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Haha! only had one online meeting for work and with the weather there was no way I was staying at home all day 😎 great place to have a meeting tho haha I just left my camera off on teams, tried to end it fast I could the cow watched me chat shit for 45min lol

Highly recommend Portugal 🇵🇹 for riding, absolutely amazing experience.

Hey, we still not got out on a trail yet buddy! Haha next time I’m going to message you cpl days before and see if you can come 👍 sold the 690 and also my 2T husky, too many bikes etc etc. loving this 500 it’s a beast but it’s just so good at everything else you want it to do for light travel, I regretted selling the last one couple years back hence a return to this bike now, it’s a keeper this time….already at almost 1k miles and I’m heading for high mileage this time see how she goes. The trails in this direction yes Challenging times, fell off more than I ever do but it was a blast, attempting to tame the beast at low speeds is tricky it just wants to fly! Have you been to that old ruin buildings on Pont Scethin?? And the lake up the sheep trail?? You should go, it’s all easy ride nice place for a bit of lunch.

@@trailswales totally agree. I think the 500 makes the perfect light adv go-anywhere bike. It’s why I also swapped the 690 for the 450. Be good to join you on the trails 😉😂 just give me a few days heads up 👍

@@trailswales and no haven’t been to the lake or ruins

Haha I know I’m bonkers right! On a serious note I do always have emergency precaution 👍 I like riding in groups, but I love riding alone…exploring and going where I want without having to worry about anything else etc

Yes buddy, I’m going again 7th September, this area I just did…brilliant trails! Welcome to join

@trailswales I would of loved to mate but right in the middle of my holiday that I've been looking at trying to piece a ride together around that way also let me know how you get on 👍

This looks a cracking route

It was good, did your route to Dolgellau and then made it up from there! The bike needs some bits n bobs now to make it right, mainly sorting the vibration!!! Not good for long days in the saddle 😂

@trailswales shocked at that I was thinking it would be the perfect bike that looks mint 👌

@@ads_rides the bike is great, but they are known for vibration…it’s just few simple tweaks to sort out, mainly handlebar mount area and footpegs is where most of the vibration transfers to, also seat haha but that goes for any long day on enduro bike! We need to get out again soon 👍

@trailswales awesome 👌 like you say easily fixed would love one of these absolute beast of a bike mate yea definitely get out again soon 👍

Nice 👌🏻 I’m glad someone agrees with us! Haha some comments I’ve made on Facebook groups got shut down, I figured tho that most people are satisfied with basic?? For me it’s become more obvious with lots of time spent on the bike 👍 thank you for your message and sounds like you got fixed up good now, how is the difference?

@@trailswales I find the action is just smoother and a lot better. Less deflection off rocks etc. I've also put a softer spring on the rear as I'm 72kg without riding gear and it was impossible to set the correct sag.

​@@trailswales I also converted the Xplor fork on my 2019 690 into a conventional open cartridge fork. In combination with slightly softer fork springs, it works perfectly. In contrast to John, I installed a harder spring at the back for my 90kg and lowered the motorcycle an inch at the rear. At 90mm of SAG and with the steering stem in the 22mm position, the motorcycle now finally handles neutrally and is stable at speed. Do the crash bars restrict you when riding, for example when you stick your foot out? They are currently out of stock at my distributor but I may get them. I would actually be traveling in Spain by now, but I'm currently at home with a broken leg.🙃 Cheers

Oh no! Hope that gets sorted for you soon and you get back on the trails!!! Sounds like you have dialled in your settings 👍

​@@trailswales Unfortunately I'm not on Facebook. But the crash bars will be back in stock from next week. They currently cost €130 on the mainland. Thanks for your review, I hope to be able to ride again soon.👍

🤣 yes 🙌 it didn’t feel like that at the time haha 🤪 finding the exit was reassuring though!!

Im mason and i want to know as well. Thank god he was not on the KTM 690 becuse the bike wolud set fire to EVERTHING

@@MasonBrown2011 haha your so funny MB 😂 it’s seriously overgrown 🌴

@@trailswales Keep it in the van.

All my tyres are normally Mitas or Motoz 👍🏻

Hi there, I’m always changing bikes 😜 the 500 is a great option and I highly recommend it! It’s on my hit list as a 2025 bike, the KTM or the Husky not sure yet. The 690 is an awesome bike to ride distance on, you soon get used to the difference in bike size and weight it’s actually very nimble once you’re comfortable with it, I purchased it for longer rides and travel basically. I’ve transformed it into the closet I could to a enduro bike but with that bigger bike comfort and endurance. What do you ride? are you thinking of either of these bikes?

@@trailswales Cheers mate, I’m thinking of either the 500 or a 690. It’ll probably end up being whichever comes up first with the best deal though. Looking for something with the power and comfort of my old GSX 1400 with the off road and lightweightness of my old ktm 200 🤣 I had a tiger 800 as my first “adventure bike” but I found it heavy and underpowered. Thought I should go for an Africa twin but now I “think” I’ve narrowed it down to either the 500 or 690 🤔 First world problems aye 🤣

If you ride roads and distance etc you might want to consider the 690 more for those longer trips especially for comfort! Happy shopping drop a message anytime for info

@@trailswales Hopefully I’ll get one or the other pretty soon. Where in Wales are you mate?

No don’t think so, it’s a bit out of the way, it’s easy to get to however, just visit Oswestry and head out from there

@@trailswales ’ thanks dude, I’m heading over to Wales in a couple of weeks, a bit nervous but can’t wait

Yes! Notoriously Stubborn to start sometimes!

@@trailswales I was totally not expecting you to reply

Thanks for the comment, yes the vibrations are definitely less noticeable than older models, but if it’s something you notice more than others maybe consider adding the damper mounts, I’ve got some fitted on another bike and they make a huge comfort difference 👍

@@trailswales thanks for the good information. Have fun, be safe!

Totally agree, we are so lucky to have so much of this on our doorstep! This area “Dolgellau” and everything to Machynlleth and more….is all brilliant to explore.

It was a great day for it, After a lot of bad weather it was a welcome change!

This is nearby “Pentrefoelas” not far from Betws Y Coed, good riding in this area 👍

The only app I use is the official OSmaps app for cross reference and location information etc…to read and follow my routes I use the Garmin Montana 700, I mostly use Garmin Basecamp if I’m building a route from scratch or organising a specific trip.

@@trailswales thanks, sounds far too complicated for me 🫢😂

@@jasonball1444haha, you could just use something like Outdooractive or Wiciloks app they are both good and easy to use! You just need to be careful about what “routes” you follow

@@trailswales yeah i use osmand and import gpx files, thanks 👍🏻

Nice 👌 that sounds like a great days riding! Just the sort of summer ride I enjoy doing myself.

Yes I’ve seen a TH-cam video with some guys doing some clearing work for their Jimneys and small 4x4s fair play, it’s still tight in places for trucks anyway 👍 such a good cluster of trails in this area and surrounding areas!

690 Enduro R now…videos coming soon 🔜 bike prep etc…

comparative video !!

I totally agree about the gearing….id also recommend doing the ECU mods etc too, i am not a one bike guy haha I’ve got multiple bikes across the range of bike types 👍👍 sold the GasGas EC700. It was fun on a ton of different terrains, I kept it stock apart from tyres really, I sold it less than 7 months old with baby miles for a bike of its type. Fun whilst it lasted but having had all three of the same bike ktm, Husky, Gasgas….id take the 690 all day long

@@trailswales What was it about the 690 that stood out from the others?

What makes the KTM better than the other 2? ​@@trailswales

Feel the pain! I know exactly what you’re talking about. But, the riding is so good I love it anyway, and when I’m solo riding I’ve got my gate skills dialled! Hey ho Wales / U.K. just what it is! It’s why when we can we ride abroad, Romania / Portugal / Poland all good, far less restrictions and hardly any “get off my land”

Also…just reach out if you want to organise a ride no problem 😉

@@trailswales let's do it man :-) , i am taking a group around dolgellau tomorrow and in rhyader next weekend with trf for two days - i am open after this .

Ok great, I’ve got a route I’ve wanted to do for a while, be good to see how it is before taking others 👍

Hi, where are you based? You are welcome to join for a ride along?? Email gbdar@live.com

It’s bits of a route just highlighting some of a big route really, spread over Mold , Denbigh, Flintshire

I love the trails around these parts 👍 there are so many old routes, tracks and trials etc…I’m piecing together what I can and attempting to make maximum off road time less road time…!! Albeit some of it isn’t “legal” like you said, I’m gone by that time! And main point being…who are we actually hurting / offending, it’s completely silly the whole thing of restricting people from exploring.

@@trailswales It makes me laugh(or choke ) if there's a few quid involved, they don't care about tearing a mountain down for the rock, or mincing everything in sight, to harvest the timber in a forest, but the moment someone wants to use a track,they go berserk, and don't get me started on land ownership! On the other hand there are plenty of irresponsible nutters out there, who do make themselves a nuisance. Noise, damage, and danger, will do for us eventually. The reality is it's an us and them situation, and we don't matter. If you're getting ahead in the game, more power to you!

Haha yes you should come again and do it! Give me a shout 👍

It’s noticeable when you first do the change, especially when full tank as to be expected, but on a positive if it’s just a long range tank your doing for extra miles then quickly you become used to it, it hasn’t stopped me doing difficult hill climbs etc…but if you’re adding luggage options too for long distance trips it really does start to change the dynamics of the bike, and it’s all of a sudden a heavy bike, I’m assuming we are talking about off road riding so I’m thinking about how it’s been for me when I’m on a singletrack and I’ve had to pick it up off the floor on a incline after falling to the side, it’s not the “stock” bike it was but that’s ok if your willing to understand this and work with it, and work out more!! Haha