My KTM 690 Adventure

[Night Falcon]

The way I see it is that KTM has a strong reputation for producing hardcore bikes which is the distinguishing factor in their adventure bikes. After dropping the 640A they now only have 990 adventure series to bring to a market that is fast developing new bikes to cater for not so hardcore adventurer who likes a bit of comfort. Have the other marques got it worng in developing their products more closer to the GS than the KTM ADV? They obviously don't think so as the softer market (no offence ment) is by far the largest.

So what dose this say for KTM and the "alledged" new model influx? Lots of choice for a smaller market just don't make finacial sense; develop softer bikes perhaps...I don't think so! I'm guessin you might see a detuned RC8 1200 ADV and a 700/750 single banger marketed as an 790/800 adv (they already do it with 654cc marketed as a 690)

I would be delighted to see a KTM 800 adv but it would need to be lighter, as economical and have a similar fuel range as me o'll 690 for me to part with most likely 18 to 20K for the purchase price. If I'm wrong and they do flood the market with lots of adventure bikes...I still win

[dmc]

The way I see it is that KTM has a strong reputation for producing hardcore bikes which is the distinguishing factor in their adventure bikes. After dropping the 640A they now only have 990 adventure series to bring to a market that is fast developing new bikes to cater for not so hardcore adventurer who likes a bit of comfort. Have the other marques got it worng in developing their products more closer to the GS than the KTM ADV? They obviously don't think so as the softer market (no offence ment) is by far the largest.

So what dose this say for KTM and the "alledged" new model influx? Lots of choice for a smaller market just don't make finacial sense; develop softer bikes perhaps...I don't think so! I'm guessin you might see a detuned RC8 1200 ADV and a 700/750 single banger marketed as an 790/800 adv (they already do it with 654cc marketed as a 690)

I would be delighted to see a KTM 800 adv but it would need to be lighter, as economical and have a similar fuel range as me o'll 690 for me to part with most likely 18 to 20K for the purchase price. If I'm wrong and they do flood the market with lots of adventure bikes...I still win

They just need to use the Duke R 690cc engine in a Enduro and try to squeeze another 3-4lts of fuel in the rear tank.

[Night Falcon]

Well I have my Verdit on the TKC 80 rear tire......It was good while it lasted! (less than 3500 Klm and its pretty slick) probably could squeeeeeze a bit more out of it but its fair to say its poked as far as any more grip goes!

I was impressed with Chris's E07 so might give that a try next. I have a scorpion A/T which has 3/4 tread left in the shed but I don't like the Oval shape of it. I found it slides a bit tooooo much on gravel (but is excellent on tarmac). Any way probably the last TKC for me!

[10bikekid]

Well I have my Verdit on the TKC 80 rear tire......It was good while it lasted! (less than 3500 Klm and its pretty slick) probably could squeeeeeze a bit more out of it but its fair to say its poked as far as any more grip goes!

I was impressed with Chris's E07 so might give that a try next. I have a scorpion A/T which has 3/4 tread left in the shed but I don't like the Oval shape of it. I found it slides a bit tooooo much on gravel (but is excellent on tarmac). Any way probably the last TKC for me!

Yep, I have found ATs to be as you say Great on the road and little grip in anything loose, Having said that I managed to ease my 950 up to 173kph on the Gravel the other day, but was completely crapping myself and shut down immediately once I saw the numbers on the speedo

The 950ADV for me is a road bike for all conditions and can do the flat beach and dry dirt, but is to Heavy and Grunty for much else, with road bias tires at least (which I think you really need or you will fry anything much else and empty your pockets and most likely lose the rear under power out of tar corners)

Solution Keep 950 for road work and lightening my DR750 and perhaps trying some EO9s (bit more agressive than E07s) for the More narly adventure stuff including I think the fast metal rides as well

Would like a 690 ADV as well but money tree got no leaves left (will consider option when factory brings out)

[Night Falcon]

Went for a visit to the see the lads at AFC for the yearly service today. Got to ride one of these...


and druel over one of these...


and ride home past this...

and this....

just another day in paradise!

[Oscar]

Yep, I have found ATs to be as you say Great on the road and little grip in anything loose, Having said that I managed to ease my 950 up to 173kph on the Gravel the other day, but was completely crapping myself and shut down immediately once I saw the numbers on the speedo

The 950ADV for me is a road bike for all conditions and can do the flat beach and dry dirt, but is to Heavy and Grunty for much else, with road bias tires at least (which I think you really need or you will fry anything much else and empty your pockets and most likely lose the rear under power out of tar corners)

Solution Keep 950 for road work and lightening my DR750 and perhaps trying some EO9s (bit more agressive than E07s) for the More narly adventure stuff including I think the fast metal rides as well

Would like a 690 ADV as well but money tree got no leaves left (will consider option when factory brings out)

The funny thing is that I'm thinking of getting rid of my 625 because it never gets used. The 950 goes anywhere on TKC's.

[Eddieb]

KTM 690 ADVENTURE as envisaged by RALLY RAID UK.

[NordieBoy]

Quite noice...

[Night Falcon]

KTM 690 ADVENTURE as envisaged by RALLY RAID UK.

yeah, saw it on adv the other day...nice peice of kit thats for sure but lets see..

690R $17,500.00
ADV kit $ 5,000.00 (estimate...probbaly not far off)
twin tanks $ 1,500.00
paint $ 1,000.00
Damper $ 1,200.00
other bits $ ??????.??
Plus rego etc

....yikes!! good looks don't come cheap!

[.chris]

yeah, saw it on adv the other day...nice peice of kit thats for sure but lets see..

690R $17,500.00
ADV kit $ 5,000.00 (estimate...probbaly not far off)
twin t $ 1,500.00
paint $ 1,000.00
Damper $ 1,200.00
other bits $ ??????.??
Plus rego etc

....yikes!! good looks don't come cheap!

All that work, and all that money and the seat still looks stock. Must be mad as a badger!

[Night Falcon]

All that work, and all that money and the seat still looks stock. Must be mad as a badger!

....its a wedgy maker forsure! You done anything with that con -corbin-crete seat on the 690 yet?

[Night Falcon]

Can anyone offer some advice on setting up rear shock, I think my spring maybe too soft as it seems to sit a bit low (especially when the bike is loaded with gear). AFC said I might need to put a stronger rear spring on but at $250 -$300 its a bit pricey. Is there someting else I should be looking at? The bike sag is about 7mm out form the recommened 25mm sag but before I pull the shock off to adjust it I just wanted to check if there is something else I should be adjusting? If I do need another spring, how do I know which one to get?

[GSers]

Can anyone offer some advice on setting up rear shock, I think my spring maybe too soft as it seems to sit a bit low (especially when the bike is loaded with gear). AFC said I might need to put a stronger rear spring on but at $250 -$300 its a bit pricey. Is there someting else I should be looking at? The bike sag is about 7mm out form the recommened 25mm sag but before I pull the shock off to adjust it I just wanted to check if there is something else I should be adjusting? If I do need another spring, how do I know which one to get?

Surely you can adjust the sag, also another 10 psi of nitrogen in it may help. Ask EddieB he spent a lot of time adjusting the rear shok on the 950
GSers

[.chris]

....its a wedgy maker forsure! You done anything with that con -corbin-crete seat on the 690 yet?

Nah, the sheepskin/foam pad does the trick for now. And being its 10x better than the stock one for a long ride I just tollerate it, but after riding that TigerXC does make me wish for a more comfortable seat/bike.

[10bikekid]

The funny thing is that I'm thinking of getting rid of my 625 because it never gets used. The 950 goes anywhere on TKC's.

Im sure your right in regard to TKS's, and was thinking just the other day how much better the 950 would be off road with decent tires, but it ain't going to keep up with the superdukes on the road then or last the 7000ks the Scorpions will either, two sets of Rims might be the other answer (DR750 is getting Kenda road legal nobblies soon so problem solved)

Rumour are running that a KTM800ADV is on the way so that could be the compromise some of us are looking for ?