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690 Adventure?


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I gave up on KTM coming out with something useful. They've had nearly a decade to replace my aging 640 and three years to make a small bore out of the 390. For decades they have had the Factory Rally bikes they could have dumbed down with less unabtanium like they did with the 950. Instead they became entangled in a horsepower and luxury war for road warriors. This years headlights win the ugliest in class award.

I currently have a high mileage 950 that has never left me stranded except when the starter relay corroded due to road salt damage. But that could happen to any bike. I enjoy it enough that even with being able to get a new 1190 at dealer cost, I purchased a low mileage 2006 950 S to take over when the old girl expires.

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701 has a few upgrades(better forks, billet triples, simpler gauges etc) however the small differences are enough that many of the KTM accessories do not fit making certain aftermarket parts(crash bars/luggage) options more limited.

 

also the 701 holds 1 whole extra liter of fuel!! brap  :ride:🙄

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690 has 2 tank options, one replaces factory airbox with a tank under the seat and uses a pod filter on the throttle body, the other options replace the side shrouds.

 

 

http://www.radegarage.com/parts/ktm-690-tank/

 

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1064/55297/Rally-Raid-Products-EVO2-Fuel-Tanks-with-Shrouds?v=12481

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  • 3 months later...
Does anyone consider the 690 a big bike? 



I consider it small only because it fits the dimensions of a normal dirtbike with a lower seat height.

I have a 950Adv, 600 Transalp and a 640Adv. The Transalp is smallish but it's heavy, just 36 pounds less than the 950. The 640 , built on a dirtbike chassis, is about 100 pounds less, almost the same as the new CRF250 Rally with 3 gallons of gas.

My wife and I both fit on the Transalp but not the 640.

So in some ways big isn't a good definition!

Find something you can straddle and pick up.

Quick weight finds, may not be accurate...

F800GS - 505 lbs wet (463 dry)

950 Adv - 437 lbs dry (479 wet)

KLR 650 - 432 lbs wet

600 TA - 405 lbs dry (432 wet)

640 Adv - 348 lbs dry (390 wet)

XL650 - 348 lbs wet (327 dry)

CRF 250 Rally 341 lbs wet, about 320 dry.

Even with the 7 gallon tank, the 640 is still lighter full than an empty Transalp.
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Entry level price point bike. When you use cheaper materials, you need to make it thicker. Compare a $50 budget chain with a $100 chain. The budget chain to get the same strength will be physically and visually bigger. You won't need a micrometer!

I never understood the aluminum frames either. The big 4 all have aluminum framed 250 and 450 mx bikes and they weigh more than a steel steel with a battery and e-start but they cost less. It may be that Japan has a more abundant supply of aluminum over steel.

I have also contemplated a 690 Rally conversion but I'd like to ride one back to back with my 640. Some of the 690's have less travel than my 950 which for me is an issue because I love to leave the dirt for the smooth ride of air.

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Our shop is an AJP dealer.  The bikes that have come through have been price point bikes but have had some interesting items added to them.  One comes with it's own EFI tuner, they have Marzocci Suspension and optional smaller wheels for shorter folks.  They do tend to lose in the power to weight ratio wars.

 

Latest rumor was the PR7 met the homologation terms and will come into the US later this year.  We are impatiently waiting....

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Since I'm not up to speed on the AJP brand, what level of quality/componetry is to be expected with this model? At this pricing well below a 690R/701, is the quality/fitment a slight notch above let's say a KLR? The Husky based motor if not the latest greatest , should offer proven dual sport performance/value? 

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  • 1 month later...

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