Author Topic: So Many Bikes - So Little Time - A Tale of the Greatness of the 690e  (Read 830 times)

Bartlioni

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Hey Gang,

I'm not seeing a lot of recent posts and so I thought I'd throw out some barnyard philosophy about the 690e, My Harley, and the up and coming 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure hoping to steer up some conversation.  There's different strokes for different folks.  Tragically, I require them all.  Its just my lot in life.  Let's start with the Harley.

1.  The Harley - My 2012 Softail Deluxe is a truly great road bike.  The counter-balanced 103 engine is truly a great advancement in man's quest for the ultimate two-wheel riding experience while looking cool.  The screaming eagle stage one air system (with software fuel mapping update) along with the Cobra Long Shots makes this big beastie of a bike the sweetest long-distance cruiser I have ever ridden.  I won't be running the Tail of the Dragon on it.  But it has the stereo, the radar weather data enabled GPS, and the sound.  45mpg.  Nuff said.

2.  My 2014 KTM 690 Enduro R - I'm not going to blow smoke up your ass.  This is the greatest motorcycle of all time.  If they wuz to let me into heaven riding a motorcycle, then this would be the bike I'd take.  Who knows what kind of terrain they got up there?  Could be hilly, and I'm suspicious as to how much pavement they got up there.  The 690 Enduro R is my go-to bike for all things unknown in this world, and so I figure it would be my go-to bike for everything unknown in the next.  As the 690e is the swiss army knife of bikes, I'm currently running it in 'commuter mode' meaning I'm running K-60 scout tires and a 16-tooth front sprocket.  Still got power wheelies in second and third.  Blistering acceleration of course.  Top speed estimated at 115mph although 105 is as far as I've taken it.  (Haven't installed a steering damper yet)  Time to reconfigure with a 15-tooth front sprocket and what's left of my original knobbies:  20 minutes with a spare wheel set.  60mpg and I'm not taking it easy either.  Smooth as a baby's butt with the PHDS and green elastomers.  Especially after I took her out on the open interstate and hammered the crap out of that engine well after I was certain it was thoroughly broken in, serviced, and running fresh oil.  Just an hour of kicking that mule hard reduced vibration substantially.  The greatest motorcycle of all time.  I think I'll drop back to the 15-tooth sprocket and keep running the K-60 scout tires if its the heaven scenario.  Hmmmmmmm.

3.  The up and coming 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure - Yup, for those of you who haven't heard, KTM is putting that monster 150bhp engine from the super duke onto the adventure chassis and rolling it out with all the electronic bullo-crappo you could eeeeever dream of.  They're giving it a serious gas tank, which is good considering it only will get about 37mpg, but it will be the supreme luxury touring bike of all time.  I'll be getting mine in May of next year.  But make no mistake.  It will replace neither the Harley or the 690e.  Each bike has its niche and each bike is great in its own way.  But the engine from the super duke on an adventure bike chassis?  Pant-pant-pant.  Yum yum.

Be well, and remember:  I'm out there.

;)
- Bartlioni

 "Bwaaaaaaa.  Get that little Pointy-Head!"

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mcrider

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I was at Cycle Shack in Conroe, Texas Friday to get parts for my son's 450 EXC.  They had the new 1290 on the floor.  It sure looked good.  Had to walk away before I got in trouble like when I went in for a battery for the 520 EXC & bought two batteries.  One in my 690.

Chris Hardy
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seabeegt

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Good balanced perspective piece sir. The 690 is indeed the swiss army knife. I appreciate that fact each and every time i ride her. I suggest a 690 to anyone who's looking to get into the sport.
Shay with tha guage and Nilla with tha nine.... word to your mutha.

Bartlioni

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Thanks seabeegt,

I thought I should make one correction.  The mighty 1290 on the Super Duke and the up and coming 1290 Super Adventure puts out ~180bhp.  The 1190 Adventure (and the R model) puts out ~150bhp.  The gas mileage sux on either model (~36mpg), but in this league I'm not sure I care.  Wouldn't part with my 690e Swiss Army Knife to get one, but the 1290 SA is sure to cause those BMW R1200 GS guys to flinch.
- Bartlioni

 "Bwaaaaaaa.  Get that little Pointy-Head!"

3Rrr

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I'm struggling to come up with the "excuse" (reason) for selling my F800GS and getting a 690.  The Swiss-Army Knife of bikes is a good one.

It is time for the 800 to go, and all of my co-riders have 1200GS's.  If money were no object I'd get both the 1200 and the 690.  Sadly, money is THE object.  Definitely want the 2014 or 2015 690 model but as I look to ADVenturize it the price starts climbing closer to the 1200 (sans farkles). 

I primarily do group rides that start within 100 miles from my house.  The lightness of the 690 tempts me to get it for these rides, along with the many single tracks that I have been unable to explore around my home area on my F800GS. 

What say you?  Anyone coming from an 800? 

Bartlioni

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I can't speak to the 800, but if most of my buds were riding R1200s, then I'd have to have either the 690e or the new Super Adventure 1290.  The 690e will probably out accelerate the 1200s, but they'll get you on the top end.  You'll be able to go places those battleships can only dream of, and raising up that front wheel will look like its the 690's natural riding stance.  But you're right that setting it up in 'adventure configuration' will cost you some change.  That's how I have mine set up at the moment.  Around $1200 is about right.  Tires, seat, handlebar vibration damper and maybe a steering damper, GPS.  But you will laugh maniacally when you discover the 690's blistering acceleration and great handling on or off pavement thanks to its light weight and great suspension.  But if you decide to go big adventure bike, then I'd grab a 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure that will be formally announced at the end of September.  Your BMW buds will quiver in the knees over its monster 180hp engine and electronic everything.  I wouldn't part with my 690e to get it, but next summer it will be mine all mine.  Bwaaaaaaa.
- Bartlioni

 "Bwaaaaaaa.  Get that little Pointy-Head!"

3Rrr

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The only area that I think the 690 would take me differently from my F800GS is to some tight single-track that we currently don't tackle.  i try to ride with what many call some of the best Adventure bike riders in the US.  May go with a light bike for the single-track and wait and see if Honda truly does release an Africa Twin.

« Last Edit: September 25, 2014, 07:41:54 pm by 3Rrr »

Bartlioni

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Your logic appears sound to me.  Sifting through your comments it is apparent you need a 690e Swiss Army Knife.  And then save up some coinage to bump up your collection for long distance adventure later.  You won't be hauling a bunch of camping gear on a 690e.  And it is unlikely that Honda will introduce an African Twin that is overall superior to the 800 you already have, which is by all accounts an excellent adventure bike.  So it comes down to coinage and priorities.  But unless you're expected to bring the gas grill to the camp site on a multi-day adventure tour, then the 690 will put a smile on your face that can't be wiped off with turpentine.  I promise.
- Bartlioni

 "Bwaaaaaaa.  Get that little Pointy-Head!"

3Rrr

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Sounds like I just need to find one to get out and test. 

Thanks for the info.  Counting the days for INTERMOT.

Bartlioni

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Happy hunting.  I hear all the 2014 690e bikes have all been scarfed up.  Apparently we the hooligans of the world went for them like a rat to a cheeto.  That includes me of course.  I also hear they did a couple of minor upgrades to the display and suspension for 2015, but they didn't duck anything up in the process.  I can't wait for the show either.  That 1290 SA makes me feel all warm and giddy inside.  Be well and remember:  I'm out there.
- Bartlioni

 "Bwaaaaaaa.  Get that little Pointy-Head!"

QuantumParadise

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When is the show?

3Rrr

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Rockitboy

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Ok, Im a bit late into the discussion but have to throw in my 2cents.. The Swiss army knife thing was perfect.  There is nothing the big bikes (GS & Adventure) can do that the 690 cant. Its just a matter of comfort on the long hauls. I'm almost to 11k miles on my 14' this year so I've put on some miles. I dont have the Rally Raid tanks & don't feel I've ever needed them. I live in the USA & gas stations are everywhere.  When I'm taking a long ride (500 miles or so) I kinda wish I had an Adventure for the windshield & big engine, but when I get to my destination the 690 shines. I have rode some trails in Northern Wisconsin that are so cool. If you don't ride trails or off road much you should probably get the Adventure. Really the big factor if this is gonna be your go to bike is you. Are you fit or fat? Be brutally honest here because it takes something out of you to ride a dirt bike without a windshield 500 miles in a day. Some guys just cant do it.. I'm not picking on fat people, I'm about 220 myself & the long rides are killer. You just gotta know what you can handle. I think most who buy this bike are like me.. If everyone is headed one way I go the other. If there is a wide road & one that has grass growing on it.. well you know, take the road less traveled. Thats what a 690 owner does.           ....Braaaappp!
Nut up or shut up!

SDMF_Reaps

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When I rode to the hills I had a hard time with fuel.  If I wouldn't have had my rally raid tanks I would have been in the middle of the Standing Rock reservation looking for fuel.  As it was I had to go further than I wanted to because the station I was planning no using was closed for the night.  Pumps around there don't have an option for using a credit card either.

Rockitboy

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Well yeah central SD is a wasteland with very few towns there.  I've rode west of the Missouri a couple times this year & don't plan on going back. Rolling prairie for hundreds miles gets old pretty quick. Im just saying with a little route planning the stock 690's 150 mile range is plenty for most folks that ride in the USA. I would definitely get the extra tanks if I was planning an Alaska ride!
Nut up or shut up!