New bike time (almost)

[Paladin]

after a couple of weeks of thinking, and a bit of research on the internet/talking to dealers, I am starting to lean more towards the 690.
It is more expensive, but I am starting to see where that money is.

And I do love the idea of the EFI, a simple way to tune the torque to whatever feels just right.


Also the slipper clutch on paper sounds like a good idea, and something I would like.

I do love the instrument panel on the 690, the mix of analog tacho and digital speedo/computer etc looks just right to me.


And of course there is the 690's recent performance in the Dakar, it shows a pretty good level of reliability for the LC4 engine.

Any 690 enduro riders want to chime in? Feed me some of the orange kool-aide?

Ooh that instrument panel does look kinda sexy! If only I could afford a nice new 690 Enduro.......

You tease chris!!!!!!!

[warewolf]

And of course there is the 690's recent performance in the Dakar, it shows a pretty good level of reliability for the LC4 engine.

High-level race bikes are not really a good indicator of much, as they are so often factory specials mostly unrelated to the actual stuff consumers can buy - sometimes only the name is the same. Having said that, KTM stuff is probably closer to consumer items than other marques.

The LC4 engine has a long history of reliability, it has been around for over 15 years with only one significant change in the last 10 years: the 2003 high-flow head. It is not a hi-po race engine like the RFS bikes in the SX and EXC models. To whit, 5000km oil change intervals versus 1500km. The 690 is a leap forward from the 640, almost everything is better and no signs reliability has been compromised. In fact a key update was easier serviceability; a local mechanic came back from the training course raving about it.

[warewolf]

Ooh that instrument panel does look kinda sexy!

it's funny, my take on the instruments while riding it is two fold:

1. It's just data, I can read it. Sexy never came into it. Too busy enjoying the dynamics of the ride.
2. According to the tach, there were always more revs available, no matter how hard I revved it, and it was delivering plenty more horses than my 640!!

[Paladin]

it's funny, my take on the instruments while riding it is two fold:

1. It's just data, I can read it. Sexy never came into it. Too busy enjoying the dynamics of the ride.
2. According to the tach, there were always more revs available, no matter how hard I revved it, and it was delivering plenty more horses than my 640!!

Oh stop rubbing it in and go to bed!

[warewolf]

[Paladin]

I'm just gonna go drool over the 690E webpage!!!!!!!!!

[Paladin]

OK been on THAT site, am now in love with the 690 Enduro R .......... sex on 2 wheels!!!!!!!!!

God that bike looks GREAT!!!!

http://www.ktm.com/690-Enduro-R.100707.0.html



Now where's my Lotto ticket for Saturday nite?????????????

[NordieBoy]

And of course there is the 690's recent performance in the Dakar, it shows a pretty good level of reliability for the LC4 engine.

Also on the Dakar guys like Jonah Street were racing the "standard" 650cc KTM690's and Coma/Depres/etc were racing the 690cc factory ones...

Only KTM could get away with AMD style numbering. Calling a 625cc bike a 640, a 650cc a 690 and a 690cc bike a 690.
At least the 660 was actually 654cc.

Hmmm... The 690 is less cc's than the old 660?

[.chris]

it's funny, my take on the instruments while riding it is two fold:

1. It's just data, I can read it. Sexy never came into it. Too busy enjoying the dynamics of the ride.
2. According to the tach, there were always more revs available, no matter how hard I revved it, and it was delivering plenty more horses than my 640!!

The like of the panel is purely aesthetic, as I said I just like the look of it. Functionality/extra information provided while riding are like you say,probably going to be ignored while riding.

Another thing I consider important is the rear shock with its adjustable rebound and high/low speed compression, I have the same settings on my mountain bike shocks and I know the level of adjustment these can provide.

I guess the reason I am deliberating so much about this particular bike purchase, is that I imagine this bike will be a purchase I keep for a really long time, it is a pretty big commitment to spend this sort of money on a toy, so I really want to make sure I get the one that is best. So please excuse my constant blabbering and flip/flopping.

[warewolf]

Another thing I consider important is the rear shock with its adjustable rebound and high/low speed compression, I have the same settings on my mountain bike shocks and I know the level of adjustment these can provide.

Dunno bout these ones, but the suspension guru in AKL that I used considered high & low speed compression adjustment a 'tick box feature'; something people look for but is actually ineffective or unnecessary. He reckoned virtually all OEM ones were rubbish, just a sales gimmick. That was a couple of years ago, things might have improved since then.

[.chris]

Dunno bout these ones, but the suspension guru in AKL that I used considered high & low speed compression adjustment a 'tick box feature'; something people look for but is actually ineffective or unnecessary. He reckoned virtually all OEM ones were rubbish, just a sales gimmick. That was a couple of years ago, things might have improved since then.

From my experience with the mountain bike shocks, it can make a huge difference. Example would be having the front shock set so you can easily ride up a curb without feeling to much, but yet keep the front from diving too much under braking, without the high/low speed compression you would be forced to be set at your air pressure/coil spring weight settings no with not much room to move. So either good for hitting that curb, or set firmer to reduce brake dive.

It may not have such a large affect on the motorbike, but I will certainly give it a try as I do enjoy tinkering with stuff that has nice convenient switches/dials (mostly cause I can't usually break things using these)

[.chris]

I test rode the 690 enduro, that is one very quick machine. The power was pretty hard core, as soon as you hit 5000rpm it felt like I had to make an effort to keep the front wheel down. But maybe that is just cause I am coming off a 250cc.
I tired it with the soft setting for the torque and that seemed better, but still pretty brutal, brutally fun if I bought it and got used to it.

Couple of things I did not like.

• Handle bar vibration was a bit annoying, had sore hands after about 1hr. Maybe I was just hanging on too tight. Possibly just a consequence of a 650cc thumper and unavoidable
• The turning circle on the 690 was pretty bad, almost dropped it trying to turn around on a single lane shingle road, but I was just not ready for it to hit the bumpers so soon. Guess its just the way it is with that sort of bike ,but could be tough in the tight stuff.

I am going to give the BMW a ride on the road sometime this week, then its time for the crunch. Decision time

I want to see some predictions of what you think I am going to buy, if you guess right, you get to touch it.

Some action shots to wet ones lips.

[NordieBoy]

I am going to give the BMW a ride on the road sometime this week, then its time for the crunch. Decision time

I want to see some predictions of what you think I am going to buy, if you guess right, you get to touch it.

Some action shots to wet ones lips.

I like the BMW shot.
The KTM one is far too staged.
Openface, no googles, no gloves, clean boots, no mud on underside of numberplate.

[Woodman]

Couple of things I did not like.

• The turning circle on the 690 was pretty bad, almost dropped it trying to turn around on a single lane shingle road, but I was just not ready for it to hit the bumpers so soon. Guess its just the way it is with that sort of bike ,but could be tough in the tight stuff.

Practice half donuts

[.chris]

Practice half donuts

Yeah that is pretty much the solution, it was just the surpise factor that caught me out. Really was not ready for it.