Phil, We'll put you one in July. There will be a bunch.

Ron

Roger.  So far no planning for next years Montana 1000 other than setting the third Saturday in July as the start date. Last years 1800 miles (long version) was really epic in nature.  I'm looking forward to putting the new 690 through it paces next summer.

Dave,


Yup, I led the HT Rally Lochsa Lodge, Toboggan, Kelly Ck, Pierce run. At least up until we were blasting down the Toboggan Hill Road.

I've been riding for 50 years. Never raced, but pushed my old KDX400 to the limits, often, and loved it for many, many years.  Moved back east for 9 years and did ride a Vulcan 1500.  Back to Montana and finally picked up a KLR.  The KLR and I had a couple of heavy discussions about how to ride dirt roads fast, and we came to a consensus level where we were both comfortable. Just couldn't treat it like a good dirt bike, but you can push one to it's limits and that is what we did for a few years until last July when I tried a buddies new 2014 690 last summer on a long, long rally run.  I had been in denial over what I had been missing. Didn't take long before I found a little used 2010.  (Also found a 2012 for my son who also made the mistake of trying a 690 so actually bought 2 690s this summer.)

However, every bike has it's own quirks and it take time to adapt so I'm trying to take it easy for awhile and listen to the bike letting it tell me it's limits before we have to have those road side chats like with the KLR. At 64, I can't afford the hard hits any more, but I can sure still enjoy the abilities of the 690.

But , man it is a fun bike and I'm looking forward to get back some of the playfulness the old KDX had, that I definitely missed. Much more then mere transportation.

Dave, I had thoughts when watching you on the Toboggan Hill run in September thinking you may well be due for a road side discussion with your 690.  It happens, most often when one lets his concentration wander, yes?

Heal up, you're missing some great fall weather riding.


Ron

I actually bought 2 (two) yes really 2, KTM 690s in a week last week.... I sent a link to my son about a 2012 on consignment at the local KTM Dealer with 3600 miles and $2k worth of goodies. I bought, he claimed it. He went to the bank and got financing. Wasn't going to argue so I told him when I sees the money, the bike is yours. Then, less than a week later, I see on Craig’s List a second used 690 at the dealer, a 2010 with 1,600 miles. This one had only the luggage system and skid plate (neither of which the 2012 had). So...since my son had the financing set up, I went down to look at it on this last Thursday. Tried it out, brought it home, pulled off a lowering kit, loaded in my truck and ran over to the HT LC rally at Kamiah.

Did a 150 miles Friday led by a local guy who knows every road, trail, nook, and cranny in the area. Did a bunch of true single track trails as well as roads up around the Canyon Junction/Lowell area. Saturday, I led a group up 12 to Lochsa for breakfast then up to Cayuse Junction and up over Toboggan Ridge, Kelly Ck, then down 250 back to Pierce and Kamiah...250 miles. Quite a break in ride for a new-to-me bike first ride. I think there were at least 5 690s at the rally.

Gotta start boosting my rear tire budget....