ktm 690sm

[rogson]

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]

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]

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 !

[rogson]

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]

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]

Thanks Clint - will look there