I wonder how many users are going to ruin their ktm 690 and overtighten front fork clamps while doing it? Its basically a given if you don't use manual and torque wrench. they are quite a bit sensitive about it.
The shame of it is that NONE of these major manufacturers are building big bore adventure or enduro bikes for short riders. I’d love to own a KTM 500exc but with a 38.2” seat height, it isn’t even able to be lowered enough for me. I’m looking at the APJ 650. It starts out with a 36.2” seat height and enough suspension and ground clearance to be lowered 3” and still have a semi respectable travel and clearance of about 9”+ all the way around….. I think…lol… and the bike only weighs around 300 pounds I believe. BUT… what I’m truly waiting for is the Ducati Desert X! It starts out with a 34.5” seat height! Granted… it’s a lot more cash but…wow!
19mm bolt on left side to remove footpeg bracket is trying to take the entire swingarm shaft with it, the bolt on the right side came out fine. Advice?
When I try to remove the nuts that hold the foot peg carriers on, it comes of one side fine, but when I try to undo the swinging arm nut on the other side, it the whole swing arm axle spins and the nut doesn’t loosen off. How do you hold the swing arm axle tight to losses the nut?
My 2017 came with the forks dropped the recommended 3/4" and the bike had a death wobble accelerating above 50mph. I raised them up to about 1/2" showing and it handles much better. I worry that Randy's bike handles quite poorly at highway speeds with the forks dropped that low.
I have not had any wobbly problems at highway speed. I took a 6600 mile cross country trip last year on the TAT with lots of 70+ highway sections. No stability issues. However, I did adjust sag and was riding fully loaded. I’m 220 lbs with about 70 lbs of gear and racks. That may have helped with stability.
@@jasonferrier raising the forks drastically modifies the steering geometry. He should have measured the effective 'trail' both prior and after to assure that measurement hadn't changed. Kouba should add this to their instructions.
Common forum myth. I just bought a brand new 2019 SMCR, and KTM offered to fit the Kouba for my short arse. If it was detrimental, and therefore against warranty instructions, KTM wouldn't even consider offering it, let alone fit it. I also fit one to my old 640, and never had an issue with instability or other anomalies.
I was surprised, I can reach the ground with both feet on my 21 690R, while on my 21 890R its one foot at a time only. @ near 500lbs not reaching the ground on 890 is not good at times.. Both have springs that are too stiff for my 175 lb weight. With zero preload on rear spring there isnt enough sag. Should be 1/3 travel sag. Not even close. I think, some never even check sag on these bikes. It matters.
That Kouba link seems to be about the same dimensions as the one original KTM's when you had them side-by-side. How did that lower your bike (aside from the front fork adjustment)?
Great video. Thank you. Looking forward to the one on adjusting the suspension.
I wonder how many users are going to ruin their ktm 690 and overtighten front fork clamps while doing it? Its basically a given if you don't use manual and torque wrench. they are quite a bit sensitive about it.
Thanks for the video, I just ordered my Kouba link a few minutes ago and was looking for some good how to videos. I think I need go no further.
Very helpful Video. Thank you.
The shame of it is that NONE of these major manufacturers are building big bore adventure or enduro bikes for short riders. I’d love to own a KTM 500exc but with a 38.2” seat height, it isn’t even able to be lowered enough for me. I’m looking at the APJ 650. It starts out with a 36.2” seat height and enough suspension and ground clearance to be lowered 3” and still have a semi respectable travel and clearance of about 9”+ all the way around….. I think…lol… and the bike only weighs around 300 pounds I believe. BUT… what I’m truly waiting for is the Ducati Desert X! It starts out with a 34.5” seat height! Granted… it’s a lot more cash but…wow!
Alternate title? "How to make take your motorcycle back to vintage days in suspension travel....1977 again! Yipee!"
690R is 9.5" of travel stock. One less inch doesnt take it back to a dual shock 4" travel 70's bike. Good try though!
Good video. Going to attempt this on my 690 this weekend
How did the supermoto kickstand work out?
Kouba link is now about 240.00 dollars.
A NICECNC link is absolutely the same thing for under 80 bucks.
Did you find you lowered the front too much? I imagine you changed the rack by going more than they recommended.
No. The front lowering was fine.
Does the linkage move down lower? As in lose ground clearance?
Great video thank you!!
19mm bolt on left side to remove footpeg bracket is trying to take the entire swingarm shaft with it, the bolt on the right side came out fine. Advice?
Thanks !!
When I try to remove the nuts that hold the foot peg carriers on, it comes of one side fine, but when I try to undo the swinging arm nut on the other side, it the whole swing arm axle spins and the nut doesn’t loosen off. How do you hold the swing arm axle tight to losses the nut?
Nice video. Thanks for that. Did you upgrade the spring?
Thanks for the video. Good first video. Do you have bar risers on the ktm? Any clearance issues when raising the fork tubes?
Yes. I have a 30mm riser. It certainly helped with the front fork lowering.
Thanks... Good Luck!
No problems with geometry or other issue's????
Nope... No problems at all..
My 2017 came with the forks dropped the recommended 3/4" and the bike had a death wobble accelerating above 50mph. I raised them up to about 1/2" showing and it handles much better. I worry that Randy's bike handles quite poorly at highway speeds with the forks dropped that low.
I have not had any wobbly problems at highway speed. I took a 6600 mile cross country trip last year on the TAT with lots of 70+ highway sections. No stability issues. However, I did adjust sag and was riding fully loaded. I’m 220 lbs with about 70 lbs of gear and racks. That may have helped with stability.
@@jasonferrier raising the forks drastically modifies the steering geometry. He should have measured the effective 'trail' both prior and after to assure that measurement hadn't changed. Kouba should add this to their instructions.
So, how does it ride?
How did the warp 9 sm sidestand work out for length?
Did anybody ever answer this question? How did the supermoto side stand workout?
I always wanted to try this but everyone says don’t it will mess up the geometry and all kinds of things will happen
I have not experienced any performance problems. I did the 6K mile Trans American Trail last summer without any suspension issues.
Common forum myth. I just bought a brand new 2019 SMCR, and KTM offered to fit the Kouba for my short arse.
If it was detrimental, and therefore against warranty instructions, KTM wouldn't even consider offering it, let alone fit it.
I also fit one to my old 640, and never had an issue with instability or other anomalies.
I was surprised, I can reach the ground with both feet on my 21 690R, while on my 21 890R its one foot at a time only. @ near 500lbs not reaching the ground on 890 is not good at times..
Both have springs that are too stiff for my 175 lb weight. With zero preload on rear spring there isnt enough sag. Should be 1/3 travel sag. Not even close.
I think, some never even check sag on these bikes. It matters.
That Kouba link seems to be about the same dimensions as the one original KTM's when you had them side-by-side. How did that lower your bike (aside from the front fork adjustment)?
what model # kouba link did u install ?
This is the link I installed.
Husky HL701-2 = 1 3/8" rear lowering
@@randycfitch thanks man! pulling the welder now to cut the kickstand. Don't worry we pulled it first. lol. great vid and very helpful man.
The spring remained stock.
What he calls "swing arm" otherwise known a LINK,,,,which happens to swing so I guess what he was thinking???