Turn the page - out with the old, in with the ...just as old.

Dirt_Dad

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Despite upgrade encouragement from my good friend Spklbuk, I let the DR650 go to a new and worthy home, and parked a KTM 690 Enduro R in its place.



Both are 2013 models, and both have two wheels, but the similiarities seem to end there.

Had to drive 90 minutes away to pick up the KTM in the rain. Very fortunately for me Checkswrecks just happened to be in the area the day before and kindly offered to go check out the bike in the dry weather. He reported back it reminded him of his old 690, which was my inspiration for wanting this bike. With his assessment ringing in my ears, I called the owner and told him I'd take it. Sight unseen and not needing any other endorsement beyond CW. Good thing, because the used bike market ( and new too) is on fire and there were two locals waiting for the seller to call if I "flaked" out. No such luck for them.

I'm really pleased with the new home for my DR650. Another 54 year old guy like me. He's returning to riding after a very, very long lay off and wanted something to get him going again, and would be bullet proof. He's very excited and I could not be happier to see it go to that situation.

Time to let my immaturity streak come out. :D
 

Dirt_Dad

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I may have just increased my chances of an endo in the woods. :oops:
 

Dirt_Dad

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Looks like you have some Doubletake mirrors. I just got some of the wider ones for my S10.
Actually the bike is ridiculously loaded. I'm the 4th owner, and it doesn't even have 3K miles on it yet. Clearly the previous owners had money. It has a Zumo mount, Seat Concepts seat, touring windscreen, 2 extra sets of new Pirelli MT21 Rallycross tires, and a box full of goodies the owner told me "you're taking this, because it's not staying here." Actually, the previous owner was a great guy and I feel very fortunate. He made me promise to ride it. I promised.


Yet another symptom. . . . :D
WHAT???!! still can't hear you.
 
B

ballisticexchris

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That is a very nice bike. The 690 is a very popular machine here in the West. You are going to get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
 

Desert.Mariner

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Congrats on the new ride.

Your DR looks like it was in great shape. I'll bet the new owner will enjoy it.

I recently decided that I just couldn't part with mine. I even had a chance to pick up one of the new Tenere 700's. (it was at the dealer with my name on it!). I bailed out when I realized how much fun I'm still having with my DR and how easy it is to live with. I used the money I saved to buy a low mileage, 2014 ST so that I can share my passion for moto camping with my gal.

That said, those KTM's are a world apart from the DR. Enjoy it!

Dave
 

Dirt_Dad

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Did you promise to wheelie it?
Didn't have to. Owner offered me a test ride when I first arrived and the rain was very light. He watched me leave on that ride. He understood immediately what was ahead for the bike.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Congrats on the new ride.

Your DR looks like it was in great shape. I'll bet the new owner will enjoy it.

I recently decided that I just couldn't part with mine.

That said, those KTM's are a world apart from the DR. Enjoy it!

Dave
Thanks, I have only praise for the DR. You know what you're getting, and it's a great bike.

I led the new owner on a short test ride. After one loop I stopped to ask if he wanted to go again. You could see the giant grin through the helmet I loaned him. He just said "no. I'm buying it."

It's going to a place where it will be loved.
 

regder

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I can only imagine how much fun that 690 is. Used to own a supermoto version of it's predecessor, a KTM 625. Hands down the most fun bike I have ever ridden.

Enjoy!
 

Checkswrecks

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Did you promise to wheelie it?
I tested that out the night before. Just in his best interest of course.
:p

Seriously, Jon did great in getting a prime example of this model, with all the right goodies, at a great price, and iirc it only has a touch over 2500 miles total. Back story I was told was that two - ahem - mature brothers wanted to do the TAT while they could so they bought two of these and probably made the day for some lucky dealer. They got 500 miles into the TAT, decided they were too old, flew home, had the bikes shipped, and at least this one sat till the 2nd owner picked it up.
 

Dirt_Dad

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The second owner was a secret service agent. When the third owner called him to go look at the bike, the agent told him not to bring any weapons, and if he had any warrants he should not go to where the bike was currently located because they would find either of those two situations and it would not go well. So for a bike with so few miles it does have an interesting story.

To be completely honest, I'm feeling a little guilty that I did not just pay full asking price. This morning was the first time I've actually looked at the bike with any detail. CW told me it was good, and I was too busy to dealing with loading in the rain, or time constrained to do look it over. DM and I just went out and had coffee looking at everything. On the very conservative side there is at least $1600 worth of extras installed or in the included box. This may be the best motorcycle deal I've ever had, it's certainly the best setup bike I've ever purchased.

Before I left with the bike, the former owner was offering me money because he could not find the manual and he wanted me to hold on to money until he could send a manual to me. I told him I had no interest in his cash. I trust he'll find it and send it when he does. He assured me he'll get me a manual one way or another. I'm sure he will. He already sent me a PDF manual to use until he gets me a paper one. Awesome guy. If you're in the market for a high end boat, he's the sales director in this region for Hinckley Yachts. I assure you, he's a great guy to deal with. Hell, he makes me want to drop $3M on a boat just to throw him some business.

I promise Jon (former owner), I will ride it like I stole it...'cause I almost feel like I did.
 

Dirt_Dad

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After about 350 miles this weekend I'm getting a good feel for this bike. The summary:

:p :p :p :p :p
Power/torque

:D:D:D:D:D
Handling in dirt

:):):):):)
Handling on pavement

:):):):)
Wheelies

:):):):):)
Fun in the paved twisties

:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:
suspension

:(
Turning radius

:(:(
Highway/high speed riding


:D:D:D:D:D
Overall satisfaction




Go straight here and drown your bike.









Very impressed. I've tried nearly all phases of flight. From a crazy steep "road" my buddy cut through his mountain property with his bulldozer, to countless sets of paved twisties, water crossings, forest roads, and too much time on a 4-lane at speeds up to 73MPH indicated.

Bottom Line up front: This bike fills a performance niche I've been lacking for far too long. The 3rd gear wheelies are intoxicating. I often feel like slapping my forehead and saying something like "see, dummy, you do know how to ride in the dirt." Sometimes I forget. A bike like this brings out muscle memory that has been pretty dormant for me. I suspect this bike will be hanging around for a while.

Power/torque: Hit the throttle, your arms quickly get straighter. It is not brutal in any way if you don't want it to be, but keep twisting your wrist and it will respond aggressively right up to red line. It is not the hit my old KTM 520 EXC had, but as my daughter reminded me this weekend, I got rid of that bike because it was too exhausting to ride. Almost like a light switch, on or off. The 690 is much more manageable, but if you push it, the beast is here.

Once again, comparing to my old 520, this bike does not wheelie as willingly as that one did. But with a little more pilot effort, this one will happily reward you with front tire tread savings mode. I've discovered 3rd gear is my favorite wheelie gear. Actually with only limited rider input it lofts skyward most frequently in 3rd. My preferred dirt style is spirited. I really don't care all that much for bumping along climbing over rocks, and downed trees, and slogging through mud. I'm happiest at high (dirt) speeds, turning rough road/trail sections into jumps and excuses to get the front end in the air. I'm at max enjoyment on the trail when the back tire powerslides around every corner and the rear never truly hooks up because it constantly roosting. I'm an immature 54 year old punk. This bike fits my riding interests very well.

The suspension is so good I almost feel like I'm cheating. I'm a suspension neanderthal, but I do recognize really great suspension. This bike has it.

This bike has a lowering link, and still it's pretty darn tall. I see the forks have been set to keep the geometry correct, and it certainly handles great.

I really enjoy this bike on the paved twisties. With the 21" I'm not going through them as fast as I would on my Tenere, but don't care. It's never been about speed for me, it about that wonderful feeling you get hammering your way through twisties. This bike delivers just as much enjoyment, but at lower speeds. Sure, you're still going to find yourself up the ass of the Harley rider you a huge headstart, but that's just life. Overall, on the technical pavement you get just as much fun out of this bike, but at a lower speeds. That's not a bad thing at all in my book.

I found 4-lane highway speeds to be fatiguing after a while. Not going to be taking many multi-state cross country rides on this thing. It will cruise along as long as you like at 73MPH and probably more. There's a good amount of vibration coming out of the thumper as you'd expect. I'm just too spoiled by the Tenere to put up with thumper travel.

The turning radius on this bike is a joke. Doing a 9 point turn in the garage to park it will get old. Going to need to reassign parking spaces out there. DM not happy about that one.

Overall, seems like a really great bike. This is going to be fun.
 
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