The future's bright, the future is

[Yorick]

I'd recommend getting a test ride on a Duke 690 if you're even tentatively thinking of one, as they are a singular experience (pun only partly intended). I wouldn't have one as an only bike, but as a second (or third, or fourth) bike they are brilliant and bonkers fun.

I went to buy the GasGas 700 with a pocket full of money.
3 hour test ride in the Gran Canaria Hills put me off. Just dull.

IMHO

They're absolutely not for everyone, which Is why I said get a test ride. But you like big IL4 road bikes and 2T off-roaders, so I'm not surprised you didn't gel with the GasGas.

I was (am) searching for summat in between.

[mangocrazy]

I went to buy the GasGas 700 with a pocket full of money.
3 hour test ride in the Gran Canaria Hills put me off. Just dull.

IMHO

They're absolutely not for everyone, which Is why I said get a test ride. But you like big IL4 road bikes and 2T off-roaders, so I'm not surprised you didn't gel with the GasGas.

I was (am) searching for summat in between.

TZ750 for the road?

[Taipan]

I went to buy the GasGas 700 with a pocket full of money.
3 hour test ride in the Gran Canaria Hills put me off. Just dull.

IMHO

They're absolutely not for everyone, which Is why I said get a test ride. But you like big IL4 road bikes and 2T off-roaders, so I'm not surprised you didn't gel with the GasGas.

I was (am) searching for summat in between.

https://www.hondacanarias.com/motorcycl ... e-xadv2021

[Noggin]

I'd recommend getting a test ride on a Duke 690 if you're even tentatively thinking of one, as they are a singular experience (pun only partly intended). I wouldn't have one as an only bike, but as a second (or third, or fourth) bike they are brilliant and bonkers fun.

100% this.

I had a 390 Duke but was lusting after a 690 (mainly cos I'm a brat and I like bigger bikes!!)

I hated it. Really didn't like the handling at all. Which I was very sad and disappointed about cos I loved the 390 almost more than any other bike I'd had. It was the only bike I had ever ridden to the limit in every gear and the handling was an absolute dream.

The 690 just disappointed. Ok, it wasn't a long test ride, but I didn't go back to try again as there was zero spark.


However, I know that Weeksy and others have loved theirs. So, 100% book a test ride

[Yorick]

They're absolutely not for everyone, which Is why I said get a test ride. But you like big IL4 road bikes and 2T off-roaders, so I'm not surprised you didn't gel with the GasGas.

I was (am) searching for summat in between.

TZ750 for the road?

Lol.
Horrible to ride and not that fast.

[ChrisW]

Horrible to ride and not that fast.

Enough about the RD500!

[Supermofo]

Most of the 690 stuff has been covered but my 50p's worth.

The real early mark 4 690s pre 2014 had the early rocker arms which are more likely to go. A revised bearing design came out in 2014 but these can still go Mine was a 2015 bike with the revised part and it still needed replacement at 15k miles. 2016 bikes onward have a different engine with twin balancer shafts and different head design so don't suffer with rocker arm issues as far as I am aware. The 2016 onward bikes rev 1k rpm higher and make a bit more power, but that power is via revs so back to back the earlier bikes have a bit more midrange but the 2016 bike is slightly faster. The balancer shaft makes them a little less viby but not much IMO. I found my 690 pretty smooth, Taipan thought his was like a cement mixer so I think you definitely need to ride one. All the engines are noisy and sound like they are on the verge of exploding, but mine did that from 0 miles to 15k when I sold it and I had no issues with mine at all. In general other than the rocker arms (which is a fairly big 'Other') the 690 is a good engine and some people have put big miles on them.

Oil level does need checking but I'd argue not every ride depending how far you are riding and oil use is very much bike dependant. Mine used between 150-400 mls in between oil changes. I changed the oil at 3k miles which is half what KTM recommend. I don't consider 400mls max in 3k miles a whole lot of oil use, but the issue is that they only hold 1.7-1.8 litres of oil so you really don't want to run it low. I seem to recall about 200mls would be the difference between min and max in the sight glass.

The kicker maintenance wise is valve checks which are every 6k, however I'm sceptical that these are more rocker arm checks. Mine needed no adjustment of the actual valves, just the rocker arm change at 15k. I did the oil every 3k and the valve check at 6k as instructed.

I used my 690 as an only bike for 6 years but I only do about 2.5 - 3k miles a year. I did a few 150-200 mile days and was totally happy on it, it was more comfy and better for luggage than my Firestorm was. They also do high 50 to 60 mpg all the time. You do need to pick your routes though, fast dual carriageways and motorways are definitely not where it works best, they will sit happily at 80 but it's not what they are about.

I loved mine and if I could have justified 2 bikes I'd never have sold it they are awesome bikes. As mentioned they are a bit odd for a single in that they thrive on revs so don't expect a typical single riding experience with lots of bottom end and nothing up top, these are the total opposite.

For my money I'd try and get a 2016 on just so that you can forget rocker arms. Failing that as late as possible and get the rockers checked. I got £3300 in trade for mine and it was mint and with full service history but I'm sure the dealer would have added £1k to mine and bikes have got more expensive since then.

I loved that bike, this was on a 5 hr meander down to Yeovil.


13 page thread on mine if you want a skim through.
https://revtothelimit.co.uk/viewtopic.p ... hilit=mofo

[Trinity765]

I don't know much about rocker arms but I am assuming that if they fail they do damage?

I'm also assuming that they can't be replaced?

Asking for a friend.

[mangocrazy]

I don't know much about rocker arms but I am assuming that if they fail they do damage?

I'm also assuming that they can't be replaced?

Asking for a friend.

Rocker arms are replaceable and don't cost the earth. On early 690s it's probably best to regard them as a service item. And I'd agree with everything my learned fiend has said. I'd definitely see what the price difference is between the R and non-R bikes is if you're shopping around. I suspect the differential will be a lot less than when they were new.

And use top-spec oil. The Motorex stuff that KTM recommend is not as good as Motul, but then not much is. I use 10w60 Motul - at only 1.7 litres per fill up you get nearly three oil changes out of a 5 litre container.

[weeksy]

I don't know much about rocker arms but I am assuming that if they fail they do damage?

I'm also assuming that they can't be replaced?

Asking for a friend.

1. Yes, potentially
2. Of course they can it's just a part in an engine..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156035192254 ... R5rpxvOrYw

That'd be the one i'd be looking at

Along with this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395110413977 ... R5rpxvOrYw

[Trinity765]

I don't know much about rocker arms but I am assuming that if they fail they do damage?

I'm also assuming that they can't be replaced?

Asking for a friend.

1. Yes, potentially
2. Of course they can it's just a part in an engine..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156035192254 ... R5rpxvOrYw

That'd be the one i'd be looking at

Along with this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395110413977 ... R5rpxvOrYw

Oh do stop it.

I may have a play with insurance quotes later.

I also need to clear out my garage - see this Friday's Friday thread.

[mangocrazy]

I'd go for this one; it's got all the 'R' goodies - top spec adjustable suspenders, proper Brembo brakes, Akra can, rearsets and also has the ugly OE Cat removed and a link pipe (with mini-cat) in its place. Just over 5k miles, and a smidge under £6k. You'd probably be able to haggle on that price as well.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204373625473

[KungFooBob]

I'd go for this one; it's got all the 'R' goodies - top spec adjustable suspenders, proper Brembo brakes, Akra can, rearsets and also has the ugly OE Cat removed and a link pipe (with mini-cat) in its place. Just over 5k miles, and a smidge under £6k. You'd probably be able to haggle on that price as well.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204373625473

You're forgetting the number one rule... Never, ever, buy anything with wheels from Bradford.

[weeksy]

I'd go for this one; it's got all the 'R' goodies - top spec adjustable suspenders, proper Brembo brakes, Akra can, rearsets and also has the ugly OE Cat removed and a link pipe (with mini-cat) in its place. Just over 5k miles, and a smidge under £6k. You'd probably be able to haggle on that price as well.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204373625473

Hmmm the R is a bit too focused in the knees for me, so you end up riding it completely differently. I swapped to R pegs/brackets on one of mine and it also adjusts/moves your riding position. I went back to standard footrests after a few weeks.

[mangocrazy]

I've not ridden the standard 690, but have no problem with the R footrest position; it feels perfectly natural to me. I didn't get on with the bar layout though, which you found fine. So it's all about personal preferences and make sure you get a test ride.

I didn't follow my own advice and bought it straight off the showroom floor, no test ride. But I knew I wanted it...

[mangocrazy]

I'd go for this one; it's got all the 'R' goodies - top spec adjustable suspenders, proper Brembo brakes, Akra can, rearsets and also has the ugly OE Cat removed and a link pipe (with mini-cat) in its place. Just over 5k miles, and a smidge under £6k. You'd probably be able to haggle on that price as well.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204373625473

You're forgetting the number one rule... Never, ever, buy anything with wheels from Bradford.

I'm sure Yorick will be along shortly...

[Supermofo]

I don't know much about rocker arms but I am assuming that if they fail they do damage?

I'm also assuming that they can't be replaced?

Asking for a friend.

If they fail, best case is probably a top end rebuild, worse case bits fall into the bottom of the engine which is very very bad.

They are £100 each and you need 2.

When I had mine replaced I was told the later stamped parts, which mine had, rarely fail but mine had some play so I went for the safe option and got them replaced. It was one of the reason I swopped bikes as even replacing them doesn't put you totally in the clear as you are replacing like for like.

[Taipan]

I don't know much about rocker arms but I am assuming that if they fail they do damage?

I'm also assuming that they can't be replaced?

Asking for a friend.

Their failure cost me over £850! Apparently,I was lucky, as had the swarf got into the engine, then it was likely another £2k on to for a full engine rebuild!

[Mr. Dazzle]

Is there not an aftermarket improved rocker now? There is/was for Ducatis, right?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I don't see the point of owning a Street Triple and a KTM 690, the 690 does the same job as the Triple but slower, just ride the Triple slower, if you're going to get a second bike buy something that does a different job.