Great video. I’m a new rider and I‘be been riding my 250l for about a year now but have put over 2500 miles on it in about 8 months. I mainly commute to work, (1 hr round trip backroads) but also like the ability to get into gravel roads and want to learn to ride off road trails. I’ve been looking at the husky 701 and being a bigger guy I think that’s the one of me. Now I just need to get the 💰!! Thanks again!!
hey fella good video , i have just purchased a 2022 ktm 690 , after riding motox , and trail riding , single track , sand , all that , here in Australia , im keen to get this set up and do some off road , and so far only done on road , awesome bike , cheers Steve/Australia
Man! I just love your direct, no BS, approach. Living in VT/NH, there are many ORV, trails, and parks within 2 hours from me and I'm leaning heavily towards the KTM 690R and trade in my Triumph TS660. A big concern I have is hearing about the reliability issues with KTMs, particularly the difficult or cold start. Please comment on that.... thanks!!
I have never experienced that on my 690. I will say maintenance on my KTMs have been relatively more expensive than Japanese bikes, but reliability has never been an issue. I think all bikes have their problems. The 690 has a slave cylinder issue. That is about it. I think it is much more reliable than any bikes from 5 years ago or more.
I’d be happy to add that! Best big power sumo -hands down 690/701 - big power, long legs, more comfortable, longer maintenance intervals KTM/Husky 500’s - light…er, big power, 6 speed, jumps better than the 690/701 450s - CRF450L - best 450 suited for road use out the box. WR450 - reliability w/ great performance. KLX450R - my favorite sumo - most power, but high maintenance. 250/300 4 strokes - good beginner and commuter bikes, but low on power for exclusive street riding. 2 strokes - all the hooliganism and attention (both good and bad) you could ask for. Haha
Thanks so much for takin all the bullshit out of this whole industry. I’m 56 an thinkin of commin back to bikes for getting around, cheaper insurance etc. I’m 5”8’ wth a 29” inside leg an want ya go see many things that UK 🇬🇧 has to offer. So bein a short ass is difficult when it comes to these bikes an the, importance of getting your feet on the deck. So thanks for the down to earth advice. Keep um commin buddy. Ride safe ride lucky an ride well
Awesome video. What do you think about seat height? I have a Honda 300L. I redid the suspension and the seat is at about 34 or 35 inches tall. I'm on my tippy toes with that bike (i think my inseam is about 30 inches). I am starting to outgrow the 300L and would like to move to a WR250F but am concerned about the 37 to 38 inch height of those bikes. Is it just something you get used to? Also, i would imagine it would be wise to go from 300L to WR250F, and not from 300L to 300XCW? I don't have much opportunity to test out bikes so its hard to know where to go next. I don't ride much street at all. I would like my next bike to be a dedicated trails bike.
Hey! Thanks for the comment! How would you say you are outgrowing the 300? Are you looking for power? More traction ? More luggability? I can’t speak directly to the 300 as I don’t have experience on it. Comparing to the 250L and the KLX300 - the WR motor is not that much better. If you already redid the 300 suspension, I’m not sure the WR250R would be a big enough jump. This is my opinion on seat height - I’m short. So, I tippy toe everything. I’m just used to sliding a cheek off and one footing it. Hill climbs are when the seat height makes things difficult for me if I have to get a foot down. As far as your next bike - the 300exc is a HUGE jump in suspension and performance. The 300exc is a hill climb monster. 2-strokes maintain traction so much better because they don’t have the torque off the bottom of a 4 stroke. So you can run the 300exc a gear high and it still has the power to get you up without breaking traction. It is also a feather compared to the 250/300 4-stroke bikes. If you are not looking for street legal but find your skill set looking for more, I’d get a dedicated 250 4-stroke (wr250f, yz250fx, crf250x, etc), KTM 350/beta 390, or a 250/300 2 stroke woods bike. Sorry for the long winded answer. Hope that clears things up! Probably just added more confusion. Lol
@@bfeadventures Thanks for this info, very good stuff. The way I am outgrowing the 300L is that I also want to have a more playful bike (i.e. be able to jump it, slide it, be more aggressive on it). You can do some of that on 300L but it was not conceived for that type of stuff, and it's heavy. I will be looking at the 350 KTM EXCF, the YZ250FX and a 250/300 2 stroke. Cheers!
Interestingly I owned a WR250R for 3 years, then upgraded to a KTM690 Enduro R. I loved my 250 but after 3 years, I really wanted a bike with more power and better performance. After 2 years and 19000 km on the 690, I absolutely love it and will keep it for many more years. It’s perfect for me and the areas I ride (1 hour highway to dirt). It’s the king of (low maintenance) Dual Sports in my opinion. But I’m glad I spent 3 years on the 250 before that, learning how to ride dirt. The 690 is not a good choice for a new rider. It’s a shame there isn’t more (low maintenance) choices between these 2 bikes in 350 to 450 cc range. Cheers
How would you compare the two on back roads? You're probably not going faster than 60mph on a back road, so does having a 690 still make a huge difference as compared to something like a WR or KLX300? I guess the 690 has traction control and would save you a bit in the sand/gravel? I have a ktm250xcw for enduro and a CRF300L with upgraded suspension for backroads. I'm wondering if it would make sense to switch the 300L for a KTM690.
Great question! If we are talking strictly dirt roads, back roads, and gravel - the 690 will put a WAY bigger smile on your face. With a good rider, a 300 can keep up easily with an average rider on backroads. If both riders are good, the 690 would eat it up. If you are looking for an easy ride, comfy ride, and easy maintenance, you can’t go wrong with the 300. If you are looking for arm-ripping, slightly sketchy, less comfortable hooligan machine - I’d go w/ the 690. It does come with a bigger price tag though.
Not compared to an old 250 2-stroke. haha It has considerable power compared to a bike like a WR250R though. In my opinion, the power distribution curve feels exactly between a 250 and 450 MX bike. (As in the power comes on higher in the rev range than a 450, but lower than a 250) However, the actual power output feels closer to a 450. I hope that makes sense.
That's a great point! I have had 3 of them and didn't even compare it! I guess I better make an updated video! The DRZ is the true jack of all trades and the master of none. It is dead reliable and a tractor of a 400. However, it's heavy, softly suspended, and low on power for the weight. Oddly though, those are some of the reasons I like it. haha
most have 3-6k in pocket spend to buy a dual sport all need to move up 400cc klx crf yam all 250-300cc not doing it DRZ only one power..for price.. cheers thats all. @@bfeadventures
A helpful and interesting video. Thanks for posting!
Great video. I’m a new rider and I‘be been riding my 250l for about a year now but have put over 2500 miles on it in about 8 months. I mainly commute to work, (1 hr round trip backroads) but also like the ability to get into gravel roads and want to learn to ride off road trails. I’ve been looking at the husky 701 and being a bigger guy I think that’s the one of me. Now I just need to get the 💰!! Thanks again!!
You will love the 701!
Excellent video, I 💯 percent agree with you. I'll be sharing this video.
Thank you!
Good advice
"pick a bike based on your size and type of riding", that was one of the best comments I have heard in i bike-video!
hey fella good video , i have just purchased a 2022 ktm 690 , after riding motox , and trail riding , single track , sand , all that , here in Australia , im keen to get this set up and do some off road , and so far only done on road , awesome bike , cheers Steve/Australia
Awesome! congrats on the new ride!
Man! I just love your direct, no BS, approach. Living in VT/NH, there are many ORV, trails, and parks within 2 hours from me and I'm leaning heavily towards the KTM 690R and trade in my Triumph TS660. A big concern I have is hearing about the reliability issues with KTMs, particularly the difficult or cold start. Please comment on that.... thanks!!
I have never experienced that on my 690. I will say maintenance on my KTMs have been relatively more expensive than Japanese bikes, but reliability has never been an issue. I think all bikes have their problems. The 690 has a slave cylinder issue. That is about it. I think it is much more reliable than any bikes from 5 years ago or more.
Thanks for the info, wished you would of have your thoughts on supermotos for 100% street use
I’d be happy to add that!
Best big power sumo -hands down 690/701 - big power, long legs, more comfortable, longer maintenance intervals
KTM/Husky 500’s - light…er, big power, 6 speed, jumps better than the 690/701
450s - CRF450L - best 450 suited for road use out the box. WR450 - reliability w/ great performance. KLX450R - my favorite sumo - most power, but high maintenance.
250/300 4 strokes - good beginner and commuter bikes, but low on power for exclusive street riding.
2 strokes - all the hooliganism and attention (both good and bad) you could ask for. Haha
I’m 6’5 220lbs. Looking at Honda. I’m liking the xr650l, I know it’s big but I am too. It’d be my first and forever, thoughts?
For my ability, definitely a 250 although I wish more manufacturers would make a 350. Great video Alex.
Thanks, Brad!
Thanks so much for takin all the bullshit out of this whole industry.
I’m 56 an thinkin of commin back to bikes for getting around, cheaper insurance etc.
I’m 5”8’ wth a 29” inside leg an want ya go see many things that UK 🇬🇧 has to offer.
So bein a short ass is difficult when it comes to these bikes an the, importance of getting your feet on the deck.
So thanks for the down to earth advice.
Keep um commin buddy.
Ride safe ride lucky an ride well
Good video… Since you’ve ridden both, which is more comfortable the Yamaha Tenere 700 or the KTM 690 for Street and dirt?
Thanks!
Street and comfort- T7
Everything else- 690
Awesome video. What do you think about seat height? I have a Honda 300L. I redid the suspension and the seat is at about 34 or 35 inches tall. I'm on my tippy toes with that bike (i think my inseam is about 30 inches). I am starting to outgrow the 300L and would like to move to a WR250F but am concerned about the 37 to 38 inch height of those bikes. Is it just something you get used to? Also, i would imagine it would be wise to go from 300L to WR250F, and not from 300L to 300XCW? I don't have much opportunity to test out bikes so its hard to know where to go next. I don't ride much street at all. I would like my next bike to be a dedicated trails bike.
Hey! Thanks for the comment! How would you say you are outgrowing the 300? Are you looking for power? More traction ? More luggability? I can’t speak directly to the 300 as I don’t have experience on it. Comparing to the 250L and the KLX300 - the WR motor is not that much better. If you already redid the 300 suspension, I’m not sure the WR250R would be a big enough jump.
This is my opinion on seat height - I’m short. So, I tippy toe everything. I’m just used to sliding a cheek off and one footing it. Hill climbs are when the seat height makes things difficult for me if I have to get a foot down.
As far as your next bike - the 300exc is a HUGE jump in suspension and performance. The 300exc is a hill climb monster. 2-strokes maintain traction so much better because they don’t have the torque off the bottom of a 4 stroke. So you can run the 300exc a gear high and it still has the power to get you up without breaking traction. It is also a feather compared to the 250/300 4-stroke bikes.
If you are not looking for street legal but find your skill set looking for more, I’d get a dedicated 250 4-stroke (wr250f, yz250fx, crf250x, etc), KTM 350/beta 390, or a 250/300 2 stroke woods bike. Sorry for the long winded answer. Hope that clears things up! Probably just added more confusion. Lol
@@bfeadventures Thanks for this info, very good stuff. The way I am outgrowing the 300L is that I also want to have a more playful bike (i.e. be able to jump it, slide it, be more aggressive on it). You can do some of that on 300L but it was not conceived for that type of stuff, and it's heavy. I will be looking at the 350 KTM EXCF, the YZ250FX and a 250/300 2 stroke. Cheers!
Interestingly I owned a WR250R for 3 years, then upgraded to a KTM690 Enduro R. I loved my 250 but after 3 years, I really wanted a bike with more power and better performance. After 2 years and 19000 km on the 690, I absolutely love it and will keep it for many more years. It’s perfect for me and the areas I ride (1 hour highway to dirt). It’s the king of (low maintenance) Dual Sports in my opinion. But I’m glad I spent 3 years on the 250 before that, learning how to ride dirt. The 690 is not a good choice for a new rider. It’s a shame there isn’t more (low maintenance) choices between these 2 bikes in 350 to 450 cc range. Cheers
How would you compare the two on back roads? You're probably not going faster than 60mph on a back road, so does having a 690 still make a huge difference as compared to something like a WR or KLX300? I guess the 690 has traction control and would save you a bit in the sand/gravel? I have a ktm250xcw for enduro and a CRF300L with upgraded suspension for backroads. I'm wondering if it would make sense to switch the 300L for a KTM690.
Great question! If we are talking strictly dirt roads, back roads, and gravel - the 690 will put a WAY bigger smile on your face.
With a good rider, a 300 can keep up easily with an average rider on backroads. If both riders are good, the 690 would eat it up.
If you are looking for an easy ride, comfy ride, and easy maintenance, you can’t go wrong with the 300.
If you are looking for arm-ripping, slightly sketchy, less comfortable hooligan machine - I’d go w/ the 690. It does come with a bigger price tag though.
Bravo
Is the ktm350exc a light switch bike?
Not compared to an old 250 2-stroke. haha It has considerable power compared to a bike like a WR250R though. In my opinion, the power distribution curve feels exactly between a 250 and 450 MX bike. (As in the power comes on higher in the rev range than a 450, but lower than a 250) However, the actual power output feels closer to a 450. I hope that makes sense.
DR400 is the best selling bike ? what about that?
That's a great point! I have had 3 of them and didn't even compare it! I guess I better make an updated video! The DRZ is the true jack of all trades and the master of none. It is dead reliable and a tractor of a 400. However, it's heavy, softly suspended, and low on power for the weight. Oddly though, those are some of the reasons I like it. haha
most have 3-6k in pocket spend to buy a dual sport all need to move up 400cc klx crf yam all 250-300cc not doing it DRZ only one power..for price.. cheers thats all. @@bfeadventures