Upgrade or downgrade ? Ktm 950 adventure - ktm 690 enduro

[reedro72]

Hi

to cut a long storey short , i have a 950 adventure and a 250 xc road reg so u would think i pretty much have the ideal bike set up ! Problem is iv been trawling various sites and found my self drawn to the 690 enduro, There now follows a few questions id like answered as not been in the position to try one out yet?

Bike wise i like the off road riding on the 950 as you can cover the road distances between with ease , what i wanted to know was how do they fare up as a comparisson to the above ? and what sort of m.p.g or distance can you get out of a std tank ? and also what sort of speed will they sit comfortably on the road compared to the 950 ? or any other relevant info required . Cheers Nick

[KTMBLAG]

I've been thinking along the same lines...nibby will be along in a min to sort job out..he's gone 690 from 950 and a Tiddler

[JENKS]

Mark N is your man, I know he had a 690 but I think also had a 950.

[JiMcI]

Hi guys here’s my 690 on a trip to the Stella with a couple of mates on 640 adventures,2500 miles from Glasgow via Newcastle ferry, over 10 days with a fair bit of off roading fully loaded and unloaded.

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Very good off road more forgiving when you lose ur balance slightly!
Good on the motorways cruising at 65-80mph getting 55-60mpg.
I fitted rally-raid products front tanks (http://www.rally-raidproducts.co.uk/KTM ... duro-R-SMC} which fit under original body work.
They give u a combined total of 22 litres which was less than the 28 litres on the adventure but we were all capable of 300miles inc reserves because the 690 is better on the fuel due to fuel injection.

I dare say you could cruise faster on the 950 but you also have to stop and spend more on fuel and run the risk of the spot fines etc.
The trip for us is about the adventure and the off road parts in the Alps etc. Was by far the best bit and on balance outweighed the compromise on the road.

And lastly you can take it out at home on the green lanes etc., used mine for local stuff and the off-road ride at the boil this year and not that I'm the fittest or an off road guru but the KTM 640 n 690 were the ones who didn’t fall off in some very trying slippy conditions.

I find the 690 the perfect compromise and a great bike for a bit of everything, and hope this helps you.

Cheers Jim..

[nibby]

Ive come from a 250 to 690 and also have a 950.

IMO

I would rather be on the 950 when I’m doing lots of road work or travelling etc
I would rather be on the 690 when off road

Do I regret getting rid of the 250? NO and IMO unless you are competing in Enduro’s/HareHounds and extreme stuff the 690 is more useable.

For me it’s still a compromise between the 950 and 690
The 950 will go everywhere off road a 690 will go but is harder work, especially when you drop it!!

The 690 is easier to manage and more fun off road, especially on the more technical sections and is still OK for road work but it’s nowhere near as good for road stuff as the 950.

I’ve got a small windscreen on my one which takes a bit of the wind blast off and is no problem on the road (some have the dreaded death wobble when going over 70!! My one did and it spoilt the bike but is now sorted so all good again) The range is pretty good, not sure of figures as I generally just fill up when needed but I can get a full day riding to and from the Peaks for example which is over an hr each way and have a full day on the lanes on a full tank.

The 690 sit’s on the motorway at 80 with no problems. I’ve changed front sprocket for when off road but it’s still ok.

In fact if I had never owned a 950 I would say the 690 is a near perfect all round bike. The problem is the 950 is such a good bike.

Confused? Join the club! :S

Another option is to put a full Rally Kit on the 690 now that might just be the perfect bike? B)

[reedro72]

That is the intention mate to have a rally kit for one , im more off road rider so love the idea of long distance off roading eg riding from here to pyrenees etc, the decision statrted on a more serious note after sat afternoon trail riding on the 950 and pushing it in gear up a proper muddy wet hill , got me thinking about one of them lovely 690 s !! Thanks for all your help . any more info would be gratefull .
Cheers

Nick

[nibby]

Nick, you have pm.

The 690 sounds perfect for what you want it for.

[Wilso122]

950 Super enduro then with rally kit. Excellent on long journeys, not nimble but good off road and a tad lighter than the Adv.

[Mike54]

Reedro, I have a mate selling a 690R with the full rally raid kit on it.

He is "phil gsy" on the rally moto forum. He wants £5750 I think which is really good price. I can send you his email address if you're interested.

[Mike54]

950 Super enduro then with rally kit. Excellent on long journeys, not nimble but good off road and a tad lighter than the Adv.

I love the 950SE but it's not a 690. So much heavier and less nimble. If he was going to do that he may as well stick with a 950 adv.

Also reedro, don't discount a husky 630. Similar performance to a 690 but much cheaper. The 690 has a little more torque but there's barely any difference overall, and the 630 is smoother and the ride is more plush. No reason why you can't turn one into a rally bike..