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#Post#: 1670--------------------------------------------------
So Many Bikes - So Little Time - A Tale of the Greatness of the
690e
By: Bartlioni Date: August 30, 2014, 1:44 pm
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Hey Gang,
I'm not seeing a lot of recent posts and so I thought I'd throw
out some barnyard philosophy about the 690e, My Harley, and the
up and coming 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure hoping to steer up
some conversation. There's different strokes for different
folks. Tragically, I require them all. Its just my lot in
life. Let's start with the Harley.
1. The Harley - My 2012 Softail Deluxe is a truly great road
bike. The counter-balanced 103 engine is truly a great
advancement in man's quest for the ultimate two-wheel riding
experience while looking cool. The screaming eagle stage one
air system (with software fuel mapping update) along with the
Cobra Long Shots makes this big beastie of a bike the sweetest
long-distance cruiser I have ever ridden. I won't be running
the Tail of the Dragon on it. But it has the stereo, the radar
weather data enabled GPS, and the sound. 45mpg. Nuff said.
2. My 2014 KTM 690 Enduro R - I'm not going to blow smoke up
your ass. This is the greatest motorcycle of all time. If they
wuz to let me into heaven riding a motorcycle, then this would
be the bike I'd take. Who knows what kind of terrain they got
up there? Could be hilly, and I'm suspicious as to how much
pavement they got up there. The 690 Enduro R is my go-to bike
for all things unknown in this world, and so I figure it would
be my go-to bike for everything unknown in the next. As the
690e is the swiss army knife of bikes, I'm currently running it
in 'commuter mode' meaning I'm running K-60 scout tires and a
16-tooth front sprocket. Still got power wheelies in second and
third. Blistering acceleration of course. Top speed estimated
at 115mph although 105 is as far as I've taken it. (Haven't
installed a steering damper yet) Time to reconfigure with a
15-tooth front sprocket and what's left of my original knobbies:
20 minutes with a spare wheel set. 60mpg and I'm not taking it
easy either. Smooth as a baby's butt with the PHDS and green
elastomers. Especially after I took her out on the open
interstate and hammered the crap out of that engine well after I
was certain it was thoroughly broken in, serviced, and running
fresh oil. Just an hour of kicking that mule hard reduced
vibration substantially. The greatest motorcycle of all time.
I think I'll drop back to the 15-tooth sprocket and keep running
the K-60 scout tires if its the heaven scenario. Hmmmmmmm.
3. The up and coming 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure - Yup, for
those of you who haven't heard, KTM is putting that monster
150bhp engine from the super duke onto the adventure chassis and
rolling it out with all the electronic bullo-crappo you could
eeeeever dream of. They're giving it a serious gas tank, which
is good considering it only will get about 37mpg, but it will be
the supreme luxury touring bike of all time. I'll be getting
mine in May of next year. But make no mistake. It will replace
neither the Harley or the 690e. Each bike has its niche and
each bike is great in its own way. But the engine from the
super duke on an adventure bike chassis? Pant-pant-pant. Yum
yum.
Be well, and remember: I'm out there.
;)
#Post#: 1675--------------------------------------------------
Re: So Many Bikes - So Little Time - A Tale of the Greatness of
the 690e
By: mcrider Date: September 1, 2014, 10:43 am
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I was at Cycle Shack in Conroe, Texas Friday to get parts for my
son's 450 EXC. They had the new 1290 on the floor. It sure
looked good. Had to walk away before I got in trouble like when
I went in for a battery for the 520 EXC & bought two batteries.
One in my 690.
#Post#: 1712--------------------------------------------------
Re: So Many Bikes - So Little Time - A Tale of the Greatness of
the 690e
By: seabeegt Date: September 6, 2014, 8:01 pm
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Good balanced perspective piece sir. The 690 is indeed the swiss
army knife. I appreciate that fact each and every time i ride
her. I suggest a 690 to anyone who's looking to get into the
sport.
#Post#: 1718--------------------------------------------------
Re: So Many Bikes - So Little Time - A Tale of the Greatness of
the 690e
By: Bartlioni Date: September 9, 2014, 3:01 pm
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Thanks seabeegt,
I thought I should make one correction. The mighty 1290 on the
Super Duke and the up and coming 1290 Super Adventure puts out
~180bhp. The 1190 Adventure (and the R model) puts out ~150bhp.
The gas mileage sux on either model (~36mpg), but in this
league I'm not sure I care. Wouldn't part with my 690e Swiss
Army Knife to get one, but the 1290 SA is sure to cause those
BMW R1200 GS guys to flinch.
#Post#: 1790--------------------------------------------------
Re: So Many Bikes - So Little Time - A Tale of the Greatness of
the 690e
By: 3Rrr Date: September 24, 2014, 8:46 pm
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I'm struggling to come up with the "excuse" (reason) for selling
my F800GS and getting a 690. The Swiss-Army Knife of bikes is a
good one.
It is time for the 800 to go, and all of my co-riders have
1200GS's. If money were no object I'd get both the 1200 and the
690. Sadly, money is THE object. Definitely want the 2014 or
2015 690 model but as I look to ADVenturize it the price starts
climbing closer to the 1200 (sans farkles).
I primarily do group rides that start within 100 miles from my
house. The lightness of the 690 tempts me to get it for these
rides, along with the many single tracks that I have been unable
to explore around my home area on my F800GS.
What say you? Anyone coming from an 800?
#Post#: 1791--------------------------------------------------
Re: So Many Bikes - So Little Time - A Tale of the Greatness of
the 690e
By: Bartlioni Date: September 25, 2014, 3:22 pm
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I can't speak to the 800, but if most of my buds were riding
R1200s, then I'd have to have either the 690e or the new Super
Adventure 1290. The 690e will probably out accelerate the
1200s, but they'll get you on the top end. You'll be able to go
places those battleships can only dream of, and raising up that
front wheel will look like its the 690's natural riding stance.
But you're right that setting it up in 'adventure configuration'
will cost you some change. That's how I have mine set up at the
moment. Around $1200 is about right. Tires, seat, handlebar
vibration damper and maybe a steering damper, GPS. But you will
laugh maniacally when you discover the 690's blistering
acceleration and great handling on or off pavement thanks to its
light weight and great suspension. But if you decide to go big
adventure bike, then I'd grab a 2015 KTM 1290 Super Adventure
that will be formally announced at the end of September. Your
BMW buds will quiver in the knees over its monster 180hp engine
and electronic everything. I wouldn't part with my 690e to get
it, but next summer it will be mine all mine. Bwaaaaaaa.
#Post#: 1792--------------------------------------------------
Re: So Many Bikes - So Little Time - A Tale of the Greatness of
the 690e
By: 3Rrr Date: September 25, 2014, 7:27 pm
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The only area that I think the 690 would take me differently
from my F800GS is to some tight single-track that we currently
don't tackle. i try to ride with what many call some of the
best Adventure bike riders in the US. May go with a light bike
for the single-track and wait and see if Honda truly does
release an Africa Twin.
HTML http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b589/Ducumph/JHair_zps1c116f17.jpg
#Post#: 1793--------------------------------------------------
Re: So Many Bikes - So Little Time - A Tale of the Greatness of
the 690e
By: Bartlioni Date: September 25, 2014, 8:04 pm
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Your logic appears sound to me. Sifting through your comments
it is apparent you need a 690e Swiss Army Knife. And then save
up some coinage to bump up your collection for long distance
adventure later. You won't be hauling a bunch of camping gear
on a 690e. And it is unlikely that Honda will introduce an
African Twin that is overall superior to the 800 you already
have, which is by all accounts an excellent adventure bike. So
it comes down to coinage and priorities. But unless you're
expected to bring the gas grill to the camp site on a multi-day
adventure tour, then the 690 will put a smile on your face that
can't be wiped off with turpentine. I promise.
#Post#: 1794--------------------------------------------------
Re: So Many Bikes - So Little Time - A Tale of the Greatness of
the 690e
By: 3Rrr Date: September 25, 2014, 8:06 pm
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Sounds like I just need to find one to get out and test.
Thanks for the info. Counting the days for INTERMOT.
#Post#: 1795--------------------------------------------------
Re: So Many Bikes - So Little Time - A Tale of the Greatness of
the 690e
By: Bartlioni Date: September 25, 2014, 8:26 pm
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Happy hunting. I hear all the 2014 690e bikes have all been
scarfed up. Apparently we the hooligans of the world went for
them like a rat to a cheeto. That includes me of course. I
also hear they did a couple of minor upgrades to the display and
suspension for 2015, but they didn't duck anything up in the
process. I can't wait for the show either. That 1290 SA makes
me feel all warm and giddy inside. Be well and remember: I'm
out there.
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