2008 690's SMC, Duke and Concept 690 Stunt

[FlangMasterJ]

They've done well.

[deanohit]

Now that stunt looks awesome, better than the 2 blow which were my favorite concept pics. I do like the Duke, but that big exaust under the engine looks out of place. Now if they made them like this, I'd be off down the road to see the bank man.

[FlangMasterJ]

Also the 690 Enduro.

[NZsarge]

Yeah that Stunt 690 is sweet! The Duke ai'nt too bad either but the SUPER Duke would still be the KTM for me.........unless there were to be a ..... SUPER Stunt!!!!

[clint640]

They all look tasty. The Duke would be insane quick on a twisty road - supermoto style ergos but with a real low CoG.

The new 690 version of my 640 Enduro looks good; lighter, gruntier, slimmer, but still with the decent tank size, reasonable seat height, cush hub, big brakes etc that most of the other lightweight big bore thumpers lack. Funny that they've given it less suspension travel, but I've hardly ever bottomed out the 640 so maybe that's not too much of an issue.

Cheers
Clint

[idleidolidyll]

The 640 Husky supermoto is a whole lot better and cheaper too.

65BHP, 112kg beats the KTM hands down AND the Husky has a much smoother engine with balance shafts!

[FlangMasterJ]

The 640 Husky supermoto is a whole lot better and cheaper too.

65BHP, 112kg beats the KTM hands down AND the Husky has a much smoother engine with balance shafts!

640 Husky? Don't you mean 610?

It probably is smoother but no way near as reliable as the LC4 engine.

[idleidolidyll]

Yes, it was in error but no, not the 610. I had a brain fade and should have typed Husaberg 650C. 65BHP and 110kg. At under $13k it's way cheaper than the KTM too.

As for the LC4, I've had one (03 SM), I'd still go Hussy next time I bought a single; it's about the ride and with nearly 40kg lopped off compared to the 690SM, the Hussy would eat it both on grunt and in handling.

[James Deuce]

The 690 is waaaaaaaay smoother than the 640.

[idleidolidyll]

yep but the 650 Hussy is smoother still and so much lighter!

I don't give a damn about service intervals. if i was to compare bikes based on 'practicality' I wouldn't even consider a supermoto single. My desire is for punch out of corners and handling. Having had the 640SM for a few years I know it is more than capable of kicking arse and the Hussy is 2 steps up from that.

comparison? put a 20 year old Japanese chick on the back of the Hussy and go for a ride; it'll be like the 690 one up........................

My 950 Supermoto is a nice thing but I yearn for the lightness of a single again.........I'd keep the big un though, gotta sit the missus somewhere

[FlangMasterJ]

THe Husaberg 650 is an insanely fun bike.

I rode the 2007 690SM last weekend and it handled just as well as the Husaberg. It's a lot more comfortable to.

Off the line the 650 Husaberg will leave it for dead.

If I had the bunce I would definately opt for a high performance single such as the Husaberg or Husky.

But my pick would definatley be either the 690SMC or Duke. For their reliabilty and KTM's customer support.

[clint640]

The 640 Husky supermoto is a whole lot better and cheaper too.

The Husaberg is a cool rig & 'a whole lot better' race bike no doubt, but the point of the 690 SMC, like the 640 Supermoto before it, is to package near racebike performance with a few nods to practicality. For many people the nicer seat, bigger tank, longer service intervals & better reliabilty make the LC4 'a whole lot better' overall. That's why I bought a 640 Enduro & not an FE650.

...& the new 690 SMC above at 138kg is only about 26kg heavier than the FS650, a lot in race bike terms I know, but compare it to something like a 180kg XT660X Yamaha or 190kg BMW 650CS & it's a featherweight in the world of street supermotos, but packing far more punch.

Cheers
Clint

[idleidolidyll]

The Husaberg is a cool rig & 'a whole lot better' race bike no doubt, but the point of the 690 SMC, like the 640 Supermoto before it, is to package near racebike performance with a few nods to practicality. For many people the nicer seat, bigger tank, longer service intervals & better reliabilty make the LC4 'a whole lot better' overall. That's why I bought a 640 Enduro & not an FE650.

...& the new 690 SMC above at 138kg is only about 26kg heavier than the FS650, a lot in race bike terms I know, but compare it to something like a 180kg XT660X Yamaha or 190kg BMW 650CS & it's a featherweight in the world of street supermotos, but packing far more punch.

Cheers
Clint

Actually, KTM list the standard 690SM at 152kg. To get the light weight version you have to move up a spec or two. The Supermoto R is the same weight and it's only when you get to the SMC version that you shed some kilos at 139.5kg.

Bang for buck then, the Husaberg wins hands down at under $13k, 65bhp and 110kg while the standard KTM 690SM is $16k, 65BHP, 152kg. I don't see a price for the SMC but I'd expect an extra 3 or 4 grand on top of the base model.

But yes, either would be better than the porky jappas.

BTW: When I worked at AMPS we dynoed a standard 640 and saw 44BHP at the rear wheel. The spec quoted something like 55. I have to wonder what the actual RWHP is for both/all these bikes.

[Ewan Oozarmy]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Ne...e/?R=EPI-95070

[rogson]

I like the 690 enduro and SMC. I'm thinking one bike with two sets of wheels.
However, I am concerned about the lack of frame rails under the engine for the dirt duty. I'm not sure a bash-plate will be robust enough.
I'll reserve judgement though until I see/inspect one in the flesh.