KTM 690 Enduro R Seat Height

UPDATE [19. May 2015]

For some reason this post wont open, so I made a duplicate as I could access the original from the blogger system. The problem keeps reappearing so I guess I'll keep this double post up.

UPDATE [8. September 2014]

The seat height seems to be a major mental hurdle for many. I've done roughly 6000 kms with the bike now. Suspension is completely stock as is the seat. I haven't even touched the rear. A sin I know. (The ergo seat makes no real difference either). I'm 173 (5'8) cm and 73 kg (160 pounds). The only issues I've had with the seat height have to do with getting the kick stand up if the bike is parked at an incline to the left. Meaning that your right foot needs to go further down to reach the ground compared to being parked at level ground. The problem is somewhat pronounced when loaded up with gear. UPDATE: the kick stand issue can be solved with a neat little trick i picked up from ADVrider forums.

690 Enduro R seat height looks obscene when standing next to the bike

The seat height really isn't that bad once you get on the bike.

KTM 690 Enduro R seat heigh

The seat height (910 mm) of the 690 seems to a major issue for many. Most shorties tend to give up on the 690 before ever even trying the bike for size. The seat height number is intimidating, I'll give you that. Then again, my previous Tenere was only half an inch lower and weighted over 120 pounds more than the 690. It was a bit high but in no way unmanageable. The 690 is significantly narrower which results in me getting my feet on the ground better than on the Tenere. I'm not able to flat foot, but I'm not on completely on my toes either. The lower COQ and weight of the 690 removes any of the wonky top heavy feeling that a fully fuelled Tenere had.

IMAGES >> http://cycle-ergo.com/

If you are in Danny Devito class height wise, there's always the lowering link option to lower the suspension. Koubalink seems to be the preferred choice for 690 riders.

IMAGE >> http://www.koubalink.com/

KTM 690 Enduro R seat height - revisited

UPDATE [8. September 2014]

The seat height seems to be a major mental hurdle for many. I've done roughly 6000 kms with the bike now. Suspension is completely stock as is the seat. I haven't even touched the rear. A sin I know. (The ergo seat makes no real difference either). I'm 173 (5'8) cm and 73 kg (160 pounds). The only issues I've had with the seat height have to do with getting the kick stand up if the bike is parked at an incline to the left. Meaning that your right foot needs to go further down to reach the ground compared to being parked at level ground. The problem is somewhat pronounced when loaded up with gear. UPDATE: the kick stand issue can be solved with a neat little trick i picked up from ADVrider forums.

690 Enduro R seat height looks obscene when standing next to the bike

The seat height really isn't that bad once you get on the bike.

KTM 690 Enduro R seat heigh

The seat height (910 mm) of the 690 seems to a major issue for many. Most shorties tend to give up on the 690 before ever even trying the bike for size. The seat height number is intimidating, I'll give you that. Then again, my previous Tenere was only half an inch lower and weighted over 120 pounds more than the 690. It was a bit high but in no way unmanageable. The 690 is significantly narrower which results in me getting my feet on the ground better than on the Tenere. I'm not able to flat foot, but I'm not on completely on my toes either. The lower COQ and weight of the 690 removes any of the wonky top heavy feeling that a fully fuelled Tenere had.

IMAGES >> http://cycle-ergo.com/

If you are in Danny Devito class height wise, there's always the lowering link option to lower the suspension. Koubalink seems to be the preferred choice for 690 riders.

IMAGE >> http://www.koubalink.com/

Airhawk (Airhawk 2 small) seat cushion on KTM 690 Enduro R

Airhawk 2 seat cushion on a KTM 690 Enduro R

The big trip is approaching fast. The KTM Powerparts "Ergo" seat just isn't doing it's job and I was getting increasingly anxious about sitting on the OEM seat well over twelve hundred miles in a row. I decided to give the Airhawk a go as it was in stock at many online shops and I could get my hands on it fast enough to try it before the trip.

I ordered the small Airhawk 2 model that is supposedly ideal for enduro style seats. The Airhawk is made USA and it looks solid for what it is. I'm not entirely convinced that 109 euros is justified for this type of product, but since it's not made in China/Vietnam/Pakistan etc. I suppose the price is understandable.

Mounting & first impressions

Mounting and attaching the Airhawk cushion is done by 2 straps that I could swear came from a pair of black womens bras. The straps run under the seat, so removing the seat for installation is a must. The provided straps are both too long even at their shortest "setting" so the cushion will nor stay in place without modifying the straps.

The recommended amount of air is very low. You are supposed to fill the cushion just enough to keep your buns off the seat. Overfiling the cushion will make it feel truly awkward. Tried it. The feel of the Airhawk is a bit squishy when you sit on it, but it instantly feels that it may very well do what it promises, that is eliminate the pressure points created by traditional seats. The size of the pillow is a bit too small. There is no room to move your seating position what is one of the big benefits of having a dirt bike saddle in the first place. The Airhawk should /could be 5-10 inches longer for the 690 Enduro and the like. I'll update this page when the longer trip is over and done with.

The Airhawk is a bit of an eyesore when mounted on the bike, but the 690 is hardly a bike for posing anyway.

UPDATE [13.10.2014]

The Airhawk worked really well during the trip to Norway. My butt never became sore during the trip, but the cushion really should be a bit longer. I had my gear set up so that I really could not change position very much, but even with no gear the Airhawk that I have is a bit too short for the enduro style seat.

Way too much air in these pictures

The insides 

attachment straps 

Airhawk 2 - small 

the inflation / deflation valve 

KTM Ergo Seat for 2014 KTM 690 Enduro R [765.07.940.000]

The KTM ergo seat arrived today. After closer inspection and a test sitting it seems that it may actually be worse than the stock seat. The shape is rounder which places more pressure on the but cheeks AND it is also noticeably harder than the stock seat. I remember reading somewhere that the stock seat has been recently improved and that the padding has been redesigned. I can't find the info anymore to verify it. 

While the difference is probably millimeters it looks like the ergo site is also actually lower than the stock. I did not notice any difference sitting on the bike though. I need to take a good long ride with both before making a final verdict on which to keep on the bike.

2014 KTM 690 Enduro R ergo seat and stock seat top view

2014 KTM 690 Enduro R ergo seat and stock seat side by side

2014 KTM 690 Enduro R ergo seat and stock seat prfile

UPDATE

Nope. I can't say I like the ergo seat as far as comfort goes. It still feels very hard. I can only imagine what the OEM seat has been like in previous years if this thing has been an improvement. As it is now, the best use I can think for it is to use the seat pan as a base for a Seat Concepts seat etc. Then again, it's still on the bike so it's not that bad.

KTM 690 Enduro aftermarket seats

I fully expect the stock seat to be from somewhere between uncomfortable and excruciatingly painful. With this in mind I did a little research on what kind of aftermarket solutions are available.

The AIRHAWK ($130)

The Airhawk is the budget option, the Small model is priced around  $130 on Amazon. It's cheaper than a new seat, but then again a bit pricey for what it is. (Pictured on 690 Duke) >> Airhawk

Update, June 19th
Went ahead and bought the Airhawk, more info here.



Seat Concepts ($270 complete seat)

KTM factory Ergo seat ($199)

The factory ergo seat is apparenly better than stock, but inferior to other options as far as comfort goes. It's priced at $199 at KTMtwins.com so it's not a lot more than an Airhawk and it's proper seat. 

>> KTMtwins.com

Touratech ($659)

SIX hundred, FIFTY NINE bucks. I could hire someone to rub my buns for that kind of money. I'll pass. Kahedo is making the seat for Touratech and you can buy seat directly from them at $479.  It doesn't appear to be exactly the same but it's almost $200 cheaper.


Corbin ($379)

>> Corbin.com

Renazco ($ 350 - 435)

>> renazco.com

Russell seats ($ 395)

The Russell version looks comfortable but also rather offensive on the Enduro. The pricing on the website is so complicated that I could not be bothered especially when the look of the seat is not what I'm willing to live with.
>> day-long.com

Other options

XPC Racing

>> http://www.xpcracing.com/

Not really sure if they offer a seat for the 690. Bad website.

Baldwin

>> http://www.motorbikesaddles.com/KTM%20690%20SMC%20Custom%20Seats.htm

I would need to send in the stock seat. Not an option. Another not so great website.

BMS
>> http://billmayer-saddles.com/
I would need to send in the stock seat. Not an option. Another not so great website.

CONCLUSION

The Seat Concepts seat looks like the way to go. Pricing is reasonable and the shape looks to be a good compromise.

EDIT 5.5. 2014

I went against my better judgement and got the Powerparts seat. Mostly because that was the only seat that did not require an overseas purchase. More about the KTM ERgo seat in here.