Desert race on KTM 690 Enduro

I haven't posted many videos by others, but I think it's time so there is something to watch during the winter months. The video below is from the 44th desert 100 race. I like that it really shows a mere mortal (mistakes and all) participating on a race event and there is no fast editing or annoying music. The race doesn't really end well for the guy, but it was very interesting to watch anyway.

Too many of the 690 videos are just asshats doing wheelies on public roads. I ***ing hate that stuff.

4 seas ride the video

KTM demo day

Visited a KTM demo day. Got to try the whole 690 range including the 690 Duke R, SMC R, my own bike and the 1290 Super Duke R. I was being pretty cautious with loaner bikes and I'm not exactly a track star anyway. Had fun though.

Picking up the bike

The day finally came. Time to pick up the bike from the local dealer. I originally planned on leaving the bike at the dealer's showroom until temperatures rose above 10 degrees C, but due to some unexpected turn of events I needed to get the bike of the floor before mid March. Not a problem really, but the weather was not ideal for the maiden voyage. 2 C degrees or 36 F is a bit too chilly to enjoy riding so I decided to just ride the twenty minutes home and wait for the temperatures to rise a bit.

First impressions

I was overly cautious with the bike due to it being brand spanking new and the potential for icy spots was definitely still there. I really did not get enough time on the saddle to make any kind of conclusions, but I sure did love the feel of the bike!

Some things I did notice first hand:
- the clutch is very light and pleasant to operate
- seat was better than expected
- seat height was not an issue
- smooth throttle
- less vibrations than I expected*

*I did not get into highway speeds, so this is perhaps subject to change

2014 KTM 690 Enduro R walkaround video

This is a rather pointless exercise, but I didn't want to steal anybody else's walkaround video so I made my own. Enjoy if you can.