Can you commute on a KTM 690 SMC R?

[@22smcrrider96]

I literally ride my SMCR everywhere! Ride it to work everyday it's not miserable outside! Just rolled 20K miles yesterday on my way home!

[@ktmsanyi]

20K miles yesterday?

[@22smcrrider96]

Correct rolled 20K on odometer yesterday

[@ronaldheath5659]

I see u got pa plates nice im coming out of Delaware on a 21 smcr I got like 19,700 miles. I love riding pa mountains 🤙🏻

[@22smcrrider96]

@@ronaldheath5659 nice! I'm in SW PA. About an hour south of Pittsburgh. I love riding our mountains in Fayette county up by Ohio Pyle! Idk if you ever been but it's really nice riding up there

[@LifeWellRidden]

20K already?! Dang you do ride everywhere!! I'll have to make it out to PA sometime and hit up those roads with ya!

[@steve7572]

I got my 23 yesterday and rode it 58 miles home on the freeway. 1.2 gallons used, average 75mph with occasional 100mph rips (48+mpg) and it's modded. Rotty intake, full arrow, PC6, SAS delete, KTM Ergo seat, Andreani forks, Eibach rear shock, etc. My only discomfort was my pinky went a bit numb on throttle side for a few min but that's it. Was super smooth, super comfortable, not bobbin around in the wind. I'm coming from superbikes

[@LifeWellRidden]

Heck yeah!! That is sweet right there, one heck of a setup! And I should try to do a MPG test on these.. I think I get about 175/200 miles on a tank but when I ride like how I normally do it's gotta be way less haha I can't ride it slow!

[@22smcrrider96]

Definitely recommend seat concepts seat! I ride 2 up pretty often and it's a necessity for any ride over 20-30 min. I usually ride at least hour and half at a time

[@LifeWellRidden]

You and the damn seat hahahah I swear that's in every comment you are the biggest advocate for it!! I have to jump on that band wagon.. even tho the factory one is breaking in nicely

[@22smcrrider96]

@@LifeWellRidden well I def didn't give the factory one time to break in so you got me there! I still have my stock one if you ever need another one!

[@LifeWellRidden]

@@22smcrrider96 I appreciate it! but I want to start taking longer trips on my 690 to warrant the seat.. I just do such short rides or commuting that I almost don't need it?

[@st5pr0]

lol i also moved back to 3 times a week in the office and so far i am commuting by bike, my only concern is that its a light bike that can be easily stolen so i have a massive chain that i left where i park so every day i just chain it . Other than that , i try to "surf in the slipstream" cars are producing to make commute somewhat more comfortable (on highway) , filtering is legal here and this bike is built for it :D

[@LifeWellRidden]

Holy crap I never even thought of the theft aspect!! I'm lucky enough to have a private parking lot but still.. smart on the big chain! And highway for me is similar haha I try and make it as easy as possible but wish I could filter!!

[@benedictbohmer3181]

Greetings out of Germany ✌🏼 I’m Commuting on my Husqvarna 701 100km a day to work and I absolutely enjoying it 🥳 I wouldn’t recommend the highway, but could be more chill in America then here on the autobahn 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@LifeWellRidden]

Hello from the United States! That is awesome, do you get a lot of corners/twistys on your commute?? Hahaha I would avoid your highways, especially the autobahn haha some of us (like me) think the US highways are the autobahn but they are not..

[@peterngichuki]

i commute on my 690 enduro pretty much daily and i love it!!

[@LifeWellRidden]

Heck yeah!! How many miles are you up too?? And I would love an enduro one.. just having the option to take a back road or gravel section.. so tempting

[@peterngichuki]

@@LifeWellRidden im just about to hit 40,000 km...i got it in 2018. im also thinking of doing a supermoto conversion on mine but im pretty satisfied with it being enduro at the moment.. seeing yours makes it super tempting tho

[@LifeWellRidden]

@@peterngichuki holy freaking km! That's an insane amount! I did just watch a video of someone putting 100,000km on their 2008 or so and thought that is awesome hahah. The supermoto side would be great for the street but you would regret that decision the second you saw a new dirt trail haha

[@peterngichuki]

@@LifeWellRidden yeah i watched that same video a few days ago and i thought well mines still pretty much a baby compared to that lol. its been an awesome bike so far only had to replace the exhaust rocker arm other then that its been pretty perfect.

[@d17a2dude]

I commuted on my 690 sm twice this week.

[@LifeWellRidden]

Hell yeah!! They are just so much fun man I can't get over it haha

[@d17a2dude]

@@LifeWellRidden I'm addicted too

[@foxxrider250r]

What would you say your range is with this bike? With average "spirited" driving, how many miles could you get on a tank you think? Nice video!

[@22smcrrider96]

I get about 125-135 miles before my gas light comes on

[@foxxrider250r]

@@22smcrrider96 oh nice wow that’s more than I expected

[@22smcrrider96]

@@foxxrider250r that's when I'm just cruising taking it sorta easy! I don't ever really baby it but I'm also not all out on my way to work. I don't think I've ever got less than like 100-105 before light comes on tho!

[@LifeWellRidden]

I'd have to agree with @22smcrrider96, I get about 100-115 on a normal ride that is usually pretty spirited. At the track I would say maybe 80 but honestly haven't tested that. If I'm being super soft (which is hard to do on this bike) then you could probably get at most 150 miles before the light comes on. I know with all my mods and a hot tune It will be much worse than stock!

[@ktmsanyi]

You truly love this thing. (I would love too) :) Is there any more issue with the gearbox or that issue with the false natural was only with the earlier models?

[@LifeWellRidden]

I have continued to have issues, at the track, on the street, pretty much anywhere.. It could be 1) I just miss shifts.. or don't put all my effort into it or 2) their is an actual issue/stiff transmission. I have seen rottweiler sell a new spring kit to hopefully "resolve" this issue so something tells me its not my weakass left foot hahahaha - shop.rottweilerperformance.com/shift-kit-ktm-hqv-gg-690-701/

[@Hash9377]

I ride every chance I get to work to keep miles down on car. love to daily the 690

[@LifeWellRidden]

No way I want to be stuck in the car cage any longer hahah

[@Twowheeltuesday]

Did a highway wot test on my last vid and continuing to use my sumo for everything

[@LifeWellRidden]

Oh heck yeah! What did you get up to?? I need to do one for the 690 too!

[@DYNOSRR]

I could live on one

[@reiayanami6946]

in my country it is fk hard, traffic is chaotic. but for touring is kinda fun

[@LifeWellRidden]

Which country?? But Touring is really fun on these, long straight roads get kind of boring but when you hit the twisties.. look out!

[@reiayanami6946]

@@LifeWellRidden Vietnam, u can check out some city riding pov and this smc may cause some accident lol. My country has it side along the beach anywhere so yes lots of twisties. Only problem is that this bike cost around 18000-20000 dollars new

[@LifeWellRidden]

@@reiayanami6946 That's awesome I will check some out! But crazy how expensive one is over there.. that's almost too much

[@reiayanami6946]

@@LifeWellRidden that's why there are only about a dozen of those and the 701 in my entire country. I will still try my best to get one, the smc is unique and feel unlike any other bike I have tried

[@LifeWellRidden]

@@reiayanami6946 That is crazy!! But I guess helps in the exclusive nature of the bike, they are a blast

[@Diabeekei]

How do you feel about an enduro r with an smc conversion

[@22smcrrider96]

I've never really understood why people do that. Why not just buy the one you want instead of buying them spending 💰💰 for conversion

[@LifeWellRidden]

I'm not sure on the specific differences in the bikes, I thought it was just wheels and then colors of plastics but that is never a bad idea. You could have the best of both worlds in 1 bike! It's like when I used to convert dirt bikes to supermotos, you would just have 2 sets of wheels, probably have to upgrade the brakes and then re-work the suspension, but not sure you would want to do that every time..

[@sten9019]

I would commute on my 701 SM - But my bike is parked 8 minutes walking distance away and my work is only 4 minutes walking distance away :(

[@LifeWellRidden]

Holy crap you are so close to work!! But then again it's a great grocery getter hahaha

[@sten9019]

@@LifeWellRidden Grocery store is 2 minute walk away. Guess I need to move to the country side :|

[@LifeWellRidden]

@@sten9019 Haha! What city are you in?? But I bet not owning a car would be nice, I'd trade that for just a bike any day!

[@therealchunkymonkey3711]

if ur looking for comfort on a sumo u shouldnt get one thats like saying a r1m isnt a good comutter like ofc its a track bike.

[@LifeWellRidden]

Come on let me complain a little... I need SOMETHING to complain about hahahaha

[@g_j_b_o_o_g_e_r420blaze9]

Drive mine 5 days a week . And I do ride in light rain

[@LifeWellRidden]

Have you noticed (in rain) your traction/abs light coming on at all? I feel like I have only seen that flash maybe 1-2 times since I picked it up..

[@g_j_b_o_o_g_e_r420blaze9]

I have not , the check engine light is the one that is flashy flashy. When it’s wet outside or been driving in rain. Goes away when dry . Noo idea why

[@LifeWellRidden]

@@g_j_b_o_o_g_e_r420blaze9 Weird.... none of that makes sense to me hahah but I guess KTM knows best..

[@mrrandy1]

There has been some spy photos of the new bike for 2025, so there might be finally an upgrade coming soon

[@MrWolf2212]

any new photos or only the ones from few months ago?

[@mrrandy1]

@@MrWolf2212 only the ones a few months ago.

[@LifeWellRidden]

I'm keeping my eye out.. I thought (again this may be a rumor or just me over thinking things) but didn't KTM used to do a "black frame" model on the last year before they changed things up?

[@mrrandy1]

@@LifeWellRidden I would be happy with just a gas guage. I want to buy the 2024 Husky 700 SMC at my dealer, but dont want to buy it if there is going to be a major update.

[@mlhm5]

Vibrations? You should have bought a Ducati. You only need one leg for a kickstand. Ducati has a far better technology. buy a different seat and windscreen.

[@LifeWellRidden]

I hear the Ducati is a nice ride and the updated dash would be really nice! But I hate to make the argument, then why not buy a different style of bike? A sumo (in my opinion) should be bare bones and all about fun, bringing me back to my roots of dirt bike's with semi-slicks haha, I'm even contemplating an adventure bike for longer trips and to be commuter comfort

[@shawnjoseph7522]

Your riding too close