Topic: ktm 690 e vs 990 adv

[member]

Hi there,

I'm still trying to choose a bike for me. Now looking for cons and pros for both 690 e and 990 adv.
Which one would you choose and why? How good is 690 on pavement? Sometimes it's really needed to ride hundreds of kms to get to nice offroad/dirt place. Did anyone tried 2up with 690 on short trips? Let's say around town or 50km just for fun.

[member]

difficult to advise, I ,m a happy owner of both this bikes 
Next April the 690 is my best friend for a rally raid (spain), one month later the 990SAdv will be my iron horse driving the W.Y.O.A.
offroadtrip in Portugal
To be honest ; the most complete one to use overall is the 690 !!   

[member]

To be honest ; the most complete one to use overall is the 690 !!   

Thats why i try to score a used KTM 690RR..    Best of both worlds!?

[member]

 

[member]

the beste of both worlds is the normaal 690 enduro 

[member]

Did anyone tried 2up with 690 on short trips? Let's say around town or 50km just for fun.

I tried the 690 for a 3000 km trip on the road to England. No problems, also not with my 2 meters of length. The seat sucks, but the seat from the 990 also sucks ..... I also owned the 990.
 
The 690 is far better allround, the 990 has its limits in hard terrain.

[member]

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. So you say 690 is more fun?

KTM-FAN did you do that trip to england with passanger? How much is the reasonable lenght you would do on pavement in one day?

Hard decision, I can have only 1 bike and don't have a car so it must be real all-rounder - for 1hour fun ride after work, weekend overnight trip, dirt, 2 weeks long holidays, 2up trips.

[member]

oops sorry, no off course not. Two people on a 690     I don't think that is a wise idea. Simply not made for that.
We did 300 k maximum per day. 
 
Then the 990 is recommended.

[member]

I also got 950 and 690:

Really not a choice...:
 690 is onroad (1 person only), offroad and some hard enduro.
 950/990 is onroad (2 people no problem at all), allroad, and if you CAN drive you can go real offroad: The bike can do it, but you need the right tires and it still is 200kg! Gravel is ok, but slippery mud, and small tracks where you have to start working, quickly becomes very demanding with the big bike.

And  anyway: 2 people offroad... isn't fun.

I sold my EXC because the overlap with the 690 was too big. IF I was to sell the 950, I would buy another big allroad or roadbike.

picture you find at:
http://forum.lc8.nl/modules.php?set_albumName=album03&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[member]

Dr_Bean,

Really nice pics! It shows what 950/990 is capable to do, if the driver KNOWS how to ride.

I'm really noob in offroading and I am afraid that getting 990 as a first offroad bike will never teach me good skills.

I see 690 is not 2 person bike. But is it impossible to ride 2up on it or taking passenger to the cinema or picnic to the lake 50km away is doable?

[member]

As an offroad newbie, I'dd say a 990 is a big challenge.
 
I own a BMW650 Xchallenge, same category as the 690 and I do everything with it, allroad, offroad even enduro like, but also long roadrides.The engine is strong enough to give you plenty of fun on the small twisty roads and the lack of weight makes it even more a fun bike. I have even done 900 km on the motorway in 1 day, no problem, but not as comfortable as on a 990 offcourse.
Only 2 up is a bit limited I think, the engine is strong enough until you go on the motorway, 120km/h can be challenging, but also the bike is quite small for 2up. Small rides should not be a problem I think, only I believe there are no pillion pegs on the 690, but I have seen them aftermarket. And also make sure to invest in a proper seat, for yourself and the pillion 

[member]

Indeed: Standard there are no Pillion pegs although the license of the bike actually states that it would fit 2 people! So, look for a solution before you buy.

A short trip to the pool is always doable. isn't it? You might indeed want to change the seat, and make it wider at the rear end... see pictures in this thread:
http://allroadmaniacs.nl/forum/index.php?topic=5708.1515

e.g.

A 990 is definitely not a good option to learn offroad driving: Even a 690 is heavy for that. Best learnings: Buy a 250, 350 or 450, or even practice some trial!

[member]

@All,

I appreciate your input. It clears a lot for me. I do agree, 990 is definitely not the best bike for startup nor 690 is. Some real small ones are best choice. But, I have space in my garage only for one so it must be all-round. My wife already supports me to get 690 for learning purposes but getting around the city is a must. I don't have a car so smaller bikes are no an option for me - I guess.

Or.... Maybe going to some club and start learning there? Do you know any offroad clubs around Zwolle where I can start learning with their bikes?

[member]

Had a Honda NX 650 and had a lot of fun with it, also with 2 up..
And have a KTM 640 and see no problem to ride it with 2 on the back [exept the seat  ]
Take the ktm for off road rides up 300km and the on road to the ride and back for up to 340 km so 550 km on and off road in a day, no problem after you get used to it ..

But for the more comfy riding i own a DR 800

[member]

@All,

I appreciate your input. It clears a lot for me. I do agree, 990 is definitely not the best bike for startup nor 690 is. Some real small ones are best choice. But, I have space in my garage only for one so it must be all-round. My wife already supports me to get 690 for learning purposes but getting around the city is a must. I don't have a car so smaller bikes are no an option for me - I guess.

Or.... Maybe going to some club and start learning there? Do you know any offroad clubs around Zwolle where I can start learning with their bikes?

You could take an off-road class at Henk Seppenwolde in Rijssen (via KNMV). But you learn most by just doing it. If you don't start with rooted single tracks but stick to sandy/muddy roads, I'll think you'll do just fine.