Husky 701 Or KTM 690

[FocusRS3]

willyco said:

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.

Fair points.

690 More in my price range im thinking for the likely usage it'll get

[Biker 1]

FocusRS3 said:

Any idea why KTM have stopped making the 690?

I'm not so sure this is true. My dealer told me KTM split their production runs into road & offroad bikes, alternating every 6 months or so. You may need to wait until the next production run(??). The SMC, Enduro R & Duke, are all considered road bikes, even though the Enduro R isn't..... I guess its because they all share many parts.
If they really have discontinued the 690, it may be due to this: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/2017/...
Anyway, the Husky 701 apparently comes off the same production line as the KTM, with a fair bit of badge-engineering, so I can't see much difference in quality/reliability.

[Krikkit]

I thought they were carrying on with the 690? The new 790 is a parallel twin and over 100hp, so quite a bit more of a serious machine. It's not even been long since they refreshed the 690 with the digi dash and a reworked engine as well.

[FocusRS3]

Krikkit said:

I thought they were carrying on with the 690? The new 790 is a parallel twin and over 100hp, so quite a bit more of a serious machine. It's not even been long since they refreshed the 690 with the digi dash and a reworked engine as well.

Does seem to be the common thought process unless its just the dealers advertising sales techniques

[willyco]

Biker 1 said:

I'm not so sure this is true. My dealer told me KTM split their production runs into road & offroad bikes, alternating every 6 months or so. You may need to wait until the next production run(??). The SMC, Enduro R & Duke, are all considered road bikes, even though the Enduro R isn't..... I guess its because they all share many parts.
If they really have discontinued the 690, it may be due to this: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/2017/...
Anyway, the Husky 701 apparently comes off the same production line as the KTM, with a fair bit of badge-engineering, so I can't see much difference in quality/reliability.

actually just thinking I think I heard they were bringing out a new 690 but I still haven't heard anything. yeah they are all assembled in Austria so build quality shouldn't be an issue. pretty sure its nearly the same bike.

[FocusRS3]

Have decided im going for a 690 SMC R, just going to wait for the right one to coma along.

Can i ask whats the difference between the regular SMC and the SMC R?

[Biker 1]

FocusRS3 said:

Have decided im going for a 690 SMC R, just going to wait for the right one to coma along.

Can i ask whats the difference between the regular SMC and the SMC R?

I think the R was the only model available in the last couple of years. Older versions differentiated between regular & R, in that the R was more powerful & had more adjustable suspension.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KTM

[FocusRS3]

Biker 1 said:

I think the R was the only model available in the last couple of years. Older versions differentiated between regular & R, in that the R was more powerful & had more adjustable suspension.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KTM

NIce link tks.

Any idea if ABS came with the R model or was that on the original SMC too? tks

[Krikkit]

I thought they gave up with a non-R version years ago?

2014-on will have ABS.

[FocusRS3]

Krikkit said:

I thought they gave up with a non-R version years ago?

2014-on will have ABS.

Tks and is it something most want?

[Biker 1]

FocusRS3 said:

NIce link tks.

Any idea if ABS came with the R model or was that on the original SMC too? tks

According to this, ABS came in 2014:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=14...

[FocusRS3]

Biker 1 said:

According to this, ABS came in 2014:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=14...

Great tks. This is the bike for me

Now to find a fairly unmolested one !

[obscene]

2014+ is ABS. I have the dongle in mine for supermoto mode (ABS on front, not on rear). Don't think it's ever kicked in, stoppies like anything

[FocusRS3]

obscene said:

2014+ is ABS. I have the dongle in mine for supermoto mode (ABS on front, not on rear). Don't think it's ever kicked in, stoppies like anything

I’m a few years from last riding so will want to get used to the bike first plus my lad is wanting a bike next year so it’s equally a case of riding with him .

If I’m to get another bike it’s a case of at least wanting a substantial one having had fire blades etc but a trials style bike is going back to my roots a little

[FocusRS3]

Just seen a 690 enduro online for sale .
What’s the real difference other than tyres ?

I’d be mainly road driving

[willyco]

FocusRS3 said:

Just seen a 690 enduro online for sale .
What’s the real difference other than tyres ?

I’d be mainly road driving

Not sure if there's much difference. I know you can swap wheels from one to another. The Enduro is a bit higher and I reckon the suspension is set up softer and probably has more travel maybe. I would look for a supermoto one if your just riding on the road. I was tempted by an enduro though. Had visions of using it in winter haha. I have short legs so I would of probably struggled with it however haha.

[FocusRS3]

willyco said:

Not sure if there's much difference. I know you can swap wheels from one to another. The Enduro is a bit higher and I reckon the suspension is set up softer and probably has more travel maybe. I would look for a supermoto one if your just riding on the road. I was tempted by an enduro though. Had visions of using it in winter haha. I have short legs so I would of probably struggled with it however haha.

Height not a problem for me so think i need to research some more.

Will be going into dealers at the weekend to find out some more.

My son wants a 50cc scooter next year so im looking at the various brands there too, actually maybe i should start a seperate thread

[Biker 1]

willyco said:

Not sure if there's much difference. I know you can swap wheels from one to another.

Quite tricky & not cheap: http://blog.tmorris.net/posts/ktm690-enduro-smc/in...
The wheels on the SMC are 17", whilst the Enduro are 18" rear & 21" front. Brake calipers are totally different on the front, with different disc size; the SMC will stop on a sixpence, whilst the Enduro's brakes are much softer. Suspension settings are also much different.
Don't worry too much about how tall/short you are: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-ride-a-tall...

[FocusRS3]

Biker 1 said:

Quite tricky & not cheap: http://blog.tmorris.net/posts/ktm690-enduro-smc/in...
The wheels on the SMC are 17", whilst the Enduro are 18" rear & 21" front. Brake calipers are totally different on the front, with different disc size; the SMC will stop on a sixpence, whilst the Enduro's brakes are much softer. Suspension settings are also much different.
Don't worry too much about how tall/short you are: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-ride-a-tall...

Useful tks.

I'll look more for an SMC and ideally the R

[Tiggsy]

Biker 1 said:

Don't worry too much about how tall/short you are: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-ride-a-tall...

Maybe I'm spoilt at 6ft6 but if someone needs to be doing the stuff in that video....maybe they bought the wrong bike!!!

That side stand reliance stuff looks like a accident waiting to happen!