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.

Aluminium PowerParts handguards [760.02.979.000 / 28] for the 690 Enduro

KTM PowerParts aluminium reinforced hand guards [760.02.979.000 / 28] on 2014 690 Enduro R

The OEM handguards provide zero protection in case of a fall. They are basically there just to enhance the looks of the bike. They do provide some level of wind protection for your fingers, but that is pretty much it. I learned this the hard way when a teeny tiny drop resulted in a snapped clutch lever. Levers are easy to replace, but cost a bundle. Plus I rather have good rugged hand guards than carry around tools and spares in case I go down on the road. (or off).

I had the guards installed while the bike was being fixed after the latest crash as it is starting to look like the crashes will continue in the future.

The PowerParts come in orange, black and white.

The PowerParts guards have reassuringly thick aluminium bars and removable plastic "ears" of varying colour. In theory you can switch the plastics to new ones in case of a spill, but they are not sold separately. There are lots of other manufactures out there for good guards, but I rather not take the chance of them not fitting and went with PowerParts again.

OEM hand guard for comparison

KTM 690 Enduro R radiator protector [76535940000]

KTM 690 Enduro R radiator protector

Better to have it and not need than to to not have it and find your self with a leaking radiator in the middle of nowhere. I now talk from experience. As the bike was mended back to health by the local KTM dealer, I really can't say much about the installation, but from the looks of it it can't be too laborious.

UPDATE

After closer inspection it seemed that the radiator hose was now pinching the regulator wires. This was not the case before the crash (see here for reference). Pinched wires become exposed wires after a while (especially on thumper) so this was a problem. Since the side fairing fit fine and the radiator guard seemed to also fit without a problem I concluded that the radiator / radiator hose had to have bent during the crash.  After worrying about it for a day I decided to take a chance and try to bend the pipe&hose back a bit. I snuck a piece of nylon strap behind the pipe and pulled outwards till it started to give. Few gentle pulls and the problem was solved. Nothing cracked or started to leak so I was lucky. Bending aluminium back and forth is generally a very very bad idea.

This is what you get when you buy the protector

Below the lower right corner where the radiator started to leak after the crash. Judging from the marks on the side panel and the radiator, the tree stump hit the radiator exactly in the middle knocking out the temp sensor. The hard hit then bent side panel attachment bracket which in turn ripped a hole on the radiator.

radiator welded back to health

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A better view of the weld / damage spot

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.

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/