2WM: Manic Thoughts about ... 2015 KTM 690 Enduro R

KTM 690 Enduro R or as I like it miscall it the 690 Adventure R is a very fun machine, that took me out of my comfort zone on the street. I thought that this would be very much like my KLR with more power, well it does have more power an extra 20hp and its 22% lighter, that makes for what feels like a lot more power. I'm going to try to write this review not as a comparison of the KTM 690 Enduro to the KLR but will make references to the KLR based on what I was expecting. /Disclaimer This machine is one heck of an offroad machine with equally capable offroad tires and frame, it just so happens to be street legal and can attain highway speeds if you desired.
Comfort 5-10
Now this is not a stab at KTM but I'm reviewing this bike as a bike I could commute on not as a dirt bike. This bike is not comfortable, 1 it feels a million miles taller then my KLR, and thats understandable because it has an extra 2 inches of travel up front and 3 in the rear, and won't sag at all when you sit on it. In addition to being tall the suspension is stiff and designed to take some solid hits when off roading, and because the rest of the bike is designed for offroad use, so is the seat, this is a bike you want to stand on because the age of 2x4 wrapped in a towel would be a compliment. Now I will say the bars felt great, and so did the foot controls, although the pegs where a little high. The gauge was really easy to read, but it didn't offer any sort of wind protection like the Duke's offer.
Controls 8-10
I loved the controls on this bike, the bars are nice and wide and gave a great turn in response, so much so though I would almost call it twitchy but I blame the aggressive knobbies. The throttle was supper crisp and gave great engine contol. the breaks felt solid and gave good feel but I felt they didn't slow me down as much as I would like, but I again blame the knobbies. as stated before the gauge is most excelent with a nice large tachometer, and a huge speedometer. the idiot lights are easy to see and understand. I wish the gear indicator was easier as I feel that might be beneficial off road but I don't do enough to really be a strong judge there.
Technology 7-10
ABS, that's it when it comes to the driver aids, but it is nice to have, it can be disabled under the seat for the hard core off road guys but for me I like knowing it is there. Now there are some other technological features, such as the motor which is the famous LC4 single cylinder 4 stroke fuel injected race monster that has been tuned down to a well powered super reliable monster, and is mated to a much appreciated 6 speed gearbox.
Engine 8-10
Like I said the LC4 is a great engine, it is torque friendly and has the power to accel on a hill climb or as I would love a supermoto for the street. Man I wish KTM would bring the SMC's to the USA. The power on this engine is rated at 63Hp and 48 Ft-lb of torque coming in at a fairly high 7500 and 6550 respectively, so it makes quite a bit of power later in the range. Given that the LC4 is a fuel injected it is always giving the most power that it can and will fun as smoothly as possible.
Performance and Handling 8-10
Again these review is more focused on using these bikes for commuting and taking to work, so while I'm sure this bike while being large I think would be great on some technical single track in the woods but I couldn't test it that way. On the street the knobbie tires are not that great and I didn't feel as comfortable on them as I do on the 80-20's on my KLR, but they held fine and put down the power. But it took me most of the ride to get comfortable so it was tough to judge this section fairly, but the engine was crisp and the wide bars made turning in a snap. I did have a speed wobble when I was up shifting but talking to the service guy he thinks a simple steering stem nut adjustment would eliminate that, so yeah I really like this motor, I love the frame, all I would do to this bike is throw some 17 inch supermoto rims on it and hoon about.
Overall
I think this is a great bike, it is a little pricey at $10999 but you are getting a race dirtbike frame and suspension with the bulletproof LC4 650cc (there is that KTM fuzzy math again) single that we all know and love. the fuel injection means one less thing to worry about, and gives you maximum performance at all elevations. It's not the best commuter around town bike, in it's stock form, but I'm sure if you have some trails you know you can take either to work or that you want to tear up on the weekends this is for you.
Grade 70 - D
intro audio
"Ice Flow" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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[@katsugi183]

love the review.braaap time ^.^

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

+Keith Wong thanks man

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

Tuesday's Video decided to publish early ... oh well, get ready from some good old fashioned BRAPAGE

[@FlakMonkey42]

The 690 has throttle-by-wire and 3 throttle mappings on all post 2014 models.

[@FlakMonkey42]

The switch is concealed under the seat, but an aftermarket map switch is available. Same story with the ABS.

[@FlakMonkey42]

Couple more clarifications. The '12+ models are a true 690cc engine. No more fuzzy math. The rear ABS can be disabled from the gauge cluster, but that's only lasts until you kill the bike. To fully disable the ABS, you must buy the ABS dongle that goes under the seat.

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

+Brett Bailey Wow man thanks for the clarification on all the things, KTM has always loved funny math, but I'm glad that they cleared it up with the 690's (can't be said for the 390 though) the mapping under the seat I thought I had been told but couldn't find anything on it because I was looking at information for I think a 2012 and didn't see anything in the little booklet I got from the demo day. Thanks man, good to know I'm assuming you have one of these? Can you confirm the speed wobble can be cured with a tightening of the steering steam?

[@FlakMonkey42]

+The2WheelManiac I've had my '15 for a few months and about 2k miles. I've experienced the speed wobble and it is a common complaint with the 690. It seem like the front end is just very light, and that effect is exacerbated by speed, wind and the upright seating position. Without any suspension tuning I could induce a wobble at about 65 mph and the bike would do it for me at 80+ mph. Putting more weight on the bars and pegs seemed to calm things down a lot, though. Since then, I've fiddled with the suspension settings a bit and the wobble is reduced, but not gone. I'm no suspension expert and others report no problems are getting the bike properly set up. I think you're right about the knobbies as well, but I havent tested that theory.

[@2wheelmaniacrides]

+Brett Bailey Awesome I'm not much of a dirt rider so it was good to see that I made some sense this far out of my comfort zone. I really want to get more dirt experiance but PA is a pain, everything is off limits and can get you shot or tossed in jail. I mean I get it it's a dirt bike and who is going to catch me but it is just though. Only off roading I did was that video all those months ago after the rain on 80/20 not cool. oh well I just need to get me a supermoto. the Enduro would be so much fun but just a really expensive bike.