I'd say an aftermarket bashplate is an absolute must if you plan on riding some gnarly stuff. The engine is completely exposed to all sorts of sharp goodies. I've already found a huge dent in mine and can only imagine what could have been if I still had the plastic guard.
Indeed. Good point! Mine had a huge Adventure Spec plate installed after the ride home from the dealer. Still popped the sidecase the second day!!! See my fideo on fixing the stupid stock break pedal! ruclips.net/video/xcpUYDx8hbs/видео.html
My top 3 would be. (1) Aftermarket can because if the standard one falls on top of you you will be serious burns that will require medical attention, plus engine runs better with Akro, Arrow, or similar.. (2), Throw away useless air-box which lets dust through and replace with Rade Garage 6.2 litre hidden fuel tank and excellent foam air filter kit. More power, longer lasting engine and much longer fuel range. (3) Replace fan thermometer switch which comes lets the fan come in much sooner. There are many more including replacing the sub frame bolts which break but those are my top 3. Lastly, if your bike is a 2014 build, replace your rockers for 2015/16/17 date stamped ones ASAP before they dump their needle rollers in your engine and cost you an engine re-build.
Yeah, those are good ones too. I'll get a Can when I can :) The first few days I had it I burned my finger a bunch of times. Yeah I'm a little torn on the Rade or the Rottweiler. Price isn't much different and the "option" to fill that reserve tank with fuel could be nice. I'm not hauling loads, but Subframe bolts are a good idea if you do. Mine's and 18' model so no worries. Footpegs are still a MUST! Barely kept my feet of the damn thing with the stock ones. New shifter is almost a must too.
@@xeeded That's my next 690 purchase. I have a Twin Air and stock box lid modified and it's been working fine, but even wash water spray can be an issue coming in through below where the key is.
Maybe big feet and solid boots help, but I’ve never given a thought to the pegs or shift lever, and I regularly ride through tight boulders where “rally” pegs would be a liability.
With the 690s width, my size 12 barely sits on the pegs. Especially if I'm wearing knee braces. The ability to control the bike is increased 2 fold with the rally pegs. In my case and many others they're almost a safety feature.
#1 - Wings slip-on #2 - Evo1 airbox cover & Uni hi-flo foam filter #3 - KTM Akro map Fuel light comes on at 100 miles with urban mixed riding. Braptastic with baffle pulled.
Mine comes on about 110-115 ridden pretty aggressively with the airbox open and O2 controller, so that's not too bad. Dealer Tech won't install Akro map without purchase of Akro system. Claims that's coming down the pipe from KTM. He just got back from KTM training.
Stock hand-guards suck. True. Interestingly, I am OK with both the pegs and the height of the bar. I bought a riser but didn't install it, even thought I am 6'3'' = 187cm tall. What I would add to this list is: carbon header covers - with a bike running this hot I just prefer those. screw-on tank cap mod - that keyed "thing" is horrid. Just my 2c ... My darn ventilator just died ... :( waiting for parts and the weekend is here ... I guess it is MTB and the Duke for now...
Yeah, handguards aren't going to take more than one good hit. Pegs/Peg height are prob ok just cruising on the road, but they leave a world to be desired off-road. You might not need that carbon guard if you can get your leg away from the pipe with pegs. Most of my 690 riding now is commuting in shorts. Peg/Riser height becomes an issue if you stand a lot. Being that I'm on the road a lot now, I considered taking off my riser. Leaving it on thought to keep the egos similar to my 350. I could see the key cap being an issue in wet and muddy environments. Not an issue where I live.
They were just spacer blocks from ebay, so probably China brand. Enduro Engineering makes something similar if you hate Chinese stuff as much as I do. I have a set of brand new unopened integrated ones (similar to stock, but high) I could sell you pretty cheap if you want. My riding style has changed fundamentally so much since I made this video, I’m actually trying to find lower than stock mounts for one of my other bikes. Might end up using mounts from a Duke street bike 🤣
Thank you. Appreciate you watching. I don’t off hand, but if you click on his ebay profile through whatever old link, you should be able to find a new listing. I think he has an updated product now or something. I’ll try to update the link tomorrow night.
I didn't have to do anything with mine... but they weren't 1.5" ... think they were 30mm? With Rox you'll be adding 1.5" to the stock 15mm or whatever the original clamp is. Rox + Stock = 2.1" roughly. 30mm riser from the clamp mount point is only 1.2" total rise. I haven't run risers for a couple years because I've revamped my riding style, but the only thing I remember being snug was the brake line. It might need to be routed around a little differently... but I was only dealing with about half the rise you are. Does that make sense?
I agree with you on that if the ground I ride on has the same issues, but the lava rocks are only in some places many miles apart. I ride in the desert of Arizona & southern California, not too many lava flows here. The 2014 450 (Ralley) has the low exhaust pipe, and so KTM fitted a larger capacity underseat fuel tank using the same space for gas (where the muffler normally was). I'm pondering doing this with my 690. I'd rather have the low pipe & More fuel. I have used strapped on gas tanks, but that takes away space I want to use for "Luggage" 🤪😄
@@kaytme5915 just get the RadeGarage.com auxiliary fuel tank and be done with it. Also comes with a great air intake, so kills two birds with one stone 👌
Oh, forgot to mention that would also fix the issue if the exhaust pipe interfering my foot placement on the foot pegs. The 690 is already fat & rerouted exhaust pipe means I can keep the stock pegs
I looked for the FMF pipe, nothing listed on FMF and no reply to emails about it, ended up trying a Dominator exhaust, $400 Cdn to my door. Good quality piece and can’t beat the price
No, but the Pro Taper does flex more than the brands that come OEM on KTM like Magura, Nekken, Renthal Fat. I'm actually riding the stock bar with no risers. I do have Progrip foam Rally grips that I really do like, but last I looked they'd been discontinued.
I have some cheap folding that I use one of when I tow. The rest of the time I use my little “Best Dual Sport Mirror” ruclips.net/video/rA6iKlj5Bps/видео.html 🤙
Stuart Turner nope. Not going to tell you it doesn't tighten things up like the brake line a bit (think I re-aligned the banjo bolt for the Handguards), but everything has worked fine for 5,000 miles. No throttle cable (fly by wire) on the 690 to deal with, so thats 👌
Well drop pegs would be nice, but you can already scrape pegs in corners (did it tonight) and they cost obscene dollars. I lowered my KLR for $79. I’d argue that unless you’re 5’8”, your crappy body position will affect handling more than a small rise to get you into a good one. Maybe the “sit over the gas cap position” is why KTM chose to under-spring the front of these things so much? 🤣 I like to lead with my head and let the bike follow. The stock ergos dont allow that.
@@JohnHowerton137 I am interested in drop pegs in order to change the angles I deal with while standing and working the bars. I am 6'2" with a 36" inseam so I have no trouble with the height of the bike. I was looking at putting risers on it but after researching the effects I choose drop pegs. 😀
Which brand did you go with? If they're aluminum I'd be curious to see how long they last. I don't suspect long. I wish the factory steel "Rally Pegs" I had were 1/2" lower and back, but KTM puts higher pegs on the trail bikes for clearance is my understanding, so doubtful they'd do this. My only complaint about the risers, is I want a third hole in the clamps to move them even more forward. Keep in mind a good % of the best riders in the world are using under bar steering dampers which raise the bars close to, or as high as mine are. Plus many use a higher bend on top of that. This bike will get a GPR under bar probably come tax return.
I suppose drop pegs would change the angle of the stock shifter too, making it feel a whole lot less crappy. So bucks potentially saved there. I wouldn't even consider a drop peg if it wasn't "Rally" 4.75"+ width. Stock width is stupid for how wide these bikes are. One of my best friends uses Fastway Adventure pegs on all his bikes, but he has so damn many bikes none of them see enough hours to wear anything out.
@@rudyweber1573 I don't think any of them are that bad. I was looking to buy a Beauwolf for mine during CV19 BS, but everything was a PITA back then and it never materialized. My buddy puts Arrows on his KTMs. They look nice enough. Unlimited budget and I'd go for the Akrapovic because it comes as a powerpack with a map etc..
That set was CR High Pro Taper Evo. My Stock bars are on it now with a +25mm clamps. My favorite bar currently is 609 Ricky Carmichael Renthal. 120mm rise, a bit more sweep. Just barely enough room for controls on the enduro models, but thats a problem with a lot of bars... and was on the CR High too. Need about 200mm of space for the controls in a perfect world.
There are tradeoffs... if you take a good dump on the bike with risers, you bend the bolts. They bend easier than bars, but they are a lot cheaper than bars. The benefit of risers is, you have a lot more variety of bends of bars to choose from. I prefer bars with a little more sweep because of my bad wrist. The stock bars are pretty straight, but I have two extra pair now, so I’m too cheap to not use them 🤣
COOL Vid! My 3 on my ‘16 690R: 1-Seat Concepts 2-Wings 3-Rottweiler intake, but definitely gonna grab that O2 sensor thang
I'd say an aftermarket bashplate is an absolute must if you plan on riding some gnarly stuff. The engine is completely exposed to all sorts of sharp goodies. I've already found a huge dent in mine and can only imagine what could have been if I still had the plastic guard.
Indeed. Good point! Mine had a huge Adventure Spec plate installed after the ride home from the dealer. Still popped the sidecase the second day!!! See my fideo on fixing the stupid stock break pedal! ruclips.net/video/xcpUYDx8hbs/видео.html
@@JohnHowerton137 Yes, I suppose that's why KTM also offers the carbon clutchplate cover for ~100$ :)
Those damn snaggleteeth would probably punch holes in that thing too!
My top 3 would be. (1) Aftermarket can because if the standard one falls on top of you you will be serious burns that will require medical attention, plus engine runs better with Akro, Arrow, or similar.. (2), Throw away useless air-box which lets dust through and replace with Rade Garage 6.2 litre hidden fuel tank and excellent foam air filter kit. More power, longer lasting engine and much longer fuel range. (3) Replace fan thermometer switch which comes lets the fan come in much sooner. There are many more including replacing the sub frame bolts which break but those are my top 3. Lastly, if your bike is a 2014 build, replace your rockers for 2015/16/17 date stamped ones ASAP before they dump their needle rollers in your engine and cost you an engine re-build.
Yeah, those are good ones too. I'll get a Can when I can :) The first few days I had it I burned my finger a bunch of times.
Yeah I'm a little torn on the Rade or the Rottweiler. Price isn't much different and the "option" to fill that reserve tank with fuel could be nice. I'm not hauling loads, but Subframe bolts are a good idea if you do. Mine's and 18' model so no worries. Footpegs are still a MUST! Barely kept my feet of the damn thing with the stock ones. New shifter is almost a must too.
fastway has a kit for the 690 for like $20 for 3 or 4 of their peg options which allow alot of fine adjustment
UNI foam air filter and Evo1 cover eliminates the stock airbox issue, and has max clearance for water crossings. $80 total vs. $350 for Rottweiler.
@@xeeded That's my next 690 purchase. I have a Twin Air and stock box lid modified and it's been working fine, but even wash water spray can be an issue coming in through below where the key is.
Maybe big feet and solid boots help, but I’ve never given a thought to the pegs or shift lever, and I regularly ride through tight boulders where “rally” pegs would be a liability.
With the 690s width, my size 12 barely sits on the pegs. Especially if I'm wearing knee braces. The ability to control the bike is increased 2 fold with the rally pegs. In my case and many others they're almost a safety feature.
#1 - Wings slip-on
#2 - Evo1 airbox cover & Uni hi-flo foam filter
#3 - KTM Akro map
Fuel light comes on at 100 miles with urban mixed riding. Braptastic with baffle pulled.
Mine comes on about 110-115 ridden pretty aggressively with the airbox open and O2 controller, so that's not too bad. Dealer Tech won't install Akro map without purchase of Akro system. Claims that's coming down the pipe from KTM. He just got back from KTM training.
John Howerton, KTM is getting Ready to Race to the bottom... 390s Made in India is one thing, 790s in Made in China is a non-starter for me.
I had no idea those where made there!
Stock hand-guards suck. True. Interestingly, I am OK with both the pegs and the height of the bar. I bought a riser but didn't install it, even thought I am 6'3'' = 187cm tall.
What I would add to this list is:
carbon header covers - with a bike running this hot I just prefer those.
screw-on tank cap mod - that keyed "thing" is horrid.
Just my 2c ...
My darn ventilator just died ... :( waiting for parts and the weekend is here ... I guess it is MTB and the Duke for now...
Yeah, handguards aren't going to take more than one good hit.
Pegs/Peg height are prob ok just cruising on the road, but they leave a world to be desired off-road. You might not need that carbon guard if you can get your leg away from the pipe with pegs. Most of my 690 riding now is commuting in shorts.
Peg/Riser height becomes an issue if you stand a lot. Being that I'm on the road a lot now, I considered taking off my riser. Leaving it on thought to keep the egos similar to my 350.
I could see the key cap being an issue in wet and muddy environments. Not an issue where I live.
I think I'ma gonna check out the sensor. Thanks!
John. Just wondering what brand the risers are?
Love the content. Cheers
They were just spacer blocks from ebay, so probably China brand. Enduro Engineering makes something similar if you hate Chinese stuff as much as I do. I have a set of brand new unopened integrated ones (similar to stock, but high) I could sell you pretty cheap if you want. My riding style has changed fundamentally so much since I made this video, I’m actually trying to find lower than stock mounts for one of my other bikes. Might end up using mounts from a Duke street bike 🤣
At hand guards are they? And whats the extensions to thr fat part of the bar?
It’s just a Cycra pro bend kit. I have many videos with the excat links to them in the description. Try some of my review videos.
good video Island rider
Hi John, I enjoy your videos! do you have a working link to purchase Kev's CO2 controller? Thanks.
Thank you. Appreciate you watching. I don’t off hand, but if you click on his ebay profile through whatever old link, you should be able to find a new listing. I think he has an updated product now or something. I’ll try to update the link tomorrow night.
Does the Rotweiller fuel dongle do the same thing? Believe it’s around $30
Very similar type thing if I remember correctly.
Hey John. I just got my bike and I'm 6' 2" and got some Rox riser 1.5". What did u have to do with the cables?
I didn't have to do anything with mine... but they weren't 1.5" ... think they were 30mm?
With Rox you'll be adding 1.5" to the stock 15mm or whatever the original clamp is. Rox + Stock = 2.1" roughly. 30mm riser from the clamp mount point is only 1.2" total rise.
I haven't run risers for a couple years because I've revamped my riding style, but the only thing I remember being snug was the brake line. It might need to be routed around a little differently... but I was only dealing with about half the rise you are.
Does that make sense?
Need a Rally style exhaust, frame neck remodel to permit *Normal* tight turns. So there's only 2 things.
No rally style exhaust in my rocky terrain! 😋 All the serious trail riders even run welded cages around the pipes.
I agree with you on that if the ground I ride on has the same issues, but the lava rocks are only in some places many miles apart. I ride in the desert of Arizona & southern California, not too many lava flows here.
The 2014 450 (Ralley) has the low exhaust pipe, and so KTM fitted a larger capacity underseat fuel tank using the same space for gas (where the muffler normally was).
I'm pondering doing this with my 690. I'd rather have the low pipe & More fuel. I have used strapped on gas tanks, but that takes away space I want to use for "Luggage" 🤪😄
@@kaytme5915 just get the RadeGarage.com auxiliary fuel tank and be done with it. Also comes with a great air intake, so kills two birds with one stone 👌
Oh, forgot to mention that would also fix the issue if the exhaust pipe interfering my foot placement on the foot pegs. The 690 is already fat & rerouted exhaust pipe means I can keep the stock pegs
(1) FMF Pipe
(2) Air-Box Mod, see mine.
(3) Stegs Pegs
KTM73 fmf on a newer 690? Is it an easy fit?
I looked for the FMF pipe, nothing listed on FMF and no reply to emails about it, ended up trying a Dominator exhaust, $400 Cdn to my door. Good quality piece and can’t beat the price
Any update on where we can get the controller? Does not come up anywhere. thanks.
Found it!!!
Updated the link in the desc too 🤙
What's your inseam? I'm about 31 inches. Can I do the smcr?
Easily. Mine is 32-33 and can come pretty close to flat foot on the enduro. SMC is way lower.
What kind of bar risers do you use?
I don't anymore. These were spacers from ebay.
Did your hands get sore before the protaper?
No, but the Pro Taper does flex more than the brands that come OEM on KTM like Magura, Nekken, Renthal Fat.
I'm actually riding the stock bar with no risers. I do have Progrip foam Rally grips that I really do like, but last I looked they'd been discontinued.
Does the evo raise it up even more? They the evo windham mid?
@jimmything1000 just depends on the bend. EVO is just the handlebar model.
Hi John, I can’t find any info on the Kevxtx O2 tuner, where did you get yours from?
It's linked in the description. Possibly expired link, but you should be able to find it in Kevs profile from it.
Got it, I didn’t even look in the description. Ordered it today, thanks
Damn that lava rock is brutal! I bet it feels great on the body
Michael Armstrong for sure. Unbelievable exfoliater! #TheBest
Hi John, What mirrors did you go with!?
I have some cheap folding that I use one of when I tow. The rest of the time I use my little “Best Dual Sport Mirror” ruclips.net/video/rA6iKlj5Bps/видео.html 🤙
Did you have any troubles with the bar risers regarding cable length?
Stuart Turner nope. Not going to tell you it doesn't tighten things up like the brake line a bit (think I re-aligned the banjo bolt for the Handguards), but everything has worked fine for 5,000 miles. No throttle cable (fly by wire) on the 690 to deal with, so thats 👌
let me look at a vehicle I can afford when im a trucker. and Mount it on the back of my rig. I can life that way till I retire
Instead of bar risers that adversely affect the handling of the bike a better route to go would be drop pegs.
Well drop pegs would be nice, but you can already scrape pegs in corners (did it tonight) and they cost obscene dollars. I lowered my KLR for $79. I’d argue that unless you’re 5’8”, your crappy body position will affect handling more than a small rise to get you into a good one. Maybe the “sit over the gas cap position” is why KTM chose to under-spring the front of these things so much? 🤣 I like to lead with my head and let the bike follow. The stock ergos dont allow that.
@@JohnHowerton137 I am interested in drop pegs in order to change the angles I deal with while standing and working the bars. I am 6'2" with a 36" inseam so I have no trouble with the height of the bike. I was looking at putting risers on it but after researching the effects I choose drop pegs. 😀
Which brand did you go with? If they're aluminum I'd be curious to see how long they last. I don't suspect long. I wish the factory steel "Rally Pegs" I had were 1/2" lower and back, but KTM puts higher pegs on the trail bikes for clearance is my understanding, so doubtful they'd do this.
My only complaint about the risers, is I want a third hole in the clamps to move them even more forward. Keep in mind a good % of the best riders in the world are using under bar steering dampers which raise the bars close to, or as high as mine are. Plus many use a higher bend on top of that. This bike will get a GPR under bar probably come tax return.
I suppose drop pegs would change the angle of the stock shifter too, making it feel a whole lot less crappy. So bucks potentially saved there. I wouldn't even consider a drop peg if it wasn't "Rally" 4.75"+ width. Stock width is stupid for how wide these bikes are. One of my best friends uses Fastway Adventure pegs on all his bikes, but he has so damn many bikes none of them see enough hours to wear anything out.
motobau.de/?cat=c9_KTM-KTM.html two options for size and the price is pushing $300 after shipping. Made of high grade steel
What hand guards do you have?
Michael X Cycra Probend CRM Ultra
The miffler is crap too 😂
For "muffling" it's quite good. For being light, cool and performance it's crap.
@@JohnHowerton137 what kind of muffler would you go for ?
@@rudyweber1573 I don't think any of them are that bad. I was looking to buy a Beauwolf for mine during CV19 BS, but everything was a PITA back then and it never materialized. My buddy puts Arrows on his KTMs. They look nice enough. Unlimited budget and I'd go for the Akrapovic because it comes as a powerpack with a map etc..
What bars bend is those?
That set was CR High Pro Taper Evo. My Stock bars are on it now with a +25mm clamps. My favorite bar currently is 609 Ricky Carmichael Renthal. 120mm rise, a bit more sweep. Just barely enough room for controls on the enduro models, but thats a problem with a lot of bars... and was on the CR High too. Need about 200mm of space for the controls in a perfect world.
@@JohnHowerton137 So you prefer the stock bars with +25mm clamps?
There are tradeoffs... if you take a good dump on the bike with risers, you bend the bolts. They bend easier than bars, but they are a lot cheaper than bars. The benefit of risers is, you have a lot more variety of bends of bars to choose from. I prefer bars with a little more sweep because of my bad wrist. The stock bars are pretty straight, but I have two extra pair now, so I’m too cheap to not use them 🤣
nerd