Why I Bought - but then QUICKLY sold - the "Unicorn" KTM 690 Enduro Rally

[@BigRockMoto]

Did I make a huge mistake by selling the modified, ultimate lightweight ADV 690 Enduro? Sound off below! 🏍 SUPPORT BIG ROCK MOTO BY USING THESE LINKS! ⚠Rocky Mountain Store: bit.ly/33kgRIz ⚠Revzilla Store: imp.i104546.net/6bxxXN ⚠Mosko Moto: moskomoto.com/bigrockmoto ⚠Amazon Store: amzn.to/3viGZ0A ⚠Merchandise : big-rock-moto.myspreadshop.com/ ⚠Patreon: www.patreon.com/bigrockmedia

[@boudix5737]

I guess not, if it can’t do the single trail stuff like the smaler 350 KTM, with all the luggage on and it feels heavy and can’t handel the luggage for a multi day (weeks) trip. It’s not the right bike to do that, and you can better use a specially designed bike for that purpose like T7 or KTM 890 ADV-R. Okt-Nov I did a 5 week tour to Greece on a 890-Adv-R and yes you have to do some highway miles and a lot of secondary road with the bike …. To get to those great off-road tracks in the Balkan an Greece, but that means that you still ride 60% on roads, and I agree that a 890-adv-R is Mitch more fun than the 690. and since you have multiple bikes to pick from that is the right decision I guess.

[@MattPerry]

The KTM 690 is for people who want to have a motorcycle to ride off-road but don't want to have the Maintenance and want to have a motorcycle that rides off-road and that is also light And that is powerful enough to ride on the street. therefore for people who have in view these objectives in the first place, leaving motorcycle trips to the background, this motorcycle is for people who like the KTM 500 but don't want to have the maintenance work, I think that is this above all. KTM 690 is for me.

[@GCTO239]

Right call

[@AppalachianDualSport]

@@MattPerry Ehh....there are a much bigger differences than maintenance intervals between those two bikes.

[@AppalachianDualSport]

Definitely not a mistake. Dirt bike for off-road, heavy touring bikes for pavement and gravel.

[@glossblack1098]

The 690 / 701 is the perfect bike for those who ride less than 2 hours road to the dirt trails. That is what it was designed for. Any longer than say 3 hours on the highway and you start wishing you had a twin ADV. After decades of riding many different bikes, the 690 is my favourite. Ride whatever bike makes you smile the most. Cheers

[@Erstwhile.Freeman]

I totally agree. The only bike that would replace my 2016 is a new 690. Every ride is a blast.

[@ManBikeSwag]

the seat concept seat can push this up a little. as would a screen.

[@SASSniperL96]

Can't agree with you. My own exp in travel 1100 kms 2 day in a row (~2300 total) on my 701. It was nice and comfortable enough.

[@ManBikeSwag]

@@SASSniperL96 I love my 690 more than life itself. But the touring comfort is nowhere near the big bike comforts, Wind buffering and the loud knobby treads are my main issues, both fixable. As we get older (51) it gets harder to punch out 1100km days even on the best tourers.

[@glossblack1098]

@@ManBikeSwag 1100 km days. Wow. Never done that as I’m in the dirt more than the road. If I was doing long highway rides regularly I think I’d get a GS. Whatever floats your boat.

[@neptunetriton]

After owning larger ADV bikes, I purchased a Husqvarna 701 Long Range and it's been an amazing bike. It weighs 383lbs wet with 6.3 gallons of gas on board, makes 70+ HP, happily travels at 80mph on the highway, slays in the dirt, goes 330-370 miles between fuel stops, light enough to pick up by myself offroad, and easy to load/carry in a trailer, pickup bed, or hitch carrier. IMHO there are no other bikes on the market today that can do all that with a full compliment of BDR camping gear. You can go a little bigger (Taureg, T7, 890) or a little smaller (CRF300, 350, CRF450RL, 500EXC), but if you want a single do all bike in between, the 690/701 (esp Long Range) are where its at.

[@MOTOPSYCHO909]

Too bad they only built the LR one year.

[@JS-ny8sn]

@@MOTOPSYCHO909 There are multiple ways to add fuel capacity to a standard 701.

[@MOTOPSYCHO909]

@@JS-ny8sn Yes, I have the Rade Garage Aux. Tank. Factory option is great to have though if you want it. I did consider the LR when I got my 2020 690. I don't think it was overly expensive option. Wish I would have now.

[@zedballs]

@@Coldgecko something way dumber and more detuned, the CRF300RL is probably just about the perfect option. I don't think KTM is "unreliable" per se, but 74 bhp out of a single is pushing it, as is the twin balancers and a few other things. The CRF300 is bullet proof, you could probably run that thing without oil to limp it back and it'd be fine.

[@bradsanders6954]

@@MOTOPSYCHO909 I can get right at 200 miles with stock gas capacity on my 690, its not hard to carry a gallon. 90% of the time I wouldnt need extra. They get really good mileage.

[@mattroberts5214]

I wanted to share a bit about my experience with my current bike(2020 690 Enduro R). I'm 56 and consider myself a very average rider. Due to limited garage space I can only have one bike (thanks to my wife!),. That's why I opted for a versatile model that offers me three modes: MX (stripped down dirt), Supermoto (with extra rims), and Full adventure (with racks, etc.). This way, I can seamlessly switch up the bike's setup for different applications. Last year, I went on a long ride to Yosemite with all the luggage, and I made a few modifications to the bike that made a huge difference in comfort and performance. I added a slip-on cruise control lever for only $20.00 and an Airhawk cushion, as well as a bolt-on windshield, a Husqvarna rear sprocket(4 extra teeth) made the gearing shorter and much better off-road. It worked great, although the high winds in the desert did blow me around a bit on the way back. Nevertheless, the bike had plenty of power. The engine harmonics go silent at 74mph and you can't feel anything, so I cruise at that speed. Switching bikes all the time would be a disaster for me because I'm so used to my current ride, and it fits me like a glove. I find there's a level of comfort and confidence that comes from sticking with one bike, and I would hate to have to adjust to a different one all the time. Living in SoCal means there's an equal amount of dirt and roads to ride on, and my bike is the perfect fit for this area. I love being able to switch to street mode with the Supermoto rims - it takes the experience to the next level and is so much fun. Cheers to all of you and happy riding!

[@Rakkasan-vr8xt]

I’m same age, same exact bike and year, just outside Sacramento. I frequently ride 3-5 hour trips all over the place, Bodega Bay, Stonyford, just all over. I bought a Seat Concepts seat, added 1 inch bar risers, doubletake mirrors, some nylon side bags, Vanasche skip plate, fuel filler and other little Knick knacks. For what I do it’s the perfect bike for me. I’ll be riding in MOAB for a week soon, I’ll be sure to write a review for the trip.

[@flipper323]

What about the handling with the SM rims? They are 17inch, right?

[@mattroberts5214]

@@flipper323 Yes. They work great. The Enduro Forks have trail on them compared to the SMC version of the bike and of course the brakes are not as strong as it is the single and not the duel. Adjusting the fork height in the triple clamp helps with the difference. The bike is lower to the ground and has a lot more grip on the pavement. It feels safer and I can take corners with confidence. It's a lot of fun and makes the bike completely different in feel/looks. I have a graphic kit and metallic/orange rims with decals on half. Very hooligan.

[@WetFeet4]

Very few bikes in the world that can do what you’re describing, it’s definitely a very good Jack of all trades, if not the only Jack

[@mattroberts5214]

The only issue I had in with the clutch slave cylinder which failed within 2 weeks of purchasing the bike. This of course was a known issue. The valve checks have been perfect. The oil clean upon change. I know the earlier models(per 2019) had some issues with the top end but, this is a completely different build than those earlier models. I have a review at KZbin@therattravels. I just got done with a long trip and will be posting more videos pretty soon. In my review, I state to make sure to keep the stock air-box as it has superior filtration and prevents valve wear.@@ssd6467

[@DerpInTheWoods]

As a 701 owner, they're absolutely a compromise bike. No, it's not an ADV bike, but it can do it. No, it's not a dirt bike, but it can do it. But you spend a bit of time tweaking it for what you want, and it's a lot better at what you want to do IME. Get the suspension setup if you're carrying luggage, get a fairing if you're going to be doing high speed off road or a lot of on road, get a wider softer seat if you are going to be doing long hauls, swap sprockets if you're going to be doing a lot of single track, etc. Why do I love it, despite the jack of all trades nature? Because it's the only bike I have that I can do anything with. Blast down the freeway at 80-90? Sure. Find a twisty back road? Great. Got a single track trail you want to hit? She'll do it. So for me, it's the flexibility of not going "I need to come back to this with XYZ bike" and just going and doing what I see. I'd love to have a fleet of bikes all setup for what I want (and I have a couple for sure), but there isn't anything that's replaced the fun I've had with the 701 in never feeling like "I need to swap out bikes." FWIW, I swapped the Slaven's MX Tech "Lucky Mule" cartridges in the front when I did my front springs, and it was a hell of an upgrade both on tarmac and off.

[@spookyroofus]

690 Enduro owner here (I also have a beta xtrainer). I love my 690, for a reason that goes beyond the "good balanced compromise" stuff. And that is that it is more capable off road than any other bike you can ride for 2-3 straight hours on the highway. If you want to stick to easier BDR type stuff, than sure, youll get more comfort on an adv weight solution. But if you want the option to take your bike on some more agressive trails on that same trip, the 690 is the answer. The sacrifice you make in on road comfort is worth the added ability to take tougher trails, for those who want that option.

[@jeffwall2906]

Exactly ! U nailed it . . . 4my purposes anyway 👍

[@jancervinka2007]

Well said (;

[@JS-ny8sn]

I agree, I just did 400 miles (one day) on road only on my 701 and it was fine. I mostly do really aggressive sections of BDR with full gear (camping gear etc…) and it’s fantastic. I’m not sure what he was talking about that it can’t haul lots of gear. I wouldn’t want or need more gear on a big bike if I had one. I think most bikes you want to get off and stretch some after two hours of riding. We did 1200 miles of just road on a 701 and a KLR 650 last fall, no problem. Until they make a transformer bike the one you love is just fine 🤙. I suppose debate always makes good content 🙃

[@andrewstambaugh8030]

I have a dr650, similarly capable off road (with some suspension modifications). Offroad it's great, but it feels a bit boring on the road. It really needs more top end to get that road surge of power feeling... and that's exactly what a 690 does. Down low, they are almost identical in power. But the where the dr650's power drops off, the 690 keeps going and going to a much higher rpm. I haven't ridden a 690 myself, but I think I would like it a lot. But I've also heard they lose the forgiving nature of something like a DR, and instead need constant paying attention to your inputs. That's great for a race or exhilarating section. But it's also tiring for the easy more relaxed stuff where the DR shines.

[@crispinwalker8495]

701 owner here. Agree entirely. While the 690/701 is never going to be as nimble as a 500cc or less enduro off road, its not bad. Recently did 1000 miles of Colorado back country (200 miles per day) with Rade Garage auxiliary fuel tank and it was perfect. It is also fast and well balanced on the road. I pity anyone trying to lug heavier bikes about off-road just so they can have an armchair ride on the highway! If you want an armchair - stay at home! :)

[@El_Jaco]

I bought a used 21 690 with ALL the mods; the more stuff I removed from it the better it got. Eventually I was left with Wings exhaust, APX skid, a teeny tiny rack on the back and the offroad dongle. If you use these bikes like a big dirt bike that can get to the trails, maybe camp overnight- they are flippin amazing!

[@CurtisBrandt]

Yeah this is the ticket right here.

[@bradsanders6954]

Thats how my 690 is set up, just enough to be a great dual sport bike that I can easily use for camping once or twice a year, its just a fun bike! No Rally weight adding junk is needed.

[@dewimtbmoto]

Big bikes are too limiting for exploration. 500s are awesome but awkward at carrying gear and depreciate too quickly if you do big kms. The 690 platform is the best exploration bike. I have a 990, 701, 350 and 300. I'll take the 990 if I know the ride is easy. Big Rick Moto, most of your Adventure riding seems to be cantered on the easy side and on known trails. For that I'd choose a comfortable Adventure twin too.

[@dubripple]

I spent 5 years on a lightly modded 701. I did everything on it but i think it’s actually not a unicorn. It’s really really good at traditional dual sporting and flexible enough to do a little out side of that. But if you aren’t dualsporting, you probably won’t understand how good it is.

[@sund5]

Dont you have it anymore? What do you have now, if I May ask?

[@jayd3931]

I have a 701 LR, and for me, it's the perfect bike. I have ridden it all over Australia, and although it is a compromise, when you are doing desert crossings, or tight trails, you don't want anything heavier, and on the highway, you don't want anything lighter or less powerful. The 500km range is also pretty essential. I happily cruised at 160km/h. BTW, there is cruise control for it. It's made by MCCruise, and it works well. We did a 6 day group ride with 701's and 901's and most people on the 901 were wishing they had the 701 for that ride.

[@CoachSteve4u]

You've got my dream bike Jay... The 701 LR is as close to the unicorn bike as there is.

[@vindiesel5466]

Nice one well done

[@jonasbaine3538]

701LR are now very hard to find for sale.

[@jonasbaine3538]

@@ssd6467 ducati will probably release an enduro and adventure version using new 698 single cylinder 80hp engine.

[@jayd3931]

@@ssd6467 amazingly no. There were on average 3 people per day that had to go to the hospital for injuries, but no bike breakdowns. This is with 47 people. The only major issue I saw was a guy with a 2017 who was having clutch issues, but he had a million km's on his bike, and he was one of the top riders. He rode it hard. He just had to touch it up at night a couple of times. That bike and engine has been around for ages, so they have worked out most issues.

[@raywoo1]

Ian as a 701 owner with a rally fairing I totally agree. For me this bike is a perfect BDR machine because of the mix of road and dirt in those routes. It’s not the best on the highway as you go to the beginning of the route, but better than a KTM 500. It’s not as good on the dirt as the 500, but better than my 890R. It may be 100 lbs heavier than the 500, but is also 100 lbs lighter than the 890!

[@philgoogle1535]

I own a 690 & 890R. The 690 is setup like Ian's which was good for longer rides but detracts from simplicity & nimbleness needed for local rides in the local hills & mountains. I'm planning to replace the 690 with a 500EXC shortly.

[@BlazinBlades]

@@philgoogle1535 sounds perfect to me Best of both worlds Dirt-Adventure

[@alanprice9938]

@@philgoogle1535 interesting that you are changing it for a 500. I can see why, but after living with the 701 for 6 months, I couldn’t bring myself to sell it, purely because it is so much fun on twisty mountain tarmac. I don’t know if I just have a good one, but everyone who has ridden the 701 is astounded by what it can do on tight tarmac, even with the 50/50 tyres. I know the 500 is not intended for that, but it really doesn’t come close. I still wanted more nimble handling on the dirt and technical stuff, so I bought the FE350 to compliment the 701 instead of replacing it. I haven’t regretted that decision.

[@BigRockMoto]

So true!

[@twowheelsabove]

@@alanprice9938 you can just lose clamps and adjust suspension, by diving nose forward you will get exactly more nimble angle

[@nuttyDesignAndFab]

for highway riding: scoot forward up onto the tank, and lean forward. The skittish feeling you get on dual sports at high speed is because the wind drag is shifting load away from the front, which really does make it less stable.

[@oknevals]

How long can you ride like that? 300 miles?

[@Gofr5]

I actually find my 701 is super stable on the highway. But I found that I just naturally tend sit pretty far forward on the seat as is. Plus my bike is the supermoto version, so having the 17 inch tires with more street biased rubber I'm sure also helps in that case.

[@craighoffman6876]

Having the sag set properly in the rear is critical too. If it is saggy in the rear the front can feel unweighted and flighty at speed.

[@danielhusain7570]

true, but its so uncomfortable! but I'm not complaining, no one said it'd be comfy :)

[@BlackdogADV]

I’ve had my Husqvarna 701 for 6 years, before that I had the KTM 690. I had it lowered 1.5”, then installed the under seat aux fuel tank and a bunch of other stuff.. perfect dual sport for me and I can still do big Hwy miles, even rode it to the Arctic last year. I do have a BMW 1200GS but it’s over 200 pounds heavier.

[@gregorbabic7664]

As a guy with 4 bikes in the garage, I agree with the approach of use the right bike for the ride. Pains me to pay insurance on all of them, and they take up space in the garage; but all 4 combined cost less than a new midsize adventure bike and I get to enjoy a diverse riding experience from tight woods singletrack to pushing limits on pavement.

[@WetFeet4]

Perfect, I think and do the same!

[@kuhndj67]

It sounds like the original builder of his 690 did the visuals but not the rest of the job needed to get the 690 set up for TAT/BDR use. To make the 690/701 work you need not just the fairing, but shock/spring updates (for more weight), cruise and heated grips added, comfort seat added, preload adjuster, final drive ratio (sprockets) change and if you can afford it... wide ratio gearbox (along with the usual stuff like bags and fuel capacity extension). Costs over $20k including the bike but if you want the ultimate lightweight ADV bike (and you're a bigger guy) I don't have a better option. Even with that setup - if you're planning to ride expressways the 690 isn't your bike, I don't do 4 lanes except when I can't avoid them even on my heavyweight ADV bike (Multistrada)... I DEFINITELY don't do them on this bike. It's not a bike that's fun to ride steady state over about 65mph. That's just fine for TAT/BDR (even on nice clean dirt roads I don't cruise at much over 60) but not so much for traditional Tarmac ADV. Short bursts to high speeds are fine... but droning along on the highway at 75? not on this bike. (it'll do it but you won't like it). Also... the bike is not really needed if your focus when riding is cruising along and enjoying the view... BDR's are entirely do'able on heavyweight adv bikes. When you check the BDR forums you'll see that most riders are in it to have a nice ride, stop to see attractions, set up camp and chill with a beer or four... etc... This is all very cool and I think it's a great way to get out and both ride and enjoy the outdoors. If that's your jam you'll be perfectly happy on middleweight or even better a heavyweight adv bikes (GS/GSA is the ultimate Barcalounger that can do light dirt)... it's not really how I ride though. If you're like me though... if you're out there for the ride (and like to push it) and want to do TAT/BDR sort of "dirt road/trail focused touring"... then do yourself a favor and look at this bike. For reference... most riders average 200-250 miles a day on the TAT (Transamerica trail) and average speeds in the low-mid 30's... and take a month or more to ride it. I rode it (7000 miles of it anyway) in 19 travel days, 350'ish miles a day and close to 45mph moving average. Most riders ride the MidAtlantic BDR (1000 miles) in 5-7 days with many taking 9+... I was on a 3 day pace on the 690 (we actually rode all of PA and then rode the west side of the PA Wilds BDRx, same mileage but didn't ride the VA part of the BDR). So the use case for the bike is (IMO) TAT/BDR when your focus is the more challenging offroad stuff (Colorado Passes, Moab) and you like to ride harder than say the average (not a quality judgement - what's important is riding not how/why). It's still nowhere near as capable on that stuff as something like an exc-f... but getting a bike that's even as good as the 690 and still can manage touring AND has long service intervals (IMO a requirement for this sort of riding) is a tall order.

[@bradsanders6954]

Just the wide ratio set is 4K + labor. Spending 20K on a bike just to have fun...I guess, if thats what you need its great! Sounds like entering real races is what you would love, just go flat out.

[@barryolaith]

In life, and certainly in the motorcycle world, there is always disappointment when your dreams collide with reality.

[@thomasdoe6768]

This is propably the best argument ever.

[@wanderlpnw]

You don't know until you try it, tho.

[@ridemfast7625]

And that is why I have low expectations in everything and everyone.

[@elvispusley3515]

This is typical Big Rock Moto. Your all hot at first then find a pesky fault and sell it. Your reviews are only good for a week until you find something else and post a video with dislikes and how the new bike is so much better. Meaning, your reviews don’t mean that much. Took me awhile to see but true. There is no perfect bike, just some better than others.

[@bradsanders6954]

I was gonna say, he changes bikes out like I try brands of potato chips. "princess and the pea" Money is zero issue. The thing with dual sport and ADV, is that EVERYBODY does it differently. There are so many ways to do it, and different levels of experience. Every bike made can be better, you gotta set it up for you. Spending top dollar to make it "look like a rally bike"............is not for me. Just more stuff to break. Some youtube guys turn into just selling things, what ever they are selling is what you need. Lyndon Poskitt has gone this route, and as a result is not that entertaining anymore, hes a shill for Husqvarna.

[@wlt3585]

To my understanding, to remain as unbiased as possible he sells and buys bikes himself so nobody has a say in the review. Him swapping bikes doesnt mean the bike he had before was 'bad' or substandard. The Tuareg for example, he said he absolutely loved it even after selling. @bradsanders6954

[@wlt3585]

I don't think he's ever said the bike he recently acquires is "so much better" nor has he ever claimed a unicorn bike. He even has videos addressing the *closest* you could get to one. Treat the reviews for what they are, analysis. Good and bad.

[@volkoff6357]

Which is why I can't bring to take him seriously.

[@briannn7751]

Great vid. I bought an 890 Adv R to do the WY BDR. You're right, cruise control, great top speed, great on the street and wide open gravel roads, but on the hardways and some other extra credits we did, a 440lb bike is really difficult to manage. It can be really hard to pick up in a bad spot if you don't have help. I switched to a 690 and did the Rade Garage package you showed on your 690. It is not the 85 mph street and gravel road machine that the 890 is, but in the tech, even loaded with gear, it is wayyyy easier for me to manager. I did the socal BDR with the hardways on the 690 last year and plan to ride the NV BDR next month on it too. I have a 500 EXC-F that I love for long adventures, but it can't carry the weight you'll need for a week of provisions even if you;re not packing camping gear. Some of the rides we do have a chase truck that can carry a bag for you, then the easy choice for me is the 500. For a week on challenging (or unknown) terrain when I have to pack way more stuff, my choice is the 690. Just reading more comments: @raywoo1 came to the same conclusion I did.

[@mickr357]

I had an 890 and then added a 701, pretty much stopped riding the 890. Used to get frustrated when riding the 890 in remote places and passing by unknown single track as wasn't sure if I'd get stuck at bottom of a gully. Don't have that fear with 701 as can get through pretty much anything apart from full blown hard enduro stuff. Just did a 3 day 2000km ride with a fair bit of highway and it was fine, wouldn't want to do it regularly but every now and again is fine.

[@dirtbike-adventures]

You know what? I had a 2016 690R and road it all over Utah. Through the desert and on mountain singletrack. I'm only 5'8". I did add the lowering link and the proper spring rates. The bike was tall but so are dirt bikes. Riding the 690 from the hotel in Moab and then all the way around the white rim trail was pure bliss! So chalk me up as disagree!

[@Jordee]

I enjoy my 690 , have both SUMO Wheels and the Enduro Setup. Living in the City, with only storage for one bike. It fits my use perfectly, I don’t have a problem clocking 700-1000km days in the saddle. Your spot on about your assessment. Maybe I’d enjoy having a EXC-500 and a SMT890 as the perfect combo. I still giggle and smile every time I ride my 690. I never went the route with the Rally setup or even a windshield as I thought it only added weight and would be leaning more into what the bikes is not. It a Jack of all Trades and a master of none. If they would just put a Wide ratio gear box in the bike, it would be even better. Everyone complains about the Tall gears, it requires a lot of clutch work in the hairy situations.

[@robertosmith1]

I had both sets of wheels for mine also but having to rotate the steering stem to get proper geometry for the different wheel diameters plus changing side stand length made wheel swaps a pain in the butt and something that didn’t happen often. Id just stick with the enduro setup.

[@Gofr5]

I have the 701 SM version and love it. However, I have plans to do cross country trips some day and feel the bike wouldn't do well for me. Specifically in terms of comfort. Even with the seat concepts seat, I can't do more than about an hour and half on it before my rear is screaming for me to get off. How did you manage to find a way do so many kilometres in a single day on yours?

[@gxm164]

I had a simillar 701, with the whole rally kit (Lynx fairing, Rade Garage aux tank, all the mods imaginable) and I reached the same conclusion as you. It never felt like I had the right bike for the job. The long rake angle makes the bike really good for going fast forward, but it hinders its agility in tight stuff. I think it's a bike that requires a fair amount of skills to truly master. A weekend warrior like me just doesn't have the skills to use that bike well. My friend has a fully kitted Aurora Rally style 690 and he rides that bike like a pro desert racer and loves it. He's always popping wheelies and rides hard and fast, I feel like this is the way to ride that bike. Im getting an 890R, although its also a bike made to ride hard and fast, I feel it has a greater range of capacity, especially towards the "adventure" side of things. We'll see

[@bradsanders6954]

Ive got the 890R, and love it. I did take my time getting used to it on dirt and gravel. Now, with 13,500 miles on it I am totally fine with long dirt or gravel roads going a good pace. With the right seat its good for 450 mile days no problem. It has never once felt like a dirt bike, Ive ridden dirt bikes all my life and near 500 lbs is no dirtbike, for me. Its an ADV bike and a really nice one. Addicting is what it is. I have a DR650 Ive had for years and years, all set up to do anything what so ever, it is unstoppable, 100 lbs lighter than 890. I would use it for any tighter dirt use, it also will go 75 mph all day no problem.

[@JohannesDalenMC]

Agree with everything you said, Ian. Had a 701 that I adventurized myself but it didn't quite cut it for long adventure rides. Now I have two bikes that can do either task better like your setup. I do miss my 701 from time to time though, it's a complete hoot to ride.

[@alanprice9938]

I completely disagree with you……… just kidding 🤣, you are right as usual, but I’m betting it’s tight twisty tarmac where you miss the 701? I’m getting the suspension on the FE set up for my size on Tuesday, at the local shop. So I’m keen to see the difference. I’ve noticed it become significantly softer as the suspension gets more hours on it. It’s still good, and plush, but has its limits as soft as it is.

[@JohannesDalenMC]

@@alanprice9938 Hehe, hello there my dear friend! Yes, I do miss it in the twisties, imagine how good it is as a super moto? Let me know how your FE after the suspension work!

[@alanprice9938]

@@JohannesDalenMC certainly will 👍👍 Yes, as a supermoto I’m sure it’d be far better than I am. I’ve ridden a couple of hypermotards, as that was my original intention before buying the last three, but I think the 701 is better, for what it is.

[@JohannesDalenMC]

@@twowheelsabove You are very much correct, the ECU is ‘locked’ and will override a fuel dongle. If you get something like a Coober ECU it will work, although I’ve read about people having their bikes back to normal with that ECU as well, so I don’t really know 😅

[@ChuckChrome]

Not every bike will be for everyone. Thanks for an honest evaluation without hyperbole etc.

[@pd8559]

You hit the nail on the head. The 4-stroke 350cc displacement is the best weight to power for riding trails. Even a 450cc is too heavy to perform as well on trails than a 350. But you have to have it tall to get over obstacles and you have to give up riding the highway because the best power delivery for most off-road is under 40mph so you want low gearing and 350cc. So there it is laid out bare in the open. You cannot have a unicorn do everything bike unless it’s a jack of all trades and master of none of them.

[@angrytuareg]

Just Did a 400 mile trip to the dealer yesterday ....100% agree ..for me a Twin cylinder is a must for freeway sprinting and Now a must have in my old age wisdom is .......Cruise control ! love love my Tuareg..ps ...now quick shifter installed :)

[@nathal]

quick shifter is amazing on Tuareg, got it too and I have smile on my face always even on city riding

[@prairiedog879]

You sold it because you need to fund your next bike for content purposes? So many youtubers really just video posers vs serious riders. It's all about the video and pics for clicks these days

[@headwinded1948]

I think it really comes down to getting what's capable of doing the toughest terrain you want to, and just dealing with the compromises you'll make on the asphalt to get to that point. If you don't need what the 690 offers off-road, you won't be happy with it.

[@timeboom]

Well said!

[@craighoffman6876]

Thought provoking video - as a Husky 701 owner I have a few thoughts, perhaps they will be helpful for anyone considering the big thumper LC4 platform. Ian's former bike is a super cool 690 in theory, but the 690 is a 50/50 dual sport, not an ADV bike, and adding a fancy tower doesn't change that. While undoubtedly cool, I honestly don't understand the functional appeal of the tower as it adds weight and bulk, and it costs a ton. A simple $90 Puig windshield mounted to the stock headlight shell does wonders for wind protection at speed on the street, without hurting it off road. I get why Ian feels as he does, as I mentioned, I own a '23 Husky 701 Enduro, and concur with everything he says. Despite the agreement with Ian's valid points, I love my 701 as to me it is a no compromise high performance true 50/50 dual sport which really captures the essence and adventure of MC riding. I view my 701 as a much more advanced DR 650. Truth be told, the big DR and the XR650L are far more rational/affordable and easily configurable choices for the 50/50 dual sport mission, but I turned 61 recently and I wanted the big boy pants XPLOR suspension, and that bad ass 693cc thumper engine which exhales through a Yosh can and has most of Rottweiler's catalog thrown at it. OMG the resulting sound and power are just absurd! When I bought it, I had no expectation of riding more than incidental freeways or riding more than moderately gnarly trails on my 701. Suitable "50/50" tires are going to be a compromise too of course, as are "streetier" or "dirtier" tires. The bottom line is one has to manage their expectations and be unflinchingly honest about what they want from their 690, and to assess if their ability as a rider can compensate for the compromise tires and weight of the bike while riding offroad. Of course you do give up a lot of street comfort to get the extra off road ability compared to a more street oriented ADV bike, even a "dirty" one like the KTM 890. The broad band but less focused capability of a true 50/50 dual sport bike is a turn off for any rider who wants a bike that is even slightly biased more toward dirt or street. Being a true 50/50 machine is the 690's greatest weakness or strength, depending on one's point of view. The fact that compared to it's dated peers, the 690 platform is sophisticated, powerful and expensive combined with It's true 50/50 nature makes it unique niche bike, it is not for everybody. If the 690 platform is right for you, there is nothing remotely like it as seemingly no other manufacturer has the balls to make a high performance but true 50/50 dual sport bike like the 690. I live in Colorado, for me the 690 platform is perfect, as I can ride from my garage down some truly entertaining twisty canyon back roads and then ride scenic trails without ever riding on the freeway. My 701 is an absolute weapon for slicing up a two lane mountain/canyon paved and dirt road by the way. The total round trip for such a run including off roading is around 140 miles. I can see the 690 wouldn't be great if one doesn't live reasonably near twisty fun roads and trails, as it's balanced capabilities are utterly wasted if all it sees are flat straight roads and freeways. The 690 is a scenic byway, dirt forest service roads and "oh my where does that bumpy single track go, let's find out" kind of bike. I have never owned a bike that made me want to explore like my 701 does. Odd it sounds, the 690 platform is the end game "bumper bike" for an RVer. Trucking it in to the good scenic stuff, then exploring the area on and off road sounds awesome. I hope to do that with my 701 around the western US at some point. I am similar to Ian in that I also own an '18 300 XC and a Super Tenere, the Husky 701 sits in between the two. The latest 690s have the XPLOR suspension which is quite good if one doesn't mess it up with lowering links and if they can handle the stock seat height. I adapt to the weight and compromise tires and rip pretty good off road on my 701. Thanks to it's firmly spung and accurate XPLOR suspension, my 701 can tackle actual whoops at a clip that would snap a T7 in half, and I am able to keep pace with slower riders on "real" dirt bikes that I would dust on my 300 XC. In that regard, with it's weight and compromise tires, my 701 is an "equalizer" of sorts as it slows me down to their speed. Bonus, when I ride my 300 XC after riding the 701, the 300 two stroke feels like a weightless toy and I am faster on it 😆 If considering the 690 platform ya gotta ask yourself, are you willing to give up freeway and long haul pavement comfort compared to an ADV bike, do you have a suitable environment to ride it in, and if ya want to ride it at a sporty clip off road, are your skills up to it? Be honest and save the potential cost and heartache. Most are probably better served skipping the 690 platform, crawling off road, and riding in comfort on the highway on an ADV bike. But for a few of us, the 690 platform is God's gift to fun on 2 wheels!

[@adub59]

Great thoughts. Been in the garage staring at my Triumph 900 Rally Pro. Sure I can ride cross country, but I need someone around riding off-road in case I drop it. Did I mention I love going fast in the dirt? I actually used to race a KTM 620 SX when thumpers were rare at the track. I an thinking a 690/701 on a bumper mount behind my truck camper might just be the ticket. I can still do medium length rides out of the homestead, but I can also trailer to other places and do all day rides out of the campsite. Seems like perfect middle ground! Thanks for your comments.

[@craighoffman6876]

@@adub59 Sounds like an awesome plan! And here I thought I was the only one demented enough to consider the 690 platform to be the ultimate "bumper bike" 😆 Being a former 625 owner, you would love the new LC4 engine. It is amazingly smooth with the dual balancers, and it makes epic power when it is tuned and allowed to breathe properly. The only thing I would change with the engine, aside from the compromises it has to have to meet emissions, is to have a truly wide ratio transmission with a crawler 1st gear and a taller 6th. As it is, the bike is effectively a 2 speed while riding off road, I rarely get past 2nd gear unless it is wide open spaces, and it revs a bit higher than I would like at 70 plus on the highway, although the roll on power in 6th gear from 70 is awesome, it rips to 100+ in no time at all... The transmission is alright, but the engine has ample power to pull a taller 6th at freeway speeds and it would be nice to have a lower 1st gear for the tight and gnarly off road stuff that the bike is otherwise capable enough to suck it's rider into. Post tuning it does "grunt" off idle and down low waaay better, very XR650R (Big Red Pig XR) like, but the 690 winds out on top much stronger than a friend's BRP that I have ridden.

[@scenictravels4664]

This guy must write for a living!! Well written

[@craighoffman6876]

@@scenictravels4664 Thanks for the nice words. I know my post was long, but the 690 bikes really get my stoke going 😄 Update on my 701, given the significant power increase from the fueling and exhaust mods, I changed the gearing to +1/-1 from stock to 16/45 a while ago. The busyness of the engine at 70-75 on the highway bugged me, it clearly was geared short. Years ago I had an '83 XL600 that I recall handling freeway riding well. Went to the "Gearing Commander" website and determined that going 16/45 would put my 701's 1st and 6th almost identical to the old XL's 1st and 5th. Made the sprocket swap and wasn't disappointed. It is still fine off road, better in a lot of situations actually, as I don't do super hard stuff on my 701, and it is radically better on the street, pulling gear to gear beautifully, the transmission doesn't feel too close ratio anymore. The quick shifter even works better.

[@kevincollins9466]

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Very helpful and informative.

[@russellborn515]

Just bought a T7, but looked very hard at the 690. Think I made the right choice, still have the DRZ for lighter weight fun.

[@_hold_the_line_]

Unlike most you're in a position to have multiple bikes. But if you could only have one, which one would you choose? Does the 690 make more sense in that case?

[@gbner9991]

Imo a middle weight ADV bike is THE bike to have if you have only 1 bike. 690 is way to uncomfortable if you do any amount of road riding.

[@BigRockMoto]

Yes

[@_hold_the_line_]

Thanks

[@jancervinka2007]

Hey buddy, I'd say this is one of the most honest vids / reviews / sharing of feelings and thoughts I've ever seen. And u know what? It's so damn right! I was caught in exactly the same situation. I was driving street bikes as youngling, then I went to enduro a cross bikes while growing old and lately, I wanted to have "one fit all." I was fortunate enough to be able to ride classic KTM Enduro 690 R and I came to the same conclusion. Weirdnon highways and long distance traveling, quite fun in the cities though. However, when I took it out to samé decent terrain and trails I used to ride my KTM EXC 350-F (yeah, same bike like u do 👌🏻) it was a hell. Nightmare perhaps. I was sweating all the time, unsure whether or not I'm able to pass over some obstacle and on top of that, when u need some response in the right hand, it was always just way too much. Well, I returned that 690 R happily and now I'm back in the game with EXC 350-F and ADV 890 (; (Which is btw, if not the one, one of the most fun bikes I've ever riden. The joy u have doesn't matter where and how u ride is just ridiculously insane 😂🤟🏻😎) P.S.: I'm also choosing a new ADV helmet and ur vids r super useful. Thank you lad and perhaps, we'll meet on some track back here, in heart of Europe = Czech Republic 👌🏻😉

[@urbanadventurer5]

I think you hit the nail on it’s head. People are raving about the new Kove rally bike as well, but I still think you end up with same challenges even with that (it might be a bit better off road however). At the end of the day, there simply is no true unicorn do it all at the highest level bike. You have to think about where and how you like to ride most and go with the bike that is best suited for that. You can still get lots of versatility, but get the bike that fits your riding style best I say. You will likely be happier with it.

[@robvanduren761]

That is such a true statement. All the compromises made me buy a fully faired road bike instead.

[@bseidem5112]

The unicorn is possible; too bad Toyota doesn't make the bike. Today's engineering should make this possible but profitable?

[@urbanadventurer5]

@@bseidem5112 I think it would only work if they wanted to sacrifice other lines of bikes they have invested in and they charged a bunch for it unfortunately. I hope to see more reasonably priced do it all we’ll bikes too. I have personally decided that like Ian, I probably need to add a dirt/enduro bike to my stable to do what I enjoy at a high level.

[@Blekk1989]

I own one bike.690 is the perfect bike for me.I need 5 mins to get on the dirt road and from that road i can reach any city i want with a minimum on road riding.that's what the TET is for.(Trans Europe Trail) I can cross borders with 90% off road riding.The negatives u mentioned in your video are valid.I think it all depends where you live.

[@Angry-Lynx]

As someone who made mistake of buying 640adv thinking itll be "unicorn" i fully agree with all your points. Singles just arent good adv bikes, period. Its not matter of opinion, thats fact. Thing is on the internet too many people confuse beating your bike in nearby forests with adv riding, have zero skills and just bitch about "fat cows", too heavy for offroad etc i always laught at those stupid comments ;

[@bmwbob51]

It comes down to if you've ridden bikes that cover miles comfortably it's hard to compromise! I put 95K miles on a 2014 GS and sold it to buy a KTM 890 Adventure R thinking at 71 it would be a goo idea to buy a lighter bike that coverd miles and still able to go off road. But the KTM is still nearly 500 pounds and lays flat on the ground making picking up a pain and it didn't cover the miles like a GS! I loved the KTM power and handling, but at 71 I'm sticking to fire roads! Sold the KTM and bought another GS!

[@Rossi593]

Ian, great reasoning behind your decision. I’m doing a 3 week ride on the TAT next year. My aim was to ship my 890 Adventure (non R) from the UK which is expensive, complicated and timing is tricky. In the event my US based buddy and I agreed that I buy a bike in the US. He rides a 900 Tiger Rally but wants a dual sport in the stable. Guess what, we’ve bought a tricked out 690! Our deliberations came to the 690/701/700 variants ending up with a 2019 bike with high quality upgrades and everything I’d want and more. I’m hoping to add luggage (Mosko Reckless 40) and not much more. We may even attempt to bore a wider audience when we hit the trails.

[@SK3DDO]

I think you're EXACTLY on the money, and it's the exact dilemma I'm facing. I'm currently in a mental spiral debating if I get rid of my amazing multipurpose bike for a more specialized 2 bike setup. So I have a headily modded 2019 701 Enduro here in Aus. Tuned suspension with aftermarket internals, front Safari tanks, rally tower: Handles amazingly offroad, 700km range, carries luggage weight better than stock, and it can chew through the highway miles. I've done 10 hour days on the highway, and torn around my local two-track, and it did both of them well. Everything was great until I bought a TTR250 as a skills practice/singletrack bike. Then the 701 got pushed more to the adventure riding/travel end of duties, where I'm now longing for the benefits of a bigger bike like T7 or a 950. If you can only accommodate a single bike garage, there is no better than the 690/701. But if you can accommodate two bikes, you can cover more "spectrum" of riding with less compromise. That said, there is something to the question of "what kind of adventure riding you want to do?". If you're more worried than being able to pick up the bike solo than highway cruise comfort, then this might aaaall change, and that 690 might be spot on. Just a note about the handling comments you made: It really comes down to setup with these bikes. With the stock rear fuel tank setup, luggage very quickly makes the bike too rear heavy. Getting some proportion of weight back over the front is good. I did it with the front safari tanks. Rear sag only goes so far to level the bike out, but it doesn't change the weight split.

[@tcskibike]

My crew uses the 690/701 on the days when the trails are to wet. we extend our loops and focus on ancient roads and utv trails where it rocks! Love showing the UTV set who owns the trail. :)

[@mr.terwilliger5728]

I think your first video did an astounding job telling us what the 690 is. I have watched many of your videos *YOU ARE THE BEST ON KZbin) as well as other dual sport videos and I keep coming back to the 690 being the bike i want. I get more and more comfortable laying down $15k on this bike, because It seems like it will be my do all bike. Throw it in the back of my truck, ride it leisurely around town, keep up with my Harley buddy at 75mph... hit the powerlines and be able to go insane in the woods. the big stock gas tank is a major plus. From what I can see it needs nothing but a new seat and its a 10/10 bike. I haven't seen a big thumper available anywhere near the caliber of this motorcycle off the showroom floor. If you ask me, making it a single swingarm in future models front and rear would make it the PERFECT bike. Guys like me can switch from street to dirt in 5 minutes

[@diogoalves4919]

Not sure if you have it in the US, probably not, but you should try to find out about the AJP PR7. It’s a portuguese bike built with good quality parts and probably the closest stock bike to that allusive unicorn.

[@geedubone]

But it has a the old italian husky motor...

[@diogoalves4919]

@@geedubone As far as I understand it's considered a very reliable engine.

[@getdealtwithquick]

​@@geedubone There's nothing wrong with that motor. The challenge people are running into is that it hasn't passed Federal emissions, which means no plates in California.

[@shawnames2271]

Very informative and helped me understand how to talk my wife into allowing me to get a second motorcycle.😅

[@searchingfor6thgear44]

Rekindled my love for motorcycles with a KLR. Upgraded that with a used 690, all kitted out for long distance touring (Rally Raid fuel tanks, luggage racks, Wolfman soft bags, heated grips), and added a Lynx fairing to it. I can get on the farm road in front of my house and be to the MABDR in a day's ride of just back roads. I've built my 690 to be the BDR/TAT bike that'll help me out on the most difficult terrain on these routes. All that being said, having owned a GSXR 1100 (dating myself, I know), the "grunt" of a bigger bike is appealing. Should I win the lottery, there'll be a Norden 901 Expedition in the driveway the very next day!

[@mountainconstructions]

Owning a 690 .... how many spare fuel pumps can you carry?

[@Navillus2273]

I Used to have a 2014 ktm 690. I now ride a T7 on the Bdrs. The T7 is great, but, I always find myself wishing I had the 690 on the more technical stuff, its weight just made it so much easier to handle the rough technical trails. I am currently on the fence about going back to a 690, it is such a difficult decision. Really loved the 690, yes, it was light on the highway, but I found I could still hold 75mph without getting too fatigued. Boy, I just don't know. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@maxw576]

I bought a 690 Enduro because i can load it in the back of my truck and take on camping trips while pulling my trailer. This allows me to stay under the truck load rating while having a fun bike to explore secondary and back country roads/ trails. I wouldn't want it for any other reason and i have other bikes too.

[@wine_country_moto]

I agree having different bikes for different things is good. But I also think using a bigger adventure bike and learning or “attempting” to do things with it that it’s not supposed to do is also fun. I’ve taken my 1200GSA on things I have no business taking it on and I feel much more accomplished if I actually pull it off. Just my opinion.

[@skipperdabio]

I had a 701 for a couple years and loved it. Great bike. I agree with you in that if I only could have one bike that would be it. However my dream has never been to own only one motorcycle so I ended up selling for the exact same reason(s) you did.

[@big_petebear8535]

I only have the room and budget for a single bike. Glad to see it wasn't some bad design flaw that made you sell. Still sounds like my dream bike.

[@fcalin21]

Ian, thank you for your work . I really enjoy the free entertainment that you provide.

[@CraftLabs7]

I just bought a 690 and honesty appreciate your opinion about the bike. I am noticing some of those discomforts as well. I bought the bike as a bike in hopes that it can do everything so I will have to sacrifice some of the comforts but it is nice to have validation that I'm not crazy in these little things that make the bike not perfect for every situation. Nice video!

[@szymonchalupka]

701 Enduro owner here. I tested Tuareg 660 and I would love to trade my 701 for Aprilia as I do not do that much of hard enduro stuff anymore, if only Aprilias were more reliable. I used to own Aprilia RS660 and during 2 years it was only the issues. The bike spent 60% of the time at the dealer waiting for the parts to fix the issues. I couldn't be happier when I sold it, even I lost a lot of money on that deal. Now I am following-up Tuareg owner groups and these bikes still have issues and the waiting time for the spare parts is still long. I know there are people who are lucky not to have any issues with their 660s. But there are to many owners still complaining. Not the time yet for me to switch 701 to 660.

[@scarumanga]

I just got a 690 myself, a step up from my 250L. Looking forward to getting it setup with a small rear rack for moto camping, but I do not intend to make it a lightweight adv bike with pannier racks. Only addons I really plan to put on it are better bark busters, bigger skid plate and the orange crash bars you see in the advertisement video of the bike. Yeah id say you are right at the end of a the video, the 690 is a sweet spot if you want something that does both, it really is the only option IMO. A lot of the other options are long in the tooth sadly.

[@timslifkin7632]

Nothing like the 701/690 if u take the time to set it up properly. 100lbs lighter than any other adv bike with 6k mi oil change. If you ride on any real dirt and you dont bench 300, its pretty hard to beat. I also have a 950 and a 530. The 701 is the one i ride most.

[@ndub1257]

When people ask what I think of my 690 I sum it up as a "jack of all trades and master of none". It can do everything but has some limitations in most applications. I ride in the Pacific Northwest on logging roads and two track which in my opinion is the where the 690/701 shines.

[@jeffwall2906]

Yep ! Agreed

[@precise1329]

Hey. Quick question (not quick at all). I usually ride a KLR650. Is this to modern day riding what the KLR was in the 90's? I love my KLR. Don't get me wrong. But, I'm looking to 'upgrade.' I usually describe it as "It does everything except go fast." It seems to me that this bike has that same reputation. But when compared to the KLR, it's heaps better in just about every category.

[@ndub1257]

I have never ridden a KLR, so I can only base opinion on what I have read or heard. The KLR is more street friendly and is very approachable since its inception. The 690/701 has no wind protection stock and I would not recommend it for new or beginning riders. If you are looking for more performance, I believe the 690/701 is superior in every measurable category to the KLR. It is easier (and cheaper) to make the 690 more comfortable then to upgrade the performance of the Kawasaki. The KLR is an iconic dual sport but like the 690 has a certain niche in the sport. I think it comes down to what your intentions and type of riding you want to do. @@precise1329

[@mattc8797]

Agreed. But that rhyme continues. (Most people dont continue it. ) Jack of all trades, master of none.. But oftentimes better than a master of one.. Hi from the UK brother. 👍🏼

[@rc51bigdaddy]

I had an older 690r that I added extra tanks to and kept it for a number of years. I did one ride in northern Baja and it was perfect for that. Other than that is was a similar feeling as you had-not great on the highway and a bit heavy for serious off road. Last year I bought an 890r and considered another 690 but passed due to the stock fuel mileage and lack of highway comfort. I don't do any serious single track riding on a motorcycle anymore so the 890r was the best choice. I recently added the WP Pro suspension to my 890r and the bike is close to perfect now. Zero regrets not getting another 690. Also I am not a fan of the 690 gas tank. The 890r is a much better design.

[@phatsmitty]

(pause @ 2:28) holy crap, that bike IS COOL LOOKING Ian!!! I must agree that a mid - sized adv in addition to a 250 - 400 cc dual sport would be the perfect pair. KLX 300 or DRZ 400 parked next to my Tenere = heaven

[@alanprice9938]

I had a feeling you would sell quite quickly. I think the 690/701 does have a particular place, even if you have other bikes. I have a Husky FE350, Husky 701, Multi V4, and a 996…… and where the 701 fits in for me, is if I’ve got some twisty mountain tarmac in between home and the trail, or if a shortish run to the beach, added to some around town. With that mix of journey, I don’t think anything can quite come close to the 690/701 enduro. It’s a joy, on the twisties, much moreso than a light adv, and still has the sharp power to excite for brief straight blasts in between corners, or to confidently pass a fast moving truck, or away from the lights.

[@CharlieTrevaskis]

Thats a good point. I never considered it probably rides more like a supermoto on the road than a “sport touring” bike that the advs would handle like.

[@MarcinWojtczuk]

Just returned from 10h mostly unpaved roads trip on Tenere 700 world rally (rented). This bike is completely unfit for this purpose and I would not go anywhere out of hard surfaces with it, especially sand. I own Honda CRF 250L and after riding Tenere today I really appreciate how gem of a motorcycle it is. I'm going to buy 300 rally and put best suspension and tires money can buy into it. It is the only actual adventure bike out there, if adventure means "go where it's fun and forget about practicing deadlifts with motorcycle".

[@ferkuzuel]

Great video! I totally agree, I had the same model 690 but sold it and bought a 300l with proper mods, the 300l fits me better for my level of experience on single tracks and slower technical stuff, and my f800gs fits me better for long distances but if were to pick only one bike it would probably be the 690, it's such a nice and unique platform

[@middo1259]

That is exactly my history too. Occasionally miss my 690, but happier with my new combination

[@FIREBIRDMAN6285]

And here I was contemplating ditching my modded 300l for a 690. Also have Africa twin and xcw300. Is the 300l better on the road ?

[@ferkuzuel]

@FIREBIRDMAN6285 The 300l is great on relatively flat roads, especially when not in a hurry and don't mind taking your time or down shift more often. The 690, on the other hand, shines on twisted mountain roads and has plenty of passing power if needed, I had a wings exhaust on mind with no additional tuning it felt as smooth as my previous dr650 at highway speed

[@georgeferguson9779]

I own a KTM 690 Enduro, and I agree with you. It’s perfect for me. Even on long distances since I like to get off the pavement and explore dirt roads too. Light, nimble, and comfortable for how I use it. If I’m mainly just riding riding pavement, I ride my Triumph Scrambler 900 (which I ride on dirt roads too some).

[@painsrides]

I'm a proponent of having the right bike for the ride. Its just more enjoyable to ride a machine purpose built for the type of ride.

[@crashdsnowman1]

I do day trips and only ride 45 miles on curvy roads to get to the trails. The KTM 500exc-f fits that job perfectly, it only weighs 250lbs so it's a street legal enduro and with TKC80 tires it sticks to the twistys like glue. Love living in the mountains of east Tennessee and North Carolina...very few freeways. Take a 1250 off road then a 500, you'll never go back to a big heavy bike.

[@wpatton5894]

Rode 725 miles in two days, over 500 in 1 day! Southeast Utah. This bike loves to go fast especially on the highway. Loaded with gear and camped. Love my KTM 690.

[@RayzGarage]

I had the 701 and loved it for adventure enduros (among the big GS crowd) but after a low speed fall in a water crossing, I cracked a few ribs, collapsed a lung and broke 2 vertebrae. Three months later, I hit a bump, jerked the throttle and it wheelied on me causing me to fall off the back and break seven more ribs on the asphalt. That's when I decided the bike was just way too tall for my 6'2" frame. I sold it from the hospital bed. After I healed I bought a KTM 890s model which is perfect for flat footing and offers more comfort on the road to get to your favorite forest.

[@nickg2431]

Its too TALL for you and you are 6ft 2,sorry Ray nooo its not.KTM didnt build it for 7ft giants! Its your balance, control,skill level and a bit of bad luck that can happen to anyone.

[@RayzGarage]

@@nickg2431 I'm 61 years old, been riding for 50 years.... It was too tall, period. 10 years ago when I owned a 990 Adventure KTM I was a little bit more flexible and can handle it. Not now

[@nickg2431]

@@RayzGarage I have been riding for 48 years and 6ft 3in.The 690 felt small and well balanced to me. you are 6ft 2in tall.KTM do not make their seat heights for 6ft 6in inch riders!There would be almost no-one in the world to buy the bike!Off road biased bikes such as the 690 have tall seat heights like a real enduro machine and can be pushed to harder limits but require a skill set above well above average to do this and the inevitable trade off.This is quite different from average trail riding where its nice to get both feet down on an incline and steady an expensive machine with a lot of plastics!Never ridden a990 but a guy i know was throwing one around on a day out,nice bike.

[@RayzGarage]

​@@nickg2431 so you understand. TY. If you're familiar with Enduro races or Hare Scrambles, we sometimes, almost always, dab the ground with one of our feet to stay balanced in uneven terrain. I even ride with a club called The Dirty Dabbers in State College PA. Sometimes on an off-camber trail I try to dab but there's no ground to touch until the bike is already past the 45° angle and ultimately my body hits first in my effort to save the plastics on the bike. This equates to broken ribs. Bottom line is I just feel more comfortable being flatfooted. I've owned over 160 motorcycles and now I'm riding an 890S and I just bought a 390 Duke that's like a Grom to me But I could ride it to its limits. Believe it or not I really miss the 701 and have been looking at one for sale that comes with a supermoto conversion kit, complete with wheels sprockets chains and a boatload of extras. Be safe....

[@nickg2431]

@@RayzGarage Glad you have found the bike you enjoy,our tastes do change as we get older and no-one wants an injury.I have owned over 700 bikes (but did have a parts breaking shop!)One of my bikes is a crf300(with 1.3k suspension) when i go very far away alone . If it goes over i need to pick it up alone.I wouldnt like to try that with an AT injured....

[@simonescalia6054]

With this review you are telling the truth ....demolishing my dream to get one bike to ride.offroad and bit of.motorways...😢, I have to try a road test before abandoning the 690 project anyway,thanks for the honesty and unbiased test

[@AKAOmnivore]

I think your bottom line was spot on, if you can have one bike and like to go lite trail riding and some short touring, the 690 will get-er-done. That said it's a bit big for single track, a its a bit small for extended freeway travel. Just by default their is no perfect bike for everything although you can try and to do everything, and people do.

[@rdrg7362]

The 690 is best in its SMCR variant. Try it and you will keep it.

[@Mushroommandala]

I have a 701 rally build and its amazing king class in Dualsport. - Easy doing rallys in mid enduro trails. Also the comfort, long highway rides and traveling is great with it, Rade Rallymask, comfort seat and side bags like Enduristan Bilzzard brought back the lack of comfort/travel skills. - Hard to understand your critics (bad on highway/wind or hard to drive offroad trails). - Even onroad, in combo with my good riding skills i win asphalt competitions (zB a KTM Duke) and i had a 50:50 TKC80 tyre.

[@peewee6938]

Great video and I get your point. I own a 701 and I fully agree with your considerations. But, even if I could afford two bikes, I can just ride one in the same trip, if you know what I mean

[@gregneville8944]

I have an EXC 500 and an 890 Adv R. I want a 690 to fill in the gap because THAT is exactly what it is meant to do. Nice update.

[@paulherron4289]

You nailed it! Your bikes your channel and your choice! I took my DRZ400 to GetOnADV Where I did all the difficult rides on the DRZ400 and had a great time had I been on my Africa Twin I would NOT have done those routes. Options are awesome! Thanks for sharing and your insight well done as always.

[@TheMotoBarista]

Had my 500 for a few weeks now. Love it. I ride 45 mins on the street to get to the dirt and then have a so much fun. So glad I didn’t opt for the 690.

[@KS-hw9zr]

I recently bought a bmw r1250gsa for my wife and I to travel on. Since getting it though I’ve been looking into BDRs more and frankly don’t have the nerve/budget to be dropping that bike consistently. What would you suggest for a sub $10k BDR specific bike. I’m fairly experienced rode dirt bikes for 8 years growing up and was in a club that rode every weekend. Been riding street on and off for 13 years/ 50-60k totals miles. Thank you.

[@mereldaroos]

You are 💯 correct. As someone who can only have one bike I love my 690. If I could have 4 I'd probably sell it.😂

[@hmbseesaw]

We’ll done Ian, hard to split those hairs. You’ve done a great job expressing the reality of the compromise. G

[@karlbakeriii7415]

You said it right I had a 690 it was so confused it didn’t handle the road well or the dirt I thought it would be the ultimate bike it wasn’t I know own a ktm 990 and I absolutely love it it fits my style of riding I want to do now I’m in my early 50’s it has so much more character and comfort and I get so many compliments on the bike it amazes me the people who come up to me no matter where I am and say what a cool bike she is a keeper

[@johnhewitt1096]

I love my Suzuki DR650. Does everything just fine

[@bseidem5112]

Why? Big low end torque for off road?

[@johnhewitt1096]

Just bought my first DR650 Best bike i ever owned

[@CostiRadoi]

Hello! You should try and ride the AJP PR7, and give us your opinion on it. It seems that the Portuguese brand has tried to create a bone stock "unicorn" bike. I am more than curios to hear your opinion on it.

[@jcxxmotoxx]

I just picked up an 18 690. I have other dirt bikes but I have this unique bike nitche that the 690 fills perfectly (so far). I have a family, wife, kids and dog, so my adventure moto trips are super limited. But with the 690, I can leave from the house with light overnight gear. I can be in Big Sur in an hour or the Gabilan Range in 10 minutes, both have great FCFS camp grounds, and backcountry to explore, within reason. All said and done probably 150-200 miles of riding per adventure, usually a night or two. When I finally get the time to do real longer ADV rides, I'll jump up to an 890 or something. But you said the 690 was the only game in town, I think it competes directly with the XR650L and the KLR650.

[@webmasterguru7799]

I love my 690 2019 model still got it longest bike i have kept out of all 28 i have owned. Have motard wheels for weekday riding and put the off road wheels for planned off road trips. This bike is a perfect beast for me 72hp at the rear wheel after a few mods. Puts a big grin everytime.

[@BishopCreative]

Good feedback. It really depends on what type of rider you are, and where you ride. I was so heavily leaning towards a T7 for a long time, til I realized I am off-road 80%+ of the time. I primarily ride my Sherco 2 stroke for trails and single track, and want something for longer trips and true dual sporting. Based on my time evaluating how it will be used, a 500 4t just makes the most sense. It handles and maneuvers like my familiar 2t off-road, yet can handle the short hour or less jaunts on the pavement. There has to be a reasonable gap between the ability and purpose of bikes for it to make sense. Otherwise, we should all just own DRZ’s 😎

[@kiwiingenuity1677]

Suzuki Drz 400e😊 ... basically all we want is a cheap dirt bike that can get us to the trails legally!

[@michelmartel7050]

I ride a 690 for 4 years. Best bike when you only have one. Now i ride a triumph rally pro 900 and crf 450rl, best for both world

[@tincho1979]

Hola Ian. Pienso igual a ti. Prefiero dos motos, un más off y una más on. En mi caso una Husky TE300, y una Ktm 790 ADV r. Pero la ktm690 podría ser una buena plataforma si solo pensara en tener 1 moto 😉 Saludos desde Argentina 🇦🇷

[@k_plax]

Theres a lot of people that love the 690 and see it as the closest thing to the unicorn of adv bikes. I can see why too after owning a '22 model. However after owning one for 8 months and modding it, I can relate exactly to what you said and I sold mine too. Like you said, it did most things pretty good but nothing great. And so that meant overall it wasn't a positive riding experience for me. In fact Im average height and weight and couldn't stand up on the 690 offroad to save my life- that was the biggest gripe for me.

[@Reapwhatsown]

Nice man. Not surprised, thanks for keeping it real.

[@Erik-rp1hi]

I have a lot of bikes, Honda CR250, KTM 300 exc, KTM300XC, KTm 450 XCW, KTM 500EXC street legal item, KTM790 S with shock mods for dirt and now a 701, 2023 model. Just did the Kevin GPS Pacific Divide ride on it. 2700 miles of forest roads and back country paved roads. Put on a 49 tooth rear sprocket with Rade Garage aux fuel tank, Seat concept seat, 1 " more foam. Canada to Mexican borders through the Cascade and Sierra Nevada Ranges. Basically following the Pacific Crest Trail route. The 701 was the perfect bike, bar none. It is just a big dirt bike. I must have a good off road bike and this also does paved well. Chase truck and hotels every night.

[@ManBikeSwag]

It's not a great tourer but it's the closest thing you'll get to a Unicorn for multi-day Hard ADV riding. With the seat concept seat, I can punch out 400kms no worries.

[@johnhewitt1096]

Ian is a hard man to please. He is blessed to live in a vou try with awesome tar roads and great offroad with a million choices of bikes and he is still not happy

[@texlee84]

I've owned large ADV bikes, middle weights like the 890 and enduro's like the 450/500's. I find the large adventure bikes truly do best on the long slab sections or when one wants to cover a quarter of the country via bike while still having the ability to hit the occasional dirt and gravel roads. The middle weights were where I thought I'd land for the perfect ADV bike that could also be ridden more aggressively and while to a large degree that was true, they never had the long road comfort or wind protection of the larger bikes and they were a bear off-road when things got slow and technical. The small enduro/dual sports like the 450's and 500's are awful on the road beyond 30 minutes or so to connect trails but I found I have three times the fun and cover more ground when off-road on one. To ME the 450/500 is the perfect BDR bike, something you'll trailer to the ride, ride balls to the wall off-road for a week with a lighter load out and then trailer it home when done. I am over chasing the perfect do-it-all bike, because it simply doesn't exist without making huge concessions in one way or another. I now realize that I need different bikes for different uses, and while that's not always feasible for everyone or ideal, for me it's the only solution for my riding wants/needs/desires/demands.

[@BigRockMoto]

Well said

[@CharlieTrevaskis]

Yea i love my plated 300xc for the same purpose. I can handle 15-30 minute asphalt sections when necessary even with stock gearing as long as im not trying to push more than 60-65 during that time but anything more than that or freeway use is miserable. Man i would love to add a t7 or 890 to the garage though

[@ducmoto1975]

I think nowadays people focus too much on comfort on a motorcycle. I am not saying comfort is bad at all - but if you loose the connection to the simplicity of a motorcycle because of wind protection, wide seats, board computer, drive assistent etc., you loose what make a motorcycle trip interesting. Feeling the environments the street condition, open view to the nature without digital screen lights etc. looks like a luxury today. Motorcycles companies believe that using car innovations like Seat Heating, adaptive drive controls Warning systems etc, is a cheap way to push their marketing machine further by asking for higher prices. I am not into that. also I believe for motorcycle reviews it`S more important than ever having this" innovations". In my opinion the truth is that only simple motorcycles can show what real adventure is. love the KTM690 R for what it is.

[@AndreShoumatoff]

Biggest single thing someone can do for on-road is make sure the suspension is setup correctly. The bike is much more stable on road and on freeway (just safely did 2 hours, including 85, 90 with no shimmying) on heavy knobbies. I don’t thing the bike in the video is correctly setup. It reminds me of when my bike was undersprung. Too much preload on rear as well. Njght and day now.

[@TonyB683]

I have just got off an Africa Twin Adventure Sports and onto a 2023 KTM 690. I loved the Africa Twin on the highway and on fast dirt roads, but at 64, I found it increasingly difficult to man handle the Africa when off the bike. I have also managed to fall over a number of times with the Africa, mainly due to seat height (I am short) and had some-one else had not been there on each occasion I would not have been able to stand the big girl up. I previously owned a 2010 690 which influenced the decision to buy the 2023 model. My early observations are consistent with yours in the vid. I am doing very little to my new 690 other than a pipe, mosko, Puig windscreen, air filter and a lowering kit. The big issue I see is the highway comfort compromise, but the upside is the 690 will encourage more difficult off-road type adventures. Anyway excellent vid I think your spot on with your thoughts, and it really comes down to do you want one or two bikes. For me happy to have one and accept the good and bad.

[@stankmaster1821]

this guy goes through bikes like I go through smokes.

[@markjacobs3956]

Nobody ever said I wish I had a heavier bike...until now.

[@kimmosuomalainen9945]

I guess it all depends on the scale, what the rider is used to, what kind of riding he or she has been doing and is doing. As my background is in offroad riding (and to some degree in enduro racing), I think 300 cc two stroke is the right weapon for the woods. I see my 690 Enduro R (as well as my XT660R) being that long haul adventure bike, maybe because I always try to stay on smaller roads, preferably on dirt even when travelling to my destination. What you say about your 690 I say about my KTM 500 EXC. I love that bike, great in all areas and all other superlatives, but: too heavy for mud pit, too ascetic for adventure riding.

[@JRinPG]

Well said Ian & couldn't agree more. No you did not make a mistake. As you said the 690 / 701 series leaves to much on the table to the true mid range ADV bikes and does not have the fun factor of the 450/500's. Would of been cool to see you compare a modified CRF450 RL / L to that 690. CRF goes the other way on the spectrum of trying to hit that sweet spot, light ADV unicorn bike.

[@mike_mikeff]

I choose honda crf300l... it does everything you want if you are an average rider... its cheep to buy cheep to run , you can go all around the world without been scared of mechanical problems.. so its fun.. i take it from monday to friday to work , saturday for cross country roads , a littke bit of enduro , then i wash it and in monday back to work... oh and its maybe yhe best looking bike !!! Love my crf...

[@lukefish7562]

Another fine one Ian! I’m breaking in my Norden 901 expedition right now but I believe the 690/701 is in my future. Ride safe! 🏍️💨

[@Ivan_1986]

901 expedition is on the top of my list now, but… kind of thinking if I should go for 701. I do plan to make 2 times a week trips to city (90 km), but would also like to explore some trails around. My last bike was 2010 Z1000, which I tuned quite a hit and it was just a thing of beauty. When I think about just doing tarmac mostly I feel that maybe I should just go for a sport tourist 🤦‍♂️ Lots of great bike options out there. Looks like it is a real challenge to find a do it all bike in many cases. Ho do you like the Norden? :-)

[@SuperBooogieman]

I knew right away what was going on when I saw you standing beside those bikes and I totally agree. If I had the money I'd also have a bike for each style of riding, but I can't afford two bikes. I have a sumo conversion kit so I basically go dirt riding, travel longer distances and I can race up those twisties going up Idlewild. All with one bike and I love her for that versatility.