2012 KTM 690 Adventure a no go.

[grndZr0]

I have had my 800gs from 0ft to 3500 where i live to over 11,000 without touching a thing. There is a high altitude map the dealer can put on, but i have seen no need for it. I have had it 2 up, with backpacking gear for 2 people, and tools, etc at over 11,000 feet and still destroying all of the cruisers in the twisties. Carbs are easy to work on? FI usually doesn't ever need worked on, where as carbs always need worked on. Does FI need a little more knowledge to trouble shoot? Of course, its different than carbs.
Can a fuel pump be replaced with any other random pump in a pinch? yep
Can a fuel pump controller be replaced with a mechanical switch? yep
Aside form an ECU frying, there isn't much that cant be worked around, and thats only if something goes wrong, which it rarely does.

For me its easier to get out the multi meter and trouble shoot some electrical problems and it is to tear apart carbs, but that's just me.

Watch my entire electrical system melt to pieces my next trip after making a post like that :Wow1:


Ryan

 

[1 Bored Clerk]

I've had my KTM 690 Enduro R since it was new (2009)...21,000 miles later and it has never left me anywhere. Starts every time, every kind of weather, and any altitude. There are troublesome issues that you read about on ADVrider, but it's a minority for sure. I'd ride mine anywhere right now. I will say about KTM that I wouldn't buy a first year bike from them. That seems to be where the majority of the problems show up.

 

[NothingClever]

[ Hi-jack warning light illuminated ]
-
Generally speaking, I think Japanese fuel injection is better than European fuel injection (minus Ducati and MV Augusta who I think have their injection pretty dialed in).
-
I went from European injection (BMW) to European carbs (KTM and Husqvarna) because I experienced safety issues stemming from BMW's overly-lean fuel mapping stalling out the bike at critical moments.
-
I think the most important thing is to get the clothes off the bike (regardless of brand) and really look it over to see if you believe in the quality of the design, components and manufacturing quality. I was really impressed with BMW until I started doing all my own maintenance, became disenchanted over their decline in QC and decided to switch brands.
-
I think it's hard to go wrong with any of the Japanese fuel-injected bikes. I went with KTM and Husqvarna only because Japan didn't offer equivalent weapons.
-
Getting back on track...
-
There are MULTIPLE aftermarket companies out there who can outfit your bike ( or simply resource the parts) if you want to replicate or race a rallye bike.

 

[Stumpalump]

A tank and fairing would cost 2 grand not counting other mods. For that kind of money I think it would be better spent on something like a BMW 800 or 1200. I would really like a 1200 but they are over 20,000 USD. The wife likes Multistrada but I'm a dirtbiker and not near ready for that. My use would consist of day trips and maybe an overnighter now and then. Besides a little bit a duel sporting on small XR's I'm going to be new to the road so I keep coming back to the 690. Here is a new teaser vid about the 2012 duke. It's up to 70HP and may provide some clues to an improved 690 enduro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-uW2qOA6jU

 

[1 Bored Clerk]

BMW 800's and 1200's are great but they are big and heavy. If you are looking that direction, check out the big KTM 990 too.

The 690 is a great bike for backroads and dirt but can become tedious on the freeway (depending on your perspective about such things). I really want a 350 for tight dirt work but I can't really complain about the big 690.

It is a bummer that there is no 690 adventure on the horizon, however, I think a small v-twin (750-800) would be a much better choice for an adventure bike. Would like to ride the 690 duke...the one that is actually 690cc's rather than the 654 of the 690 enduros and normal duke.

 

[NothingClever]

Your wife wants a Multistrada and you're going to balk? Dude, you feelin' alright?

 

[zolo]

Your wife wants a Multistrada and you're going to balk? Dude, you feelin' alright?

No Doubt man you ok? The Multi is rad.

A bit odd looking but a bad to the bone trip bike and the after market world is vast for parts and farkles.

When my GF was excited about the new 990 I started looking at rings..

 

[ini88]

Maybe you should read fishfund's ride report on advrider. That would be the last drivetrain I would want to depend on.

Actually it wasn't that bad. Just couldn't nail down what was wrong at first. Nick's BMW had just as many problems. Plus, when you are on a long epic ride and you have to make all the miles count each day, obviously it is hard to take the time to really sit down and see what is wrong with the bike. it was the rectifier in the end.