The KTM 690 as daily ride.

[Rough Rider]

The X Challenge and the 630 weight exactly the same at 156 kg.
The 610 and the 690 are both 139 kg

I find the following:

Xchallenge with ABS
Dry Weight
144 kg / 317 lbs.

Wet Weight   
156 kg / 344 lbs.

2014 KTM 690 (remember ABS)
Dry Weight 139kg's

2013 Husqvarna 630 Terra with ABS
Weights I find 186kg wet.  http://adventure-motorcyclingh.com/2012/11/18/husqvarna-tr650-terra-quick-spin/


610 does not come with ABS

You right I made a mistake and took the wet weight of Xchallenge, but also took dry weight of 630 SM instead of 630 TE which has a dry weight of 149kg which is only 5kgs more than the Xchallenge and definitely not 35 -40kgs more.

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/husqvarna_te630_2012.php

[Dwerg]

2013 Husqvarna 630 Terra with ABS
Weights I find 186kg wet.  http://adventure-motorcyclingh.com/2012/11/18/husqvarna-tr650-terra-quick-spin/

Groot verskil tussen 'n Terra en 'n TE. Terra val meer in 'n Yammie 660R se klas

[Rough Rider]

2013 Husqvarna 630 Terra with ABS
Weights I find 186kg wet.  http://adventure-motorcyclingh.com/2012/11/18/husqvarna-tr650-terra-quick-spin/

Groot verskil tussen 'n Terra en 'n TE. Terra val meer in 'n Yammie 660R se klas

Completely different bikes, the one is an Italian Husky and the other is a BMW 650GS

[Omninorm]

I see - was not aware of that, thanks.
It's out anyway as TE does not come with ABS.

[wolf skaap]

I dont mind, I found those stats interesting. it also helps to know what fellow posters have and have not ridden.

Unfortunately, someone else's idea of whats acceptable or not, will not necessarily account for you.
But, I've commuted with a Dakar 650, Xr400, Xr628, Husaberg 550, VTR1000, Royal Enfield and XTZ

Dakar and XTZ obviously wins hands down as commuters, and experience with the likes of the light XR400, powerful VTR and insane 550 told me to use horses for courses.
The novelty of commuting with a VTR and 550 eventually wore off and I started noticing the rate at which I needed to replace rear tires and chains.

[Rough Rider]

I dont mind, I found those stats interesting. it also helps to know what fellow posters have and have not ridden.

Unfortunately, someone else's idea of whats acceptable or not, will not necessarily account for you.
But, I've commuted with a Dakar 650, Xr400, Xr628, Husaberg 550, VTR1000, Royal Enfield and XTZ

Dakar and XTZ obviously wins hands down as commuters, and experience with the likes of the light XR400, powerful VTR and insane 550 told me to use horse for courses.
The novelty of commuting with a VTR and 550 eventually wore off and I started noticing the rate at which I needed to replace rear tires and chains.

That is why I am now considering a Versys 650; at R65K brand new (2014) you can hardly go wrong for commuting. It is capable of riding up pavements, wheeling over speed bumps and taking a short cut across a park.

[wolf skaap]

That is why I am now considering a Versys 650; at R65K brand new (2014) you can hardly go wrong for commuting. It is capable of riding up pavements, wheeling over speed bumps and taking a short cut across a park.

Nothing like urban terror on a nondescript/mundane bike.
Like my one buddy, going through a traffic circle on his B120, planting that slipper on the tar, MX style 

[Dwerg]

Versys is a great bike but OP said he wants one do it all bike. That a Versys is most certainly not. Maybe I am just used to dirt bikes but I'd easily commute on my 230 if it was my only transport. Anything is a dildo if you are brave enough 

Omninorm, if you happen to come to gauteng, you are welcome to a spin on my bike

[Grrrr....]

I have never ridden a 690 but if it is anything like my old 650L it would make a very lekker commuter.

I have only recently realised how stupid I was to sell my old plaasbike.... Don't get me wrong, I love the 990, especially on trips but those are few and far between.

I wish I didn't have tunnel vision and kept the 650 to use as a commuter and weekend plaything. The 990 is bef#k but waaaay overkill in traffic.

Like I said, never ridden a 690 (...thanks to KTMCPT...) but can imagine it will make a sweet commuter and weekend plaything.

[Ganjora]

I have never ridden a 690 but if it is anything like my old 650L it would make a very lekker commuter.

they are similar in that they both have 2 wheels,  and are powered by an internal combustion engine.
that's where the similarity ends.

[Grrrr....]

I have never ridden a 690 but if it is anything like my old 650L it would make a very lekker commuter.

they are similar in that they both have 2 wheels,  and are powered by an internal combustion engine.
that's where the similarity ends.

I meant size and manoeuvrability for commuting.

[Ganjora]

I meant size and manoeuvrability for commuting.

aha.
i commuted on a few occasions on my 690.
40km round trip.
absolutely the best commuter i had compared to: KLR & DR.
lighter,  more maneuverable & much more power.
i would imagine it would make a sublime commuter,  but would become costly on rear tyres.

[boland]

To be blunt, there's a reason for it being discontinued.
Is it the best commuter? No
Is it the fastest? No
Is it the best in technical? No
Is it the best at cruising dirt roads? No
Is it the best at long distance? No
Questionable reliability? Yes

It's good at everything, but for some people, good isn't good enough.
I'd rather have something like a Z for long distance and commuting, a superbike for exhilaration, and a 450 for technical.

So like I said, it's up to the OP to decide if he's prepared to compromise everywhere.

The problem is not everyone can afford 5 bikes so most of us common folk need to compromise.

If you can only afford 1 bike the 690 is not a bad choice, because allthough you do compromise it is only a little bit. My 690 is far more comfortable than my previous DR on tar, so in my book its a good tar bike!!

Mine has 42 000 km and going strong, so here's hoping. People talk a lot about reliability, but ja, most of it based on perceptions

[wolf skaap]

The problem is not everyone can afford 5 bikes so most of us common folk need to compromise.

If you can only afford 1 bike the 690 is not a bad choice, because allthough you do compromise it is only a little bit. My 690 is far more comfortable than my previous DR on tar, so in my book its a good tar bike!!

Mine has 42 000 km and going strong, so here's hoping. People talk a lot about reliability, but ja, most of it based on perceptions

I hear you.
Just remember that the 690 is not exactly cheap either.

For the same price, you can buy an XR650R and CRF450..

[Regis Laconi]

I upgraded from a 2013 Honda XR 650L to the 2015 KTM 690R.  The KTM is by far the better bike, in all aspects.  But I still miss the simplicity of the XR.  I just hope the KTM can give me the same service as the XR, so far so good.

[Omninorm]

I appreciate all the comments so far. it is helping me making potentially let go of the F800 easier.

I had a Vstrom 650 (new shape) Great underrated bike similar to the Versys (it also helps that the new Versys is easier on the eyes than the old one and the price is unbeatable). But no...I need more rugged and capable than that for sure.

WolfSkaap, you make a very valid point in saying that people's level of acceptability differs.
Comfort levels to me is almost a non issue as i get comfortable quickly. Took me a week to come to love my F800's seat and that thing is not that great. The other day I tried a comfort seat and hated it. Wind. I went with a smaller screen so i can have clean air rather than a tall barn door i also feel my wifes Xcountry is very comfortable up till 115kmh, then we will need to add a small screen to get the wind of the chest.
light, manauvrable Thumper. Really nice.
So in giving that the XChallenge is definitly not out of the running esp at the prices they go for. Lots of good bike for the money.
The KTM is just definitly the more exciting one.

I'm just trying to also establish the reliability on the 690 engine / drivetrain.
I'd rather ride a less interesting bike than push a exciting one.
I'm also well aware that tiny issues gets blown out of proportion on the Internet.

Do you guys know of the rocker arm bearing failures?
Anyone here have had to re do the engine yet
What are your average KM's on your 690'?

[Dwerg]

Bazinga had to do the motor on his 690. Big end bearing failure. He bought the bike second hand and it had a knock with 2000kms on the clock. Suspected abuse by previous owner or just a Monday bike, who knows. The airbox problems are actually caused by over tightning of the airbox cover bolts which shears the lower airbox housing which causes it to not seal properly. I've heard of rocker failures but they are not very common and are relatively cheap to fix. I've now had to do shims which is not ideal for the mileage (12000km). I plan on doing a complete rebuild on mine in the next few years. Keep in mind that mine gets....... well let's call it 'used for it's intended purpose'. I see no reason why it shouldn't last a long time if you look after it

[Dirt Junkie]

checkout this RR sure it will give you an idea of reliability
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/rtw-with-noah-on-a-ktm-690.781893/

[wolf skaap]

Also: http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=175152.0

[Aprilian]

Rocker arms went on my 2009 KTM 690 with 6500kms on. Prob I had commuting with 690 was that I had nowhere to store gloves, jacket etc on the bike- even XC was better with rack and topbox. Managed over 30000ks on my X-Challenge with no mechanical problems.