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View Full Version : ktm 690sm



rogson
18th September 2007, 12:48
Funny looking..........but it's a serious performer.

Seating position and feel is typical motard (as you would expect).
Brakes, and suspension (based on my brief ride) are spot-on (again, as you would expect).
Seat is surprising comfortable for a KTM.

Instant throttle response, pulls hard right of idle and is a lot stronger than I remember the 640 to be - right through the rev range.
Didn't get a chance to wind it out - but from what I could tell 160+ would be a doddle.

My Freewind feels and goes like a rice pudding in comparison.

A little abrupt on-and-off the throttle.
Doesn't vibrate as much as the 640 but still noticeable (more than the Freewind).

Hmmm........

clint640
19th September 2007, 12:37
Yep, 60+ hp is pretty good for a thumper. I must try & scam a test ride on one next time I'm in Akl. It's the upcoming 690 Enduro that I'm really interested in, but I'd love to try out the motor.

Cheers
Clint

Dazza
19th September 2007, 12:55
Yep, 60+ hp is pretty good for a thumper. I must try & scam a test ride on one next time I'm in Akl. It's the upcoming 690 Enduro that I'm really interested in, but I'd love to try out the motor.

Cheers
Clint
Yeah, I took one out a month back & it went very well, nice & stable on the wet roads as well, only had it go sideways once, saleman wasn't too impressed when I told him this, especially when I told him my old 640 Enduro had as much poke (he knew I was taking the piss though), would like to take a deristricted one out for a strop without those Kenworth mufflers on !:cool:

rogson
21st September 2007, 09:21
Yeah, apparently there are enduro, adventure and Duke versions coming.

The picture below is supposedly the Duke - but I don't think its an official KTM picture. If the others are going to look more like this, then I don't see KTM selling many ugly duckling SMs.

Waiting........

clint640
21st September 2007, 12:04
Geez, that's an old photoshop, there's some pics of the actual new Duke over in the 690 thread on Advrider/Thumpers, along with pics of the new Enduro, both to be officially launched at the Paris show in a couple of weeks apparently.

Cheers
Clint

rogson
21st September 2007, 12:45
Thanks Clint - will look there