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Topics - Bartlioni

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690 Discussion / The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires

« on: August 14, 2015, 12:23:56 pm »

I had an experience yesterday morning that confirmed a suspicion of mine about my dual sport tires, and I thought it would be worth bringing up to you guys. I ride mostly on the street. But when I go off-road I want respectable performance. When I got my 690 last year I researched it and locked in on the timeless K-60 scout tires. And I'm firmly convinced this is the way to go for my purposes. So here's some information about this tire design that actually dates back to WW2.

The K-60 is currently made by at least two manufactures and they look basically identical. Heidenau makes two different rear tire versions: A cheesy looking 70/30 (street) tire and a true 50/50 dual-sport tire. The latter is the tire set I went with, and I went with Heidenau for two reasons. (1) Heidenau has established an almost cult following over the quality of their tires. (2) The Heidenau version was rated for 12000 miles while the Mefo version is rated for 9000 miles. It was a win-win or so I thought. But let me explain something that will put what I have to say about these tires in context.

I run a 16-tooth front sprocket instead of a 15-tooth. That means I top out at 115mph while you 15t guys get about 105mph. But you can climb up on sh-tuff and laugh at me bogging down in the mud with the crud. That's how it is. Going 16t is basically tossing first gear and adding a new 6th gear that's particularly sweet when you hit 80mph or so. I digress.

So yesterday morning, as I merged over onto the highway leading to work, I had a slow vehicle just in front of me. I moved over to the left lane and did what I always do in these situations. I level the bike in the new lane, and then I put the hammer down which means go varoom in KTM talk. Always level the bike in case the front starts coming up when you hit it. Engine was all to happy to comply, but at about 58mph when I engaged the warp drive, the rear tire slipped nearly a quarter-spin. Now I had previously reported on this site that it had only happened once in cold weather, but this is new and different. It was high humidity and there probably was a slight amount of dew on the road. But I now question the wisdom of my selection and here's why:

The Mefo K-60 may only be rated for 9k miles, but that means its using a softer compound that probably would not have slipped on this bike under these conditions. Okay, I see it now. I ducked up. I have to have instantaneous acceleration without compromise. Its just the kind of guy I am. I was looking for one of those spooky surreal experiences that only you guys can understand where in a matter of mili-seconds all the cars around you disappear into the rearview. You know, a standard warp jump. I gotta have it every time on a dime man. But this wonderful Heidenau tire that would be perfect for any 650 hiccups on the supreme 690. 'New Tire Inbound on your pod Bartlioni!'

I'm sure you understand,

690 Discussion / One Year Later......

« on: June 25, 2015, 07:30:52 pm »

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

Gear / Klim Element Gloves

« on: October 18, 2014, 12:33:08 pm »

I broke down last week and ordered a pair of Klim Element Gauntlet gloves. Because the Klim Badlands pro jacket I wear has weather seals on the sleeves that most jackets don't have (You listening Rusty), I should have ordered the Klim Element short gloves and saved 30 smucks. But I have now added the full gauntlet gloves to the pile of cheap winter gloves I have accumulated over the years. I haven't even broken in the Klim gloves yet. But I already know they are far superior to any of the Bilt (never buy Belch anything) River road (overload) or any of the other fluff out there. And so I can already say that these new Klim gloves are far superior in every way to any winter glove I've ever worn: I can flick a bic and light a smoke with them on my hands ma'an. That's new and differnt. Now I expect this out of my warmer weather Rev-it gloves which are outstanding gloves in their own right. The guys at Cyclegear pointed me at the Rev-it swearing they're the bomb. Besides, they passed the bic test even brand spanking new. It took a couple of weeks to break in the rev-its, but no glove is as transparent on the hand as these. Get-em tight. Treat 'em right. But back to the Klim: These babies show serious promise. So far I haven't had a chance to test them below 45 degrees, but all the reviews say I won't be disappointed. They offer superior feel transmission on the palms and underside of the fingers, while offering serious insulation and high quality leather on the top. I thank I done good. For 230 smucks I better have!

Story-Time / Zer Guunter Schlausen Special

« on: October 17, 2014, 03:21:12 pm »

Gents,

Over the past few weeks I’ve taken particular delight in setting my 690e up in what I call “German Scout Bike” mode. Similar to super moto mode, but I have added Heidenau 50/50 tires while I bumped the front sprocket up to 16t. I was going for just the right amount of offensive in-your-face look with my german helmet, goggles, and Klim riding gear, while I also achieved hum-balla with street performance. Yet I could not sacrifice the ability to go off-road at a second's notice should I happen to see a deer that needs chasing in a field I happen to pass by. I have surpassed my wiiiiiildest expectations.

When I ride the GSS in traffic on the way to work in the morning (65mph speed limit four lane), I watch for worm-holes to open up in the stream of vehicles in front of me (as well as cops of course). Much like surfing, you have to watch for the wave to form, and then kick it into 4th and put the hammer down. Then the mighty 690e will engage the warp drive and blow those duck-pluckers away saying: "There's that nartzee storm trooper feller I seen flying by yesterday." What can I say. I get off on it and I tend to get to work early.

“Its me again Margret….heee hee hee hee hee”

Later,

Bartlioni

690 Pics / Coming Clean with the Pics

« on: September 30, 2014, 07:02:12 pm »

Hey Gang,

You guys have been seeing me post a lot of words about every aspect of the 690e, gear, and whatever. So I thought I'd come clean with the pics. Showing a little too much boot on this first one. Sorry. And yes, that is an inebriated smirk on my mug.

Her's my GPS which is a Zumo 350 that I bought off of eBay for ~$350. Factory bike mount works great with the wider U-bolt. This also shows my KTM touring windscreen and foldy-uppy Touratech mirrors.

I'm really proud of my Heidenau tires. Here's what the 50/50 rear looks like.

Here is the helmet I wear when I really want to be annoying:

And last but not least, here is the Harley I've put 100 miles on while I've put 3000 miles on my new 690e

690 Discussion / Its Finally Happened - I have now put 100 miles on my Harley since I got my 690e

« on: September 27, 2014, 11:06:26 am »

It was hell,

But I finally did it. I have now put 100 miles on my Harley since I purchased my 2014 690e on June 13, 2014. I just can't stay off my 690e. Its light, graceful, very fast, and ultra trick. Harley is big, beautiful, fat, and comfy. But the 690e has unlocked my true hooligan nature like no other bike I've ever owned (ten of 'em). Were it not for the fact that I recently replaced out all the fluids on the Harley (Three fill holes!) I might not have been able to pull off 100 miles. So here's the deal: I've put 3000 miles on my KTM since the middle of June and only 100 miles on my Harley. Says it all doesn't it.

690 Discussion / Gear ratios and the RPMs that love them

« on: September 13, 2014, 11:53:32 am »

This may not be the right place to post this, but WTF. Our brother's post on wide-bandwidth gear ratios got me thinking a lot about how changing out my front sprockets from 14 - 15 (stock) - 16 tooth affects fuel efficiency. I can't bring myself to spend major smucks on a new gear set, but it isn't hard to change out front sprockets. So I'm going to stay with the sprocket approach and tailor my scoot for a particular ride. But looking into it further, I learned that the Duke has nearly identical fuel efficiency as the Enduro R even though it comes out of the stable with a 16/40 sprocket combination. And then last week I met up with a dude that owns a Duke, and I asked him some questions about shift points. It turns out that my experience with the 16-tooth needing to down-shift at ~52mph as apposed to 42mph with the 15-tooth on my 690e was pretty-much right on. He says that particular shift point is ~55mph on his duke. Note that both bikes use the same primary gear ratio. Just the sprockets are different. But it looks like fuel efficiency is at least somewhat if not largely independent of a given RPM the engine is running at. Engine wear is obviously highly dependent on RPM, but apparently fuel efficiency isn't. But my current theory goes like this:

14-tooth front - For hauling most royal butt on all terrain that isn't paved. (mega power wheelies in 1-4th gear I think.)
15-tooth front - A good general purpose compromise. (power wheelies 1-3 comfortably)
16-tooth front - For hauling most royal butt on pavement, gravel, and well-defined trails (still got power wheelies in second. Maybe third. Haven't tried it)

So what do you guys think? The real question I'm pondering over is if there's any difference between (say) adding a tooth on the front versus removing three teeth from the back sprocket. I don't think there is but I've been wrong before.

690 Discussion / So Many Bikes - So Little Time - A Tale of the Greatness of the 690e

« on: August 30, 2014, 01:44:41 pm »

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.

690 Discussion / KTM Touring Windscreen - Worth the bother? You decide.

« on: August 21, 2014, 08:52:39 pm »

This is my final upgrade for the year, which is a lie I tell myself every time I throw money at something new and cool for my bike. Earlier today I installed the KTM Touring Windscreen onto my 2014 Enduro R. After three weeks on backorder it finally showed up. Installation was easy. You have to drill four 9mm holes and I have a drill press. But wait a minute! Deez is what's left of America. We don't got no stinkin' 9mm drill bits around here! Try Canada. I worked it out. Use a 23/64 drill bit that comes standard with most bit kits and you'll be just fine. That's one tick below a 3/8 bit. It looks very cool on the bike and hides those cables that roll over the top of your digital display nicely. (Smoked black tint) But if you want to be able to gaze off to the sides of the tranquil highway at nature, rolling along without a care in the world such as that ugly fat cicada locking in on you and busting you upside the forehead, then this windscreen isn't going to make you happy. I can't say its totally worthless from a functional perspective because it does a respectable job of reducing wind pressure against your chest given its meager size. But most importantly, it looks cool and it only cost 65 smucks. Very cool with the trick folding Touratach mirrors I installed a few days ago. Its a keeper. But next time I want to gaze off at nature while tooling down the tranquil highway, I think I'll take the Harley. Them Cadi-dids can hurt ya' ma'an. Be well and enjoy the greatest motorcycle of all time.

690 Discussion / Progressive Handlebar Damping System (PHDS) Upgrade

« on: August 19, 2014, 06:32:49 pm »

As promised at the tail end of my last post, here is my review of the KTM PHDS. I'm going to cut to the chase. It was easy to install and cut vibration felt through the bars by 50%. I now feel much more vibration through the foot pegs than I do the bars. They may be pricy at $200, but I have to give them a highly recommended rating. I'm using the green (soft) elastomers I had to purchase separately. It comes only with the yellow (medium) elatomers that I kept reading people moan and bxtch saying it didn't make much of a difference on vibration. And then a bunch of other guys would reply saying: "Yeah, but if you go with the green elatomers you will be happy happy happy. Did you get that memo?" I also installed the half-inch risers that came with them and I like the seating posture better as well. I had previously installed a pair of those FAAST bar end dampers ($60) and couldn't tell any significant difference in vibration. But the PHDS system is effective. If you plan to go with a Scott steering damper, then get the handlebar damper made for it. If you're not planning to use a steering damper, or you plan to use one of the other brands like I do next spring, then get these handlebar dampers. You'll be glad you did if you spend much time on the highway. Note: If you lower your bike with a koubalink and raise the forks tubes up in the triple tree like I did, then I don't think the scotts steering damper rig will fit your scoot. Be well, and always keep a weather eye out. I'm out there.

690 Discussion / 690 Enduro R - Latest Mods - Tires, Mirrors and Front Sprocket

« on: August 19, 2014, 08:11:28 am »

I've been in the process of making mods to my KTM to support the fact that most of my riding is on the street. Here's the latest.

1. Tires - For the street, gravel, or well defined trails I ride on, I decided on going with a true 50/50 tire set. So I went with the Heidenau K-60 Scout tires. (Note there is also a 70/30 version for the rear, but I went with the 50/50 version) These tires work great, they're very versatile, and they stick to the road like glue. They are also reputed to last for 9 - 12 thousand miles. Very happy with these tires. Perfect for my application.

2. Mirrors - I went with the Touratech folding mirrors. When folded out, I now have radically better visibility of what's behind me and they are less prone to vibration than the cheesy stock mirrors. I had to glue one of the stock mirror lenses to the mirror's frame (like it was supposed to be already) in order to keep it from rattling. Not a good mirror. I highly recommend the Touratech folding mirrors.

3. Front Sprocket - Last but not least (for this post) I swapped out the 15 tooth front sprocket with a 16 tooth version. Again, since most of my riding is on street, gravel, or well-defined trails, I was willing to sacrifice a little bit of acceleration and low-end grunt to get smoother street performance and top-end. Note that the factory gear ratio is 15/45. I've now set mine at 16/45. For comparison, the Duke, which uses the same motor, runs 16/42. Don't go over 16 teeth. There isn't room for it with the factory sprocket cover. Changing front sprockets is easy, and I can always go back to the 15 tooth version in less than 30 minutes. What difference did it make? For a given level of engine output (in 6th gear) I'm now moving around ten miles an hour faster. Speed transitions as I roll on/off the throttle at highway speeds are much less abrupt, but contrary to popular opinion, I'm not seeing a significant increase in gas mileage. Perhaps I'll see a little difference after I run a couple of more tanks of gas through it, but the initial tank indicated a wash. I expected this as the reports I've seen on the Duke's mileage is virtually identical to the Enduro R.

Have fun. I hope this post is helpful to those of you who spend more time in conditions short of full-up motorcross. My configuration didn't stop me from giving a respectable chase after an albino Doe (really) across a huge grass field last Saturday. Next time I'll be giving a report on the Progressive Handlebar Damping System (Due for delivery today).

Introductions / North Alabama Middle-Aged Teenager Meets Love of his Life

« on: July 24, 2014, 05:09:03 pm »

Yup,

My 2014 KTM 690 Enduro R and I met at a dealership on 6/13 and got married right there on the spot. 850 miles later she's had her initial service and is running better than ever. She has blistering acceleration and incredible responsiveness due to her low weight and high power. Her steering was a might bit twitchy at first, but I lowered her with a Koubalink and now her steering is very stable. That made the biggest difference, and now I can hold her up comfortably. So I've certified 'Thumper' fit for active duty in ground operations involving high levels of, shall we say, mischief. I'm due for some of that mischief now so I'll close. I hope you guys are enjoying your 690s as much as I am. My Harley is jealous, but lately I just can't stay off my 690. That acceleration is addictive. Bwaaaaaaaaa.

690 Discussion / KTM 690R Koubalink install completed

« on: July 15, 2014, 09:36:04 am »

When I got my 2014 690 enduro, it stood so tall I felt like was a ballerina (sans the pink tu tu) on tippy-toes holding it up. But even without the tu tu its hard to look cool at redlights on tippy-toes holdling your bike up. It also felt like I was riding around on an extension ladder given my 5 foot 9 height and 29 inch length pant size. So after I installed the koubalink, and lowered the front the prescribed 3/4 inches, the bike handles substantially better through the twisties. That twitchy steering that made me think I was going to need a Scotts Steering Dampener is much more solid now in side winds and around trucks on the road. So that left me with the side kickstand to deal with. As I lowered the rear 1 + 5/8 I hacked off 2.5 inches of kickstand and made a new foot using some 1/8 "weldable" mild steel I got at Lowes. If you lower it one inch then only hack two inches off. In either case keep the foot angle close to the original foot angle and you'll be fine. Then I took the kickstand to a weld shop that charged me $20 and took three minutes to weld my new foot on. They sprayed some black paint on it for me and so I made them take $30 for the deal. They told me to bring them something bigger next time. I agreed. So, I have to say that the koubalink mod is very worth it based on my experiences. I'm a happy ex-ballerina (still no tu tu).