The zip tie mod

The zip tie mod on 690 Enduro R

The zip tie mod means replacing the front side panel mounting screw with a zip tie. This prevents the side panel / side panel mounting screw from damaging the radiator if the side panel receives a hard impact.

Doing this mod would have probably saved me from a lot of grief during the latest crash. I would have probably lost the temp sensor anyway, but I would have most likely avoided the radiator leak. Reusable zip ties would be even better, but I didn't have small enough ones at hand.

First bad drop

The fantastic day of roaming around the countryside and forest roads ended in tears when I managed to drop the bike and bust open the radiator. I was at and an end of a forest road when me and my friend decided not to push our luck and go riding on a what looked like a self made enduro training track. It looked gnarly at parts and we should've been heading home anyway. As I was turning the bike around at crawling speed I lost my balance and dropped the bike on it's right side. I immediately heard a hissing noise that told me I broke something badly. After I picked up the bike I noticed the radiator was leaking and the temp sensor on the right side had broken off. I had managed to drop the bike on a 3 inch thick tree stump that had hit the bike on it's most vulnerable spot, the radiator.

 No warning lights lit up on the dash and the bike seemed otherwise intact so I limped to the nearest gas station and bough a bottle of radiator fluid. Luckily the leak was so small that I could easily ride 20 kms, refill and carry on. I rode the bike to the dealer who promised to take a look and give an estimate of the damages.

My fear was that the radiator would be unrepairable and that alone would set me back 560 €... Luckily they reported that the radiator could be fixed by welding and the whole thing would cost me around 300€ Including the broken side panel etc. Like an idiot I had not done the zip tie mod or bought the radiator protector even though I knew that the bike was vulnerable at the radiator. Needless to say I ordered the radiator protector to be installed as they repaired the bike.

Loosening up

Had an opportunity to do a 100 km run today. Still freezing cold, but the bike seems to be loosening up a bit. The engine feels a bit softer in a I-can't-quite-put-my-finger-on-it way. I did the first oil change at 400 km and I now have roughly 500 km on the clock. 

The oil change itself was rather underwhelming, I couldn't not spot any of those large chunks of metal shavings the forums keep mentioning. The touring screen... well the difference is subtle to put in nicely, but then again what was I expecting.

KTM 690 Enduro R Touring screen [765.08.065.000]

As far as I know the KTM powerparts screen is pretty much the only option for the 690. Yes the Basel kits and the like include a screen, but it's not really a comparable product since the powerparts screen is $50 and the Basel kit is...well thousands.

I would have preferred a taller screen, but I couldn't find any other bolt-on options besides the powerparts version.

Installation

The installation requires you to take off the whole headlight assembly and disconnect the indicators and headlight. Easy peasy.



Then comes the part where you need to pay attention. If you are sloppy with the template and marking / drilling the holes you may end up with holes that don't match the screen and you can also end up with a screen that's tilted to one side. There is very little to work with, the screen holes don't have much play so you better get it right the firs

Once installed there is a nice gap between the screen and the headlight mask. Makes cleaning a lot easier!