DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
690 Enduro R
HTML https://690enduro.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: 690 Discussion
*****************************************************
#Post#: 2937--------------------------------------------------
One Year Later......
By: Bartlioni Date: June 25, 2015, 7:30 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Yes Gents,
The sour kraut still continues to terrorize one year later on my
beloved 2014 Enduro R. I would love to say my demeanor has
improved, but why would I bother to post this just to spread
fictitious rumors and offer false hope? But I have learned a
few things having put a whole lousy 5k miles on my 690 now over
the last year. Its had three oil changes including one I gib it
today. The oil screens were clean man. I mean
use-it-for-a-dinner-plate clean.
I lavish my favorite bike with all the pampering I can give it
right up until I roll on the throttle. And then I unleash an
unholy legion of badness that keeps me laughing maniacally, and
keeps those civilians out there saying "Goooooow-Leeeee." For
those who may not remember, I am running one tooth over on the
front sprocket and I have determined the mighty 690 can do
115mph in this configuration. I run Heidenau K60 scout tires
(the 50/50 rear....not that cheesy 70/30) So here's what I've
learned.
1. The 690 achieves humballa in terms of comfort and
performance after around 3k miles. I use the vibration damping
handlebar clamps and a Seat Concepts seat and I'm a happy man.
I also dropped mine an inch and a half on the back with a
Koubalink and lowered the front .75 inches. Much more stable
with this geometry, and I no longer felt the need for a steering
damper since I did that. I'm good for 200 mile stretches with
this configuration before I have to pull over for a beer.
2. Pay attention to the manual when you give your bike an oil
change. Clean the bolts and flanges carefully. Torque the
bolts exactly as described in the manual. After I gave mine
'oil change number two', I had a slight oil leak (a few drops
after a ride) that I deemed insignificant and ignored until I
gib it oil change three today. What I learned is that if you
over-torque the screen and oil drain plugs then the flanges will
not seat properly and a minor oil leak will be the result. 11fp
on the drain plug and screen covers. 4.5 or so on the filter
covers. The filter covers are much less critical, but the
screen and drain plugs are important. Don't strip your filter
cover bolts out. You will feel pain if you do. Five fp or so
is fine. But don't go over ten be my reckoning on the matter.
(and No I didn't strip mine. Its just a bad feeling like when
you're to close to a cliff to be doing the funky chicken)
3. I typically put 100 miles on my 690 for every mile I put on
my Harley. Or sure, there are full uniform events I attend
where I have to take the Harley, but my KTM is light, graceful,
and blisteringly fast. Besides, chicks are starting to wake up
to the advantages of what I consider to be the "Barracuda" of
motorcycles. The ones who understand what this bike really is
routinely yell, jump up and down, and wave where as Harley
chicks continue to be aloof as I'm just another hard something
on a Harley to them.
So in summary, configure your bike for your specific needs.
Watch the torque on those plugs. And pull over for chicks who
yell and jump up and down when you pass by. Those are the girls
you could proudly introduce to mamma. And always listen
carefully to Rusty Shovel when he's trying to 'splain things to
ya'. He taught me everything I know.
Be Well,
Bartlioni
P.s. Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaa
#Post#: 2941--------------------------------------------------
Re: One Year Later......
By: Bartlioni Date: June 26, 2015, 8:07 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I got 1500 miles out of my knobbies before I turned them in.
The rear was over halfway gone. I did the research and found
that the K60 is produced by a couple of different manufacturers.
But the Heidenau lasts a full three thousand miles longer than
the competition. (12k versus 9k). Now I will say that on cold
pavement, (45 degrees or less) that the Heidenau will slip a
little while raising up the front wheel on a power wheelie. I
assume the softer compounds will be a bit more forgiving. So we
must all reach down within ourselves to our inner child, and ask
if this actually makes a duck. Oh, and I couldn't help but
notice that you and I live in the same town. I hope Bill got
you out the door a couple of hours or so quicker than he did me.
But he is a friend of mine and so I must look the other way in
these matters. But I did tell him I would bring a sleeping bag
next time we do a bike deal. The boys tell me the last 2015 690
ER was gone in ten minutes flat. Was that you? Et Tu Bud? Get
some decent tires, and then let's go rock. And don't forget to
let the Midway boys do the initial servicing. They're slow but
they are very very good. I swear by these guys. I had to break
it to Bill yesterday that it will be another year before I come
to get an 1190 Adventure. He kept a stiff upper lip but I could
see he was hurt. Bwaaaaaaa.
*****************************************************