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Mud in Your Eye

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2010 KTM 690 Enduro Test Preview

Friday, March 05, 2010

Warning – reading this blog is likely to cause sialorrhea, and, subsequently, potential shirt staining and/or personal embarrassment in the workplace.

We’ve got our San Diego adventurer, Chilly White, running the 2010 KTM 690 Enduro through the rigorous MotoUSA testing procedure. I tend to think he’s mostly just romping around and grinning like a freakin’ lunatic, but he swears he’s taking notes by the book. I had the pleasure (displeasure?) of seeing a KTM 690 Enduro in action during a local dual sport ride, but wasn’t able to sample its performance for myself. Ever since I’ve been dying to get our hands on one, and now we finally have.

Again, I’m sitting at my computer in the cold, wet Pacific Northwest while our SoCal brethren turn moist desert dirt into flying particulates. Regardless, I’m still happy to have some official MotoUSA work being done on this awesome machine. Check out these photos, they’ll have to hold you over until the full report comes out soon. If the bike wasn't enough, take note of Chilly's gear. Klim hooked him up with their brand new Adventure Rally Jacket ($1300) and Adventure Rally Pant ($850).

Post Tags: 2010 KTM 690 Enduro, Klim

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Comments

PeteP -Riding Gear $$$$$$$$!!!!! March 10, 2010 12:58 PM
Jacket=$1300!
Pants=$850!

Whaaaaaaaa???????

Bob Zolstich -World tourer March 9, 2010 11:19 AM
I love Motorcycle USA's testing, but like all dirtbike magazine tests they usually ignore one huge megatheme in their tests - reliability. I think it would be great if all tests strived to gather info on this important aspect as most bike manufactures want to look good in the tests and since the area of reliability is usually absent, they strive to make the most hp, lowest weight often sacrificing reliability becuse there is no accountability there.
I've had the 690 enduro for about 20,000 miles now. Since then I've gone thru a complete engine, several fuel pumps and fuel injectors. It has never gone far without needing major repairs that even a dealership can't handle by themselves. I'm not a KTM hater - but I'd like to point out that this model is in serious need of some help. Note that when KTM races this bike in baja or Parris Dakar they use carb versions of it. I had excellent luck with their older (carbed) LC4's and EXC's but this one can not compete with the likes of the BMW 650 Xchallenge or even the Husky TE 610 reliability wise.
It is a blast when it is running though!!

Steve -KTM 690 March 9, 2010 06:21 AM
All of the KTM 690 bikes are cool, but the price tags are a big high for most people. Yes, they are faster/better/cooler than a DR650 or XR650L, but they should be at twice the price! My question is: is the 690 twice as much fun?

Bobby -Guess March 6, 2010 01:25 PM
The dual sport of the year,just like the king of the 450's the KTM.Of course its all bull but a great fantasy.

Pedro Diaz -KTM 625SMC March 6, 2010 07:28 AM
my SMC has great power to weight ration, great acceleration, but vibrates like crazy. the new engine apparently has much better balancers, so this should be a great bike. You should mention what the tank capacity is, my SMC will only take 1.5 gallons, 62 mpg on road, so cut that significantly for dirt use, then by half as to how far you can go before turning back, so this could be a significant limiting factor.

JC -dunes March 5, 2010 03:49 PM
A 690 at home in the dunes? I guess Dakar should be a pretty good demonstration of that.

x2468 -BTW March 5, 2010 03:38 PM
You don't think he through a paddle tire on it and took it to Glamis by any chance do you? IDK, I'd think that a big bore like that would be right at home climbing huge dunes.

x2468 -nice March 5, 2010 03:37 PM
I'd be on a cheap flight down there if i were you!! This is cool though, I like Chillies ride reports. Next maybe the 950 super enduro? lol.

JC -TE 630 March 5, 2010 12:16 PM
We're making plans to get our first ride on the new Husky late this month in Italy. Stay tuned...

JC -RE: Fred March 5, 2010 12:14 PM
I know... crazy. There's no denying it's pretty awesome stuff, but Chilly actually reported that there were a few quirks he wasn't stoked on. Seems like it should be perfect for that kind of money. I'd like to get a set and find out for myself.

Fred -expensive gear March 5, 2010 12:01 PM
$1300 for a jacket and $850 for pants??!! i have own entire cars and motorcycles that cost less then that

Wayne -So, how does it compare? March 5, 2010 11:01 AM
The big question now is how the KTM 690 Enduro compares to Husqvarna's newly updated TE 630? These two are the only big off-road thumpers in the high performance, longer maintenance schedule class.

They are the only bikes available in between the race oriented but street legal KTM 530 EXC, Husqvarna TE 510, & Husaberg FE 570 and the lower performing Honda XR650L and Suzuki DR650.

Mud in Your Eye

2010 KTM 690 Enduro Test Preview

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