If your a dirt rider at heart, a 690 is absolutely the bomb. Herding a 500 lb 2 cylinder bike around on dirt isnt for everybody. Although the drama is in the sheer over sized behemoths, big egos can be attracted. I put 20,000 miles on an 890R, great bike not selling it. Then I found a lightly used 21 690. Big fun, instantly used to it on dirt. Doesnt vibrate enough to matter at all. 55+ mpg. Wheelies and slides for days, a big dirtbike. Ive raced and ridden dirtbikes for many years. Had lots of KTM's mostly 2 strokes. My 890 has been 100% trouble free completely.
Yeah man, I wish my 690 was a newer one the vibes on the 2018 are pretty hectic. But if ya not doing big road kms on it, it don't fkn matter really. Good to see another 690 fan, cheers 💪
The KTM 690 and the TW 200 were the only two bikes that ever truly gave me seller's remorse. Both bikes gave me trouble free miles. I'm 77 now and ride a crf300l cause I'm one of those old guys you mentioned that still likes to get out there but have no plans on picking up a frikken T7.
Had a 790 and sold it. Bought a 690 and absolutely love it. You need to do a little bit to them to make them a light adventure bike but they just slay in the bush. With all that power and good handling they are just a riot. Good Vid. Nice tracks.
It truly is the mythical unicorn. I've had my 2015 for 5 years and put 25,000 km on it. Just love the platform and if you can only have one bike, there's nothing better IMHO.
I love this bike. This bike is the unicorn and it is the best rig for romping around the Southwest of the US. Thanks for the content. I really appreciate your commentary and mechanical knowledge. Cheers man.
45 here. Broke my ankle when the T7 fell on it back in 2020. Sold it as soon as the Kove 450 rally came out. No regret ever since. Small bikes are easier to handle and it even made me go back to being fit as it wants to do so much. Best bike ever.
I’m really thinking about that 450. Not that I’m unhappy with my 2017 690, but it’s got 50000 on it and could use a newer bike. My friend has the 450, does seem to track really well and he really enjoys it, just as capable, but definitely not as much torque or power.
Yeah I dunno I went the the bigger bike for a challenge but I did miss the dirt squirter. Surprisingly I never hurt myself (well not seriously) on the T7 but shit I had some close calls. I think I just had it in my mind to get clear of the fuckin' thing as soon as it looked like shit was about to hit the fan. Not always possible I know, I probably just got lucky. Cheers man
The Kove 450 would make a lot more sense than the CF Moto 450 everyone is raving about as it would be at least 20 kg lighter, I have a T7, love it. If I downsized to a 450 I'd want a big weight saving, not a measley 5% over the T7 for nearly half the power. The Kove would make more sense.
I bought my 690 after owning a triumph rally pro for the same reason,too bloody heavy. And same, I absolutely loved my rally pro but it was more of a dirt road and black top machine. Great vid josh
Nice content Josh, thanks for allowing me, the guy that can’t ride anymore due to holding on the throttle around the corner to still enjoy the sport. My XR600 was a Similar unicorn for the era, able to do most things well enough.. although kick start was gayer then aids!! At 65kg I had trouble …. But 65kg on that tank meant it was faster then most of the other boys
Yeah mate, men had to be men in the days of kick starting the big XRs 😂 Extra good times when ya lay it down and flood the carby hahaha. Cheers for the comment mate
Agree with everything you have said about the 690.I owned a 2014/2020 models.I'm missing my 2020,should never have sold it.They will be collectors bikes in time.Cheers.
I have one with a rally tower, range extender and Seat Concepts seat (ok, and more) and did a 4,200 mile ride in the US in May and June this year. It was excellent and didn’t skip a beat. Incredibly light on fuel and a range of over 340 miles on the mix of TAT, BDR and roads. It’s got around 13,000 miles and really no issues. KTM is in crisis because they’ve failed to deal with the 790/890 cam wear issues. I have an 890 Adventure with exactly that. Pisser.
So... I just clicked on the latest installment of your video that came in my feed... and I haven't watched it yet... but here is my comment before watching... YES, YES ,YES... I have considered about 5 different bikes and keep coming back to my 690. Worts and all...
hey , i have a 2023 KTM 690 enduro R , its a awesome bike , i enjoy the bike ,its surprising what its capable of , it will do most things , im now 65 years old , so im finding awesome . i had many brands over the years , and KTMs , enjoy this bike . fun bike , good balance , good power ,always starts , runs well , its a thumbs up for me !!! Cheers Steve /Geraldton
Good Video, and honest appraisal of why the 690 is your Unicorn, I agree 100% with your reasoning. I've been riding small bore Enduros most of my life (65 next Birthday) Raced in the late 70's early 80's in Enduro back in the Day. Over the last 10 years I've moved up in weight and capacity Tenere 660 then to a T7 and recently I went back down in weight and bought a 300 Rally. The best way of putting it I think is on the larger ADV bikes, theres more of a sense of acheivement when negotiating obstacles and finishing a ride, sure its still fun, but on the lighter bike, it's just pure fun. I looked at the Gas Gas 700, but I still have the T7, so opted for the better on road, longer fuel range, slightly lighter 300 and I don't regret it.
Yeah exactly right mate, I did enjoy accomplishing stuff on the bigger bike that seemed hairy at the time (but easy for a smaller bike) and I guess people on YT enjoy watching that shit as well. Sadly though I'm no Mad Mick or Birchy so I'll stick with something a bit more manageable for that kinda fun 💪 cheers
Thx for the vid and I totally get why you bought it, I used to race in younger years then up until a few months ago punt around on single trails, now moving to doing more long distance adventure riding exploring the old explorers tracks and abandoned places over here in WA, so thought I better come back to it to comment. No hate towards the 690, I've had street bikes, mx bikes, dual sports and even a KTM 640SM but for me the T7 vids were more enjoyable to watch, sorry but I always enjoyed the struggles and uncertainty that came with you punting it around, where as because the 690 is a so capable the vids dont quite do it for me so I dont watch them as religiously as b4.
Yer I get it mate, I guess since this is my job I should be doing what people want to see more of, but meh at the end of the day ride what makes ya happy (in the bedroom as well hehe). Appreciate the feedback sir 🍻
You take on this platform pretty much mirrors mine. Did a face off between my 701E and 890R this season. 890R is gone. Just finished a 20 day 5,500 mile back country trip with the 701E. Love the platform and has been dead reliable.
Never understood the hate for this thing either. Every bike has its sweet spot where it likes to be ridden, 690 is no different ... I rarely ride my 890 Adv R now that I have the 690 ... 690 is just the most fun all around bike I've ever had ... always gets the heart pumping!
Since I got the 21 690, my 890R has become more of a road going bike. Which is fine, Ive always ridden street and its great for that. The 690 has the real knobbies and is an absolute blast! As an ex flattracker the 690 fills the bill, slides great, wheelies great, 200 miles of dirt roads of all kinds is easy on it. There's no drama, its just fun! Wont be selling the 890 anytime soon, its been totally reliable for 20,000 miles. A very solid bike.
Cheers Steve, it's good to know there are some 690 die-hards out there still 💪 And cheers for replying to a lot of these comments Brad, I'll have to get you on the payroll 😁
i've got two 690 bikes -2014 super moto and 2021 enduro, and i love'em. like you, i don't understand how many people criticize these bikes. like you, i don't trailer and so, i like riding to trails and riding home. both bikes are loads of fun. i have an 890 rally which is uber capable and the 690, weighing 120lbs (55kgs) less is much more capable. 690 super moto is absolutely the most fun one can have on a motorcycle. it goes anywhere and keeps up with sport bikes in the canyons. one does the dumbest shite on a 690 sumo -total hooliganism. your reasons for selecting 690 is same as mine. btw, i have 50,000 kms combined on both 690's and they've proved very reliable.
Hi Josh Love the Channel, I use to say a few bad things of KTMs. Ended up getting a KTM 690 all the gear I love it. I think like you have said it's got everything & still looks great, & can go all most anywhere. I am 61 best bike I have owned & love it. Cheers
It really is a phenomenal do it all bike! 💪 And yep, the neck ache with the GoPro strapped to the helmet is something I experience...a necessary evil unfortunately!
Gidday Josh, ive got to tell this story, about 5 years ago we went riding with my mates' cousin around his home trails( around Keith in South Australia) now i would class us as above average riders, the tracks for the day were exclusively single track, almost all sand(we are around the Ngarkat conservation park?) well this cousin had just bought a KTM 690, it only had 40 k's on it and still with dual purpose tyres, i was on a 500 excf with nobbies and i couldnt keep up with this guy, a very capable off road dirt bike,mind you he was 20 years younger and riding his local tracks and he could ride but my point is this 690 is more than capable of tight,whoopy and sandy single track, i could only imagine what it could do with nobbies!!! This has always stuck in my mind that the day i get too old for single tracking and perhaps start down the path of Adventure riding i would have NO second thoughts about a 690, but as you say this will depend on the type of riding we might end up doing? more road than dirt etc etc until then i keep on the single tracks, your clip has just confirmed what i saw on the trail, not sure about the reliability but i'll keep reading and watching clips like this, cheers
Good stuff mate, yeah a lot of the die-hard enduro boys write the 690 off as too heavy but meh, it's certainly well capable in the right hands 💪 Thanks for sharing Peter
I am not sure everyone else hate KTM, the right word is "scared" of KTM :):):) All you hear is issues and problems.... granted, most of those that talk never owned a KTM :):):) You have the skills to fix almost everything, that is an asset that is so valuable especially on a trip like you are doing ... Best wishes !!
Thanks - great review. Agree on all points. I currently own a 525exc, Tiger 800 and last week bought a "white KTM" after riding my brother's "orange KTM" 690. I just can't handle the bulk of the Tigger. Lovely bike, reliable, well made, etc. Just too big. I think it comes down to what you cut your teeth on - I also grew up with real off road bikes and spent a lot of time doing what's now referred to as "single track". It's so nice to get back on something lighter that doesn't feel like it wants to kill me every time I leave the road.
I'm sold! I have to be honest, I really like the 690 best of the two (T7) don't get me wrong, you had awesome adventures on the T7, but the KTM690 is more my style for riding and de-watering! ahahah great review Josh!
I have a 2017 690. It’s been a fun and reliable bike with just regular maintenance. After owning it for years now I’ve been thinking about trading it in for the 2024 T7. I hope to use it to visit trails that are further from my home. The smoother running twin should help with the highway riding
If I wasn't fortunate enough to have multiple bikes, I would choose to keep my 690. It's so much fun to hoon around, I'm always tempted to hop curbs or wheelspin through gravel lots - even when it's in the middle of downtown. I bought my 890R for longer trips though, like going to Mexico or the arctic circle, which is kind of why they were built for. I really want to level up my dirt riding skills and thought a 500 EXC would be a better tool for that, but after the first ride I don't really see a huge advantage over the 690 and now I have some buyer's remorse. That being said, I have done so many things to my 690 including properly sprung suspension so maybe I'm just spoiled. Reliability hasn't been an issue either, nor has it been with my few friends who have them. Maybe it's because they know how to take care of their bikes properly and do maintenance jobs more frequently, who knows. Either way thanks for this love letter to the 690, I'm loving the content.
Yeah I hear ya mate, I'm gonna have to rein in the hooning around town before I get in some mischief with the law 😬 Great to see so many 690 fans commenting, cheers 🤘
Agree with all that you have mentioned in this episode. I have the husky and I suppose the bikes change with our personality’s . The 701 is amazing and as you said it’s so much fun , light , powerful , go anywhere & not having to think about getting into deep like the 200kg + bikes . Top job on the designers of this Bike 🏆…. And may it live a long long time 👌
Problem is, I forget that it's not a real enduro bike... and then I go somewhere I shouldn't go, or hit something I shouldn't hit, or just go faster than I should go on it. Bike gets very dangerous and scary very fast. I like the T7. It's comfy, and chill. And I never forget that it's big and heavy and try to do stupid stuff on it. The Husky can go more places than the T7... But really, If I don't want to go there on the T7, I also don't want to go there on the Husky. I want a real, 240 lb or lighter enduro bike with great suspension.
I love my 2021 690 enduro i had T7 aswell an although the bike was awsome its to heavy for the trails that i like to do! Dont listen to the haters the 690 is an amazing machine an the closest thing to a unicorn. Ps still waiting for some 690 merch 😀
Heyyy man I did knock up a 690 tee, I dunno if I like it though it's a bit uninspired but check it out if you want 😬 gear.mvdbr.com/shop/view_product/22236336/MVDBR-KTM-690-Tee (maybe it needs a unicorn in there somewhere haha)
Hey Josh As you know I have been a long time subscriber I have always enjoyed your enduro vids a lot more than the adventure I’m with you mate, not getting any younger but I still much prefer the single trails I’m still on a pure enduro (Sherco 300sef) and I love it 👌 Cheers for bringing back what you enjoy most.
Having the 501 and the T7, I still wish that I had a 701/690 instead of the 501. I put a Cush drive/wheel on the 501 to try to make it into a 701ish bike. So why didn’t I just get a 701 instead? Random great deal on a 501 with 66 miles on it. My riding is different though and I have to ride 800 miles round trip to maintain my relationship with my gal. Had the Pan America, 1290 SA-R, & 890 Adventure before the T7. I had the Acerbis tank put on the T7, along with some electrical work and still the T7 is my Goldilocks bike for the type of riding I do mostly. Planning a trip to Alaska next year. Guess which bike I’m planning to ride? But yes, if I lived where you live and were 10 years younger (I turn 59 soon) then a 690/701/700 would be the weapon of choice. Which is a good reason to watch you ride the 690, living through you vicariously while having my morning coffee.
Haha good on you brother, as I said in the video the T7 is a terrific bike and I miss mine a lot. And it goes without saying, horses for courses. I just hope they keep all our riding areas open so I can keep enjoying this beast as long as I am able 👍👍 cheers
Between the t7 and the 690 there is a 40kg difference. I think that with the t7 you can do more or less everything, including asphalt. To go exclusively off-road, even lighter bikes are better. Personal opinion
Mate ride what you like, if people want to watch your content they will. Agree with your thoughts, I have an 890 and would love to ‘downsize’ to the 690 for these reasons.
💪 don't think you'll regret it, just hope ya don't get one of the lemons I guess there are a few out there. The reliability reports can't totally be made up 😬
lol I loved my 690 when I had it. I feel like the people that hate it aren’t very good off-road and need something smaller to actually be able to handle it.
Yeah I'm not sure what the reasons might be but that could be one of them. To me though the bike feels so light and nimble, but then coming from a twin I guess it should. Cheers
Yikes man, that's nasty. I should be wearing knee braces but I'm an idiot, fuck I hope I never mess up a knee 😢 Hope you're able to get back into it soon man.
@@MVDBR cheers mate 👍🏻 moving to Thailand next month and hoping to speed up recovery in decent weather 🌞I can’t believe how many riders don’t wear knee braces. We spend thousands on our bikes and other gear but as in my case, a 5 mph slip on wet grass can change your life 😥 Surely one of the manufacturers or dealers will provide for review?
That is actually a good point that adventure riding makes your back and neck sore. It's bit more like sitting at a desk compared to riding singletrack or ripping on double track.
Yeah I initially had a whole big spiel about the differences, more moving around on the bike etc but cut it out cause the video was already too long haha. But yeah I definitely ache after adventure riding, with the little bike it's more muscle pain but I don't mind that cause it's keeping me a bit fit 💪 cheers
Yeah good video Josh thanks for the info I have a 500exc and a 1090r which I love looking for something in the middle like a 690 or a 701LR so the 500exc is going on the market and I do say the 1090r follow and some stage
I live in remote Colorado, USA and totally agree with you. Even though the 690R can successfully navigate the I-70 Interstate with people driving very fast, most of my riding pavement to my favorite off-rad trails, there in no need to ride faster than 75mph. Since my name is not Chris Birch or Adam Riemann, my 2017 KTM 1090R is too heavy for serious off-road exploration given my skill level, and my previous KTM 350 and 500 EXC-F's were not powerful enough to ride at 75mph on pavement to get to the trails. I will never sell the hot rod 1090R in the garage, but my next build is going to be a new 690R. Great video, thanks for sharing!
Full disclosure; I’ve hardly been out on a bike the past few months but in that, I’ve only ridden the T7 once since getting the GASGAS 700. Fortunate for me I can keep both but yeah the T7 is now gathering dust and the GG is my donkey 🫏 Hey Josh, ya should go take an MT450 for a test ride and tell us what you think!!!
Hey Josh! I don't think there is any real hatred towards the 690, and it's clear why you chose it for the type of riding you do, but... I used to own one (loved/hated it), sold it, bought the T7 while my brother bought a new 701. We rode together this summer and, in places, the T7 can feel like an unwieldy pig (I'm a crap rider). I tried his bike and for me it is a closed chapter. The 690 has been in production since 2008, bloody 16 years (!!!), and the Austrians have never bothered to update the platform (even Rolls-Royce changes its models more often). They had countless opportunities to improve many aspects, from ergonomics to the ability to carry fuel or luggage. Had they developed it into something like the AJP P7, I would have been the first to put down a deposit. Never mind. Lets enjoy what we have. Love your vids!
Haha thanks mate, yeah there are definitely some things I would change about the 690 (wider gear ratios and put the exhaust on the proper side for starters haha) but mate for what it is, it's a ripper bike 💪 cheers
@@MVDBR Why do you keep bringing up the exhaust being on the wrong side? I know you're mostly joking, but is there an actual reason behind it? The one thing I just thought of was the one time I overfilled the gas tank by accident - since the bike was on the stand, the gas overflowed ONTO the hot muffler since it's on the stand side. I was terrified it was going to go up, especially with the stock muffler!
@@mattkaymoto it just doesn't look right to me 😵💫 plus I feel like the usual bike design balances the weight of the exhaust against the chain and sprockets but I guess if you've got an aftermarket exhaust there's fuck all weight in it anyway
@@MVDBR Fair enough, I'm not used to enduro bikes so it doesn't look odd, but I think the overflowing gas situation is definitely a reason to put it on the other side!
The 690/701/700 ticks most boxes. For what it is designed for it excels in spades. Sadly It is too tall for me, otherwise I would probably have one myself. It's got shit tons of power, with suspension and handling to match. You said it Josh man, It's all about the fun factor, and the 690 eats FUN for breakfast then spits it out on trails. We all know why you love the bike, It's exactly what suits you, and your not the Lone Ranger mate. Regards FPPete.
Interesting that you're talking about hate for the 690. Other than the price, I've basically seen nothing but universal praise for it, especially from the more reputable guys.
Maybe not hate, probably more boredom or disinterest. Not for riding it, just for watching people on it on TH-cam. I guess it's not as exciting as seeing Pol railing crazy shit on a T7 or the crazy shit the real enduros get up to, but at the end of the day the 690 is a fkn fun and capable bike. I guess it's one of those "if you know, you know" scenarios. Cheers
@MVDBR yeah fair enough mate. I'd definitely buy one if I could afford it. I think most of us just need to be realistic about how good we actually aren't, and what kind of riding we actually do. To me, the idea of a no frills lightweight bike that I can ride on and off road pretty well with plenty of torque and proven reliability sounds like the perfect bike. The other thing about Pol on that T7 is that his is about 180ish kg with plenty of suspension mods. It's not a bike you can buy off a showroom floor.
I’m with you mate. Just sold T7 and bought a 701. T7 great bike but too heavy and I’m too old! So 701 is a compromise and I’ll be able to get back to nature so to speak…..
Great to hear your thoughts on this bike (which I think is a blast). However, it's not 50-60 kg lighter than the T7 as you said at 2:55. It's 40-45 kg lighter (which is still a lot).
A 690 is about 120 lbs lighter than an 890R. But it feels like 150 lbs lighter. Way narrower and more compact. A 690 is a big dirtbike. A T7 or 890R you always know your on something big. Dont let the big ones land on you.
Hey mate, love the video just got a 690 R myself 2015 and I’m loving life!! What windshield are you running up front? Would you mind letting me know or share link, only downside of the bike is the front guard flapping in the crosswind! I’m staying to find a super moto style short stout Guard to stop the head steam wobbles at speed getting to trails on the highways! Love the bike! Happy trails mate 🤙🏽
Yeah the fender wobble can be a problem 😁 This is a list of all the mods done to my bike mate, there is a link to the screen on there somewhere. Cheers mvdbr.com/690-enduro/
Champion mate much appreciated! Want the Rade Garage front end eventually but prefer to have some coin for some rides trips before I splash out on that premium front end! Thanks for the link! Love the videos mate keep ‘em coming! 🤙🏽😁🇦🇺
It is a cracking bike that utterly suits your requirements... TBH, if it had the same seat height as my Tuareg, I'd be very tempted to do the same, but it is a tall beasty and the only way to get it that low is to lower the ground clearance and I would not want to do that as it messes up the handling so badly (as well as makes the bike less capable in the trails).
Yeah that's it mate, that's why I put up with the stock height. But being so light I hardly ever seem to drop it anyway 🙏 I probably do have an extra inch on the 2 outer legs than you though haha 😁 Cheers Pete
Your ktm 690 sounds sweet as just having a nice ride mate they are good bikes, id have got 1 if i didnt come from mx background and want the lighter feel and options with the dedicated offroad enduro ktm 530 was bit cheaper also i live close to the teacks so travels not too much an issue unless i wanna go mega farther away
@MVDBR I've gone back to enduro riding and I brought a tm en300es two stroke in 2022. it's a Italian enduro bike. Whit registration. I don't ride on the road anymore
I have been trying to test ride this bike for some years, I'm waiting for a call to go test ride it. personally I think it is Maybe the best bike for someone that comes from the Honda XR 650r and other kind of bikes like that, that offer off road power and can still ride good enough on the street, and youcan do wheelies, the only thing that is negative is the reputation, it has been reported failures on the water pump and on the radiator and and one thing about the hydraulic clutch, so for me it is a matter of reliability because a bike with this weight and 74 horsepower on the paper is the best thing you can find and maintenance is just very near like a Honda xr650r. have you ever had mechanical problems with your bike?
He has not. He bought it used from a friend who did all the minimum stuff you have to do to make it dead reliable (such as fitting another clutch slave cylinder, stuff like that). That’s what I would do as well if I was in the market for one. Buy a fairly cheap and well maintained/looked after 25000ish km on the odometer.
As I mentioned in the vid, the instrument cluster shit itself after I crashed into a log, but other than that it's been a beaut. A lot of stuff was done to mine when I bought it such as the Oberon clutch slave, Japanese fuel pump, Perun Moto subframe bolt kit, fuelling dongle, side stand switch delete, and the better fuel filler. And I agree it's a good update to the old XR and even DR 👌
I see here in the US that a 2017-ish 690R might cost $3k less than a similarly accessorized 2019+ on the used market. Is the current 2019+ generation w/less vibration worth the extra money?
Probably depends how much road/dirt road riding you'll be doing. I will admit I hate the vibration of my 2018 on the road, but don't really notice it in the fun stuff. I've ridden a newer one and yeah the vibes are a LOT less.
I've got a 500excf and just can't see how the 690/701 fits into my garage. I've got a 1250gsa and a wr250r as well. I'm looking for something else but struggling to make an argument for the 690/701. The maintenance on enduro bikes is a bit of a myth too. I still want one but just seems like an enduro with too much weight.
I’ve got 50000 trouble free on my 2017 690, great fun but over the years my riding has gone to 99% off road, so I’m definitely considering the 500 too. Seems like a fantastic bike for trails. Not unhappy with the 690 though, so I’m not sure if a 350 might be better and keep the 690.
Yeah I don't think owning a 500 & 690 would be practical, and which one definitely depends on how many km you wanna do and how rough your preferred terrain is 🤷
Nice comparison between this and the T7. But it now has me wondering how an AJP PR7 would compare… but heck, who am I kidding, I am having a blast on my DRZ, and the only drawback I am having at present with it is the fuel range.
Yeah there were a few things that put me off the AJP, I can't remember what they were off the top of my head (old age sucks haha) but I'm pretty sure the price was one of them 😬
@@radleytube yeah, though less power is not necessarily a bad thing. For me it’s more about long term reliability and easy maintenance. Which is why I currently drive my DRZ.
I haven't done the whole Simpson but recently rode it solo from Birdsville to Poeppel Corner and back 👌 th-cam.com/video/NflyDgobRaY/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/EPtadztm7qg/w-d-xo.html
I’m on a 250 road trail and my favourite riding is single trail and light enduro! My bike isn’t loved either but it’s perfect for the riding I’m into. Long road rides just aren’t interesting to me..
Most do it all platform out there. The 690, 701 gas es700 Ride single track Ride the simpson Ride it around the world Put super moto wheels on give the sports boys a run. 5000km sevice as simple as a hammer and every bit as tough.
You definitely going against the hype dropping the T7 with the 690 and you know it but life is too short. Ride the bike that brings you the most fun. Also I have to agree on the T7, 73 HP on the 220kg top heavy bike is boring especially on the road. suspensions suck Offroad even the extreme but yeah reliability...blablabla but frankly never had an issue on my 690. Right now I am at a happy place if you can have 2 bikes: 500 & 890. So many good bikes now pick your poison
I havent ridden a T7, but yeah the numbers. Not that much HP, and not really light. Ive seen high 60's on HP for a T7. Meaning a 690 is comparable or faster on power to weight. The T7 suspension is typical economy japanese stuff. The gas tank is up high and needs to be bigger. The seat is skinny. Money will be spent.
I'm surprised to hear you say the T7 is cooler. I think it's reliable in the same way a Toyota Camry is, but definitely not cool. It's a very uninspiring bike. With all the aftermarket stuff available for the 690/701, it's a definite weapon, and you can see that in many who ride them.
Agreed. The T7 is a wonderful bike, but my Rottweiler tuned Yosh R-77 can equipped 701 is like that bad influence buddy who keeps buying ya shots at the local dive bar. I have a hard time not hoisting wheelies all over the place, harassing sport bikes in the canyons and riding it like moron, and I'm 62 and supposedly mature 😂In my world that kind of "bad influence" is cool.
The T7 is cool in that to me it's like the bike version of my old V8 Monaro, it sounds sweet and looks great. The 690 sounds like a can of rocks, but yeah I hear ya the 690 is a hoon machine 🤘
I have 2 bikes f800gs and a old trusted drz400. The 800gs doesn't get out much because for me the drz is my unicorn. It sits on the road ok but not that good but when we hit the dirt it is very capable. I also like the more technical side of adv riding.
So you haven't seen the videos of where people are taking the T7 then? I just did a steep rock strewn muddy rutted track into an abandoned gold mine in the weekend, fully loaded with camping gear and it handled it great. No way you'd get a roadbike in there.
If the bike you own doesnt make you grin when you ride , or look at it in the shed then you have the WRONG BIKE 😁 loved my DR650 Buuut didnt have the GRIN factor , the TTR250 had a good Grin factor BUT the DRZ400e gives me the SHITS and GIGGLES 🤣😂( Shits when i give er and Giggles when i survive er) 🙃👍 each rider has to make the hard decision on what bike does it for them 😁👌 Keep well Josh 😉🍺 ps going to make a coffee and go look at my bike and GRIN like the idiot i am 🤣😮
I did 51,000 miles on a modded DR650, always had fun on it every ride. But my 690........................dang, it is a whole nuther thing. I can pitch it sideways on lots of corners on dirt, wheelie it, thrash it and its like the bike wants more. The DR would slap me down doing those things. Like a station wagon being forced to do tricks. Very different bikes.
@@MVDBR had a bloke offer me a ride on his 690 5 years ago and i had to say NO as i know that if i had ridden it i would have been in love with it and knowing that i would never been able to afford one 😥 was safer to NOT ride one 🤣👍
Insightful ... smaller bikes are better in the dirt, who would have thunk it? Just a matter of deciding what type of riding you want to do and get the tool for it. T7's show that collective madness is a thing. So many people I know have injured themselves on heavy bikes, then they get a small one, then they start getting bigger ones again! Rinse repeat.
It's not the bike, it's the brand. KTM are having some reliability issues. Aus bloke on YT went through 2 engines. I was set to get one but KTM are in a funk and losing sales. This would be better than a T7, but the T7 will do 300k klms with a single issue. In the bush that's a big one for me.
Heck people will also by KIa and hyundai vehicles. So there has to be a few fools who willby crap KTM's as they have been known for poor reliability for 20+ years. I had 1. It siezed 2 times in under 8 hours. KTM never said what the cause(s) was if they knew. Never go on a longer ride alone on a KTM, street or off-road. It is a no brainer unless one like walking.
This is my 2nd KTM, my 500EXC gave me zero issues (my WR450F was honestly more trouble) and the 690 has been solid as a rock so far. Not saying there aren't lemons out there but my experience has been positive so far 🤷
If your a dirt rider at heart, a 690 is absolutely the bomb.
Herding a 500 lb 2 cylinder bike around on dirt isnt for everybody.
Although the drama is in the sheer over sized behemoths, big egos can be attracted.
I put 20,000 miles on an 890R, great bike not selling it. Then I found a lightly used 21 690.
Big fun, instantly used to it on dirt. Doesnt vibrate enough to matter at all.
55+ mpg. Wheelies and slides for days, a big dirtbike. Ive raced and ridden dirtbikes for many years.
Had lots of KTM's mostly 2 strokes. My 890 has been 100% trouble free completely.
Yeah man, I wish my 690 was a newer one the vibes on the 2018 are pretty hectic. But if ya not doing big road kms on it, it don't fkn matter really. Good to see another 690 fan, cheers 💪
The KTM 690 and the TW 200 were the only two bikes that ever truly gave me seller's remorse. Both bikes gave me trouble free miles. I'm 77 now and ride a crf300l cause I'm one of those old guys you mentioned that still likes to get out there but have no plans on picking up a frikken T7.
Good on you mate 💪 Hope I can still swing a leg over at 77 😍
The 690 is awesome for sure. Valve and plug maintenance are stupid easy!😁 12k miles on mine and I have no plans to sell.
Ah good to know about the valves! I hadn't actually looked into it yet, cheers 👍👍
Had a 790 and sold it. Bought a 690 and absolutely love it. You need to do a little bit to them to make them a light adventure bike but they just slay in the bush. With all that power and good handling they are just a riot. Good Vid. Nice tracks.
Fuckin aye, good stuff man 💪
It truly is the mythical unicorn. I've had my 2015 for 5 years and put 25,000 km on it. Just love the platform and if you can only have one bike, there's nothing better IMHO.
Agreed mate 100%
Out of the 8 bikes I've owned I had the most memorable time on the 690 Enduro
So good to hear 🤘🤘
the platform is amazing - i don't know anyone who hates it
💪💪
@@ogasi1798 me. I hate it XD
And Jimmy Lewis, who has more credibility, isn't a big fan, and would rather ride just about anything else.
Great ride Josh. I've got a 690 for the same reasons from a T7 😁👍
👍👍
I love this bike. This bike is the unicorn and it is the best rig for romping around the Southwest of the US. Thanks for the content. I really appreciate your commentary and mechanical knowledge. Cheers man.
Hey thanks bro, appreciate it 🤘🤘
45 here. Broke my ankle when the T7 fell on it back in 2020. Sold it as soon as the Kove 450 rally came out. No regret ever since. Small bikes are easier to handle and it even made me go back to being fit as it wants to do so much. Best bike ever.
I’m really thinking about that 450. Not that I’m unhappy with my 2017 690, but it’s got 50000 on it and could use a newer bike. My friend has the 450, does seem to track really well and he really enjoys it, just as capable, but definitely not as much torque or power.
Yeah I dunno I went the the bigger bike for a challenge but I did miss the dirt squirter. Surprisingly I never hurt myself (well not seriously) on the T7 but shit I had some close calls. I think I just had it in my mind to get clear of the fuckin' thing as soon as it looked like shit was about to hit the fan. Not always possible I know, I probably just got lucky. Cheers man
The Kove 450 would make a lot more sense than the CF Moto 450 everyone is raving about as it would be at least 20 kg lighter, I have a T7, love it. If I downsized to a 450 I'd want a big weight saving, not a measley 5% over the T7 for nearly half the power. The Kove would make more sense.
I bought my 690 after owning a triumph rally pro for the same reason,too bloody heavy.
And same, I absolutely loved my rally pro but it was more of a dirt road and black top machine.
Great vid josh
Cheers man! Glad there are a few 690 fans out there still! 💪
I'm older and still love the hard shit too! Thanks Josh.
Cheers Paul 💪
Nice content Josh, thanks for allowing me, the guy that can’t ride anymore due to holding on the throttle around the corner to still enjoy the sport.
My XR600 was a Similar unicorn for the era, able to do most things well enough.. although kick start was gayer then aids!! At 65kg I had trouble …. But 65kg on that tank meant it was faster then most of the other boys
Yeah mate, men had to be men in the days of kick starting the big XRs 😂 Extra good times when ya lay it down and flood the carby hahaha. Cheers for the comment mate
Great stuff Josh, yup old guys and there adventure bikes, I have had thought about down sizing but man I love the power of my big girl 😂😂
Mate I hear ya, power is king 💪
Agree with everything you have said about the 690.I owned a 2014/2020 models.I'm missing my 2020,should never have sold it.They will be collectors bikes in time.Cheers.
What the hell did you replace it with BK?
Cheers Josh. Great video and I enjoyed your comments 🤘🏻🦄
U make some very strong points
Ah there he is 😎 Cheers dude
@@MVDBR Too bad we live so far away. I would like to ride with u 🇨🇦
@@rmichael9185 yeah man there's a whole bunch of maddogs in USA/Canada etc I'd be stoked to meet & ride with 🤘 cheers bro
I have one with a rally tower, range extender and Seat Concepts seat (ok, and more) and did a 4,200 mile ride in the US in May and June this year. It was excellent and didn’t skip a beat. Incredibly light on fuel and a range of over 340 miles on the mix of TAT, BDR and roads. It’s got around 13,000 miles and really no issues. KTM is in crisis because they’ve failed to deal with the 790/890 cam wear issues. I have an 890 Adventure with exactly that. Pisser.
Yikes, yeah not good for them that's for sure. I hope they don't go down the gurgler, they really do make some nice bikes when they're on form 👌
So... I just clicked on the latest installment of your video that came in my feed... and I haven't watched it yet... but here is my comment before watching...
YES, YES ,YES... I have considered about 5 different bikes and keep coming back to my 690. Worts and all...
💪💪
hey , i have a 2023 KTM 690 enduro R , its a awesome bike , i enjoy the bike ,its surprising what its capable of , it will do most things , im now 65 years old , so im finding awesome . i had many brands over the years , and KTMs , enjoy this bike . fun bike , good balance , good power ,always starts , runs well , its a thumbs up for me !!! Cheers Steve /Geraldton
Good on ya Steve, definitely hard to beat em for this kinda stuff 💪
Good Video, and honest appraisal of why the 690 is your Unicorn, I agree 100% with your reasoning. I've been riding small bore Enduros most of my life (65 next Birthday) Raced in the late 70's early 80's in Enduro back in the Day. Over the last 10 years I've moved up in weight and capacity Tenere 660 then to a T7 and recently I went back down in weight and bought a 300 Rally. The best way of putting it I think is on the larger ADV bikes, theres more of a sense of acheivement when negotiating obstacles and finishing a ride, sure its still fun, but on the lighter bike, it's just pure fun. I looked at the Gas Gas 700, but I still have the T7, so opted for the better on road, longer fuel range, slightly lighter 300 and I don't regret it.
Yeah exactly right mate, I did enjoy accomplishing stuff on the bigger bike that seemed hairy at the time (but easy for a smaller bike) and I guess people on YT enjoy watching that shit as well. Sadly though I'm no Mad Mick or Birchy so I'll stick with something a bit more manageable for that kinda fun 💪 cheers
T7 is a cool bike, but you made a good choice. It's all about having the most fun. Great video. Thanks for the entertainment.
Exactly right, cheers Glenn 👌
Thx for the vid and I totally get why you bought it, I used to race in younger years then up until a few months ago punt around on single trails, now moving to doing more long distance adventure riding exploring the old explorers tracks and abandoned places over here in WA, so thought I better come back to it to comment.
No hate towards the 690, I've had street bikes, mx bikes, dual sports and even a KTM 640SM but for me the T7 vids were more enjoyable to watch, sorry but I always enjoyed the struggles and uncertainty that came with you punting it around, where as because the 690 is a so capable the vids dont quite do it for me so I dont watch them as religiously as b4.
Yer I get it mate, I guess since this is my job I should be doing what people want to see more of, but meh at the end of the day ride what makes ya happy (in the bedroom as well hehe). Appreciate the feedback sir 🍻
You take on this platform pretty much mirrors mine. Did a face off between my 701E and 890R this season. 890R is gone. Just finished a 20 day 5,500 mile back country trip with the 701E. Love the platform and has been dead reliable.
Good stuff man! 💪💪
Never understood the hate for this thing either. Every bike has its sweet spot where it likes to be ridden, 690 is no different ... I rarely ride my 890 Adv R now that I have the 690 ... 690 is just the most fun all around bike I've ever had ... always gets the heart pumping!
Since I got the 21 690, my 890R has become more of a road going bike.
Which is fine, Ive always ridden street and its great for that. The 690 has the real knobbies and is an absolute blast!
As an ex flattracker the 690 fills the bill, slides great, wheelies great, 200 miles of dirt roads of all kinds is easy on it.
There's no drama, its just fun! Wont be selling the 890 anytime soon, its been totally reliable for 20,000 miles.
A very solid bike.
Cheers Steve, it's good to know there are some 690 die-hards out there still 💪
And cheers for replying to a lot of these comments Brad, I'll have to get you on the payroll 😁
i've got two 690 bikes -2014 super moto and 2021 enduro, and i love'em. like you, i don't understand how many people criticize these bikes. like you, i don't trailer and so, i like riding to trails and riding home. both bikes are loads of fun. i have an 890 rally which is uber capable and the 690, weighing 120lbs (55kgs) less is much more capable. 690 super moto is absolutely the most fun one can have on a motorcycle. it goes anywhere and keeps up with sport bikes in the canyons. one does the dumbest shite on a 690 sumo -total hooliganism. your reasons for selecting 690 is same as mine. btw, i have 50,000 kms combined on both 690's and they've proved very reliable.
Nice mate! Thanks for sharing, the 690 sumo would be an absolute hoot 🤘 cheers
Hi Josh
Love the Channel, I use to say a few bad things of KTMs.
Ended up getting a KTM 690 all the gear I love it.
I think like you have said it's got everything & still looks great, & can go all most anywhere.
I am 61 best bike I have owned & love it.
Cheers
Good stuff mate! Definitely a lot of 690 fans dropping comments on this vid, love it cheers 🤘🤘
It really is a phenomenal do it all bike! 💪
And yep, the neck ache with the GoPro strapped to the helmet is something I experience...a necessary evil unfortunately!
Try whacking a power bank on the back as well 😢 lol the things we do that no one appreciates mate 😂
Gidday Josh, ive got to tell this story, about 5 years ago we went riding with my mates' cousin around his home trails( around Keith in South Australia) now i would class us as above average riders, the tracks for the day were exclusively single track, almost all sand(we are around the Ngarkat conservation park?) well this cousin had just bought a KTM 690, it only had 40 k's on it and still with dual purpose tyres, i was on a 500 excf with nobbies and i couldnt keep up with this guy, a very capable off road dirt bike,mind you he was 20 years younger and riding his local tracks and he could ride but my point is this 690 is more than capable of tight,whoopy and sandy single track, i could only imagine what it could do with nobbies!!! This has always stuck in my mind that the day i get too old for single tracking and perhaps start down the path of Adventure riding i would have NO second thoughts about a 690, but as you say this will depend on the type of riding we might end up doing? more road than dirt etc etc until then i keep on the single tracks, your clip has just confirmed what i saw on the trail, not sure about the reliability but i'll keep reading and watching clips like this, cheers
Good stuff mate, yeah a lot of the die-hard enduro boys write the 690 off as too heavy but meh, it's certainly well capable in the right hands 💪 Thanks for sharing Peter
Hey josh, yer the reason I got the husky was my t7 was to heavy after my off in the woods, keep on keepin on mate, send it 👋🤠👍
Only one comment on this video Cliffy what the fuck mate 😂😉 Cheers Cob
@@MVDBR am always loyal to decent content mate ,to a true friend in another country mate .
@@cliff1551 😍😍
I am not sure everyone else hate KTM, the right word is "scared" of KTM :):):) All you hear is issues and problems.... granted, most of those that talk never owned a KTM :):):) You have the skills to fix almost everything, that is an asset that is so valuable especially on a trip like you are doing ... Best wishes !!
Haha thanks man 🤘🤘
My old ktm 2008 530 excf is an absolute pleasure to ride EVERYWHERE wont change.
They are cool bikes, I loved my 500 😎😎
Thanks - great review. Agree on all points. I currently own a 525exc, Tiger 800 and last week bought a "white KTM" after riding my brother's "orange KTM" 690. I just can't handle the bulk of the Tigger. Lovely bike, reliable, well made, etc. Just too big. I think it comes down to what you cut your teeth on - I also grew up with real off road bikes and spent a lot of time doing what's now referred to as "single track". It's so nice to get back on something lighter that doesn't feel like it wants to kill me every time I leave the road.
Good stuff mate 🤘🤘
I'm sold! I have to be honest, I really like the 690 best of the two (T7) don't get me wrong, you had awesome adventures on the T7, but the KTM690 is more my style for riding and de-watering! ahahah great review Josh!
Definitely better for the de-soupifying 😎❤
Good on ya Joshy, great to see ya in the bush. Loved the downhill stealth riding :) Glad I didn't take the Africa Twin down that hill :P
690 would pull you out 😬 hahaha cheers Cam 🤘
@@MVDBR LOL
I have a 2017 690. It’s been a fun and reliable bike with just regular maintenance. After owning it for years now I’ve been thinking about trading it in for the 2024 T7. I hope to use it to visit trails that are further from my home. The smoother running twin should help with the highway riding
Even a newer 690 would probably be alright, much less vibration and keep the off-road capability 😎
try 2019+ 690 before deciding
If I wasn't fortunate enough to have multiple bikes, I would choose to keep my 690. It's so much fun to hoon around, I'm always tempted to hop curbs or wheelspin through gravel lots - even when it's in the middle of downtown.
I bought my 890R for longer trips though, like going to Mexico or the arctic circle, which is kind of why they were built for. I really want to level up my dirt riding skills and thought a 500 EXC would be a better tool for that, but after the first ride I don't really see a huge advantage over the 690 and now I have some buyer's remorse. That being said, I have done so many things to my 690 including properly sprung suspension so maybe I'm just spoiled.
Reliability hasn't been an issue either, nor has it been with my few friends who have them. Maybe it's because they know how to take care of their bikes properly and do maintenance jobs more frequently, who knows.
Either way thanks for this love letter to the 690, I'm loving the content.
Yeah I hear ya mate, I'm gonna have to rein in the hooning around town before I get in some mischief with the law 😬 Great to see so many 690 fans commenting, cheers 🤘
Agree with all that you have mentioned in this episode. I have the husky and I suppose the bikes change with our personality’s . The 701 is amazing and as you said it’s so much fun , light , powerful , go anywhere & not having to think about getting into deep like the 200kg + bikes . Top job on the designers of this Bike 🏆…. And may it live a long long time 👌
Problem is, I forget that it's not a real enduro bike... and then I go somewhere I shouldn't go, or hit something I shouldn't hit, or just go faster than I should go on it. Bike gets very dangerous and scary very fast.
I like the T7. It's comfy, and chill. And I never forget that it's big and heavy and try to do stupid stuff on it.
The Husky can go more places than the T7... But really, If I don't want to go there on the T7, I also don't want to go there on the Husky. I want a real, 240 lb or lighter enduro bike with great suspension.
It's a super fun machine, I loved my T7 but the 690 is fun on a whole other level 🤷 cheers
I love my 2021 690 enduro i had T7 aswell an although the bike was awsome its to heavy for the trails that i like to do! Dont listen to the haters the 690 is an amazing machine an the closest thing to a unicorn.
Ps still waiting for some 690 merch 😀
Heyyy man I did knock up a 690 tee, I dunno if I like it though it's a bit uninspired but check it out if you want 😬 gear.mvdbr.com/shop/view_product/22236336/MVDBR-KTM-690-Tee (maybe it needs a unicorn in there somewhere haha)
Hey Josh
As you know I have been a long time subscriber
I have always enjoyed your enduro vids a lot more than the adventure
I’m with you mate, not getting any younger but I still much prefer the single trails
I’m still on a pure enduro (Sherco 300sef) and I love it 👌
Cheers for bringing back what you enjoy most.
Onya Jimmy (that's the 4-stroke 300 yeah?)
@@MVDBR yeah mate, the 4-stroke.
This thing is so much fun to ride
Light, fast and nimble
What more do you want
👍
Having the 501 and the T7, I still wish that I had a 701/690 instead of the 501. I put a Cush drive/wheel on the 501 to try to make it into a 701ish bike. So why didn’t I just get a 701 instead? Random great deal on a 501 with 66 miles on it.
My riding is different though and I have to ride 800 miles round trip to maintain my relationship with my gal. Had the Pan America, 1290 SA-R, & 890 Adventure before the T7. I had the Acerbis tank put on the T7, along with some electrical work and still the T7 is my Goldilocks bike for the type of riding I do mostly.
Planning a trip to Alaska next year. Guess which bike I’m planning to ride?
But yes, if I lived where you live and were 10 years younger (I turn 59 soon) then a 690/701/700 would be the weapon of choice. Which is a good reason to watch you ride the 690, living through you vicariously while having my morning coffee.
Haha good on you brother, as I said in the video the T7 is a terrific bike and I miss mine a lot. And it goes without saying, horses for courses. I just hope they keep all our riding areas open so I can keep enjoying this beast as long as I am able 👍👍 cheers
@@MVDBR That’s a huge concern over here, keeping lands open, for any motorized sport. We can’t even keep out door archery ranges open.
@@pinkiewerewolf the fun police are out to spoil it for everyone 😭
@@MVDBR That’s the truth! Cameras everywhere, reduced speed to ridiculously low numbers, on & on it goes.
Between the t7 and the 690 there is a 40kg difference. I think that with the t7 you can do more or less everything, including asphalt.
To go exclusively off-road, even lighter bikes are better.
Personal opinion
Yeah I get that, but man that weight makes a big difference. It all comes down to what your personal priorities are in the end 👍
Mate ride what you like, if people want to watch your content they will. Agree with your thoughts, I have an 890 and would love to ‘downsize’ to the 690 for these reasons.
💪 don't think you'll regret it, just hope ya don't get one of the lemons I guess there are a few out there. The reliability reports can't totally be made up 😬
lol I loved my 690 when I had it. I feel like the people that hate it aren’t very good off-road and need something smaller to actually be able to handle it.
Yeah I'm not sure what the reasons might be but that could be one of them. To me though the bike feels so light and nimble, but then coming from a twin I guess it should. Cheers
Surprised about the hate. I loved my 690 - 100,000kms all over OZ 👀
Yeah seems like the 690 lovers are coming out of the woodwork, great to see. Maybe my perceptions were wrong 🤘
I love them
Ive seen guys online that have 3 690's. Fanatics. No one else builds a bike like a 690.
Although Ducati is trying.
690 is a beast 👊
And yes, perish the thought of not riding again. I’m 15 months into knee ligament rehab 😫😫
Yikes man, that's nasty. I should be wearing knee braces but I'm an idiot, fuck I hope I never mess up a knee 😢 Hope you're able to get back into it soon man.
@@MVDBR cheers mate 👍🏻 moving to Thailand next month and hoping to speed up recovery in decent weather 🌞I can’t believe how many riders don’t wear knee braces. We spend thousands on our bikes and other gear but as in my case, a 5 mph slip on wet grass can change your life 😥
Surely one of the manufacturers or dealers will provide for review?
That is actually a good point that adventure riding makes your back and neck sore. It's bit more like sitting at a desk compared to riding singletrack or ripping on double track.
Yeah I initially had a whole big spiel about the differences, more moving around on the bike etc but cut it out cause the video was already too long haha. But yeah I definitely ache after adventure riding, with the little bike it's more muscle pain but I don't mind that cause it's keeping me a bit fit 💪 cheers
Yeah good video Josh thanks for the info I have a 500exc and a 1090r which I love looking for something in the middle like a 690 or a 701LR so the 500exc is going on the market and I do say the 1090r follow and some stage
Don't think you'll be disappointed with the 690/701 platform man 👍👍 cheers
I live in remote Colorado, USA and totally agree with you. Even though the 690R can successfully navigate the I-70 Interstate with people driving very fast, most of my riding pavement to my favorite off-rad trails, there in no need to ride faster than 75mph. Since my name is not Chris Birch or Adam Riemann, my 2017 KTM 1090R is too heavy for serious off-road exploration given my skill level, and my previous KTM 350 and 500 EXC-F's were not powerful enough to ride at 75mph on pavement to get to the trails. I will never sell the hot rod 1090R in the garage, but my next build is going to be a new 690R. Great video, thanks for sharing!
Cheers brother, up the mighty 690 💪
Don't you mean Jarvis ! Those other two are big headed amateurs.
Full disclosure; I’ve hardly been out on a bike the past few months but in that, I’ve only ridden the T7 once since getting the GASGAS 700. Fortunate for me I can keep both but yeah the T7 is now gathering dust and the GG is my donkey 🫏
Hey Josh, ya should go take an MT450 for a test ride and tell us what you think!!!
Where can I get my hands on one? 😎 Cheers Cal glad you're enjoying the GasGas mate, fkn get out and ride the mofo 💪
Hey mate lovin the vids have a 2015 myself , what are the bags you running? Cheers
Cheers man, Nelson-Rigg Trail's End Lite tank bag and the one on the back is a fender bag, there's links and pics on this page: mvdbr.com/690-enduro 🤘
Hey Josh!
I don't think there is any real hatred towards the 690, and it's clear why you chose it for the type of riding you do, but... I used to own one (loved/hated it), sold it, bought the T7 while my brother bought a new 701. We rode together this summer and, in places, the T7 can feel like an unwieldy pig (I'm a crap rider). I tried his bike and for me it is a closed chapter.
The 690 has been in production since 2008, bloody 16 years (!!!), and the Austrians have never bothered to update the platform (even Rolls-Royce changes its models more often). They had countless opportunities to improve many aspects, from ergonomics to the ability to carry fuel or luggage. Had they developed it into something like the AJP P7, I would have been the first to put down a deposit.
Never mind. Lets enjoy what we have. Love your vids!
Haha thanks mate, yeah there are definitely some things I would change about the 690 (wider gear ratios and put the exhaust on the proper side for starters haha) but mate for what it is, it's a ripper bike 💪 cheers
@@MVDBR Why do you keep bringing up the exhaust being on the wrong side? I know you're mostly joking, but is there an actual reason behind it? The one thing I just thought of was the one time I overfilled the gas tank by accident - since the bike was on the stand, the gas overflowed ONTO the hot muffler since it's on the stand side. I was terrified it was going to go up, especially with the stock muffler!
@@mattkaymoto it just doesn't look right to me 😵💫 plus I feel like the usual bike design balances the weight of the exhaust against the chain and sprockets but I guess if you've got an aftermarket exhaust there's fuck all weight in it anyway
@@MVDBR Fair enough, I'm not used to enduro bikes so it doesn't look odd, but I think the overflowing gas situation is definitely a reason to put it on the other side!
The 690/701/700 ticks most boxes. For what it is designed for it excels in spades. Sadly It is too tall for me, otherwise I would probably have one myself. It's got shit tons of power, with suspension and handling to match. You said it Josh man, It's all about the fun factor, and the 690 eats FUN for breakfast then spits it out on trails. We all know why you love the bike, It's exactly what suits you, and your not the Lone Ranger mate. Regards FPPete.
Cheers FPP, fun in spades mate can't get enough 😎
Interesting that you're talking about hate for the 690. Other than the price, I've basically seen nothing but universal praise for it, especially from the more reputable guys.
Maybe not hate, probably more boredom or disinterest. Not for riding it, just for watching people on it on TH-cam. I guess it's not as exciting as seeing Pol railing crazy shit on a T7 or the crazy shit the real enduros get up to, but at the end of the day the 690 is a fkn fun and capable bike. I guess it's one of those "if you know, you know" scenarios. Cheers
@MVDBR yeah fair enough mate. I'd definitely buy one if I could afford it. I think most of us just need to be realistic about how good we actually aren't, and what kind of riding we actually do. To me, the idea of a no frills lightweight bike that I can ride on and off road pretty well with plenty of torque and proven reliability sounds like the perfect bike.
The other thing about Pol on that T7 is that his is about 180ish kg with plenty of suspension mods. It's not a bike you can buy off a showroom floor.
I’m with you mate. Just sold T7 and bought a 701. T7 great bike but too heavy and I’m too old! So 701 is a compromise and I’ll be able to get back to nature so to speak…..
if the T7 is too heavy why not get a KTM 350?
@@gscheben123 road use….. I’ve bought secondhand and it’s adventurised. So good to camping on. I’m getting too long in the tooth for a dirt bike!
Yeah 350 is a high maintenance dirt bike. 500 would be a better option, but the 690/701 is the winner if you want 5,000km+ servicing 💪 cheers
Great to hear your thoughts on this bike (which I think is a blast). However, it's not 50-60 kg lighter than the T7 as you said at 2:55. It's 40-45 kg lighter (which is still a lot).
A 690 is about 120 lbs lighter than an 890R. But it feels like 150 lbs lighter.
Way narrower and more compact. A 690 is a big dirtbike. A T7 or 890R you always know your on something big.
Dont let the big ones land on you.
I reckon it's 50-60kg lighter than my T7 with all the crashbars and shit on it 😎
Hey mate, love the video just got a 690 R myself 2015 and I’m loving life!! What windshield are you running up front? Would you mind letting me know or share link, only downside of the bike is the front guard flapping in the crosswind! I’m staying to find a super moto style short stout Guard to stop the head steam wobbles at speed getting to trails on the highways!
Love the bike! Happy trails mate 🤙🏽
Yeah the fender wobble can be a problem 😁 This is a list of all the mods done to my bike mate, there is a link to the screen on there somewhere. Cheers mvdbr.com/690-enduro/
Champion mate much appreciated! Want the Rade Garage front end eventually but prefer to have some coin for some rides trips before I splash out on that premium front end! Thanks for the link! Love the videos mate keep ‘em coming! 🤙🏽😁🇦🇺
It is a cracking bike that utterly suits your requirements... TBH, if it had the same seat height as my Tuareg, I'd be very tempted to do the same, but it is a tall beasty and the only way to get it that low is to lower the ground clearance and I would not want to do that as it messes up the handling so badly (as well as makes the bike less capable in the trails).
Yeah that's it mate, that's why I put up with the stock height. But being so light I hardly ever seem to drop it anyway 🙏 I probably do have an extra inch on the 2 outer legs than you though haha 😁 Cheers Pete
Your ktm 690 sounds sweet as just having a nice ride mate they are good bikes, id have got 1 if i didnt come from mx background and want the lighter feel and options with the dedicated offroad enduro ktm 530 was bit cheaper also i live close to the teacks so travels not too much an issue unless i wanna go mega farther away
That's it mate, at the end of the day every individual has different needs of their bike so choose accordingly 🤘🤘
Hey Josh- what size sprockets you running?
Man I'm not sure what sprocket is on the back, off the top of my head. It's probably the stock 45 though. I know the front is a 14 👍
Hay josh thanks for the vedio. And your thoughts on the 690.
At the end of the day its what ever bick works for you.
Too true mate. What's your current weapon of choice?
@MVDBR I've gone back to enduro riding and I brought a tm en300es two stroke in 2022. it's a Italian enduro bike. Whit registration. I don't ride on the road anymore
@@markxuereb3450 nice mate, yeah the road doesn't interest me much other than to get to the trails 😎 cheers
I have been trying to test ride this bike for some years, I'm waiting for a call to go test ride it.
personally I think it is Maybe the best bike for someone that comes from the Honda XR 650r and other kind of bikes like that, that offer off road power and can still ride good enough on the street,
and youcan do wheelies, the only thing that is negative is the reputation, it has been reported failures on the water pump and on the radiator and and one thing about the hydraulic clutch,
so for me it is a matter of reliability because a bike with this weight and 74 horsepower on the paper is the best thing you can find and maintenance is just very near like a Honda xr650r.
have you ever had mechanical problems with your bike?
He has not. He bought it used from a friend who did all the minimum stuff you have to do to make it dead reliable (such as fitting another clutch slave cylinder, stuff like that). That’s what I would do as well if I was in the market for one. Buy a fairly cheap and well maintained/looked after 25000ish km on the odometer.
As I mentioned in the vid, the instrument cluster shit itself after I crashed into a log, but other than that it's been a beaut. A lot of stuff was done to mine when I bought it such as the Oberon clutch slave, Japanese fuel pump, Perun Moto subframe bolt kit, fuelling dongle, side stand switch delete, and the better fuel filler. And I agree it's a good update to the old XR and even DR 👌
I own four bikes, ranging from a 1250 GSA to a Husky 250 fe. My KTM 690 swallows them up for fun!
Not surprising! 🤘🤘
I see here in the US that a 2017-ish 690R might cost $3k less than a similarly accessorized 2019+ on the used market. Is the current 2019+ generation w/less vibration worth the extra money?
Probably depends how much road/dirt road riding you'll be doing. I will admit I hate the vibration of my 2018 on the road, but don't really notice it in the fun stuff. I've ridden a newer one and yeah the vibes are a LOT less.
I've got a 500excf and just can't see how the 690/701 fits into my garage. I've got a 1250gsa and a wr250r as well. I'm looking for something else but struggling to make an argument for the 690/701. The maintenance on enduro bikes is a bit of a myth too. I still want one but just seems like an enduro with too much weight.
I’ve got 50000 trouble free on my 2017 690, great fun but over the years my riding has gone to 99% off road, so I’m definitely considering the 500 too. Seems like a fantastic bike for trails. Not unhappy with the 690 though, so I’m not sure if a 350 might be better and keep the 690.
Yeah I don't think owning a 500 & 690 would be practical, and which one definitely depends on how many km you wanna do and how rough your preferred terrain is 🤷
Nice comparison between this and the T7. But it now has me wondering how an AJP PR7 would compare… but heck, who am I kidding, I am having a blast on my DRZ, and the only drawback I am having at present with it is the fuel range.
Was wondering about the PR7 as well… but same here. Love my Kove which is basically a Drz with 30L of fuel and a rally fairing 🤣
Yeah there were a few things that put me off the AJP, I can't remember what they were off the top of my head (old age sucks haha) but I'm pretty sure the price was one of them 😬
Pr7 is cheaper in price than the. 690, is similar Weight too plus it has most of the add-ons already on it ! But has less power
@@radleytube yeah exactly, I feel like it should be closer in price to the Kove 450 😬
@@radleytube yeah, though less power is not necessarily a bad thing. For me it’s more about long term reliability and easy maintenance. Which is why I currently drive my DRZ.
Do everything on my de800 no worries mate
Skills 🤘
would you do the simpson desert on the 690, i dont really like 200kg and not really drz guy either?
I haven't done the whole Simpson but recently rode it solo from Birdsville to Poeppel Corner and back 👌 th-cam.com/video/NflyDgobRaY/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/EPtadztm7qg/w-d-xo.html
I’m on a 250 road trail and my favourite riding is single trail and light enduro! My bike isn’t loved either but it’s perfect for the riding I’m into. Long road rides just aren’t interesting to me..
Yeah mate at the end of the day no one has to love it other than you, ride what suits your style and fk the haters 💪
@@MVDBR right on brother💪
Most do it all platform out there. The 690, 701 gas es700
Ride single track
Ride the simpson
Ride it around the world
Put super moto wheels on give the sports boys a run.
5000km sevice
as simple as a hammer and every bit as tough.
💯💯
You definitely going against the hype dropping the T7 with the 690 and you know it but life is too short. Ride the bike that brings you the most fun. Also I have to agree on the T7, 73 HP on the 220kg top heavy bike is boring especially on the road. suspensions suck Offroad even the extreme but yeah reliability...blablabla but frankly never had an issue on my 690.
Right now I am at a happy place if you can have 2 bikes: 500 & 890. So many good bikes now pick your poison
I havent ridden a T7, but yeah the numbers. Not that much HP, and not really light. Ive seen high 60's on HP for a T7.
Meaning a 690 is comparable or faster on power to weight. The T7 suspension is typical economy japanese stuff.
The gas tank is up high and needs to be bigger. The seat is skinny. Money will be spent.
Cheers Oli, yeah the 690 is a pretty good compromise of a bike all round 💪 hope you're doin' well man haven't seen any shorts for a while 😎
@@MVDBR I have been riding and filming but I hate editing 😁
@@mototrailz understandable 😎
Doing a mandatory U-Turn on an 890, when the trail goes real steep and narrow?
Better turn into Chris Birch quick like. He can do it.
😂 so I've seen
I'm surprised to hear you say the T7 is cooler. I think it's reliable in the same way a Toyota Camry is, but definitely not cool. It's a very uninspiring bike. With all the aftermarket stuff available for the 690/701, it's a definite weapon, and you can see that in many who ride them.
Agreed. The T7 is a wonderful bike, but my Rottweiler tuned Yosh R-77 can equipped 701 is like that bad influence buddy who keeps buying ya shots at the local dive bar. I have a hard time not hoisting wheelies all over the place, harassing sport bikes in the canyons and riding it like moron, and I'm 62 and supposedly mature 😂In my world that kind of "bad influence" is cool.
The T7 is cool in that to me it's like the bike version of my old V8 Monaro, it sounds sweet and looks great. The 690 sounds like a can of rocks, but yeah I hear ya the 690 is a hoon machine 🤘
i love mine i've had 2. lol.
Every single 1 of these ktms have thier quirks advantages and disadvantages, who am I to tell others what fun is?😅
I wish you could ride DR650 for comparison
Yeahhhh I have ridden a couple of DRs but not recently and not enough to compare. Maybe someone will loan me one 😎
lol, have a mate who hates the fact it’s called an ‘enduro’….
😂 what's he think of the 950 "Super Enduro" hahaha
Right.... just watched the whole video. YES. Is still my comment 😂
😂 good to see the 690 fans in attendance 🤘🤘
I have 2 bikes f800gs and a old trusted drz400. The 800gs doesn't get out much because for me the drz is my unicorn. It sits on the road ok but not that good but when we hit the dirt it is very capable. I also like the more technical side of adv riding.
Owned a T7 now on a 690.
Got tricked by the marketing of the T7, it's basically a big heavy road bike.
690 every day!
Wow, good to see a lot of love for the 690 in the comments. Cheers man 💪
The Suzuki is said to be better than the Yamaha as it holds its weight down low apparently . But yeah the KTM is even lighter with more power
So you haven't seen the videos of where people are taking the T7 then? I just did a steep rock strewn muddy rutted track into an abandoned gold mine in the weekend, fully loaded with camping gear and it handled it great. No way you'd get a roadbike in there.
If the bike you own doesnt make you grin when you ride , or look at it in the shed then you have the WRONG BIKE 😁
loved my DR650 Buuut didnt have the GRIN factor , the TTR250 had a good Grin factor BUT the DRZ400e gives me the SHITS and GIGGLES 🤣😂( Shits when i give er and Giggles when i survive er) 🙃👍
each rider has to make the hard decision on what bike does it for them 😁👌
Keep well Josh 😉🍺
ps going to make a coffee and go look at my bike and GRIN like the idiot i am 🤣😮
I did 51,000 miles on a modded DR650, always had fun on it every ride. But my 690........................dang, it is a whole nuther thing. I can pitch it sideways on lots of corners on dirt, wheelie it, thrash it and its like the bike wants more.
The DR would slap me down doing those things. Like a station wagon being forced to do tricks.
Very different bikes.
Mate I loved the T7 it gave me the grins but the 690 is just on another level ❤
@@MVDBR had a bloke offer me a ride on his 690 5 years ago and i had to say NO as i know that if i had ridden it i would have been in love with it and knowing that i would never been able to afford one 😥 was safer to NOT ride one 🤣👍
@@jefftaswelder9154 I feel the same way about a lot of bikes! 🤣
Insightful ... smaller bikes are better in the dirt, who would have thunk it? Just a matter of deciding what type of riding you want to do and get the tool for it.
T7's show that collective madness is a thing. So many people I know have injured themselves on heavy bikes, then they get a small one, then they start getting bigger ones again! Rinse repeat.
Why the 690 not the 701? I prefer the look of the husky.
Yeah so do I, but a mate was selling this one and I knew the history of it. Had all the fruit I wanted for the right price so I jumped on it 👌
And all this time, I thought ya just liked the color orange 🍊 or you’re some kind of pumpkin 🎃 nut. Who knew? 🤷♂️ 🤔 🤣
Heyyyy I've had more Yamahas in my day than KTMs 😛
It's not the bike, it's the brand. KTM are having some reliability issues. Aus bloke on YT went through 2 engines. I was set to get one but KTM are in a funk and losing sales. This would be better than a T7, but the T7 will do 300k klms with a single issue. In the bush that's a big one for me.
I've got a feeling you are getting the 690 mixed up with the totally different 2 cylinder motors in the 790/890, and also the solid single in the 390
To be a diehard ktm owner you have to look for the older better models that didn't have issues or were fully gone through again after sale
Can't beat a Yammie for reliability 🤷
350
Maintenance
Bot Fly!!!
😅 memories 😅 fkn bot flies
Reason your friends look disappointed when you rock up with 690 is because, you'll be the one they'll have to tow😆
😂😂 bazinga
Heck people will also by KIa and hyundai vehicles. So there has to be a few fools who willby crap KTM's as they have been known for poor reliability for 20+ years. I had 1. It siezed 2 times in under 8 hours. KTM never said what the cause(s) was if they knew. Never go on a longer ride alone on a KTM, street or off-road. It is a no brainer unless one like walking.
This is my 2nd KTM, my 500EXC gave me zero issues (my WR450F was honestly more trouble) and the 690 has been solid as a rock so far. Not saying there aren't lemons out there but my experience has been positive so far 🤷