Congrats! It's going to be a long 3 weeks!   You're going to love the 690 if you liked the WR250

Great report Trailpioneer.  Good to see you still riding (I'm 67) and have 29" inseam.  Going the 1.625" Kouba Link route (in transit).  A little worried about tire rub - more later.

i've had the kouba link sitting here for months, just haven't had time to put it on.  i did read that they shortened it a bit to prevent bottoming......

from their site:
*Note:  We have available 2 lengths of the KTM690 links which are (pictured below left)  We have also shortened the the "KTM8" link slightly so as not to allow the tire to bottom on the fuel tank as easily. The tire still may touch if bottomed very hard and/or are running the large knobby tires with this "KTM8-2" link.  The link with KTM8-2 engraved on the sides are the new shorter ones and replace the old "KTM8" link which is no longer available from us.

let us know how it works out for you....also, i think the kickstand needs to have 2in. cut off of it. 

try this thread. it may have an answer for you.  seems like a few ktm owners have had the same problem.

and there is a recall on your bike's fuel venting system that sounds like it would create the problem you're describing

http://690enduror.blogspot.com/2014/12/2014-fuel-breather-hose-and-abs-wiring.html

http://690enduror.blogspot.com/2015/07/fuel-filler-neck-valve.html
 
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/ktm-1190-adventure-fuelling-problems.926546/

is it not throwing a blinking code?  have you tried doing the 15min. reset? 

https://www.forwardair.com/prepaid/MCmainpage.jsp

Does nothing with the speedometer - that is driven by the tires.  So, if you change your tire size, say to a 17 SM size, then you need to mess with Speedometer.
What the 14t gear will do is change your RPM's (at given speed), shift points and MPG's etc.   You will loose top end speed, but nothing too noticeable, unless you do A LOT of highway.
I would stick with 15t if doing highway to gain back MPG's.

Perfect... don't care about top end at all. i do mainly around town and local canyon runs. no commuting on this thing at all, i live a half mile from work 

i'm just looking for it to have a bit more bottom end and be able to lift the front end a little easier.   i currently also ride a 2014 RMZ450 on tracks, the 690 just feels weak compared. i know its the gearing... the wings exhaust helped a bit too, worth the price of admission for the sound alone...

thanks for the reply. i was hoping that was the answer

So has anyone found a rubber dampened 14t countershaft sprocket like the stock 15t?  does the non dampened one make much more noise?  i want to swap mine out, but not sure i want to hear more clanging than i do already. 

Is there an after market product for my 2015 690R? Inherited a kick stand that has been shortened and way to over kill! Getting ready for Big Bend. Just finished the Alpine Loop.

I've only been able to find OEM ones in my few searches.  Let me know if you do end up replacing it and want to sell the shortened one. l'm lowering my bike a bit and would rather buy a cut one instead of cutting mine.... getanewride@yahoo.com