Husky 701 Or KTM 690
Discussion
Just about to get a 701 enduro!
By all accounts the new 701 is the better bike - proper service intervals, improved engine. Mine is for green laneing and trips to Europe (TET) starting with the Pyrenees in May so I need (as much as possible) good reliability when I'm up a mountain!
Stating the obvious - it's tall. I'm 6ft6 so fits fine and needs riser bars.....but the other half is 5ft7 (getting her a CRF250) and it would need a ladder for her to get on it!
By all accounts the new 701 is the better bike - proper service intervals, improved engine. Mine is for green laneing and trips to Europe (TET) starting with the Pyrenees in May so I need (as much as possible) good reliability when I'm up a mountain!
Stating the obvious - it's tall. I'm 6ft6 so fits fine and needs riser bars.....but the other half is 5ft7 (getting her a CRF250) and it would need a ladder for her to get on it!
Tiggsy said:
Just about to get a 701 enduro!
By all accounts the new 701 is the better bike - proper service intervals, improved engine. Mine is for green laneing and trips to Europe (TET) starting with the Pyrenees in May so I need (as much as possible) good reliability when I'm up a mountain!
Stating the obvious - it's tall. I'm 6ft6 so fits fine and needs riser bars.....but the other half is 5ft7 (getting her a CRF250) and it would need a ladder for her to get on it!
So is the enduro different to the super moto I’ve seen reviews on with the regular road tyres ? By all accounts the new 701 is the better bike - proper service intervals, improved engine. Mine is for green laneing and trips to Europe (TET) starting with the Pyrenees in May so I need (as much as possible) good reliability when I'm up a mountain!
Stating the obvious - it's tall. I'm 6ft6 so fits fine and needs riser bars.....but the other half is 5ft7 (getting her a CRF250) and it would need a ladder for her to get on it!
Some of these bikes seem to hold their money well.
I like the Honda , looks a lot bigger than a 250 but size wise it’ll suit me too . I’m 6ft 1.
I hadn’t realised there is little choice I’m that triad sector around the 500cc area
I assumed they were the same apart from wheels/rubber.
There's no choice in this sector! If you don't want KTM service intervals there's not much at all between the CRF and the 701....and not much competition for them.
Years ago you had DRZ400, KLR, Honda dominator, Yam660........now not much. I blame the Ewan/Charlie effect of taking "adventure bikes" in the direction of monsters like the 1200GS and 99% of riders never leaving the tarmac. Hence why the new 310GS (which I had high hopes for) is nothing but a road bike.
A smaller brother to the Africa Twin would be good but the designers are happy (and have said) they are appealing to the "sense" of adventure, while mindful no one goes anywhere near real adventure on one and would be mad to try!
And no enduros means no supermoto for you.
There's no choice in this sector! If you don't want KTM service intervals there's not much at all between the CRF and the 701....and not much competition for them.
Years ago you had DRZ400, KLR, Honda dominator, Yam660........now not much. I blame the Ewan/Charlie effect of taking "adventure bikes" in the direction of monsters like the 1200GS and 99% of riders never leaving the tarmac. Hence why the new 310GS (which I had high hopes for) is nothing but a road bike.
A smaller brother to the Africa Twin would be good but the designers are happy (and have said) they are appealing to the "sense" of adventure, while mindful no one goes anywhere near real adventure on one and would be mad to try!
And no enduros means no supermoto for you.
FocusRS3 said:
I like the Honda , looks a lot bigger than a 250 but size wise it’ll suit me too . I’m 6ft 1.
When I sat on one I loved it.....but that size is part of the issue. It weighs about the same as the Husky with a fraction of the power. Should really be 20KG less - it's fine looking big, but not if it's got no go! (that said - fine for the wife, just no use for me at 16stone plus most of our camping gear on steep climbs off road)obscene said:
What do you want to know? They stopped making the 690, I personally prefer it lookswise too. Haven't ridden a 701 to compare it to. Had my 690 3 years, not a problem.
I watched a few YouTube vids with some Aussie guys stating he sold the 690 after two months blaming ride and reliability issues? I love the look of the KTM and the husky so it may well come down to price .
What the major differences in the 690 SCM and the SCM ‘R’?? Or did I just imagine that bit .
Also the look incredibly easy to wheelie which I like !
I've had a 2014 690 (Duke, not SM, but very similar) from new.
I wouldn't call it a great bike, but it's more fun than any other bike I've ridden.
Reliability has been appalling. I would suggest getting something else unless you are happy working on the bike yourself.
Maybe I've been unlucky, but if you look on the forums, it's safe to say you can't call it a reliable bike. Nothing like it though
I wouldn't call it a great bike, but it's more fun than any other bike I've ridden.
Reliability has been appalling. I would suggest getting something else unless you are happy working on the bike yourself.
Maybe I've been unlucky, but if you look on the forums, it's safe to say you can't call it a reliable bike. Nothing like it though
Edited by LiquidGnome on Monday 20th November 12:23
LiquidGnome said:
I've had a 2014 690 (Duke, not SM, but very similar) from new.
I wouldn't call it a great bike, but it's more fun than any other bike I've ridden.
Reliability has been appalling. I would suggest getting something else unless you are happy working on the bike yourself.
Maybe I've been unlucky, but if you look on the forums, it's safe to say you can't call it a reliable bike. Nothing like it though
Interesting post many tks.I wouldn't call it a great bike, but it's more fun than any other bike I've ridden.
Reliability has been appalling. I would suggest getting something else unless you are happy working on the bike yourself.
Maybe I've been unlucky, but if you look on the forums, it's safe to say you can't call it a reliable bike. Nothing like it though
Edited by LiquidGnome on Monday 20th November 12:23
Id ordinarily look at the jap brands but there doesn't seem anything in this sector that compares?
FocusRS3 said:
Interesting post many tks.
Id ordinarily look at the jap brands but there doesn't seem anything in this sector that compares?
No not really!Id ordinarily look at the jap brands but there doesn't seem anything in this sector that compares?
I guess the closest in terms of fun and wheelies would be an MT09, that's a triple though.
I would imagine the 701 would be more reliable than mine, the engine is very similar but it has had more development.
LiquidGnome said:
No not really!
I guess the closest in terms of fun and wheelies would be an MT09, that's a triple though.
I would imagine the 701 would be more reliable than mine, the engine is very similar but it has had more development.
Sure tks for advice.I guess the closest in terms of fun and wheelies would be an MT09, that's a triple though.
I would imagine the 701 would be more reliable than mine, the engine is very similar but it has had more development.
It'll be used just for weekend fun TBH so i dont need it for a reliable commute although i dont it breaking down either.
Just seen some older ones 2003 around 2.5-3k mark with low miles.
Question si how easily are these bikes clocked ?
LiquidGnome said:
FocusRS3 said:
Interesting post many tks.
Id ordinarily look at the jap brands but there doesn't seem anything in this sector that compares?
No not really!Id ordinarily look at the jap brands but there doesn't seem anything in this sector that compares?
I guess the closest in terms of fun and wheelies would be an MT09, that's a triple though.
I would imagine the 701 would be more reliable than mine, the engine is very similar but it has had more development.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Thoughts on this? Kick starter on the left hand side? likely to have been clocked ?
Thoughts on this? Kick starter on the left hand side? likely to have been clocked ?
FocusRS3 said:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Thoughts on this? Kick starter on the left hand side? likely to have been clocked ?
The 2003 did not have the oil in the frame and hence relatively short service intervals, the later 04 on did making them the better bike.Thoughts on this? Kick starter on the left hand side? likely to have been clocked ?
However, and this applies to all 660's. Make sure you can start it!! There is a knack and once you crack it they will start from cold on the third or sixth kick, unless the valves are out in which case it becomes more difficult.
If you are looking at older KTM's the 625 SMC is a better bike with the same trinkets as the 660 but keeps the electric start and the power difference is not huge on the road.
Note the later 690 is a completely different bike with far more grunt as standard than even a heavily worked on 660.
pozi said:
The 2003 did not have the oil in the frame and hence relatively short service intervals, the later 04 on did making them the better bike.
However, and this applies to all 660's. Make sure you can start it!! There is a knack and once you crack it they will start from cold on the third or sixth kick, unless the valves are out in which case it becomes more difficult.
If you are looking at older KTM's the 625 SMC is a better bike with the same trinkets as the 660 but keeps the electric start and the power difference is not huge on the road.
Note the later 690 is a completely different bike with far more grunt as standard than even a heavily worked on 660.
Tks . At the weekend i spotted an SMC 2013 11k miles for 5.5k at a dealer. How does that sound price wise to you?However, and this applies to all 660's. Make sure you can start it!! There is a knack and once you crack it they will start from cold on the third or sixth kick, unless the valves are out in which case it becomes more difficult.
If you are looking at older KTM's the 625 SMC is a better bike with the same trinkets as the 660 but keeps the electric start and the power difference is not huge on the road.
Note the later 690 is a completely different bike with far more grunt as standard than even a heavily worked on 660.
I believe the 701 has the newer motor from the Duke 690, with 70 instead of 66BHP. Balancer shaft & various other bits updated. Service intervals on the KTM are 10,000 Km & need valves checked every service, but are easy to get to & therefore not expensive. I think the 701 is the same.
701 I think does not have rev counter & the dash is completely different. Suspension is similar, but different settings, as is the engine mapping. 690 Enduro R comes with Metzeler Sahara Enduro 3 tyres - I think 701 has more knobbly tyres.
Reliability? I've had KTMs, all from new, & have had very little issues, apart from a minor oil seal problem on a Duke, fixed under warranty....
701 I think does not have rev counter & the dash is completely different. Suspension is similar, but different settings, as is the engine mapping. 690 Enduro R comes with Metzeler Sahara Enduro 3 tyres - I think 701 has more knobbly tyres.
Reliability? I've had KTMs, all from new, & have had very little issues, apart from a minor oil seal problem on a Duke, fixed under warranty....
Biker 1 said:
I believe the 701 has the newer motor from the Duke 690, with 70 instead of 66BHP. Balancer shaft & various other bits updated. Service intervals on the KTM are 10,000 Km & need valves checked every service, but are easy to get to & therefore not expensive. I think the 701 is the same.
701 I think does not have rev counter & the dash is completely different. Suspension is similar, but different settings, as is the engine mapping. .
That pretty much covers the differences. I prefer having a rev counter personally. They stopped making them this year I believe, I had a friend who was going to buy one but the dealer said they don't have any left as their remaining stock had gone and production had shifted to the 701. I've got the full akra kit on mine (stage one I believe) with the maps. I've only done 4k miles on it as I have other bikes but I have never had a single problem with it. I was worried going in due to KTM's reputation for reliability but having owned one, I went and bought another KTM. 701 I think does not have rev counter & the dash is completely different. Suspension is similar, but different settings, as is the engine mapping. .
FocusRS3 said:
Any idea why KTM have stopped making the 690?
I think its because it does not meet the new euro standard. However they make the Husky 701 to the new standard.I tried everywhere to get a 690 earlier this year but couldn't find a new one anywhere. Settled on a 701 and it was a great bike. Magic fun on the right roads. You don't see much on the roads either. I'd recommend the 701 over the 690.
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