Hey John. Great video, thanks for the tips. I have a 2023 KTM 690 Enduro R. I love the thing. You nailed it on the 690's mission. I take it right out of my garage and explore central AZ, jeep trails, forest service roads, and double track stuff. Great fun. I have the 500exc for more serious off road riding. I have the polymer skid plate (no ring with rock strikes), the Leo Vince exhaust, and a more comfortable Seat Concepts seat (I'm not young any more). The 690 has lots of power, gobs of torque over a wide rpm range and great handling. I'm really happy with it. One little complaint; I wish the top gear was a little taller for better highway cruising, then it would be perfect.
I absolutely love my '17 690. I do mostly gravel and two track here in MN. I do have the rade aux tank cuz I need the fuel range, about 250 miles. FYI, as you ride fuel weight goes down.
Good to see that you still have this bike at 21,000 miles. I've got a 2018 with only 7,000 miles (old guy here @62). It's a great bike for what I use it for, I'm in the Southern California desert. On these long roads (paved / dirt) out here, it's a blast. I probably would have more miles on it, but I've got an adventure bike that gets a little more use.
Hey John, I also have the Rade Garage intake on mine but I also have a Wings exhaust. Havent had to do anything with mapping or fueling and it runs like a dream. The Wings exhause isnt crazy loud either. It has a really nice tone to it. I am going to get the O2 dongle for it to stop the jerky throttle at low speeds though. You sent me the link for the Kevs but I lost it. That will be my next upgrade. My bike is also a 2018. I love the intake! What a difference it made and the storage is really nice too. Great video! Glad to see ya putting some new stuff out.
I have 21k on my SMC version. For my riding style, it's light enough to throw around, but heavy enough to hold itself on the road. Had a, "real", dirt bike on the road and it was not fun. This is the best of both worlds!
Nice review. I got an older one, 2008 model 6 months ago. Modded the air box recently. Definitely worth doing. Handles our crappy sealed roads and mountain fire trails great. More fun than a sports bike for me.
I've got a 22 GG700 and you are spot on with your assessment. A light weight adventure bike that is surprisingly good on the road. The extra balancing shaft makes a huge difference with vibration. Look at the wings slip on if it's in your budget. Much lighter, less heat and with the silent kit makes the fuelling and throttle response the same as the OEM exhaust. I also recently bought a Beta 480 for more off road riding and that is no way as near planted on the road.
nice review, a lover of the mc360 here too, the mid hard are just monsters and last so well for what they give in overall user experience - your bike looks like new, suppose that is the beauty of your climate and weather :-)
Hi John! Thanks for the video! I'm a newer rider (1.5 yrs) with a Yamaha WR250R. I recently purchased a 2017 KTM 690 Duke. I love the power, especially compared to the WR, which has me thinking again... I would like to own just one bike, so I have been thinking about a 500 (KTM, Husky, Beta), a 690/701 and maybe even a Yamaha T7/Aprilia Tuareg 660. I want to spend more time off-road, but want something more exciting than the WR while on-road. Want to do mostly fire-roads, 2-track and easy single track. I'm 6'4" 200 lbs. What are your thoughts? Cheers! 🍻🏍🇺🇸
Hey John. Great video, thanks for the tips. I have a 2023 KTM 690 Enduro R. I love the thing. You nailed it on the 690's mission. I take it right out of my garage and explore central AZ, jeep trails, forest service roads, and double track stuff. Great fun. I have the 500exc for more serious off road riding. I have the polymer skid plate (no ring with rock strikes), the Leo Vince exhaust, and a more comfortable Seat Concepts seat (I'm not young any more). The 690 has lots of power, gobs of torque over a wide rpm range and great handling. I'm really happy with it. One little complaint; I wish the top gear was a little taller for better highway cruising, then it would be perfect.
I absolutely love my '17 690. I do mostly gravel and two track here in MN. I do have the rade aux tank cuz I need the fuel range, about 250 miles. FYI, as you ride fuel weight goes down.
You’re the king of the 690 riders. Nobody has more insight on this bike than this channel.
Good to see that you still have this bike at 21,000 miles. I've got a 2018 with only 7,000 miles (old guy here @62). It's a great bike for what I use it for, I'm in the Southern California desert. On these long roads (paved / dirt) out here, it's a blast. I probably would have more miles on it, but I've got an adventure bike that gets a little more use.
Nice balanced articulate review. '23 701 owner in Colorado here. As far as I'm concerned, the 690 platform is the perfect Colorado dual sport.
John ,good video, my 701enduro arrives Sunday, can't wait🤘
Hey John, I also have the Rade Garage intake on mine but I also have a Wings exhaust. Havent had to do anything with mapping or fueling and it runs like a dream. The Wings exhause isnt crazy loud either. It has a really nice tone to it. I am going to get the O2 dongle for it to stop the jerky throttle at low speeds though. You sent me the link for the Kevs but I lost it. That will be my next upgrade. My bike is also a 2018. I love the intake! What a difference it made and the storage is really nice too. Great video! Glad to see ya putting some new stuff out.
Great video! Thank you John. Liked and subscribed!
Really good video. Love these bikes, and boy it would be nice to ride that around a Hawaii island! That would be super fun, so much to explore.
I have 21k on my SMC version. For my riding style, it's light enough to throw around, but heavy enough to hold itself on the road. Had a, "real", dirt bike on the road and it was not fun. This is the best of both worlds!
Nice review. I got an older one, 2008 model 6 months ago. Modded the air box recently. Definitely worth doing. Handles our crappy sealed roads and mountain fire trails great. More fun than a sports bike for me.
I've got a 22 GG700 and you are spot on with your assessment. A light weight adventure bike that is surprisingly good on the road. The extra balancing shaft makes a huge difference with vibration. Look at the wings slip on if it's in your budget. Much lighter, less heat and with the silent kit makes the fuelling and throttle response the same as the OEM exhaust. I also recently bought a Beta 480 for more off road riding and that is no way as near planted on the road.
Great review Johnny Bananas! 🤠
This is the way!had 2 690s. 2010 sold that. tried 790. Got bored. now im back on a 690 but 2015 one.
nice review, a lover of the mc360 here too, the mid hard are just monsters and last so well for what they give in overall user experience - your bike looks like new, suppose that is the beauty of your climate and weather :-)
Thanks! 👍
KTM's. My 1st one was a 76.5 250 GP model. Had the 420, the 495 and over 18 of the austrian steeds since then.
Life is to short not to drive a KTM !
I'm at 21,000 miles on my 2018 690 too. Still runs like a top on the original fuel pump and rockers.
Hi John! Thanks for the video! I'm a newer rider (1.5 yrs) with a Yamaha WR250R. I recently purchased a 2017 KTM 690 Duke. I love the power, especially compared to the WR, which has me thinking again... I would like to own just one bike, so I have been thinking about a 500 (KTM, Husky, Beta), a 690/701 and maybe even a Yamaha T7/Aprilia Tuareg 660. I want to spend more time off-road, but want something more exciting than the WR while on-road. Want to do mostly fire-roads, 2-track and easy single track. I'm 6'4" 200 lbs. What are your thoughts? Cheers! 🍻🏍🇺🇸