the trick is when you turn the bike off (to look at a map or something quick) DON'T turn the KEY OFF, just kill the engine from the red handlebar switch on right. ABS stays OFF as long as the key is 'ON'.
This is true, but during the Desert Challenge I forgot to do this once and nearly went off the trail because the ABS wouldn't let me slow down on a gravel downhill. Next time I go on a ride in which I anticipate shutting down the ABS more often than not, I'm gonna pull the three fuses that control ABS and do without. I really don't think a bike of this size/weight needs ABS in the first place.
I had thought about the dongle, but supposedly, that only shuts down ABS to the rear tire. At first blush this seems like a good idea, but what about when you lose momentum on a steep gravel incline? As you began to roll backward, you'd grab the front brake and it wouldn't "dig in." You'd end up dangerously sliding backwards down the hill. KTM could address this by designing the front ABS to only engage during FORWARD travel, but at this point it treats forward and rearward travel the same.