Jody's KTM 690

[Jody]

I will be keeping this one longer than Weeksy kept his, though I wouldn't be surprised if his thread is still longer

Last Saturday I collected myself a 2016 KTM690 Duke in Orange, 20,000 miles on the clock, but I got it for a good price.

Initial impression...

Good bits
It is tatty, but not as bad as it might have been.
It seems to have never been crashed
The engine sounds ok (for a KTM)
New tyres
Radiator guard
Heated Grips

Bad bits
Awful aftermarket flat handlebars on risers
The worst front brakes I've ever known
ABS Fault
No MOT
Front fork seal is weeping slightly





Dropped it with my MOT guy and waited for the call

[weeksy]

Mine wasn't 15,000 miles better

It was better though

[Jody]

MOT kindly passed it, so I got it insured and taxed and took it out for a wee ride.... that ended up being 100 miles !

It accelerates really well, definitely a wheelie machine once my confidence is back up. It doesn't take much to make it squirm on the back end. I know the shocks on there aren't great and this one's done 20,000 miles. Heated grips are nice, never had them before but I quite like them. It'll comfortably hit 100MPH #onaprivateroad. I'm also very happy that even with chunky AF supermoto boots I have plenty of feel in the gear and brake pedals!

I did really enjoy riding it, it's just what I'm after, like my old Superduke but not too powerful! The only reason I went home was that my arse was getting sore..... and I needed to make a shopping list.....

New front pads- Brembo SA ordered this morning
Axle sliders front and read- less than £50 for both from ebay
Swing Arms spools- Ebay again
15T sprocket- It tops out way faster than I want to go !
R+G bar ends- One is missing so it makes sense to take the opportunity to upgrade.
Standard bar clamps- the standard tops didn't come with the bike
Handlebars- Renthal, pro taper or KTM, something will come up, the flat bars are NOT staying !

New Helmet and goggles. Apparently the ones that have been sitting in a cupboard for the last 10 years are no good anymore !

I went out for another ride today with my mate (he's got my old SD) and I must say that while obvs the SD does have the legs over 100MPH, up to that there really isn't much in it. Another 60 miles on it. I'm not sure I like the tyres (bridgestone Battalax) but I suspect it's actually the suspension letting me down!

[weeksy]

That's great!!! Nice one.

Needs pics out in the wild

[KungFooBob]

I hope you've emailed the seller to ask if he'll contribute £50 towards some shinier fasteners?

[Supermofo]

15T sprocket

Definitely a good mod, pulls better and makes 6th more useable. And even with the 15 tooth mine showed just over 120 mph at the top end which is more than you'll every really wanna do on a 690. Like you said they are all about getting to 100 rather than over that. On sat I was out with a Z750 and an 1190 Adv, except on the dual carrageways the 690 holds it's own fine.

[weeksy]

I had 126 at Donny on the back straight with a 15T.. i had 127 with the 16T... it came down to aero really as much as anything.

[Supermofo]

I had 126 at Donny on the back straight with a 15T.. i had 127 with the 16T... it came down to aero really as much as anything.

Yup mine peaked at 108mph until I realised I was pretty much bolt upright still, ducking down shot me to 119 straight away, big of a wiggle and over the 120mph. Think I saw 123 on the speedo till a car pulled out.

[Jody]

Booked in for new fork seals (doing the pair) and 15T sprocket next friday

The new helmet I ordered was way too small Odd really as the one I've been using is the same size, different manufacturer, I expected a small difference but it's the difference between "fitting nicely possibly even loose" and "can't get it on" !

[Jody]

Popped out on the bike today to see if I could find a helmet. After 5 miles or so on proper country roads I was on a decent B road and the bike coped with both equally well. I'm still struggling with leaning it over properly, I set myself up for the corner really well (IMO!) but then realise I'm going waaay too slow. Clearly it is better than to be doing the opposite but a little frustrating none the less to see such big chicken strips !.

I went to the local KTM dealership first, but was put off by finding that only one of the helmets on sale had a displayed price on it. I assume it had a price because it was reduced, however even this reduced price was slightly over my budget (£100 ish) so I left and went to J&S. They had a decent selection and an O'neil Series 2 fitted really well, though I was shocked to learn I actually need a size Large helmet. I guess I'm getting big headed in my old age ! While the fit was great I wasn't keen on the colour options. Us KTM Bum boys are a weird bunch and we want every-fucking-thing in Orange. Sadly the Series 2's best attempt is black with red and it just doesn't cut it as it clashes with my lipstick xx. Trying other brands of helmet just reassured me that the O'neal was a great fit!

I took a different route on the way home, a nice sweeping B road, Plymouth to Tavistock, then back to Launceston. The bike is flying but fuck me it's a noisy bastard, I swear to god theres a noise that sounds like it's emanating from 8 inches ABOVE the fuel cap, just floating there in the wind, sounding like metal dragging on metal.... ok maybe not quite that bad, lets remember it's a KTM and a 20,000 miler too so allowances have to be made. In fairness I was somewhat reassured when I bumped into my mate on his 21 plate Adventure SM thing! My god that thing got's some trick toys on it! He reckons his bike is just as bad as mine as in "it constantly sounds like it's going to detonate any second".

I got home this evening and by pure grit, determination and dedication I managed wean down an initial huge list of potential helmets on Ebay and eventually settle on a O'neal Series one in Orange (natch). I did try to buy it from J&S but they simply didn't have what I wanted. I think I'm going to pair it with the goggles I ordered for the Fox helmet I initially bought.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203507393446 ... SwUAFg2Y3X

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233770240448

[weeksy]

I took a different route on the way home, a nice sweeping B road, Plymouth to Tavistock, then back to Launceston. The bike is flying but fuck me it's a noisy bastard, I swear to god theres a noise that sounds like it's emanating from 8 inches ABOVE the fuel cap, just floating there in the wind, sounding like metal dragging on metal.... ok maybe not quite that bad, lets remember it's a KTM and a 20,000 miler too so allowances have to be made. In fairness I was somewhat reassured when I bumped into my mate on his 21 plate Adventure SM thing! My god that thing got's some trick toys on it! He reckons his bike is just as bad as mine as in "it constantly sounds like it's going to detonate any second".

Yeah they do sound a bit explodey

Earplugs ? You getting an SM helmet ? Not clicked the links... but if so it's going to sound even more explodey.

[weeksy]

I have to admit, part of me is just a little jealous reading your thread. Not so much that i'm going to change my mind, but still a bit envious.

[Taipan]

Yes, they are a noisy bastard thing. Sound a bit like a toolbox falling down the stairs! If you've had an LC8 you'll be familiar with KTM's oil guzzling ways, but it is critical to keep an eye on the oil levels on these engines. Keep it topped up, don't wait for it to hit the minimum level.

I found the handling on these amusing. I was clearly too heavy for the suspension and could get a wallow and a weave out of it, but it still changed direction like a shopping trolley and nothing really mattered. I could hit one of the sneaky neutrals that lurk within and then hoof it back into gear and get the power back on and everything just sorted itself out.

I'm the Captain Slow of this forum, but the 690 flattered me. You can change direction mid-roundabout, just pick it up and then heave it back over again. It feels flighty but nothing really upsets it. Tis a proper hooligan machine and apart from the ride mine blew up on, every other one was an absolute hoot! Enjoy!

[Jody]

I took a different route on the way home, a nice sweeping B road, Plymouth to Tavistock, then back to Launceston. The bike is flying but fuck me it's a noisy bastard, I swear to god theres a noise that sounds like it's emanating from 8 inches ABOVE the fuel cap, just floating there in the wind, sounding like metal dragging on metal.... ok maybe not quite that bad, lets remember it's a KTM and a 20,000 miler too so allowances have to be made. In fairness I was somewhat reassured when I bumped into my mate on his 21 plate Adventure SM thing! My god that thing got's some trick toys on it! He reckons his bike is just as bad as mine as in "it constantly sounds like it's going to detonate any second".

Yeah they do sound a bit explodey

Earplugs ? You getting an SM helmet ? Not clicked the links... but if so it's going to sound even more explodey.

I'm currently using a very old (15 years) MX helmet, which is about the worse choice noise wise, but I have just ordered a custom earplug kit. It's similar if not the same as one I used years ago and really liked.

[Jody]

Yes, they are a noisy bastard thing. Sound a bit like a toolbox falling down the stairs! If you've had an LC8 you'll be familiar with KTM's oil guzzling ways, but it is critical to keep an eye on the oil levels on these engines. Keep it topped up, don't wait for it to hit the minimum level.

I found the handling on these amusing. I was clearly too heavy for the suspension and could get a wallow and a weave out of it, but it still changed direction like a shopping trolley and nothing really mattered. I could hit one of the sneaky neutrals that lurk within and then hoof it back into gear and get the power back on and everything just sorted itself out.

I'm the Captain Slow of this forum, but the 690 flattered me. You can change direction mid-roundabout, just pick it up and then heave it back over again. It feels flighty but nothing really upsets it. Tis a proper hooligan machine and apart from the ride mine blew up on, every other one was an absolute hoot! Enjoy!

Glad it's not just me that found them!

My clutch bites a long way out on the lever, adjusting the lever hasn't fixed it. I guess I could try bleeding it, but I'm all ears for other suggestions !

[weeksy]

Yes, they are a noisy bastard thing. Sound a bit like a toolbox falling down the stairs! If you've had an LC8 you'll be familiar with KTM's oil guzzling ways, but it is critical to keep an eye on the oil levels on these engines. Keep it topped up, don't wait for it to hit the minimum level.

I found the handling on these amusing. I was clearly too heavy for the suspension and could get a wallow and a weave out of it, but it still changed direction like a shopping trolley and nothing really mattered. I could hit one of the sneaky neutrals that lurk within and then hoof it back into gear and get the power back on and everything just sorted itself out.

I'm the Captain Slow of this forum, but the 690 flattered me. You can change direction mid-roundabout, just pick it up and then heave it back over again. It feels flighty but nothing really upsets it. Tis a proper hooligan machine and apart from the ride mine blew up on, every other one was an absolute hoot! Enjoy!

Glad it's not just me that found them!

My clutch bites a long way out on the lever, adjusting the lever hasn't fixed it. I guess I could try bleeding it, but I'm all ears for other suggestions !

They often do that yes... Not sure there's a solution.

I often lower the gear lever on the splines which helps them. But they are kinda part of ownership.

Well, until you get your wallet out for
https://ktmtwins.com/products/factory-690-shift-kit

Or similar equivalent.

[Taipan]

Yes, deffo lower the gear lever one spline. I used to hit false neutral all the time but that pretty much stopped after i'd lowered the lever.

[Supermofo]

As above it's a horrible sounding engine with lots of metallic sounds and rattles and I don't start mine without earplugs as it scares me into thinking it's about to explode and that was from brand new. When I took mine to Jim Aim to have new rocker arms the mechanic said mine was the quietest he'd heard in a long time And that was when it was on the verge of the bearings going

Jim Aim gave me a 790 Adv whilst they serviced mine and that also sounded ropey, so it's just KTM engines.

Re: oil level, defo keep on top of that. They only hold 1.7 litres so you don't want to run them low. Mines used less oil the more miles I've done so maybe they take a long time to run in.

Re: gearbox I used to get lots of neutrals but over time I've learned that on mine at least the gearbox likes a nice positive shift and wants some load on it. If I'm lazy with the engine or bimbling along changing without accelerating when changing up for example it's more reluctant. Mine was worst between 5th/6th. I very rarely get a neutral now but I think it's me adapting to the bike rather than the gearbox not being shit. As Taipan say's lowering the lever also helped for me, but as you are wearing MX boots you might not be able too.

[Jody]

As above it's a horrible sounding engine with lots of metallic sounds and rattles and I don't start mine without earplugs as it scares me into thinking it's about to explode and that was from brand new. When I took mine to Jim Aim to have new rocker arms the mechanic said mine was the quietest he'd heard in a long time And that was when it was on the verge of the bearings going

Jim Aim gave me a 790 Adv whilst they serviced mine and that also sounded ropey, so it's just KTM engines.

Re: oil level, defo keep on top of that. They only hold 1.7 litres so you don't want to run them low. Mines used less oil the more miles I've done so maybe they take a long time to run in.

Re: gearbox I used to get lots of neutrals but over time I've learned that on mine at least the gearbox likes a nice positive shift and wants some load on it. If I'm lazy with the engine or bimbling along changing without accelerating when changing up for example it's more reluctant. Mine was worst between 5th/6th. I very rarely get a neutral now but I think it's me adapting to the bike rather than the gearbox not being shit. As Taipan say's lowering the lever also helped for me, but as you are wearing MX boots you might not be able too.

That definatley matches my experience, glad to hear it's not a sign that the gearbox is on it's way out !

[weeksy]

LOL and people still think "why did he buy the MT-07"