Maha;271156 wrote: I'm looking at buying the KTM 690 Enduro or Enduro R model in Thailand. Any feedback from existing users relate to:
- How is the bike on highway: is Bangkok - Chiang Mai doable in one day and what is realistic cruising speed?
- How is the bike on dirt roads: fun or not?
- How is the bike on trails: too big or too heavy or too much power or just fine?
- How is the service from KTM Thailand: spare parts availability & price, service, know how to solve any issues etc?
- Any other experience?
Thanks for any feedback!
Ktm 690 Enduro R is a comfortable thumper. Cruising speed at 160km/hr isnt an issue but again that depends on your loads, riding experience and you need to tweak its stock suspension (esp the shock) a bit to make it more compliant (as you know how a dirt set-up usually wont work well on pavement & vice versa). At 140km/hr, it handles very well. Top speed is about 180km/hr but with its 21-18 wheels plus stock knobbies, that isnt a good thing to do on pavement.
On paved dirt trails or fireroads, it handles like a dream and I'd say, better than F800gs (stock bike) but on pavement, the 800gs is better as it is more pavement oriented. On tight or raw trails, it is definitely not suitable as it's wet weight (w/o load) is about 140kgs, plus it big sized engine & huge trellis frame, it is too torquey & heavy on loose/heavy silted soils to have traction. I would say nothing beats the exc series 125-250 (or the current 350 series or go for 450/500 if you are skillful & fit enough) 2 strokes or 4 strokes with wet weight not more than 110kgs, longer suspension travel, slimmer chasis (twin spar or double cradle type) and just about the right torque/power for the job. Cross bikes with 21-19 wheels can get the job done as well for tight trails (like KX250F, CRF250R, RMZ 250, YZ 250 etc).
On the other issues, I cant answer as I am based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Parts and services have been good so far and all ktm bikes are plate legal. Good luck.
