Bought one new in 2016, still own and ride it. Used hard off road at work in desert mtns for first 4 years, and it did surprisingly well on everything but super technical. Turned into super moto for few years after that and now switch back and forth. The LC4 has been solid, just changed oil and basic maint. around 14K miles later. Looking at replacing with a new one, but not sure enough has changed that its worth it. No tach is kinda lame, the 14-18’s had one so not sure why they went to smaller display? Bike I rode at work prior was YZ450, the 690 is no 450 haha, but it did 90% with comparable ease. The turning radius and weight are noticeable for sure. Once you hit pavement though, it smokes any of my previous plated dirt bikes, on super motos its a killer! 🤙
Nobody builds anything like this bike. KTM is the master of niche bikes. Ive got an 890R and love it, its never once felt like a dirtbike though. Ive ridden dirtbikes since 1972. Im scheming on a 690 big time.
It's interesting that you have a different dash to the EU (2023) models. EU bikes get a tacho as one of the options that show as you press the button - it's rubbish, the display is 8s, and extra 8s arrive with differing actual rev gaps. 1000rpm might equal one 8 but later 8s may mean 1500, or 2000 extra rpm. It's really only useful for running in. You also seem to have tyres better suited to offroad. We get a gear indicator. I'm pretty sure the EU bikes can switch TC completely off (until next restart), and possibly ABS (trying to remember what the dealer told me). Mine is a replacement for a DR650, and to be honest, the 690 has been better in almost every way (so far). The DR is simpler, easier to fix, has a bigger aftermarket, and is slightly lower. That's it. The 690 is FUN. It's nuts. It's a brilliant road bike, yet way ahead of a DR offroad. Quickshift is a hoot! I've never been great at wheelstands, but Mode 2 effortlessly lofts the front over small rises/ramps. My DR scoffed at my pathetic attempts to get the front wheel up, despite lowered gearing. While I'm sure there are DR riders who could outride me on the 690, the point is I couldn't. I'm yet to take it outback fully loaded, but have no reason to expect it won't be great out there.
Cool video sr , Im from Medellin Colombia . Yeah the KLR of kawasaki way heavier than this 690enduro r. This is my dream bike . For some people this is the best in the market around the world, when you see the horsepower and weight of this machine; somepeople say the Husqvarna701 enduro ,but the style of this Ktm is better be honest 😅look at that colors🍊. I want to buy a second hand hopefully if the world doesnt end before 😅You know this thing of the IIIWW . Well ,God ,we are on your hands. Sorry for my english
This bike seems ideal. I was looking at the 390 but this is even a little lighter which is kind of crazy! It doesn't have as good of a seat for 2-up riding, though. And it's dash is lame. But... how important is a dash in the face of all the other great stuff?
Anyone know what the difference is in terms of parts between this and the 690 SMC R? I have a 2023 690 SMC R and it would be nice if i could swap in the Enduro R wheels and tires and flip back and forth, but I get the feeling there are more differences. I'm thinking maybe forks and the width, the swing arm and it's width, and brake disc sizes and caliper mounts.
Nice review, I have a ‘23 Ktm 390 adv. I really enjoy it, and making mods to it, skidplate, mirrors etc. would love to try the 690 someday, if my legs would grow… 😂
@@alexdesamsonow822 personally, I don't know off the top of my head, but there are several brands that people have used for the bigger KTM'S so if you can't find brands for the 390, expand your search to the bigger adventure bikes and see what brands are mentioned with those.
If you like it, sure! But there are better bikes for the street, including a super Moto bike from KTM that has street tires, but a lot of similarity to this.
Disappoonte how there is not difference from 2023 model and still not a Gear indicator! Why does the European 690 have gear indicator for the last 2 years and the USA is the last 3 years without one !???
Although it probably should, especially given the EU version already has it, but most dirt-bikers don't care about indicators and fancy TFT's because their eyes are on the trail ahead.... But a gear indicator and maybe a fuel gauge wouldn't suck
I did not like this bike . Something about it wasn’t right seemed to be that powerplant is good for making power on the road for a single. But not good for traction off road . The suspension was also hard to dial in . Anybody else have the same experience as me?
Agree. Have a 2019. Bike looks great and it's sweet on road or gravel roads but once u try to get into dual/single track, it's weight, bad gear ratios, nanny type traction control features start to make it a really unfun option at times.
The LC 4 engine is one of the strongest engine in feel to sit astride. I’ve got an 2003 640 and in the lower gears it really tries to pull my arms off. KTM have given the latest LC4 even more strength
Suspension is way out of balance and the Explor forks are junk. Dropped a spring rate up front and up one in the rear and revalved the suspension and it’s a different bike . Handles great in singletrack and anywhere else you want to take it. Also needs to be geared down for single track but then it sucks at road speed. If it had a wider ratio transmission it would be a really good do it all bike. Also I turned off all the traction and ABS crap.
I own one. Not a beginner bike. Even mode 1 will get you into trouble quickly. Once you graduate to it, there is no looking back. It is a beast.
Bought one new in 2016, still own and ride it. Used hard off road at work in desert mtns for first 4 years, and it did surprisingly well on everything but super technical.
Turned into super moto for few years after that and now switch back and forth. The LC4 has been solid, just changed oil and basic maint. around 14K miles later. Looking at replacing with a new one, but not sure enough has changed that its worth it. No tach is kinda lame, the 14-18’s had one so not sure why they went to smaller display?
Bike I rode at work prior was YZ450, the 690 is no 450 haha, but it did 90% with comparable ease. The turning radius and weight are noticeable for sure. Once you hit pavement though, it smokes any of my previous plated dirt bikes, on super motos its a killer! 🤙
Helpful review of the KTM 690, thanks!
Last bike was a 80s Yamaha IT175 this is what I’m buying for my first street legal bike
Very interesting information, you covered all i needed to know, thanks for the video.
Nobody builds anything like this bike. KTM is the master of niche bikes.
Ive got an 890R and love it, its never once felt like a dirtbike though. Ive ridden dirtbikes since 1972.
Im scheming on a 690 big time.
I would argue the XR650L is very much like this bike, except pulled straight out of the 90's.
Great review!
great review
It's interesting that you have a different dash to the EU (2023) models. EU bikes get a tacho as one of the options that show as you press the button - it's rubbish, the display is 8s, and extra 8s arrive with differing actual rev gaps. 1000rpm might equal one 8 but later 8s may mean 1500, or 2000 extra rpm. It's really only useful for running in. You also seem to have tyres better suited to offroad. We get a gear indicator.
I'm pretty sure the EU bikes can switch TC completely off (until next restart), and possibly ABS (trying to remember what the dealer told me).
Mine is a replacement for a DR650, and to be honest, the 690 has been better in almost every way (so far). The DR is simpler, easier to fix, has a bigger aftermarket, and is slightly lower. That's it. The 690 is FUN. It's nuts. It's a brilliant road bike, yet way ahead of a DR offroad. Quickshift is a hoot! I've never been great at wheelstands, but Mode 2 effortlessly lofts the front over small rises/ramps. My DR scoffed at my pathetic attempts to get the front wheel up, despite lowered gearing. While I'm sure there are DR riders who could outride me on the 690, the point is I couldn't.
I'm yet to take it outback fully loaded, but have no reason to expect it won't be great out there.
very well done
Cool video sr , Im from Medellin Colombia . Yeah the KLR of kawasaki way heavier than this 690enduro r. This is my dream bike . For some people this is the best in the market around the world, when you see the horsepower and weight of this machine; somepeople say the Husqvarna701 enduro ,but the style of this Ktm is better be honest 😅look at that colors🍊. I want to buy a second hand hopefully if the world doesnt end before 😅You know this thing of the IIIWW . Well ,God ,we are on your hands. Sorry for my english
My next bike
FANTASTIC review!!!. Extremely thorough and well spoken and very helpful for myself. Look forward to more, hope you will do the KTM 890 R. Thanks!
Thanks so much for watching! I plan to hit every 2024 KTM in the lineup over the next couple of months. Feel free to subscribe!
This bike seems ideal. I was looking at the 390 but this is even a little lighter which is kind of crazy! It doesn't have as good of a seat for 2-up riding,
though. And it's dash is lame. But... how important is a dash in the face of all the other great stuff?
Don’t really need that big a displacement. Wonder if a 390 (Adventure ?) could be modded enough to mimick the Adv R …. ?
Anyone know what the difference is in terms of parts between this and the 690 SMC R? I have a 2023 690 SMC R and it would be nice if i could swap in the Enduro R wheels and tires and flip back and forth, but I get the feeling there are more differences. I'm thinking maybe forks and the width, the swing arm and it's width, and brake disc sizes and caliper mounts.
Nice review, I have a ‘23 Ktm 390 adv. I really enjoy it, and making mods to it, skidplate, mirrors etc. would love to try the 690 someday, if my legs would grow… 😂
Haha!
Do you have any recommendations for me for replacement hand guards? Which ones fit the best, and come in orange?
@@alexdesamsonow822 personally, I don't know off the top of my head, but there are several brands that people have used for the bigger KTM'S so if you can't find brands for the 390, expand your search to the bigger adventure bikes and see what brands are mentioned with those.
@@PeterLoweOne Thanks very much
I would call this a really big, premium Dual Sport. As opposed to the KLR, I would call a single cylinder Adventure Bike.
Totally fair.
I love my 2020 690R and can't say enough about how excellent it is
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Does the KTM 690 have mounts for passenger hand holds as does its cousin, the Husky 701?
Yes it does. There will be dimples on the rear plastics where you will need to drill holes.
Hi
How do you compare it against the husqvarna 701?
Nearly identical bikes. 👍
Where can I find those passenger pegs?
They should be in the KTM Accessory list.
Hey man I really want this for street only, u think I should get it?
If you like it, sure! But there are better bikes for the street, including a super Moto bike from KTM that has street tires, but a lot of similarity to this.
This is the enduro version ktm offers a street version called 690 SMC
Disappoonte how there is not difference from 2023 model and still not a Gear indicator! Why does the European 690 have gear indicator for the last 2 years and the USA is the last 3 years without one !???
Although it probably should, especially given the EU version already has it, but most dirt-bikers don't care about indicators and fancy TFT's because their eyes are on the trail ahead.... But a gear indicator and maybe a fuel gauge wouldn't suck
WHY does the 500 have so much superior dash to the 690? The difference is NOT subtle that the 690 uses an old and inferior model compared to the 500.
I did not like this bike . Something about it wasn’t right seemed to be that powerplant is good for making power on the road for a single. But not good for traction off road . The suspension was also hard to dial in . Anybody else have the same experience as me?
That's how I feel about my 890 adventure. especially dialing the suspension in.
Agree. Have a 2019. Bike looks great and it's sweet on road or gravel roads but once u try to get into dual/single track, it's weight, bad gear ratios, nanny type traction control features start to make it a really unfun option at times.
The LC 4 engine is one of the strongest engine in feel to sit astride. I’ve got an 2003 640 and in the lower gears it really tries to pull my arms off. KTM have given the latest LC4 even more strength
Suspension is way out of balance and the Explor forks are junk. Dropped a spring rate up front and up one in the rear and revalved the suspension and it’s a different bike . Handles great in singletrack and anywhere else you want to take it. Also needs to be geared down for single track but then it sucks at road speed. If it had a wider ratio transmission it would be a really good do it all bike. Also I turned off all the traction and ABS crap.
Is it just me or? I’d like a 450cc version of this engine !
Tell KTM to make a 390 Enduro R 🙂
I don't think KTM knows that I exist. 🤣👍