge difference !!!

edgy · « **Reply #12 on:** October 26, 2012, 07:25:50 am »

Quote from: KTM11 on October 26, 2012, 06:45:05 am

Quote from: Avontier on October 25, 2012, 02:44:47 pm
Three of us have now done a combined 40 000km on 690's on different trips together. No mechanical issues, just unparalleled fun and games. Our longest day in the saddle was 680km tar, another was almost 500km mostly dirt. The 2012's seat is good enough, and 100% better than the older models. They are truly amazing bikes.

I recently changed the seat on my 2008 model and fitted a 2012 model seat, there is a huge difference !!!

How much was the seat?

777 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 26, 2012, 08:32:52 am »

Quote from: KTM11 on October 26, 2012, 06:45:05 am

Quote from: Avontier on October 25, 2012, 02:44:47 pm
Three of us have now done a combined 40 000km on 690's on different trips together. No mechanical issues, just unparalleled fun and games. Our longest day in the saddle was 680km tar, another was almost 500km mostly dirt. The 2012's seat is good enough, and 100% better than the older models. They are truly amazing bikes.

I recently changed the seat on my 2008 model and fitted a 2012 model seat, there is a huge difference !!!
When we going to get together for a ride??

KoToM · « **Reply #14 on:** October 26, 2012, 09:47:47 am »

Quote from: edgy on October 26, 2012, 07:25:50 am

Quote from: KTM11 on October 26, 2012, 06:45:05 am
Quote from: Avontier on October 25, 2012, 02:44:47 pm
Three of us have now done a combined 40 000km on 690's on different trips together. No mechanical issues, just unparalleled fun and games. Our longest day in the saddle was 680km tar, another was almost 500km mostly dirt. The 2012's seat is good enough, and 100% better than the older models. They are truly amazing bikes.

I recently changed the seat on my 2008 model and fitted a 2012 model seat, there is a huge difference !!!

How much was the seat?

think they 2k at ktm, touratec in germiston sell direct to the public and they also have a touring seat avail. ive been meaning to go to
go check it out and get a price i need one for the roef, done enough iron butt trips now and there is not a chance in hell im taking the 990 to the roef

will post details ...

Desert Snoek · « **Reply #15 on:** October 26, 2012, 12:50:25 pm »

Hi Arie,

Ek het die fairing, tank en seat gedoen op myne en gebruik 'soft lugguage'. Het so pas 3000km in 7 dae deur Suid Namibia en Noord Kaap gedoen ... 99% grond paaie. Geen probleem ervaar... baie lekker gery. Die groot ding is kry ordentlike seat. Ek het myne van Seat Concepts oorsee laat kom. Baie gelukkig daarmee.

Die seat help natuurlik nie baie as jy hard val in 'n rivier bed die eerste dag

LONG BOB · « **Reply #16 on:** October 26, 2012, 02:10:13 pm »

Had a comfort seat cover and foam imported from the UK . Took ten days and all cost R1200. Also had Eldor engineering make up a luggage rack with sub frame arms, loaded tent, mattress , cooler box. and luggage. and fits brilliant. Can send pics if you want.

777 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 26, 2012, 03:34:47 pm »

I took my seat to an upholster in Dbn that does all the bike shops , made it lower , wider and SOFTER for just on R1 k

NielGS · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2013, 03:27:47 pm »

I have done almost 10 000km in the 5 months I've had my bike. Im very happy with it as a "rough" tourer. i have just added the luggage racks and crash bars to the bike. the extra fuel tanks are a must! don't bother with the seat, if your ass is hurting you are riding on too much tar! If you buy one talk to Michael Stein at Dual Purpose Adventures 082 897 0220. He did my Luggage racks, Soft Bags, Sump Guard and Crash Bars.

Sat Diver · « **Reply #19 on:** April 07, 2013, 08:02:16 am »

Geez! how much weight have you packed in those bags?
They look like they can take a fare bit of weight. Have you checked the condition of your std tank mounting screw/ bolts? That tank is the only sub frame
I'm keen to know how much weight it can handle before I break it!
And I'm not at all keen on breaking it!