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/

First ride

The sea was still frozen

Finally did a short 80km first ride today. Not much, but now I can say that I've actually ridden the bike. I was running the standard map and I obviously had to stay below 6000 rpm too due to the break in period. 

The new ride-by-wire throttle works beautifully. There is no jerkiness anywhere. The suspension worked marvelously on the tarmac. I didn't need to pay any attention to the numerous potholes and bumps. The bike just glided over everyhing. The suspension may be a tad hard for off road though. I haven't touched any adjustment screws yet nor do I plan to for a while. I'll just ride it for a while before touching anything. 

I kept a keen eye on the handle bar vibrations, but came up with nothing. I didn't get past 90 on the small roads so the result is still inconclusive.

What really got my attention was the power! This bike has a serious power to weight ratio and It will wheelie like crazy on first and second. The bike will literally pick up the front instantly if you give it the beans. Gotta pay attention.