What bike do I buy?

[BrendanZX9R]

Thanks again for the responses, very helpful. Lucky for me I have time on my side, I have to sell my current bike first which means I won't be rushing the decision. And My wife and i have twins due in 5-6 weeks so there won't be much riding done for awhile. I will also miss the brass monkey as they are due that week - not happy but what can you do eh?
I want to be able to ride to the dirt roads I will be riding ie chch down to otago to do the dunstan trail, so I need something that can do both. Unfortunately that means a compromise somewhere. Hadn't thought about the 950se as they are hardly ever seen for sale, but I'd pounce on one if I got the chance!
Leaning more and more towards the 690 with a better seat and screen so thanks again for the advice from you guys who have them.

[Devil]

mine has Ackro map and FMF exhaust 17.307 km/l; maybe I should change back to stock map and thermo exhaust...na, the cost of setting the strangled LC4 free is worth it

I have the derestricted map with the latest updates and an FMF 4.1 Racing with baffle out on mine and consistently get 21-22km/l.
Standard ignition setting...

[vegeman]

I have the derestricted map with the latest updates and an FMF 4.1 Racing with baffle out on mine and consistently get 21-22km/l.
Standard ignition setting...

690's...rule

I'm with Night falcon on the economy..but can get 20km/l for general commuting which is 180K's till the fuel light. When had standard exhaust and map it was 210-220kays. The right hand controls the fuel consumption.

With the mods' the 690's have almost TWICE at the rear of the other 650's...so it's worth it, and makes slabbing on roads fun.

I use a Airhawk seat cushion for the extended road sections, and then rely on the KTM gel set once at destination (that upgraded seat "theoretically" is the comfort seat...which means the austrlans have a fucked sense of comfort)

The 690 will haul your extra kilos just fine...990 super enduros will rip your arse off...

[10bikekid]

I'm running a KTM950ADV and a DR750Big at the Mo and would have to say If you want a mean road bike/metal roader the 950 is the biz even with stock scorpian tires, or with TKS80s you can do non mud type off roading with ease

950ADV would not be as comfortable on road as the BMW but way better on the metal and off road, you need to rear steer them a bit and louder pipes help to let you hear what the engine is doing to stop to much wheelspin and the rear coming around to much.

I have ridden with 690s often on the metal and would have to say the 950 is a match and them some ridden as above. But they are not for the faint hearted as speed just keeps building relentlessly and stupidly till you give up and say enough is enough, seen about 175kph on gravel myself but have a friend in the South Island who has reported doing over 200kph which I'm not going to try as every rock becomes a boulder at over 160kph.

Will admit though if you are considerer doing trickier off road stuff a single with less power and weight would be better and my DR runs trackmaster DOT knobbies and can be ridden even in the dunes a feat only a paddle tired 950 ridden by Hercules could hope to achieve.

I found one bike couldn't span my ADV and off road riding needs fully but I'm guessing the KTM690 would be pretty close in Modern bikes, or A DRBIG if you could get a good one (smaller bikes aren't so much fun for doing big mile days)

The KTM and DR have just come back from a 500 plus km ride from Auckland to Pouto point in Dargaville including 10ks of beach work, did it easy in reasonable comfort home for dinner with barely an ache on the 950, DR rider had a slighty sourer rear end though as 950 has sheepskin

So I guess it comes down to where you think most of your riding will be done, you need a twin for major to medium road trips with a little offroad in the dry and a single for major offroad wet or dry with a medium to moderate amount of roading, easy

[Devil]

690's...rule

I'm with Night falcon on the economy..but can get 20km/l for general commuting which is 180K's till the fuel light. When had standard exhaust and map it was 210-220kays. The right hand controls the fuel consumption.

I get pretty consistent k's. Thats with commuting, and gravel riding.
What mine saves in gas it uses in oil though heh. 300ml/1000km. Sheesh.

[vegeman]

I get pretty consistent k's. Thats with commuting, and gravel riding.
What mine saves in gas it uses in oil though heh. 300ml/1000km. Sheesh.

wow....thats a shit load of oil. I've never heard of the 690's using oil, mines 33000K's now and still fine on that dept.
I've just ordered new rocker arms though, as its got pretty clacky and have heard that their is a newer version of them now, so cheaper to replace and prevent worrying about. I use every bit of the now increased rev range, and don't want any bits flying apart when dealing to the gravel at speed as mentioned above.

[Devil]

Looks like it's fairly common with the true 690cc engine, ie the new duke and enduro R. Brought it up with the dealer who spoke to KTM and they said that 250/1000km isn't unexpected. Bit of an irritation.

[Night Falcon]

Looks like it's fairly common with the true 690cc engine, ie the new duke and enduro R. Brought it up with the dealer who spoke to KTM and they said that 250/1000km isn't unexpected. Bit of an irritation.

I'm quite happy with my slow old 654cc LC4 and the rare requirement to top up the oil. Between 5k oil changes it would be lucky to require more than 200mls. If I didn't already own the coolest 690 around I'd defineatly consider buying one