KTM 690 for touring

[Jules]

Roadcat do you work for KTM. Haha. Because now I'm sold. Yeah no doubt the dakar is great for tar and for some gravel as well and I've gotten plenty miles of smiles. Once I get a 690 ill keep my Dakar for commuting. I just love gravel travel but I don't feel the confidence on it like I should. Also because of my lack of experience and my next cash injection is to do a course.

But yes from the guys I've spoken too they reckon the KTM is the best to upgrade too.
Are they as reliable?
Besides I read that guys spend plenty to upgrade suspension etc to get there Dakars almost close to a KTM.
That rotax engine is a tank. 

The 690 is a beast!  After 2 months I'm still dumb struck by the way it accelerates! Overtaking traffic is akin to teleporting, You are doing 80, You see a gap you wind the throttle and you are doing 150!, All other singles (and most twins) are simply blown away! Add to that the fact that it weighs 140kgs and is amazingly well balanced and you have a total hooligan machine, grinding the foot pegs around corners is unavoidable, it just leans and leans and leans,

As said its not the best long distance tourer and if you plan a lot of cross country trips then stick to the Dakar but if you want to get off your bike with shaking hands and a smile that looks as if you have a coat hanger stuck in your mouth the 690 is for you!

[Teapot]

Thanks Jules for that report. I'm going to have to check yours out at the bash.
And yes its time to unleash the hooligan inside and have more fun and grin factor.
Time to start saving. Big time!!!

[Sat Diver]

Totally agree with Juls! Mine is gaining super hero status!
Now if we could just get Juls as excited about designing riding shirts.
 
Juls you should be the dude giving ride reports on bikes and trips.
You have an excellent way with words!

[Jules]

Totally agree with Juls! Mine is gaining super hero status!
Now if we could just get Juls as excited about designing riding shirts.
 
Juls you should be the dude giving ride reports on bikes and trips.
You have an excellent way with words!

 

Still trying to find someone who can supply proper quality MX shirts

[Sat Diver]

@ Juls Have you put up final designs yet?

[Roadcat]

I ride a Dakar. Sorry for the hijack guys.  I know its not at all like the 690 and its a BM. and after reading from you guys that its a great tourer as well then I definitely want one. My questions are.  what is it like compared to the 990? and going from a dakar. Also by the time I have the moola for one there won't be many left and now that KTM aren't making them any more. Will they still make the 690 Rally with bigger tank and rally fairing? I really like the Oryx kit.

The tooltube is connected to the top of the bellypan. It gets the odd stone kicked up against it, but they're really tough. I just think of it as being protection for the radiator as I've never had a stone kicked up that's connected the rad, no matter how hard I ride.

Any chance of a pic, i put min eon the front of belly pan under header pipe but melted in min, then i put it in the side of the engine but stil not happy?

Here you go Triple7. 2 Pics of the tube mounted on the bellypan:

[777]

Txs I had mine in same place ,must have being higher as the pipe melted it , I must relook at that .

[Edp]

Where in good old SA can one purchase the tool tubes, thanks

[zebra - Flying Brick]

Where in good old SA can one purchase the tool tubes, thanks

PM Andy660 on WD: he is holding the stocks for Goose.

Cheers
Chris/Flying Brick

[Edp]

Thanks, will pm him