KTM 690 Enduro & 790 Adventure R Project Bikes

[@CommieHunter7]

I LOVE how rational and down to earth this is. You guys are tied at the top for Moto coverage. You're not spending tons of money and you're not doing mental gymnastics to justify stuff.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks for your kind words Adam. Its very nice indeed.

[@thedevhow]

Just wanted to thank for this video. Really appreciate the down to earth, calm, logical presentation. So tired from all the adderall infused content, a breath of fresh air.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks Karolis. Kind words!

[@Angry-Lynx]

I consider all of those comfort/luxury extras.... maybe beside wind protection for hands. I would do two things: suspension tune in professional shop for much better comfort, heated grips(always a must in all my bikes) , eventually wind protection for hands like you showed if climate is really cold. Cheers ;

[@wandersofp]

appreciate how candid you guys are about what works and what doesn't, even if they might be kicking some help your way

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad you like it! I genuinely believe honesty trumps everything.

[@davidc1961utube]

Nice video! Iceland is a spectacular place, although expensive. I took a typical bus tour one year and thought to myself "What a cool place to ride". Two years later I had the opportunity to tour with a group on motorcycles. We spent 10 days riding IIRC, on rented BMWs and crossed over the middle, including a couple rivers like the ones you showed. One day included a "wintry mix" of rain and slush, and I cannot begin to imagine how cold your hands must have been on the 690. Damn fine riding skills not to crash with numb fingers! Cheers, and I will go watch your Iceland video now.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Sounds like a very similar experience 🤣🤣 Thanks for kind comment!

[@tshansen]

This was really good :-) Thank you once again for going that extra mile to give us some quality content :-)

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks for the kind words Thomas! My pleasure.

[@Outbackmotortek]

We appreciate the shoutout! Stoked to hear that the crash bars served their purpose well 👊

[@BrakeMagazine]

Your bars are awesome. They've never let me down!

[@Outbackmotortek]

Brake Magazine 🤜💥🤛

[@carlanavlyt5696]

Great video.... I bought my new ktm 690r in 2017 and absolutely love this bike! I live in wine country with a lot of beautiful green foothills.great get out and smell the roses with this tiger!

[@BrakeMagazine]

Very nice!

[@SeventhTauri]

790 r is an awesome bike

[@BrakeMagazine]

Sure is!

[@hello7533]

24mins on the 690, 5 on the 790. I only clicked to hear about the 790. Maybe 2 vids would have been better, or a timestamp in the description. Just a bit of feedback. 👍

[@BrakeMagazine]

Okay 🙂

[@BrakeMagazine]

Okay! Will try and add it 🙂 We have done a very comprehensive review of the 790 if it helps.

[@genomedia44]

Really appreciate how you tried something different than the doubletakes. Gotto say though, the options are limited, and those look a lot like some cheapos I recently bough. How they hold up is the real question I guess.

[@bikenavbm1229]

good stuff as usual really liked the direction towards the longer trip adv practicalities versus ultimate performance values, more of this would be welcomed by me anyway.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad you liked it!!

[@djeffhawk7987]

For the mirror the solution is to keep original one since they brake and after buy some other, after 4 years and a few falls they are still not broken. For me the first thing to change on the 790R is the engine/fuel tank protection. The second is hand protector or lever for swivel and short one, Ktm powerparts (expensive). To travel 2 pieces confort seat from 790S or to rebuilt by a good saddler and the wind screen of 790S too. I have dismontable SW Moteck rack with Kriega OS 32. In 5 mn i can change the bike to solo (hard drive) to a decent travel bike with pillion with cruise control and top box. I wonder how can i ride since 4 years without a 950€ Akrapovic exhaust on my 790R to save 0,5 Kg, I might need to see a psychologist.🤔

[@Fredzicko]

This is really pleasant to listen to

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad you like it!

[@g000se99]

Fuel mod on 690’s are a must for me

[@GoingNowhereSlowly.]

14:33 the arguments made here against the 690 wrt the open roads, won't that be true for most roads a typical adventure ride would compromise of? I'm asking because I'm wondering in real life how often a person traveling longer distances would really encounter roads worse than what a 4x4 can handle, and therefor if I'm overthinking my buy options...

[@D3VTec]

Well done. Appreciate the thoughtful feedback on riding the 690 long distances.

[@MrTaunusbiker]

Great video. Love the only small changes to the bikes. Honest feedback on what worked and what didn‘t. Keep up the good work and stay healthy. When is the Wales offroad school re-opening?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad you liked it. I'm not sure on that. It'll be down to the government really.

[@Thumpermad]

Thanks for the great review I already have a 790R and really like lots of things about it. I was actually tossing up between the 690R or the 701 Husky but you actually made a couple of good points which I have seen in other reviews regarding the 690 being neither a Enduro or ADV bike , and wind protection without a major cash injection though I feel my 790R is almost in the same boat as far as fairing effectiveness and they both could probably benefit from a tower setup I was going to spend the money instead of buying a tower setup on a stronger wheelset for the 790R

[@brucekendall52]

Great analysis of the 690.Thks.JHB-SA

[@tolga1cool]

Awesome Video! Iceland is definitely a bucket list item.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@aimenalwan]

Another great review, this time with more epic scenery. Thank you guys.

[@BrakeMagazine]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@danebrewer10]

Halfrauds would have had the Allen socket you needed for the 690's crash bars, I had the same when I came to stick some crash bars on my bike...

[@BrakeMagazine]

I like the name there 🤣🤣 Good shout on the socket.

[@CommieHunter7]

I've wondered about the muffs going outside the Barkbusters. If you tip, don't they get torn up? I'd love a muff design that fits inside the aluminum bar, so you have all the same crash/skid resistance. I know lever impingement is a risk, so attaching it to the inside of the bar should keep the space open.

[@BrakeMagazine]

I think if you threw then down the road the material on the outside would rip but they're pretty hardy things. I raced most of a Dakar in them and they held up. 🙂

[@CommieHunter7]

@@BrakeMagazine you're a better rider than me. I pitch my bikes to the ground on the regular, but usually on gravel or dirt.

[@dereckrandell2458]

KTM 690, Madstad bolt on screen 3 different lengths, APX 8mm plastic bash plate, Wings Exhaust, Radegarage 6 litre auxiliary petrol tank, Fasst Flex Handlebars.

[@BrakeMagazine]

The AXP sumpgaurds have the limitations as Aluminium in how they're made. Also, I'd never heard of that screen company. It's huge!!!

[@JS-ny8sn]

That Madstad is one UGLY windscreen. I have a 701 and was considering a windscreen but I would rather have nothing than that. I know I put looks over functionality🤷🏼 I love to find the sweet spot between functionality and good looking 😉 I fit a FMF slip on for my exhaust, again I thought it looked better than all the other options.

[@ronsexton3685]

For Las Vegas desert sand/rock roads and also getting to the place you will be riding(traveling to there) which bike would you prefer?

[@ronsexton3685]

You mentioned the raid solution for the fuel. What about the LR (Long Range) tank that KTM appears to have?

[@Jamilsiddique]

That was excellent. Very good and insightful. Even if you didn’t have either of these bikes (like me). You have given loads of insights in to the same considerations that can be applied to other bikes. Well done. Thanks

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rotor676]

One of the best revues of the bikes I've seen. Thanks

[@paoloferrario9799]

Eccellent video, thanks. I have a 2019 701 Enduro with about 20.000 kilometers and I am evaluating a possibile change with the new 790 or 890 adv r. Now the question: considering long distance journey (weeks or months) outside Europe, 50% road and 50% offroad, wich one would you use? Thanks alot, ciao from Italy.

[@barrymurphy3554]

Nice One Guys very good, honest review. Thanks very much I have just bought a used 690 it's very well sat up so looking forward to putting a lowing link on them seeing a bit more of Australia Cheers

[@BrakeMagazine]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@stevecarmack6267]

Total enjoyed this video. I’m on a 690 r for traveling and I agree with what I saw here. I’ve been thinking about the 890 r or possibly the Yamaha T7 for its replacement. It seems that most of the people I know or see on video who have the 690 use it more as a big dirt bike (witch it is) as opposed to using it for adventure bike duty l. I ride a KTM 300 XCW from trail riding and treat the two experiences different. Thanks for a informative and entertaining video.

[@theSquashSH]

Exactly the video I've been looking for, thank you for making it.

[@LeUvula]

How was the touratech screen? Any turbulence in the helmet?

[@BrakeMagazine]

I like it. It's as good as a product like that can be really, without being bigger. Not so much turbulence but definitely clean wind. We're both tall, Lucy 5'11 and me 6'2. It most give chest protection and when it's really bad you can hunker down. Worth the money if you're looking for something small.

[@LeUvula]

@@BrakeMagazine Thank You

[@motopiknik]

For 690 you definitely need a better light and engine protection! See more here: facebook.com/pg/madmechs.workshop/ or here instagram.com/mad_mechs_workshop/

[@linuslilja7834]

I really enjoy your videos! Thanks alot!

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks Linus!

[@overseer1234]

If we're going to see these as often as the Vstrom 650 project bike I wouldn't hold my breath for updates...

[@johnthorburn1913]

Robin Michalik That’ll be the VStrom that was nicked, will it? Hardly surprising there weren’t any updates.

[@richardtaylor2873]

what happend to your V Strom 650 project? Abandoned?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Not quite. Redone and coming soon.

[@jojitsu56]

Do you think the 690 would be better suited for the tight and gnarly UK green lanes and country roads? Cheers

[@scottc3]

Great video Lel. Been looking for replacement mirrors for the GSA, so will stick with DoubleTake after watching that. Have to say the 790 looks like an awesome bike overall. A good lighter weight alternative the the BMW for on and off road riding. 👍

[@chiptaxfree]

Great channel I love your stuff. I'm located in Omaha Nebraska usa. If you did the same trip again would you do it on the 690 or Yamaha t7? And why?

[@BrakeMagazine]

I would not use a 690 personally. The primary reason is comfort. I am comfortable enough riding T7 most places. Iceland is cold, wet and harsh and the 690 doesn't help. It's a cold bike, it vibrates a lot and skips about on the trail a lot. The bigger bikes work really well on the coregated and stony dirt roads and over the two weeks best the body up a lot less.

[@craigyarrington4964]

I'd be interested to know your thoughts on the new Husky 701 LR. longer range and a better seat.

[@shorty123456789102]

Trying to install that Touratech windscreen on my 2019 690 enduro and can’t get it to line up enough to even get all the bolts in. How did you guys get it to fit the newer model bike?

[@BrakeMagazine]

I can't remember exactly but, put the top triple clamp bolts in losely, then fit the screen loosely. Do the screen up and then the triple clamp bolts to the right torque. I think its 17nm

[@philwilliamson3370]

Awesome! How did you keep your feet dry??!!

[@BrakeMagazine]

Waterproof socks. A couple of days the water came in over the top after standing in rivers for a while but 90% of the time they were awesome.

[@philwilliamson3370]

@@BrakeMagazine Excellent.. Cheers!

[@tiesto066]

Hey , great videos!, wich bike would you take as a real adventure bike for a long trip where you know that electric features and a so much power does not generally necessary, (where you need more reliable mechanic parts rather than software which is harder to be service on distant countries of the world), ? the 690 enduro R or the 790 adventure R ?

[@LimitEdit]

Wich size of the tyre do you fitted on the 690...because here in Germany i do not find any bridgestone ax41 in regular size for the 690 Otherwise really good video thx for putting it together!

[@BrakeMagazine]

I can't remember exactly, but maybe a 140/80 R18 but it may have been a 150.

[@DR551000]

Generally I think you guys do a pretty good review. But, wondering why you didn't fit the Damper to the bars on the single in the first place, the twins will always be smoother.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Because KTM were meant to but they didn't arrive in time. I asked for them on both.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Also, the 690 clamps won't fit a 790 so we couldn't swap them out.

[@DR551000]

@@BrakeMagazine Cool. Thanks for your reply.

[@AlexdeLarge6655321]

Did you guys build the bikes up there, or ship them over? How would your own bike to Iceland? Thanks!

[@BrakeMagazine]

We built them in the UK and shipped them to Iceland. Search for Eimskip 🙂

[@jonaristefansson]

You can also take the ferry with www.smyrilline.com/

[@rohrjewelry]

Great video, curious how Africa twin did compared to these 2, I have a 2018 and thinking of getting a 690 or 500 exc for more dual sport type rides but not sure there is enough difference to be worth it with a 690?

[@BrakeMagazine]

We can probably help with more video content. We've done an in depth review of the 790 and both the 790 and Africa Twin were in our ADV of the year test. For dual sport riding the 690 is vastly different. Firstly, is 80+kg light than an Africa Twin. It totally depends on what riding you do and what your skill level is? If you tell me that I'll try and help.

[@chet3215]

When are we getting the next round of this series? Really hoping you fit a Omega Fiber rally kit on the 690 and let us know if it's what every 690 adventure bike needs or not. Please, Pretty Please.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Hey, That's a potential project bike for later in the year for sure! We've got to be allowed out to ride yet 😂

[@chet3215]

@@BrakeMagazine Sounds like you need a remote location. Dakar, Spain? I bet Lyndon Poskitt would toss you a real Rally to do a comparison.

[@fredflyingv3863]

Good job! I like it!

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks!

[@jahyoda]

Nice Video Gentlemen...Love How The Background Looks Like MAGA 😉👍🏻

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad you liked!

[@jojitsu56]

great video,thanks. I currently own a 2017 AT DCT and a yamaha tenere 700, but keep thinking of swapping for a 690 enduro r. What bike out of the 3 would you choose as a do it ll bike? i can only have one bike,,Cheers

[@jojitsu56]

I'm quite new to green laning so not very good, but enjoying it very much, still like to blast around the twisties and have a lightweight camping trip every so often.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Honestly, you need to test ride a 690. They're pretty differently to what you'd expect. Sounds like you've got a great gararge, but to improve your skills a CRF 250L might be perfect. 🙂

[@jojitsu56]

@@BrakeMagazine thanks for the reply. I'm thinking either keep the T7, or get a full power crf450l or a 690.. Not sure if the 450 has enough legs to satisfy my road needs though.. I can't get a test ride on a 690 anywhere, no demo bikes!

[@karlmac1]

I really like the look of those handlebar clamps, but I can't find them for the 790 Adv R. They look like KTM P/N 79001939500 but their website says they don't fit the KTM790. Handle bar vibration has been a problem for me. It would be great if I could identify the solution that worked for you.

[@BrakeMagazine]

uk.tripleclampmoto.com/products/xtrig-phds-kit-for-ktm-and-husqvarna?currency=GBP

[@karlmac1]

@@BrakeMagazine I fitted these on your recommendation, they have cured the tingle that I used to get in my hands after a long ride. Thanks for the tip.

[@MikeonabikeinEyke]

The mirrors you fitted to the 690 are from China and can be bought on Amazon for £11.99 😉

[@BrakeMagazine]

Don't buy those either. Still not worth it.

[@Whos-That-Guy]

@@BrakeMagazine Why... I've had a set on my 1190 for 2 years with no issues. If they break then just buy another set... Although not a very enviro friendly way to go about it..

[@hock4540]

Fantastic content! Thanks!

[@AyoHues]

Great in depth commentary - thank you. Only the music enamel annoying - get a longer loop next time! 😁

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks for the feedback and watching!

[@michaeljentl3402]

Hi, is the bar higher with the phds clamps? Thanks

[@BrakeMagazine]

Yes, a little bit. Not like full risers but a little higher.

[@Dr.Hosamtalhami]

Great and informative video! I'm a fan :) Could you have done this trip on a 1250 gs rallye ? Comfort and technicality in consideration! Thanks

[@BrakeMagazine]

Absolutely. A few in our group were on rented 1250's.

[@LizardMane]

what part of iceland was this?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Is that sarcastic? 😂

[@sarunasdidjurgis8380]

where is comparison of two bikes?

[@BrakeMagazine]

It's not a comparison

[@jojitsu56]

Great info, thanks.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks for watching John.

[@Xavii1986]

Did you enjoy the 790 on highway speeds? +/- 120 kph? the turbelence is killing me i tried both stock windshields + an extender (with and without it on both). I need to find a solution because this is the only thing i REALLY dislike on this bike.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Not really. It's not the best but I didn't think KTM's bigger screen helped. Most of the time I preferred it in the lower position but I'm pretty tall. There might be some decent aftermarket ones?

[@mortorv2030]

Great stuff. Iceland looks like a great trip! Still undescided on which bike to get. KTM 790adv R = Too heavy/expensive/tall (short arse), T7 = too heavy?, KTM 690 enduro R = Tall/unreliable/not great on for motorway miles? The thinking process continues.......

[@Angry-Lynx]

have u actually tried those bikes or just repeating stuff you heard.... cuz you often hear stuff like this from perfectionists on the internet, but reality .... you know..... anyway always try something yourself before jumping to conclusions is my experience ;

[@thedevhow]

KTM EXC 525 adventurized, there's nothing else if you chase weight. Personally I don't see the point.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Do you mean a 500 EXC?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Totally agree. Have you watched our 790 Adv R and T7 reviews? They may help.

[@mortorv2030]

@@Angry-Lynx yes i have tried all 3. 790 R is way too big for me and price is easy to work out ;) The 690 was the most fun, and the Tenere is a great bike but not light and nimble enough like the KTM. If only yamahas reliability was mixed into the 690s fun factor. Slightly leaning toward the 690 though. It changes daily. First world problems eh?

[@PhantomMark]

I'm proud of Barkbuster products, can you send me some please as well ??

[@BrakeMagazine]

😂

[@Checkyoursix77]

I can’t believe that ktm still haven’t a 690 Adventure in there range.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Yup. Mental right.

[@HD2O13XL12OOC]

Well said, well done 👍

[@kurtdold3706]

So you favored the 790? What about the goofy fuel tank an higher center of gravity?

[@BrakeMagazine]

The tank design is super functional and the COG is pretty low because of it.

[@stevec9959]

Did I miss the 790 content?

[@BrakeMagazine]

There really isn't a lot that it needs 🤣

[@unknowncommonman]

Soo, in conclusion you guy's tried to make 690 (an Enduro bike) into different version which would make it last long lasting Dual Sporter and for Traveling long distances on Tarmac and off-road and 790 R which is a Adventure into an Even more Long Distance Off-road Bike , So , what's the difference that makes an Adventure bike into Adventure Bike and Enduro Bike into Enduro Bike (Dirt Bike) , and what makes them different from each other when they are similar in function ??? , a part from fuel range & comfort , does Fuel Tank Range and Riding comfort change the whole equation ???

[@BrakeMagazine]

Well not really no. We tried to make them a little better for the task at hand, and then we looked at how that went. Lots of people choose 690s as a base and lots of people want to make them a little comfier for the job. It still has loads of pluses but my point is, it had some limitations for this trip. The same with the 790.

[@Davidkxf]

I don't know how you managed 300 km range on the 690, I struggle for 200 km on both my 701SM and my 690R.

[@BrakeMagazine]

What generation/year? That was on consistent, mellow ADV riding 🙂

[@Davidkxf]

@@BrakeMagazine I have a 2016 690R and a 2018 701SM (same engine as your 690) both have about 5,000 km on the clock. Apparently I ride a bit harder than I thought :)

[@Angry-Lynx]

wow 300km on 13,5l tank... my 950 adv does 250-280km on it's 20l tank lol ;

[@tolga1cool]

That's a LOT! I get ~160-170 km until the reserve comes on on my 990 and average 8,8 l/100km or just about 27 mpg (us)

[@thedevhow]

You get less than 10l/100km? Wow, great MPG

[@BrakeMagazine]

Yup. Fuel economy has come a long way 🤣🤣

[@davidherr6793]

180km max on both my 690 and 701

[@Angry-Lynx]

@@davidherr6793 and the golden shovel award goes to davidherr for replying 3yo comm. Here Ur award. There's no shovel emoji 🔱

[@gibb013]

KTM advertise the 690 enduro r in their 'Adventure' category? I think this bike is perfectly capable of being an adventure bike. Adventure spec took a CRF 450L down to Morocco without any difficulty. Someone just rode Sydney to London on a posty bike. What is your point here? I just don't get it, 29 mins of blah blah blah, I think 95 % of the people watching this nonsense would never buy a 690, because they spend 95% of their wannabe lives, on the road with a bike that they can pretend they take off road. f. me. oh and project?? what sticking a new windscreen, bash plate and hand guards is a project now is it ???????

[@BrakeMagazine]

I'm not really sure why your comment is so angry here. I agree it can be but it depends on where your riding, what your riding and you level. You can ride anything, anywhere but that doesn't make it good at the job. I could ride a penny farthing to morocco, but other bikes will do a better job. I think my point is pretty clear. We used two bikes, made some changes and rode a bunch of miles. Then drew some conclusions. I don't really understand your point or quite why your angry about it? Why are you judging other people so hard? Why does it matter if they do or don't wanna buy a 690?

[@gibb013]

@@BrakeMagazine Your quite right about my reply, it reads worse than it was intended, but i do feel that bike reviewers should get a little flack here and there, especially as you advise us on what you think is the best bike in this and that category and it just isn't right a lot of the time. Bike manufacturers invest millions to set their bike out there in to a market place that they are confident it will do what it was designed to do. Bike reviewers make cheap remarks about bikes they have ridden for half an hour (not you) and give their ill advised opinions, that are generally, just a lot of fluff. I think bike reviews should be done in 3 or 4 parts and some really gritty information passed on to the viewers, real 'get down & dirty' reviews, that people can actually get something out of. My apologies, i do watch the channel and like both you and your father, it was just time to rant, as i don't think people say what they really feel about these reviews, not without being a dick about it, which is not what anyone wants and i would never have intended to do. The 690 is an utterly amazing machine both on and off the road and compared to Tenere's and AT's of which i have owned, this bike is to me a better bike especially if you want to off road properly. I also think we want to see a little more of the bikes up close and personal.

[@oscarbear7498]

So nothing was answered..

[@zakkyummms]

How are you gonna have 4 guys get off and help you through a water crossing? Just get off and walk it.

[@unknowncommonman]

This video was a Really Really longer !!!

[@BrakeMagazine]

It was.

[@aux1z11]

Is this a subliminal video with the Brake=Stop and Maga and the 33 degree Mason pyramid on your shirt , yep sure is.

[@Captndarty]

I’m assuming it would take a few hours to install all those parts, why would you spend the time and money or the sponsors money to outfit these bikes just for a few day’s of riding just to take them all off again (used and devalued) just to return the bikes to KTM?

[@tosgem]

i dunno why in the shit you would ever choose 690 when u got 790 available. Bigger and more power, slays the 690 every way

[@franksmith9692]

tosgem except when the going gets tough. Still 100 lb heavier.

[@chuckerpower2841]

Not a fan of your annoying music 😳😡

[@rodrigoalmendro3118]

first?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Second...

[@rodrigoalmendro3118]

@@BrakeMagazine :( Great vid btw

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks Rodrigo!