Husky 701 Or KTM 690

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Started to look at bikes again and considering one of these .
Any owners experiences worth sharing ?

Tks in advance

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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 ?

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

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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 !

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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.

why did they stop making the 690?

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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

Edited by LiquidGnome on Monday 20th November 12:23

Interesting post many tks.

Id ordinarily look at the jap brands but there doesn't seem anything in this sector that compares?

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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.

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 ?

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https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Thoughts on this? Kick starter on the left hand side? likely to have been clocked ?

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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?

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Any idea why KTM have stopped making the 690?

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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

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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

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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?

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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

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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?

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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 !

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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

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

I’d be mainly road driving

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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

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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

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obscene said:

5'9 here and never had a problem, just on tip toes a bit, can still flat foot it when leaning to one side. Helps if you're a bit heavier at 14 stone instead of an 11 stone whippet. Going back to the debate, 690SMCR or 701 - I don't think you can make a wrong decision. It's styling really at the end of the day. I prefer the KTM looks but the Husqy looks great too.

Think i need to set a budget and stick to it and on that basis it'll be used 690 SMC.

Just now gotta find the right bike and most seem with dealers not private