Is the KTM 690 the Mythical Unicorn Dual-Sport? | Bikes & Bants

Nice one mate, great video concept.

It’s a great looking bike and I’m sure it’s more then capable off road. But I just keep hearing to many horror stories about them being just about reliable as a ford ranger. And yes while it’s here say for the most part, someone that’s owned one for 5000k isn’t making me hopeful either. But I’m sure a lot of the talk out there is fuel more so jumping on the anti China bandwagon then actual issues with the bike

Yup, it's an awesome bike for sure. I really had a hard time choosing the T7 over the 690. My main reason is the major stretches of highway I have to travel just to get to really good riding. Sure the trails are close, but that's just for practice. I have a minimum of a 4 hour ride to get to anything close to what you have just around the corner.

Jumped off my 250 one day onto a 701...Wow it was great fun👍

I have a 2017 model, done 13k so far not a single issue with it.. Puts a big smile on my face each time I ride.. I run a remus pipe, the stock pipe needs replacing due to the heat it generates.

Haha wow jinx! Good run down I agree with most of what you guys said, it's so good off road 💪

Seat concepts seat makes it better for longer trips. I often do 10 hour days no issues. I have 2021 model 690, 22,000 km no issues. Cheers

Why I don't think it is quite the unicorn most people want: its too expensive, and too tall and seems to have some reliability issues. Luggage carrying capacity is also limited due to plastic subframe. For the rest it is an awesome bike though. I test rode uno but end up buying a BMW X Challenge. Also tall but was cheaper and has more luggage capacity. Reliable Rotax motor. Same weight.

In the world of klr 640s , xrl 650s, dr650s the 690 is by far the best .

I have one of these in the US which I bought used for a 4,000 mile ride next year. It’s also a 2019 with a Nomad tower, Arrow end can, Kineo tubeless wheels (massively expensive!), bar risers, range extender and Seat Concepts seat. Other than being too tall for me (and now sorted by my old buddy) it was fantastic. In September I came over from the UK to do a few days shake down of the bike. The major distance was 450 miles of mixed road/gravel/dirt from Massachusetts to Vermont over two days. I loved it. By no means a comfortable bike in the touring sense but for our riding utterly fine. Enough capacity for luggage and a staggeringly good fuel range. I got a combined 75 (UK) mpg which is 3.76 litres per 100 km. Sure we were on slow back roads for much of it but also some faster highways but a superb figure. I loved the bike so much that I’ve bought a Husky 701 Enduro in the UK and it may displace my excellent but heavy (for my needs) 890 Adventure. The quick shifter is excellent on both the KTM and Husky and, to me, much nicer in use up and down shifting. Contrary to popular myth it works well in all circumstances and doesn’t need to be full throttle. Far from it. In town (my reality) it’s slick and user friendly. Have fun with your bike: great choice!

Just way to expensive, at close to 20k on the road plus what it cost to adventurise, big dollars.

I will stick to my old DR 650 and spend what I saved on actual travel, $10,000 takes you a long way. 😂😂😂😂

Would you tour with it? I have a T7 and, yes, it's a great bike but just too heavy for off road. The only thing stopping me from jumping ship is long distances on the KTM, although I would do 90% of that off motorway and on "B" roads.

Lots of positive about the KTM but I think that I will stay with my DR650 for now.

In the USA here. Last month I traded my 2022 KTM 890r for a 2023 690r and it was the right move for me due to the lighter weight. I was getting into some tough off road stuff on my 890 and the weight became a real issue in both maneuvering the bike and picking it up after a tip over. I had a 2009 690r that I bought new and kept for 4 years. That was a long time ago, and I have been through a lot of dirt bikes and adventure bikes since then and now am back at square one with another 690r. The 2023 690r is a LOT more refined than the 2009 690. Love the quick shifter!

Just can’t take to the sound. no doubt it’s awesome otherwise.

I had a 2019 and sold it after a year. It was great for exploring backroads and simple dirt tracks, but besides that, it wasn't really good at anything. If you have the money, get a solid street bike and a dirtbike you can transport with another vehicle. That is a unicorn combination!

Just don't buy a 2011/12 model they were a bit of a headache

I’ve had one of these for a few months now and…purchased second hand, it came with both motard wheels and dirt wheels. Great fun on and off road. Loving it.

Can't beat Japanese reliability

64 now and loving my 23 701.
Hauls ass and easy to pick up after over doing it.

Without any doubt, in the "light" trail bike segment, the AJP PR7. Got it four weeks back and it is just amazing. Uncomparable suspension and seating. Very noble and predictable. Got companion to my KTM 890 Adv R.

I have a T7 and a DRZ. Love the T7, but off pavement the DRZ is just so much better. I've ridden a 690 once, would love to have one.

I have ridden one of these and they certainly have some punch. I've also had several fly past me on rough tracks so I know that the suspension is good.
Great idea for a video series, keep them coming!

I just want a CP3 in and enduro chassis

The 690 and 701 seem to be getting some buzz atm and tbh I really want one haha those highway miles on the drz kill me😂 I reckon it would be perfect coming from the 400 but not going as far up in weight as the Tenere🙌

No need to ask as it is... many of my friends have had t7 and they have all moved to KTM 690. ❤🎉

Definitely have all the specs on paper! But...I just can't get past the reliability issues. Some guys have great runs, others regret ever buying one. Argghhh, come on Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, read the KTM specs and put out a comparable bike. Cheers for the up-load mate 😎👍

Improvements on 690 Enduro R Gas Gas ES 700 Husqvarna 701 Enduro:
1. Reliability vs known 690 Enduro issues like revving issues, false neutrals, cam sprocket bolts, engine malfunction light, seal of the clutch’s slave cylinder, engine stalling when hot offroad, traction control deactivating.
2. 150lbs weight cutting for serious offroad: check out KTM SMR 950 by Hazan Motoworks
3. Improve road stability with e.g balance the wheels, Scott steering damper, flexx bars, bar ends
4. Full exhaust system mods airbox ECU map >low end grunt
5. Seat Concepts seat

Thank you for this very nice video! It was really informative to me as Honda Africa Twin owner, looking for something lighter. On a different note.... I'm from Texas,USA so you guy's speaking accents were really interesting! Your duuurt booiike descriptions and the 6Nooiiney KDeeM riding impressions were super cool to hear. But boooyying one will be expensive. Your video of riding on the "wrong side" of the road was really terrifying for me to watch; all those cars were coming right towards the camera!!! Also, don't the local animal rights folks complain about you guys amputating the front legs of those neighborhood "dogs" that crossed the road in front of you?? (LOL)
Thanks again for the great 690 review!

Honestly tempted to get myself the supermoto version of this and mod the crap out of it.

I have a 2017 Ktm 690 and it’s been a fun and reliable bike for me. I’ve seen the horror stories about my bike but it hasn’t been the case for mine. I do change the oil and filters every 3000 miles instead of the 6000+ it states in the manual. I also changed a lot of parts that were considered problems very shortly after purchasing the bike so that may be why I’ve had no problems. It’s my go to bike for everything except for the longer rides.

Try it in Map #2!!! Amazing bike. I've had mine for 3 year now at that, with a few mods (windscreen, RG auxiliary fuel tank, and seatconcepts seat), it's the ultimate BRD/TET bike. People keep raving about the T7, which is a great bike, but this is 150 pounds lighter and has way better suspension.

Got the 2024 690 enduro r it’s happy at 130 on the highway I’m pretty green on the highway but felt good to 170 completely stock

Rade garage pegs are 30% bigger and 1.5cm lower. I love them 😍

Just bought a 2023 Husky 701.
Came off a Z900RS so good with naked.
Fitted with Pirelli MT21s but still bile is fine on the bitumen .
Bought it as an adventure bike.
Love it already.

Literally the closest thing to a unicorn dual sport until a 490/390 enduro comes out (they will never)

I was the guy who bought Josh's T7, was a great bike in many ways but in slippery conditions it was a handful and was very topheavy.
Sold it and went to a 21 690, just as much power but much more manageable in difficult conditions.