My KTM 690 Adventure

**Night Falcon** · 14th March 2010, 22:24

Hi Folks,

Welcome to my KTM 690 adventure thread!

Strictly speaking its not qiute an adventure bike yet but but over the next month I hope to add a number of goodies which will transform the not so humble 690 Enduro into an even less humble 690 adventure.

My shopping list includes the following:

Rally Fairing
New Exhaust
Low front fender
Linkage Lowerer
GPS (Zumo 550)
Foot Peg upgrade
Seat upgrade
Bar Riser 65mm
Scott Oiler
Headlight protector
Panier Racks
Pelican hard cases
Safari Tank

I hope you enjoy the ride.

First couple of days work photo's :

**young1** · 14th March 2010, 22:29

This will be very interesting.

How much does the new linkage lower the bike?

**pampa** · 14th March 2010, 22:29

Nice one, I'll keep an eye

my 2 cents, Add decent tyres

**Night Falcon** · 14th March 2010, 22:42

Thanks lads, any tips will be welocmed!!

The linkage lowerer replaces the std prolever suspension likage. You can get 2 sizes...lower 1inch or 1 5/8". I ordered the 1 /58 from the states but of course they sent the 1inch one....dang nabit! I could send it back but have decided to suck it up and fit it. I really only wanted it for tricky slow speed riding to give me that little extra bit of leg stretch! I don't plan to be doing any hard enduro rides on her but the extra inch will be handy.

**ducatijim** · 15th March 2010, 08:30

That looks like a bloody expensive way to spend ones evenings - Sky would be cheaper to stay amused!

**.chris** · 15th March 2010, 09:09

Great project bike, I was considering doing the same, but I do a bit of trail riding and wanted to keep the 690 as trailesq as possible.

What are your plans for the seat? I got a corbin for mine, it is rock hard but heaps wider than the stock one, so that at least feels better for the longer days on the bike.

I also got the 20mm KTM bar risers, but wished I had got something higher more adjustable, I am thinking of getting some Rox Risers.

**Crisis management** · 15th March 2010, 09:39

This should be interesting...couple of questions, why the lowering links (the 690 isn't tall) and why the low front guard? This is coming from someone who threw away the low front guard on the 640 Adventure and uses all the suspension movement available.

**Night Falcon** · 15th March 2010, 12:45

Hi Chris, I have looked at the rox risers and may get them but am also looking at custom made set from Aussie which give 50mm rise. I will be putting on some Klm on the 690 before i decide. Its always difficult to know what size rise to get.

I have am working with a local vehicle upolsterer who has lots of experience with modifying bike seats....and is a lot cheaper than an imported new one. He is going to do his magic on the foam this week which i can then look at and tweak prior to new cover being fitted. Hopefully will have it back by the end of the week. I'm looking at a 2 colour option just to be differnent!

**Night Falcon** · 15th March 2010, 12:51

Hi the lowering link is simple to drop the height down to my previous bike height (990 adventure) which I found suited me. The low fender is cos i just like it better that way and is abit more aero dynamic for road use....which i will be doing alot of. I have a nice new orange one arriving from austria hopefully in next couple of weeks! I need to make some brackets to get it to fit but should be no problem.

**Bass** · 15th March 2010, 14:00

Warewolf posted some data a few weeks back, when we were discussing the effect of suspension adjustments. The graphs he posted also had a second curve set which showed the effect of adding a 2" lowering link. (I haven't been able to figure out how to copy it into this post)

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...-a-DR650/page2

post number 26

Basically, it kinda screwed up the rising rate action of the rear linkage, especially near full compression.
Nothing is free it seems.
Personally, I think I would rather have the handling and put up with the height, but hey, a 1" link may not make that much difference.

**.chris** · 15th March 2010, 14:40

Originally Posted by Night Falcon

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Hi Chris, I have looked at the rox risers and may get them but am also looking at custom made set from Aussie which give 50mm rise. I will be putting on some Klm on the 690 before i decide. Its always difficult to know what size rise to get.

I have am working with a local vehicle upolsterer who has lots of experience with modifying bike seats....and is a lot cheaper than an imported new one. He is going to do his magic on the foam this week which i can then look at and tweak prior to new cover being fitted. Hopefully will have it back by the end of the week. I'm looking at a 2 colour option just to be differnent!

Who are the people doing the work on the seat? I would like to get some adjustments done to my corbin (they made it too long and I can't open the gas cap without releasing the seat)

Where abouts are you located?
If you are localish I would be happy to let you try the corbin as it may be a good guide for the work on your seat, and I would be interested to see if it would fit under the Safari tank.