Why so many KTM 690's for Sale?

[Rough Rider]

I don't understand why that is a negative?

Because a 610 would be doing 107 @ 4000 rpm

What revs would a 610 be doing at 185? I can tell you that the 690 hits the limiter 

Still don't understand why that is an issue

The 610 is a long stroke small bore engine, not a short stroke large bore screamer like the 690.
The 610 will probably not reach a true 185.

[Rough Rider]

There is more than one way to skin a cat.
Take my 610 for example, it is more stable, has a better spread of gears, better ground clearance, better suspension and better fuel economy than a 690. The only area where is the 690 has it beat is overall power. Of course the 610 is no longer in production so the 690 has it beat in this regard.

There are also many ways to interpret stats.

610 has better suspension for riding to church maybe.
It's "better" ground clearance makes for a more top heavy feel.
Gear spacing of the Husky is awesome and useless on the 690

I own a "modified" Honda XR 650R, and several KTM 250 to 950 dirtbikes......NOT a 690. I've always thought the KTM 690 was a slightly-higher-tech KLR......but just read the latest Dirtbike magazine (or was it DirtRider? Forget.....I get every dirtbike mag on the market every month, they pile up quick  )

Regardless of yer opinion of the yanks......the boys at these magazines know their shite. They spend lots of time flogging these bikes.....so you can, for the most part, rely on their findings and opinions.

Read the newest test of the KTM 690......quite enligtening. Yes, it has endurance issues....that can be fixed. But other than that, not many negatives. Or ANY.

Read it. I did, and I was impressed.

Oh...btw....Enduro360.com agreed almost verbatim......an independent, non-corporate source.

Dirtbike magazine: "with the stock gearing, the motor was loping along at 4000rpm at an indicated 55 mph in sixth.." <- this means it's revving 4K and not even reaching 90Km/h
I read that as negative.
It is also the only reason why I don't have a 690.

The 690 R had a semi decent suspension stock while the stock suspension on the standard 690 is crap, no way is it better than the 610. BTW the stock suspension on my 950 SER is also shite, especially the shock.  

[wolf skaap]

What revs would a 610 be doing at 185? I can tell you that the 690 hits the limiter 

Still don't understand why that is an issue

Let's talk in January then.

[Dwerg]

I was being facetious. Just saying, bikes live and work in the real world. Not on rev stats and website quotes. I'm sure the 610 is a good bike. I would've probably owned one if there was a good one on the market when I was looking

[wolf skaap]

I was being facetious. Just saying, bikes live and work in the real world. Not on rev stats and website quotes.

Perhaps.
All I know is, I've sold my most favorite bike in the whole world, due to gear ratio's.
Having to the rev the tits off the poor thing on long rides was just unbearable.

So my opinion carries a lot of emotion.
 

[Rough Rider]

I sold my 690 because it was the worst bike I ever owned.

[wolf skaap]

I sold my 690 because it was the worst bike I ever owned.

But your Gen 1 SM is quite a bit different from the 690 E/R that's being discussed no?
Different motor, different SM suspension, different electronics.

[Rough Rider]

I sold my 690 because it was the worst bike I ever owned.

But your Gen 1 SM is quite a bit different from the 690 E/R that's being discussed no?
Different motor, different SM suspension, different electronics.

Agreed 

[sidetrack]

My 610 did 170 km/h GPS speed for what it is worth.

[Koos van den Heever]

My 610 did 170 km/h GPS speed for what it is worth.

My 690 with fairing and full tanks;  Standard gearing (sprockets) -> 170 km/h up here in Transvaal.
I got up to 163 km/h in the thick sand on Amageza.

All GPS speed.

[Omninorm]

I own a "modified" Honda XR 650R, and several KTM 250 to 950 dirtbikes......NOT a 690. I've always thought the KTM 690 was a slightly-higher-tech KLR......but just read the latest Dirtbike magazine (or was it DirtRider? Forget.....I get every dirtbike mag on the market every month, they pile up quick  )

Regardless of yer opinion of the yanks......the boys at these magazines know their shite. They spend lots of time flogging these bikes.....so you can, for the most part, rely on their findings and opinions.

Read the newest test of the KTM 690......quite enligtening. Yes, it has endurance issues....that can be fixed. But other than that, not many negatives. Or ANY.

Read it. I did, and I was impressed.

Oh...btw....Enduro360.com agreed almost verbatim......an independent, non-corporate source.

That is exactly why I wondered why so many are for sale. i.e if it's so good why sell it?

[Rough Rider]

My 610 did 170 km/h GPS speed for what it is worth.

My 690 with fairing and full tanks;  Standard gearing (sprockets) -> 170 km/h up here in Transvaal.
I got up to 163 km/h in the thick sand on Amageza.

All GPS speed.

Don't forget there is 124cc difference in size between the 610 and new generation 690. The 610 is actually 576cc 

[wolf skaap]

My 610 did 170 km/h GPS speed for what it is worth.

My 690 with fairing and full tanks;  Standard gearing (sprockets) -> 170 km/h up here in Transvaal.
I got up to 163 km/h in the thick sand on Amageza.

All GPS speed.

hmm that's pretty impressive.

[alanB]

Its funny how polarised people are around this issue. 

Some people believe "the 690 is an enduro bike not a DS bike" while others think its perfect, or close to perfect.

I think the guys that don't think the 690 is a DS bike are more inclined to thinking about the big litre class battleships as "proper DS bikes", maybe because their primary requirement is comfort while touring on tar - while I have the opposite view, I cant stand tar and just see it as a necessary evil and thus am willing to be uncomforatble and bored - as long as the off road bit at the end is fun    . 

But the 690 is certainly not an enduro bike, simply because you would be mad to try and do a proper enduro on one (although some people insist the GS1200 can quite easily do Baboon's pass, so maybe lets not say "mad" just unusually stubborn!  )

Personally if I were in the market for a new DS bike it would be the 690, simply because its the only bike of that type available.  And that is certainly the type of bike I think is perfect for my type of DS riding! 

As with any bike, you need to sort a few things out first:
1) Rock hard seat needs replacement
2) Maybe bigger tank.  I like the two aux. tanks you get for it on the front 
3) Don't know what the suspension is like.
4) Obviously any reliability issues need to be addressed (not sure what the latest status is?)

That's probably about it.

I wouldn't worry about wind protection - I've personally found that the buffeting induced by those fairing is more irritating than the wind load - but then I don't try cruise at 160 

And given the choice between a 690 and 610 - well I went through that process and chose the 610 - and am very happy 

[billy-joe]

how does the X-Challenge compare to us mere mortals who don't need the extra power?  is the suspension, barring the airbag at the back, up to standard?

[Mooch]

It is natural that 690's will generally have lower milage than the big DS bikes because they are not great (easy/comfortable) long distance cruizers. They are probably better "playground" bikes but that involves shorter distances and a more specific need. Lets face it although there are a few hard core adventurers out there, the bulk of the population take the easy or middle of the line adventure route with some easier gravel roads or even tar routes in the mix. This means those bigger Adventure bikes rack up Kms much quicker than a more purpose built 690 would. The average use of a 690 would be probably be more technichal and specific meaning that less Km can be covered in a day.

So there you have it. Its not going to be the average Joes choice of bike or the bulk of the general populations choice as it has a more niche apeal, that does not suit everyone out there and quite a few people have probably discovered that after spontaneously buying one. Having said that - Its a great bike if thats what you want!! 

[StuartC]

can it do 100000 without a rebuild?  i somehow think you will be lucky to get half that

[BlueBull2007]

Whats the recommended service interval on as 690 anyway?

[Dirt Junkie]

7.5k think the newer models are 10k not sure

[badseed]

10000 km  service interval. Bike has a two year warranty .

I give my bikes a 5000km oil change as a precaution.

And the kak about the seat refers yo the pre 2013 models only. From 2013 the seat is brilliant. Only today three of us 690 riders that all do mileage were waxing  about the comfort of the seats.