Yes Gents,

The sour kraut still continues to terrorize one year later on my beloved 2014 Enduro R.  I would love to say my demeanor has improved, but why would I bother to post this just to spread fictitious rumors and offer false hope?  But I have learned a few things having put a whole lousy 5k miles on my 690 now over the last year.  Its had three oil changes including one I gib it today.  The oil screens were clean man.  I mean use-it-for-a-dinner-plate clean.

I lavish my favorite bike with all the pampering I can give it right up until I roll on the throttle. And then I unleash an unholy legion of badness that keeps me laughing maniacally, and keeps those civilians out there saying "Goooooow-Leeeee."  For those who may not remember, I am running one tooth over on the front sprocket and I have determined the mighty 690 can do 115mph in this configuration.  I run Heidenau K60 scout tires (the 50/50 rear....not that cheesy 70/30)  So here's what I've learned.

1.  The 690 achieves humballa in terms of comfort and performance after around 3k miles.  I use the vibration damping handlebar clamps and a Seat Concepts seat and I'm a happy man.  I also dropped mine an inch and a half on the back with a Koubalink and lowered the front .75 inches.  Much more stable with this geometry, and I no longer felt the need for a steering damper since I did that.  I'm good for 200 mile stretches with this configuration before I have to pull over for a beer.

2.  Pay attention to the manual when you give your bike an oil change.  Clean the bolts and flanges carefully.  Torque the bolts exactly as described in the manual.  After I gave mine 'oil change number two', I had a slight oil leak (a few drops after a ride) that I deemed insignificant and ignored until I gib it oil change three today.  What I learned is that if you over-torque the screen and oil drain plugs then the flanges will not seat properly and a minor oil leak will be the result.  11fp on the drain plug and screen covers.  4.5 or so on the filter covers.  The filter covers are much less critical, but the screen and drain plugs are important.  Don't strip your filter cover bolts out.  You will feel pain if you do.  Five fp or so is fine.  But don't go over ten be my reckoning on the matter.  (and No I didn't strip mine.  Its just a bad feeling like when you're to close to a cliff to be doing the funky chicken)

3.  I typically put 100 miles on my 690 for every mile I put on my Harley.  Or sure, there are full uniform events I attend where I have to take the Harley, but my KTM is light, graceful, and blisteringly fast.  Besides, chicks are starting to wake  up to the advantages of what I consider to be the "Barracuda" of motorcycles.  The ones who understand what this bike really is routinely yell, jump up and down, and wave where as Harley chicks continue to be aloof as I'm just another hard something on a Harley to them. 

So in summary, configure your bike for your specific needs.  Watch the torque on those plugs.  And pull over for chicks who yell and jump up and down when you pass by.  Those are the girls you could proudly introduce to mamma.  And always listen carefully to Rusty Shovel when he's trying to 'splain things to ya'.  He taught me everything I know.

Be Well,

Bartlioni

P.s.  Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaa