Author Topic: Is the 690E the right bike? I hope so!  (Read 254 times)

portabill

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Is the 690E the right bike? I hope so!
« on: December 17, 2014, 09:26:26 pm »
Hello, I'm really looking at the 690E as a replacement for my VStrom since I keep looking for dirt and getting frustrated.  I've ridden the VStrom 20k miles the last three years and don't see that stopping.  I'm concerned because I don't find any high mileage bikes (50K+ miles), other than "RTW With Noah".  I don't mind doing maintenance, but I can't have a bike take over my life.  I've been reading a lot here, KTMTalk (.com and .co.uk) and ADVRider trying to get a feel for the bike.

The valve checks are fine and sound easy, but is there any idea how often the heads need rebuilding or the motor pulled apart for bearing replacement or whatnot?  

Seems like the 2007-2009 Dukes had a lot of fuel injection issues, did the Enduros suffer the same issues and when did they get resolved? 

I've seen a couple well set up 2008's and a 2010 that are close to my current price range.  Would they be solid or should I wait for the magic 2013+ to show up?

Sorry for the length.  I'm in Central California, if that matters.

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Rusty Shovel

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Re: Is the 690E the right bike? I hope so!
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2014, 09:17:10 am »
I think that 2013 is the best year to buy (690 engine, ride by wire throttle, no ABS), but they're all pretty great.  But then, I'm a bit of a fan.  I've never enjoyed a bike more (other than the SL70 I bought for $50 when I was 12).

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Nathan Haley

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Re: Is the 690E the right bike? I hope so!
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2014, 03:05:20 pm »
You'll find you rack up miles a lot slower when you get off the freeway. If you want dirt capability and high-mileage reliability, get a WR250R. Unless you need the extra punch, in which case you should be willing to troubleshoot little issues should they arise. However, to my knowledge the 690 motor is usually good for 20,000mi+ between motor teardowns.

portabill

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Re: Is the 690E the right bike? I hope so!
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2014, 05:38:10 pm »

You'll find you rack up miles a lot slower when you get off the freeway. If you want dirt capability and high-mileage reliability, get a WR250R. Unless you need the extra punch, in which case you should be willing to troubleshoot little issues should they arise. However, to my knowledge the 690 motor is usually good for 20,000mi+ between motor teardowns.

Hmmm..... At my current rate, that's about every 2-3 years, even with the dirt factor.  Very useful to know, I will have to factor that into any used purchase.

Is the tear down documented, or would I have gather and piece together multiple sub-tear downs?

Alabama Adventurer

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Re: Is the 690E the right bike? I hope so!
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2014, 07:11:58 pm »
I have a 525 EXC and a 14 690 Enduro R; there is a huge difference between them as the 525 is very 'ready to race' maintenance intensive.  The 690 is not like that at all.

Rockitboy

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Re: Is the 690E the right bike? I hope so!
« Reply #5 on: December 23, 2014, 02:14:21 am »
Hey Rusty.. The 690 Enduro didn't get the ride by wire throttle until 2014. The Duke had ride by wire in 13'.
Nut up or shut up!

Rusty Shovel

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Re: Is the 690E the right bike? I hope so!
« Reply #6 on: December 23, 2014, 08:59:45 am »
Hey Rusty.. The 690 Enduro didn't get the ride by wire throttle until 2014. The Duke had ride by wire in 13'.

You're right!  I guess 2014 IS the best model to own.  I'll put up with some ABS issues (that can be shut off with a dongle) in exchange for the ride by wire.  The 2014 throttle response is so smooth--it makes controlling that monster motor so easy--but when you need the power...BAM!

I was actually shocked at how well the 690 tractored up the steep hill climbs near Big Bend National Park.  I could slow down (mid hill climb) to negotiate rocky areas, then punch it to accelerate though sandy portions of the climb.  The throttle is so smooth on a day-to-day basis that it's easy to forget just how outrageously powerful the engine really is.
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Rockitboy

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Re: Is the 690E the right bike? I hope so!
« Reply #7 on: December 23, 2014, 11:01:11 am »
I passed on a 13' & waited to get my 14' for the changes they made. They gave it the dual plug head also.  Oddly enough there are no changes to the 2015 model, not even color or graphics. Why change a perfect bike huh? Well thats subjective but I do really like mine! The 690 is proving to be very reliable for tens of thousands of miles. How you use it is gonna play a big part in how long it last though. Roninmoto at ADVrider has over 80,000 miles on his 2008 690.. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781893   
Nut up or shut up!

Nathan Haley

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Re: Is the 690E the right bike? I hope so!
« Reply #8 on: December 24, 2014, 10:31:01 am »


You'll find you rack up miles a lot slower when you get off the freeway. If you want dirt capability and high-mileage reliability, get a WR250R. Unless you need the extra punch, in which case you should be willing to troubleshoot little issues should they arise. However, to my knowledge the 690 motor is usually good for 20,000mi+ between motor teardowns.

Hmmm..... At my current rate, that's about every 2-3 years, even with the dirt factor.  Very useful to know, I will have to factor that into any used purchase.

Is the tear down documented, or would I have gather and piece together multiple sub-tear downs?

It's been documented (maybe use Google Translate):

http://m.motorradonline.de/dauertest/dauertest-abschlussbilanz-ktm-690-sm/269735

That SMC has the same engine as the Enduro (except minor year-specific changes like the dual plug).

There are a few people on ADVrider who racked up as many as 50,000mi on an LC4 before tearing it down. Honestly that's about what I would expect out of any street-focused single, with typical dualsport use and care. Many more people have KLR650s that have done that sort of mileage, but even those often get tired and sometimes burn an abnormal quantity of oil around then.

If you have the time to put 10,000 dirt miles/year on your bike (that's like 200mi/week, give or take?), I don't think the maintenance intervals on the engine should bug you that much - couple oil changes a year, check the valves once a year. Keeping the air filter clean has a dramatic impact on the life of a top end.

Were I you, I would keep a street steed to commute/travel on to keep boring freeway miles off the 690.

portabill

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Re: Is the 690E the right bike? I hope so!
« Reply #9 on: December 28, 2014, 10:34:42 am »
I'm glad to say that I only have a 7-mile commute, so all my miles were for trips.  Unfortunately, a lot of highway/superslab miles are part of my riding just to get somewhere.  However, I do like a crooked paved road as well.  I was hoping the 690E would bridge the gap between the VStrom (power) and DRZ (offroadbility).

However, I just found out that my son failed a couple classes and will be in college another year, so any purchase of a 690 is on hold.  Maybe a 2013/2014 will be in my price range when I'm ready again.

I really appreciate everyone's input.