690R, the good, the bad, the ugly

[Bie]

Excluding small farm bikes I have been bikeless for a few years now. My farming setup has changed dramatically and I am contemplating getting a mid sized bike to move between farms and check waters etc. Running cost of a bakkie vs a bike is key here. The 800 I had just did not have the suspension to cope with ultra rocky 2spoor roads and the 950S was a bit heavy and geared too tall, plus there was hardly a fuel saving.
I have been warned about reliability issues with the 690, but I have not completely closed the door on them, yet...

Those who have or had one, what is your view on the bike, did it give you trouble, how did it stack up against other brands and will you buy it again. Use will be 80% gravel and 50% of that on small rocky 2spoor farm tracks.

[Rough Rider]

According to Ryan FortNine this is the perfect farm bike. After watching this I even want one and I don't even have a farm 

[Bie]

I am afraid the TW200 will not be to my liking. I have a 200 Honda as we speak. Distance between farms about 100km, 20 of which is tar and having had a powerful bike before the 200 just dont cut it anymore. On the farm itself it will be fine, but not the ideal compromise to tick all boxes.

[chopperpilot]

Suzuki DR 650 SE, is an affordable and reliable option.

I would go Japanese, although I own two orange ones.

[LoopSoosStroop]

XT660Z or DR650.

Cannot think that a 690R will be cheaper to run than a bakkie.

[ChrisL - DUSTRIDERS]

XT660Z or DR650.

Cannot think that a 690R will be cheaper to run than a bakkie.

XT660R of as jy n netjiese XT600E kan kry ook goeie opsie.
As jy wil min petrol gooi, kry n 650 Dakar. Met jou skills loop hy maklik op jou plaas paadjies. Hy sal die gerieflikste wees tussen die plase.

[Dwerg]

XT660Z or DR650.

Cannot think that a 690R will be cheaper to run than a bakkie.

What magical bakkie are we talking here?? Tupperware?

You give some good options but that last sentence is a little wtf

[LoopSoosStroop]

You give some good options but that last sentence is a little wtf

Ek praat nou nie top of the line 3 liter diesel met leer seats en moerse BFG's nie. Single cab petrol of so iets. Hoeveel 690 bande gaan jy op ry voor 'n ligte bakkie 'n stel kort? Verekering? Belasting? Dienste?

DInk dit gaan baie nader wees as wat mens dink.

[Dwerg]

Hang seker maar af wat die single cab se petrol verbruik is maar 8km/l teen 20km/l is 'n R12k verskil oor een diens periode net in petrol koste

[Buff]

JUST DO IT  You'll have so much fun on a 690 your daily commute will turn into 250km's because you'll be looking for an excuse to ride more 

[Blender]

JUST DO IT  You'll have so much fun on a 690 your daily commute will turn into 250km's because you'll be looking for an excuse to ride more 

ditto...
Sure, it's not the most comfortable, cheap or ... dare I say it, reliable bike out there!
I have another bike, and then I have the 690!!! 

[aka.Goliath]

Yes the 690 give trouble. Any more than other brands I doubt it. In saying that I would suggest a 2014 or younger the smoother motor and crisp ride-by-wore throttle make a nice difference. I'd throw a large tank on and a wind shield and be done with it. Out of the bikes mentioned so far it's the only one I'd consider.

Off the top of my head these are the issues I've had.

Airbox needs lots of grease to seal - simple enough to fix
Seat pan likes to break of you lose the rubber feet
Fuel pump doesn't like dirty fuel - inline filter and one of the filter bag you put in the neck of the tank, sorted
I changed the rocker arms at 23,000km as a precaution.
My speedo stopped working twice, once  after being kept in a very damp storeroom for 3 moths and once after a proper drowning.

I love riding my 690, it's the bike I've had the longest and have had the most adventures on. Is it the going to suit what you want from it 100%? No! Will it do it well however and other trips and put a smile on your face every time you ride it l? Yes!!

[Amsterdam]

I personally think all this talk about reliability issues is somewhat exaggerated.  The breaking of the saddles is not, those are bad.  As are the indicators, I swear you can break those by giving them a nasty look.  But, buy the 2019 model and the breaking saddle problem is gone (and I think the indicator nonsense too) and you will have a great bike.  By writing them off based on hearsay you will do yourself a great disservice.

[BuRP]

Running cost of a bakkie vs a bike is key here

CRF230F, unbeatable for reliability and cost.

You're considering what??
Hey, I like them, got a 701 even, but don't sprout nonsense when you ask advice 

[zacapa]

This is the bike you need.

[Offshore]

Love those Headlights.

[geopat]

The problems.with the 690 are  well documented and if you are willing to take the time to properly look after your bike and get to know how she runs and what she needs you will be rewarded with performance that no other bike in that class can touch hell Id say nothing even comes close just treat her right and she will blow your mind

[BuRP]

The problems.with the 690 are  well documented and if you are willing to take the time to properly look after your bike and get to know how she runs and what she needs you will be rewarded with performance that no other bike in that class can touch hell Id say nothing even comes close just treat her right and she will blow your mind

She..
she...
she..
she will blow..

I always find it ludicrous that a dude refers to his bike, a fire breathing hooligan thing in this case, as female.... but your latter rings somewhat familiar.
If I may ask, you like riding her? 

[Buff]

All my bikes have been She's, it's just wrong riding a He... well IMHO 

[Blikkies1]

I'd have a look into a Yammie WR450 for this application, just gotta check shims every 10 hours and it'll last forever.