KTM 690 ENDURO R (2019 - on) Review

Ride quality and brakes very good. Rode 200 miles on a tank of gas on the stock seat, so can't complain too much. Brakes are fine, ABS is pretty unobtrusive.

The big 693cc LC4 single is a gem, the star of the show. Very smooth with twin counter balancers. Low end is docile & tractable, but give it a twist and hold on while the world blurs quickly by as you enjoy the largest production single in motorcycling. Wings exhaust sounds grand, no further engine mods required for me. Regularly get 60 MPG riding spiritedly.

Purchased new, three months and 1700 miles and not a single problem.

Initial 600 mile dealer break-in service $250. Annual 6000 mile dealer service maybe $500.

Throttle modes, lean-sensitive ABS & traction control, easy shift and slipper clutch add safety and enhance the riding experience. Instruments are minimalist, would benefit from a tachometer & gear indicator. Not the easiest bike to add storage, tail rack, side bags, tank bag, etc.

Seat uncomfortable over distance.

Smooth engine due to balance shaft. Clutch slave faulty from new, could have lead to serious failure whilst riding.

Clutch slave faulty and appeared to be long standing issue with the model.

Self serviced but return to dealer necessary at cost due to recall.

Equipment OK but experience with faulty clutch raises questions with the rest of the bike equipment. Display misted over and difficult to read. Mirrors loosen up with vibration. No tang in kickstand so difficult to kick up. All in all not good enough for the cost.

Handling is awesome - didn't think twisties and roundabouts would be so much fun, but the bike handles exceptionally well for the type of bike. The brakes are good considering its a single disc up front, and I wouldn't change them but they're a step down from twin disc set up - obviously. I rode 150 miles in a day with no issue - standard seat is firm, but it's ok (I'm a cyclist so it's luxury in comparison!). Though I'll probably upgrade the seat at some point. Pillion felt a bit exposed right on the back, also said footpegs hard to plant all of feet on due to the exhaust bulge getting in the way of legs.

I had my doubts about the efficacy of the 2nd balancer shaft, but nope - it really does work. Barely any vibes through the bars. Some vibes through footpegs on longer journeys but maybe i need rubber footpeg inserts. Quickshifter is great. Can't fault the engine and power - awesome. Easy to ride slow, easy to ride fast.

All looks well bolted together, starts on the button. I bought it 1year old with 800 miles on the clock so it's barely run in. Time will tell of course but so far I have no worries or complaints about the quality.

Not had to service it yet, but it is pretty frugal on the fuel. I'll have to see how long the standard Mitas tyes last - I'd be happy buying Mitas again, they are superb on the road and although I've only done a few miles off road so far - they feel pretty surefooted offroad too (tested on dry grass, dry mud, ruts, stony byways).

Overall it's excellent for equipment, safety aids like ABS and Traction Control. I'm only docking a point for the tiny dash screen - would be nice to have something a little bigger with a bit more info.

Loves to be pushed on a bit, engine rips in mid to high revs but will plod too! Great on and off road...a true all rounder! Standard seat is not as bad as reviewed...good for 120 motorway miles!

Bumbles along nicely with a naughty smirk on it's face...because twist the throttle and it tears the road up...what a peach...basically the ultimate 'twister blitzer'!! Will motorway munch too!

Feels great and very solidly built! Removing plastics and fittings shows the quality, it all fits together very well and is a robust and solid machine...great engineering!

Brilliant engine and build quality, find a good garage, pay with a smile for good servicing, everybody's happy.

Engine and handling are sublime! Loads of everything on tap. Wings exhaust is high quality and unleashes the hooligan sound! Tail tidy a must for off road (+ Oxford heated grips for all year riding!?) Great OE adventure tyres go well on road but could do with an extra set of supermoto wheels and sticky trackday tyres!

Torque king.

Ktm rally pegs a must, also a lighter pipe if you doing mainly off road as the stock is heavy and worn down the rubber that holds it.

A nice bike to ride although it is quite tall but I’m 5ft 7 and I still manage (just)

This engine has big performance gains to be made from factory, it comes out all choked up and you can tell theres more! Here’s the fix, I have fitted a wings slip on exhaust, Rade garage intake with aux fuel tank and a power commander 5 and what a difference! She flys now! It’s the way performance wise it should leave the factory in my eyes! Now it’s 5 out of 5

Nothing has broke on me yet but it’s only been 1 year

Quick shifter, abs, traction control all work beautiful, and you can turn them all off to wich is a boost