Author Topic: New KTM 690's ???? (Read 6958 times)

Omninorm · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2018, 11:25:08 am »

New info...

geopat · « **Reply #21 on:** October 02, 2018, 07:01:08 am »

That first article mentions 300mm of travel but these specs say 250mm

BiG DoM · « **Reply #22 on:** October 02, 2018, 07:07:53 am »

Best suspension on the market - WP Xplor

Unfortunately not.

wiledog_X · « **Reply #23 on:** October 02, 2018, 08:35:12 am »

Chris Birch shared this newspaper article today on his FB page....

"while a new 690 Enduro - complete with the twin-balanced engine from the Husky 701 - looks set for a January launch". mmmm....

Fransw · « **Reply #24 on:** October 02, 2018, 10:14:28 am »

This is the 'Unicorn' @BiG DoM !

BiG DoM · « **Reply #25 on:** October 02, 2018, 10:35:22 am »

BlueBull2007 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 02, 2018, 03:32:15 pm »

Have to agree with the comments on the exhaust. What is it with these designers who have turned something that is cylindrical into something out of a B-rated sci-fi movie?

Anyway, at least they are still making the 690

intothewild · « **Reply #27 on:** October 02, 2018, 09:46:40 pm »

KTM will not give up on the 690.They sell bucket loads of 690's

It's a totally different bike for a different marked than the 790 that's more of a 'lighter' long distance adventure bike same as the 990 and africa twin

i also agree that the 701's styling is much more appealing

Omninorm · « **Reply #28 on:** January 28, 2019, 01:19:37 pm »

https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2019-ktm-690-enduro-r-first-look

For those who were/are suspension concerned maybe this sheds some light. Nice little upgrade I reckon.

Quote

Suspension changes mark the major step forward for the chassis though, with a new WP XPLOR 48 USD fork and WP XPLOR shock. These units were originally developed for KTM’s EXC line.

Xpat · « **Reply #29 on:** January 28, 2019, 01:31:00 pm »

Lovely. What they are not saying of course, is that they were busy dumbing down that EXC suspension over the past few years...

Omninorm · « **Reply #30 on:** January 28, 2019, 01:40:06 pm »

Possibly. I don't think the current bike's suspension is even remotely as bad as people on the forums make them out to be. In fact I think it's pretty damn good in most cases, so if this is better then the 690 will be all the better for it since it's already so good.

Xpat · « **Reply #31 on:** January 28, 2019, 01:43:52 pm »

Quote from: Omninorm on January 28, 2019, 01:40:06 pm

Possibly. I don't think the current bike's suspension is even remotely as bad as people on the forums make them out to be. In fact I think it's pretty damn good in most cases, so if this is better then the 690 will be all the better for it since it's already so good.

Well, yes, if you consider current 690 suspension good, this one will be better. I for one have swapped the front forks on my 2014 690 as I found the stock unbearable even after Hilton Hayward treatment. The improvement cannot be put into words easily.

Each to their own I guess...

Omninorm · « **Reply #32 on:** January 28, 2019, 01:55:06 pm »

Quote from: Xpat on January 28, 2019, 01:43:52 pm

Quote from: Omninorm on January 28, 2019, 01:40:06 pm
Possibly. I don't think the current bike's suspension is even remotely as bad as people on the forums make them out to be. In fact I think it's pretty damn good in most cases, so if this is better then the 690 will be all the better for it since it's already so good.

Well, yes, if you consider current 690 suspension good, this one will be better. I for one have swapped the front forks on my 2014 690 as I found the stock unbearable even after Hilton Hayward treatment. The improvement cannot be put into words easily.

Each to their own I guess...

Yes ,but to be fair you did ad a lot of weight to the front though iirc.
I am not saying it cannot be better, but I've swapped over to a 2009 690 and a 701 and back I didn't hear any angels sing and the clouds part way over the current one. I mean some would make it out that it's unrideable by the comments they make

The quickshifter comes quite unexpected though. What happens if a quickshifter breaks in the field. I'm assumign you can carry on fine without it by using clutch? Just curious.

Quote

Additionally, riders will have a Quickshifter plus to allow for clutchless up and down shifts as well as Motor Slip Regulation to help smooth out engine braking.

Omninorm · « **Reply #33 on:** January 28, 2019, 02:18:28 pm »

SMC version

BiG DoM · « **Reply #34 on:** January 28, 2019, 02:26:14 pm »

XPlor are the WP latest offerings but really also need some work to make them decent and flow more oil - HH has done his magic on ours on the 250XCW that made a considerable improvement but the main problem is that to save bucks the internals have been thinned and dumbed down on this latest generation pogos. Many who race have either gone back to older open cartridge, or Ohlins inserts or bitten the Cone Valve bullet. True story.

Omninorm · « **Reply #35 on:** January 28, 2019, 03:41:06 pm »

Quote from: BiG DoM on January 28, 2019, 02:26:14 pm

XPlor are the WP latest offerings but really also need some work to make them decent and flow more oil - HH has done his magic on ours on the 250XCW that made a considerable improvement but the main problem is that to save bucks the internals have been thinned and dumbed down on this latest generation pogos. Many who race have either gone back to older open cartridge, or Ohlins inserts or bitten the Cone Valve bullet. True story.

Ah, racing is a completely different story though!

Amsterdam · « **Reply #36 on:** January 28, 2019, 04:17:51 pm »

Quote from: Omninorm on January 28, 2019, 01:55:06 pm

The quickshifter comes quite unexpected though. What happens if a quickshifter breaks in the field. I'm assumign you can carry on fine without it by using clutch? Just curious.
Quote
Additionally, riders will have a Quickshifter plus to allow for clutchless up and down shifts as well as Motor Slip Regulation to help smooth out engine braking.

Yes you can ride it normally using the clutch.

Quote from: BiG DoM on January 28, 2019, 02:26:14 pm

XPlor are the WP latest offerings but really also need some work to make them decent and flow more oil - HH has done his magic on ours on the 250XCW that made a considerable improvement but the main problem is that to save bucks the internals have been thinned and dumbed down on this latest generation pogos. Many who race have either gone back to older open cartridge, or Ohlins inserts or bitten the Cone Valve bullet. True story.

When I had the 4CS forks on the 701 reworked by Martin Paetzold I was also offered Ohlins internals as an alternative. But at around R20k it was a little more than I could justify for adventure riding. He managed to get the final set up quite nice but I know it won't work for guys who do big jumps etc. For my riding this is not issue.

But have you seen the latest spy shots for people who can't make up their mind if the 690 is better than the 701? There are now additional options for the undecided.

Noneking · « **Reply #37 on:** January 28, 2019, 07:28:07 pm »

The Husky is still the better looking half sister....

BiG DoM · « **Reply #38 on:** January 28, 2019, 08:28:10 pm »

Quote from: Omninorm on January 28, 2019, 03:41:06 pm

Quote from: BiG DoM on January 28, 2019, 02:26:14 pm
XPlor are the WP latest offerings but really also need some work to make them decent and flow more oil - HH has done his magic on ours on the 250XCW that made a considerable improvement but the main problem is that to save bucks the internals have been thinned and dumbed down on this latest generation pogos. Many who race have either gone back to older open cartridge, or Ohlins inserts or bitten the Cone Valve bullet. True story.

Ah, racing is a completely different story though!

No not really completely different - suspension needs to work. Both are enduro bikes. If the forks are deflecting on a race bike they will deflect on your 690/701

Omninorm · « **Reply #39 on:** January 28, 2019, 11:02:44 pm »

Quote from: BiG DoM on January 28, 2019, 08:28:10 pm

Quote from: Omninorm on January 28, 2019, 03:41:06 pm
Quote from: BiG DoM on January 28, 2019, 02:26:14 pm
XPlor are the WP latest offerings but really also need some work to make them decent and flow more oil - HH has done his magic on ours on the 250XCW that made a considerable improvement but the main problem is that to save bucks the internals have been thinned and dumbed down on this latest generation pogos. Many who race have either gone back to older open cartridge, or Ohlins inserts or bitten the Cone Valve bullet. True story.

Ah, racing is a completely different story though!

No not really completely different - suspension needs to work. Both are enduro bikes. If the forks are deflecting on a race bike they will deflect on your 690/701

Racing you obviously hit things at way faster speed than you would probably do them while not racing and you would want every single ounce of performance for om the suspension. So I do think it’s different. Also buying a 690 for racing Enduros may not be the best idea. KTM 450 would probably be better.

In my experience riding the bike in pretty much all environments now, and while not close to Chris Birch and the like ‘s speed - I have yet to go “ hell the suspension sure is crap” in fact I often go... “oh my word I love this thing!”
I’ve had YZ’s XC-W’s KX’s KLX’s WR’s and adventure bikes etc and I didn’t find the 690’s suspension to be anything less than good enough for what I do with it on an average ride. The YZ’s was the best imho but of course - it’s a MX Race bike.

Again, the way you guys are going on about it would make everyone reading it think that you get on the thing and you basically fall off before hitting 2nd gear because of the suspension.
I think most is making a way bigger deal out of it than your average rider.

I.e better suspension is better, but great suspension is still good enough.