I’m considering down sizing from a Tuareg 660 to a 690/701 because because I want something lighter and more capable of riding aggressive terrain. But I have two concerns: increased vibrations and wind protection vs the Tuareg. Thoughts?

Another great video with great advice.

Fantastic overview! I’m considering selling my Tuareg for a 690/701. I realized I want something lighter, smaller, but with some guts for more aggressive riding that can hang on the highway.

My 14,000 mile - 2016 ❤️ GSA Rocks. At $15,555 the poor Bro’ who lost out to CoVid 🦠 should rest in peace, knowing his steed is in a good place / warm garage ❣️

Great video, Im leaning to the 690, is it ok on highway at around 80mph?

My first dual sport bike was a dr600 next a dr800 and now a 125 cc lifan 😂. I have GSXR1100R and a yzf600r. Never had so much fun as on the 125 running in the woods. Easy learning. Likely will buy a 250 or a dr400 later on. Low weight is what you need to learn properly. Good video.

Sorry to be that guy, but how does this compares to SMC R (if you have tested it) on tarmac roads? I am in between the two (99% public road racer) but i do like the freedom of having fun off road or just riding carelessly over damaged roads etc. My two concerns are: A. Are there any really sticky tyres for 21", prefferably radial, safe enough to ride aggresively on tarmac B. Is SMC R too stiff so if you don't ride it race style it becomes sluggish when turning? Main playground is very tight mountain roads with super sharp, low speed hairpins with varying tarmac (from ultra grip to slippery, some small dirt patches). I ride pretty agressively but not always 100% front trail braking, so a very nimble bike is of importance. I ride a KLX 250S which i laughed upon but proved an exciting toy in these roads but, while it is fun drifting both wheels concurrently going 70 km/h, i would prefer better tyres than the ie. Metzeler Tourance i wear. They are mediocre on road and pretty nothing off road too. Long comment!

Which bar risers did you go with?

I have a 690 Enduro R from 2012, the last model free from electronic shit, I ride on gravel roads mostly and I love it, very well balanced and no problems at all in my opinion, bougt it new, 30 000 kilometers on the meter , all by me

Headed to the shop this morning with my one owner ‘13 oil cooled. I’ve got a sinking feeling it’s a blown main rear seal at 27k. Wish me luck.

Hi, I bought the second bike just to alternate onroad and offroad trips buying the 690, a wonderful bike that gives me a lot of fun. I have two questions, what tires do you use? and how many km do you do with those tires in the video? (km because I'm Italian :) )

This was the best context setting, no bullshit review/comparison I’ve seen for the 690. Great job. And seemingly one take (at least I didn’t notice any editing on the audio).

T7 is way to big and heavy for any real offroad the 690 will do easily and also the t7 is wayyy to slow and weak and uncomfy on the road compared to the bigger adv bikes. It’s a weird in between bike that isn’t good at anything. just get a dual sport and a big adv. done.

merci beaucoup pour votre simplicité

So which one would you take to complete the TAT from NC to OR all in one go non-stop and camping as much as possible along the way?

First I'd say they're slightly different niche... the T7 is middleweight ADV. The 690 as shown is lightweight ADV... so they're sort of shooting at different users (and the stuff below is as much about the differences in the niche as it is in the bikes themselves). I have the 701e and IMO the decision between these two is based on what kind of riding you want to do, what other bikes you have and how hard you ride... and your budget. - If you prefer easy comfortable rides and are OK going slower but being more comfortable than I'd steer folks toward the T7 or 890. - More offroad would push you toward the 690 because 100lbs is HUGE offroad. - Cost would push you toward the T7 since my 701 cost me $20k to buy and get configured for TAT/BDR use, I could have done the same thing to the T7 for $6k less or maybe even more. - If you have a Heavyweight adv bike (I have the Multistrada) then I'd suggest the 690/701 is a better compliment. - If you ride hard on dirt then that would push you toward the 690 since it's as close as you're going to get to a true dualsport but with some ability to handle tarmac squirts in relative comfort and with reasonable service intervals for ADV use. For example: I rode the 7000 miles of the Transamerica trail on the 701... in 19 days (which is moving along), and the plan all along was to haul. If I'd been planning to take 6 weeks to ride the TAT I'd have been leaning T7. So the answer to which is better is... it depends. and oh yea... if you worry about reliability you're probably not looking at any ktm anyway but I'd absolutely say T7 without reservation. For me it would still be the 690/701... but I'd NEVER fault anyone for saying "yea no yea I'm going T7"

I have a 2014 honda cb500x and im trying to get sm more light and nimble, ive been offered multiple 690s as a trade. The cb has almost never let me down, so im afraid of the reliability of ktm. Is it a good trade?

Have you heard any rumors about the new Husqvarna 901SM?

Have you rode the vstrom 800DE? If so, would you still buy a pre-2013 GS

What size Vstream is that?

I’ve been looking at a used 2017 with 30,000 miles on it. Did mileage concern you at all when purchasing used?

Thank you. Good work

Would you suggest a small ADV or a small dual sport for a first bike? I was thinking Honda CRF 300L because I like the idea of being able to explore, go anywhere and know the bike can do it esp. at slower speeds, but I will likely be on roads more often. I do want to learn both styles of riding though, and one bike is ideal. A lot of people seem to say the 300L or the KLX's are the perfect first bikes, but Honda reliability is hard to say no to. Without any riding experience, the ADV bikes seem way to street biased and heavier (KTM 390 ADV, BMW 310 GS, etc.), and I know more weight is not fun off road. Doing all my research I'm so surprised to see people with even 700cc bikes off road loaded with like 100 pounds of crap.. That seems like it would be a nightmare to manage/work when riding, not to mention pick up if you drop it. Also, unrelated question, but I've heard people say things about KTMs and them being quirky or difficult mechanically to maintain. Is that actually a thing and if so why?

The 690 and T7 are two different categories of bikes, so you can’t really declare one is better thank the other overall. BUT you can evaluate them in different categories of riding. Obviously the T7 is generally better on the street and the 690 is better in the dirt.

I was on the fence to buy this model for 10 years but height of bike stopped me over and over. I ended up with a KLX300. Although fun its just not enough power on road to satisfy me

I’m looking to upgrade from my Kim duke 390 to include more gravel and dirt in my road trips. I’m looking at a 2012 990 adventure. The only thing turning me off the 690 enduro is the luggage rack options for soft luggage. Is this really an issue....i

Very good video mate.

Great video! I built a killer Husky 501 for BDR's but my arthritic hands just can't handle the vibes at 65-70 MPH when I am doing road work. How are the vibes on your hands on your 690 at 65-70 MPH?

What centimeter that KTM windscreen from bottom of that lamp to the top?

I hated my super tenere so much. Awful off-road and insane wind buffet on road no matter what windshield I used.

KTMs just don't like going slow❤

This is exactly the conundrum I have recently dealt with. I am planning an off road trip from the west coast of Australia to see the Finke Desert race next year and as I already have the T7 the 690 was the alternate choice for the 1100+ km of dirt to be crossed. Fortunately a friend is a Yamaha/KTM dealer and has offered me the chance to extensively road test the 690, so my mind is not set on either yet but you have certainly assisted with this review. 👍

Contemplating getting rid of my 2003 klr 650 and getting a 2023 KTM 690…

Blablablablablablablablablabla

I’m 6’5 220lbs. Looking at Honda. I’m liking the xr650l, I know it’s big but I am too. It’d be my first and forever, thoughts?

Bought a 690, your videos were pretty good advice for me. Did you stop making video ?

The front fender heights sure standout. I wonder how much that affects the wind buffeting? I'm on a WR250R, and considering a 701. Also went to look at a NC750X, but the salesman said they didn't get any this year. I had a 390 adventure that some riders should consider too. Nice big tank, modern features.

Wow, my 23 701 gets 60 mph

I moved from an XR650L to my 690. Based on new pricing spend the extra and get the 690. Don't get me wrong I loved my Honda, but it is very dated tech. By the time you spend the cash on suspension work,you may as well have gone with a 690.

What size V Stream Windshield do you have?

You are one of very few, if any, on YT that has a clue about these bikes.

Hey brother, looking into purchasing one of these beasts as my adv/ more off road based bike on the stable. I found a 2015 690 enduro r with 7k miles for 6k OTD from a dealer in Nashville. In your opinion, is that worth the price, or would you recommend the newer ones? I do plan also on purchasing a set of 17s so I can do a pseudo SM mode haha

Excellent review for a new adventure rider. Thanks.

Bravo

Nice video 👌 Am looking to the KTM siblin the 690 SM. I have yamaha yz450f but i will lile to sell that bike cz i dont have time to ride it but i need a fun city bike. So i was ti king to go Yamaha MT09 or the KTM 690 SM cz it way lighter. I have Versys for loger touring rides so i tink the 690 sm will be a best choise. I will like to find a test ride firs but even if i dont i know how it will feel. I love the wheelies in my yz450f i can do 4th gear clutch up and not blow the engine reving it to the moon. Hope the 690 can do 3th gear easy. Great video again. Ride safe All the best from Europe 🤘

Do you think this would be an okay motorcycle for a beginner? I’d like to buy one but I’m afraid it could be too much for me

KTM!!!

I think I'm getting the tenere, because I already have a yz 450 and a te 300 2 smoker.

Until something more lighter and capable comes up, the 690/701 is very hard to beat... And is pretty reliable for a KTM, these bikes are around for 10+ years. My 2021 SM is a daily all year commuter and track bike in the season. I'd be hard pressed to buy anything heavier than this.

Interesting discussion about the telelever front suspension. Coming from sport bikes, wouldn’t that feel unnatural while out on a track? I expect the front to dive and have to gently apply throttle, to not upset the chassis and let the bike dig in as we power out through corner. Just grabbed a ‘24 Super Tenere ES and would love to get it out for a track day. Thanks for the video, the action shots and the discussion. Keep up the great work.