My KTM 690 Adventure

[Crim]

New graphics on the 690. Perferated on the tank so will see if it blisters?

now that is one flash looking ride you've got there

if you ever want to swap bikes for a comparison for a month or two just yell

[Night Falcon]

now that is one flash looking ride you've got there

if you ever want to swap bikes for a comparison for a month or two just yell

Thanks for the kind words...would love the oppertunity to swap for a while but unfortunately the cat has grown too fond of the orange beastie and since it pretty much rules the roost I don't like my chances....it even starts whining when I take it out for short rides....oh well....they arn't called Kat-tooms for nothing I suppose

[vegeman]

New graphics on the 690. Perferated on the tank so will see if it blisters?

nice...and the graphics give the bike a lift for sure...like it !!!- alhtough is that a shopping basked on the front of your bike or just an optical illusion

While you are showing photos...I've just got my motard wheels on for another go at getting it sorted. (does that make my bike now an aventuromotard)



You can see that I trimmed down the kickstand as it was far too long to work with 17" wheels (tip over). I got over the emotionals at taking a hacksaw to the foot of it. I brazed an aluminim pad to an alu 20mm rod, the rod then goes all the way in to give it strength. I then drilled and tapped a locking bolt to stop it falling out. Works good.

The bike is quite different with those wheels...still not sure, if I should keep or sell for 21/18's but at the moment ...no dollars so don't have a choice. They do look cool...yes?

[Night Falcon]

nice...and the graphics give the bike a lift for sure...like it !!!- alhtough is that a shopping basked on the front of your bike or just an optical illusion ?

no optical illusion...the only reason I was allowed to buy a 690 was if I could do the weekly groceries

The bike is quite different with those wheels...still not sure, if I should keep or sell for 21/18's but at the moment ...no dollars so don't have a choice. They do look cool...yes?

looks cool for sure..you get them off a skate board right?

[vegeman]

no optical illusion...the only reason I was allowed to buy a 690 was if I could do the weekly groceries

looks cool for sure..you get them off a skate board right?

funny ... and also feels the appropriate response to my shopping basket but regardless, this comment will be added to my "roost face list"...so that makes you have least 5 now. I don't know what the other 4 were for, but one is never enough :-)

[vegeman]

Yo,
So after the 17" wheels installed, you'd think that the bike would be quicker being geared down with the smaller wheels, but it seems that it would be better with longer legs. I ordered new front sprockets 15 original size, and a 16 to gear it up...all cool there.

On getting home to put the bigger sprocket on, I find that its 'already' a 16..what the!. I don't want to go to 17 tooth (even though I think there is one) but it shows again, that the quick wheel change isn't ideal.

I checked my manual and 15 tooth is the standard on the 690E, so all this time I ahve been on the 16. Its never really felt too tall in gearing, and have done many single tracks, and steep stuff....hmm interesting.

I've now taken off the 17's and dismantling them. I've going to sell the Rims, and buy 21/18 and re lace them. The bike handles best with the bigger wheels, and is absolutely faster and 'quicker' with the taller gearing. These machines have a lot of torque and gearing it up, seems to make the fuel injection work better....whatever, if you are running standard 15/45...throw a 16 on the front and give it a bash.

[Night Falcon]

When I here folks talk about gearing my eyes fog over and my brain starts to hurt, much the same as when they start discussing suspension settings In any case I have the standard set up and find it pretty good. I had a 250klm ride before lunch today and it was "freakin awsome", only tarmac and gravel but the bike was totally in the zone!

The thing is a lot of 690's are used as hard enduros (which is totally fine) so the hard core lot complain the gearing is to high but I use mine for light dual sporting and find the gearing excellent. The stock gearing allows me to climb over slow rocky stuff, climb the steep stuff and reak havock on the sandy stuff, power slide on the gravelly bits and hoon on the black top will be interesting to see what ya think with the right size wheels on

[NordieBoy]

But your stock suspension is much better than most of us dream of and you've got what? 15hp more to compensate for the gearing.

[Night Falcon]

But your stock suspension is much better than most of us dream of and you've got what? 15hp more to compensate for the gearing.

I was going to mention the suspenders; I have softened the front a couple of clicks but the package is amazing. Soaks up ruts, pot holes, unexpected whoops almost like they're not there. the 690 is perfect for non mechanics like me. just hop on turn key, push starter, twist throatle, try not to fall off

[vegeman]

But your stock suspension is much better than most of us dream of and you've got what? 15hp more to compensate for the gearing.

I think you are bang on, the suspension works great at speed...( its stiff for slow stuff... even with every thing set to squishy). So going quicker, use the power, let the bike do the biz.

[vegeman]

I was going to mention the suspenders; I have softened the front a couple of clicks but the package is amazing. Soaks up ruts, pot holes, unexpected whoops almost like they're not there. the 690 is perfect for non mechanics like me. just hop on turn key, push starter, twist throatle, try not to fall off

speaking of falling off, how are you ailments?

[Night Falcon]

speaking of falling off, how are you ailments?

coming along, knee is only twice the size of normal now

[.chris]

Almost finished with my homemade screen.



Was all looking pretty good, but it was about 1cm out of alignment so I bent the arms slightly on the bike, and DAMN IT managed to crack the perspex. And now it makes a bit of a squeak sound at speeds, so might be time for version 2. I think I could shape the screen a little better to match the bike, so not too worried.

I am pretty happy with the result, it is obviously a copy of the Touratech mount system, but one hell of a lot cheaeper ($20 perspex, $14 bolts/nuts, recycled alloy from computer case/heat sink)

[NordieBoy]

Try with some lexan?

[.chris]

Try with some lexan?

I don't think that will help me with the stupidity involved with bending the arms while attached to the screen.
I think this stuff is "Makrolon", I just re-attached the arms with a couple of washers in place, which should hold the crack a bit better, have to road test it now.