Balanced Attack
Balanced Attack
KTM 690 Enduro
Finding the right dual-sport motorcycle in KTM’s already-expansive range just got a little easier. If owning a 950 Super Enduro seems like taking a howitzer to a knife fight or you want something more street-capable than the 450 and 530 EXC-R models, the brand-new 690 Enduro is your bike. This new member of the LC4 family has plenty of power to meet the pavement rider’s needs and yet is light enough to tackle all but the most extreme off-road riding conditions. Truly dual-purpose.
It’s powered by virtually the same engine as the other bikes in the LC4 range. Primary differences compared to the Duke are the use of a different airbox, mounted over the top of the engine between the frame rails-not in a traditional off-road bike’s aft position-and a different exhaust system.
The engine makes less power in Enduro form, mostly due to the smaller airbox, but KTM claims 63 hp, which is more than enough for this type of motorcycle, especially when the asphalt ends. The Enduro uses the same six-speed gearbox with identical internal ratios to those of the Duke and SMC. A shorter 15/45 final-drive ratio contrasts to the Duke’s street-oriented 16/40. Power is delivered via the same APTC slipper clutch.
On road, the Enduro is quite happy cruising along at speeds up to 85 mph, at which point windblast and a bit of vibration make you clip it back to a slightly slower speed.
Off-road, power is ample, especially if you switch the underseat-mounted mapping switch to the aggressive #2 position. In this mode, throttle response is instant and quite frankly overkill on all but wide-open dirt roads and double-track trails. On slow single-track, it is better to select the softer “standard” #1 setting. The bike then is easier to control and more-confidence inspiring in true off-road conditions.
Similar in appearance but different in form, the Enduro’s tubular steel-trellis frame not only has a morerelaxed head angle than the Duke’s (27 degrees compared to the latter’s 26), it’s derived directly from the rally racebikes that KTM has so much experience with. An innovative rear-mounted fuel tank that acts as the subframe/seat support sits behind the main frame.
An aluminum diecast swingarm is similar to the units found on the SX and EXC lines. It’s attached via linkage to a fully adjustable WP shock offering almost 10 inches of plush yet capable travel, even when bombing along at over 60 mph on rocky, rutted doubletrack. Up front, the 48mm inverted WP fork does a good job of handling everything except some jump landings, when the 10 inches of travel doesn’t seem like quite enough for the 300-plus-pound motorcycle.
Big difference between the European and North American-spec Enduros are the tires. Less-aggressive Metzeler dual-sport rubber was mounted on all but two bikes in Spain and performed very well. It was in soft sand and silt, though, that the U.S.-spec Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme DOT knobbies in standard 21and 18-inch sizes impressed. Primary advantage was improved braking.
In the 690 Enduro, KTM has given dual-sport fans another 50-state-legal option that is not only excellent off-road but more capable than most dual-purpose bikes on road. Optional accessories include luggage that will allow the owner to use the bike for light adventure-touring, as well. The Enduro should be a hot seller, even if the $8898 asking price is a bit on the steep side. Cheap for two bikes, though... -Blake Conner
