Touring the country on a KTM Duke 690?

[Cafe Racer]

What do you folks think?

I need something to take me "way over there" and then back to California.  Have considered the big KTMs but I also need the bike to be a light, quick, City bikewhen I get back to San Francisco.

I dont want a KLR or Honda or Suzuki... great bikes but not for me.  

Miguel

[Rogue]

Heck!  Tour on whatever you have!  

Your only limit will be speed and luggage choices.

[Frankienuckles]

I don't know about the 690 Duke, but I own a 640 Duke and while it is an awsome backroad bike there is no way I'd want to tour on it. Very small gas tank, 3500 mile valve ajd. intervals and it shakes like a paint mixer. A lot of fun on a twisty back road though.

[OrangeSVS]

No, you can't sport tour on a Duke 690.

They're all going to laugh at you.

[Orson]

I rented a Honda dual sport bike in Sri Lanka for a few days.

Holy kwap that seat wuz hard  



I can't imagine riding across the U.S. on that bench. I think I'd quit riding altogether if that wuz my only bike option.

[MisterSmooth]

Only if you can get a buddy to join you on a Ducati Hypermotard.     Barking.  


I can't speak to touring, although I've toured on an R1 and a Mille R with no problems.  You can tour on anything if you're not overly fussy about comfort.

But...in San Francisco?  690 Duke would be AWESOME!  Bring it on!  

[servicerifle]

The big KTM is light and quick.

I'm not a KTM owner (yet) but I think that 690 is going to kill you on maintenance.  

[garry]

I would be looking at a KTM 990 SMT for a longer trip like that. Still light and sporty (not as light as a 690 though), but the 990 will be much nicer on long days.

[919]

If it makes you happy and you really want it, no one on here should be able to talk you out of it.

Seat is uncomfortable? that's ok because the tank is small, there will be plenty of stops.  Wear padded bicycle shorts under your pants, or get a better seat / cover.  Plan a little extra time so that the fuel stops don't blow up your timetable.

luggage options?  Strap a bag to the tank and the tail and go.

buzziness? can you deal with it?

I guess the best thing to do is to get yourself a test ride and see if you can live with all reasons it wouldn't make a good "sport-tourer".  It sounds like you're in the same boat as me, can't afford or not enough room for multiple bikes, you want something to have fun on short stuff around home but when the travel bug bites you want to go without too much fuss.  You are the only one who can make that decision.

The KTM Duke 690 makes me drool too BTW.    

[birdrunner]

I'd opt for a 690 Enduro  (dual sport)  and either get a back up set of rims with street tires,  or settle for a street orienated dual sport tire.   Getting a Corbin or other comfortable saddle for it is a must.

If I wasn't touring with my wife, I'd seriously consider this myself.   700 CC is  plenty of power.

Several professional bike mag. writers have actually used their own money to buy one of these.  

[DogBoy]

The big KTM is light and quick.

I'm not a KTM owner (yet) but I think that 690 is going to kill you on maintenance.  

The 690 models have pretty long maintenance intervals for high performance single. Similar to a low performance bike like a DR650.

[cyclopathic]

do you have one or planning to buy one for the trip?

do you plan to stay on pave or will take long routes on dirt roads?

either way range will be concern as soon as you get out of densely populated areas. Even with 150mi per tank range there are some places where you wouldn't be risking to pass on gas station at 70mi mark.

if it were me I'd pick Versys or 650 Vstrom.

[zigzag]

I rode my Yammie XT600 from L.A. to Belize. And back. 8000+ miles. Of course I was 24 at the time. A 690 Duke would have been a luxury.  

[Fourstring]

I toured on a Burgman 400 with a 3 gallon tank. Duke 690? Homina homina...

[Justin]

Yes you can - but can you comfortably? That is the subjective part. Me, I could not now, maybe back when I was young and skinny though.

[Spanky]

Only after installing an electric windscreen, hard bags, and a shaft drive. Oh, and you will need a County-approved weight certificate after the modifications are complete. If you are stopped while touring the country without any of the above by a certified STN representative, you will be dealt with harshly and chastised over the internet for at least 3 pages. If you can deal with these criteria, then I say go ahead and spend your hard earned money on whatever makes you happy!  

[Castaway]

if it were me I'd pick Versys or 650 Vstrom.

Even though you've already counted out Suzukis and Kawis, but these two bikes make more sense, IMO. They'll be more comfortable, provide greater range, have more dealer support out in the middle of nowhere in an emergency, and still be good city bikes. I'd also throw in the SV650.

[MisterSmooth]

Even though you've already counted out Suzukis and Kawis, but these two bikes make more sense, IMO. They'll be more comfortable, provide greater range, have more dealer support out in the middle of nowhere in an emergency, and still be good city bikes. I'd also throw in the SV650.

Well, yeah.  But the 690 Duke is sex on a stick.  

You're not gonna head out to the garage for midnight eyeball tryst with your VStrom.    The Strom is meant to be a great tool (and it is) but it's not really a looker.

[SoCalFJR]

You must be younger than 25 to even ponder this...... there are things that CAN be done......and then there are missions where you wonder if they SHOULD be done.  I've tried to do 30 miles of freeway on a brand new 1983 XL600 with one of those 2x4 seats, and after 30 minutes I was in so much pain I couldn't take it. Add to that a peanut tank with a refill every 100 miles and your misery index will be off the chart in less than a day. But hey that's just me........if you wanna do it go for it.  From years of hard experience I can tell you things that seem fine while you're watching the flat panel with a brew, tend to be a lot less fun when your shiny light KTM is trailing smoke out in Kansas 400 miles from the nearest dealer.  On those days reality sucks....... .....  

[Orson]

to be honest, 90%* of the people egging you on to ride a dirt bike across the country are doing so to sate their sadistic side.

* Not intended to be a factual statement.

[atadaskew]

Heck!  Tour on whatever you have!  

Your only limit will be speed and luggage choices.

Exactly.

People are so soft on this site.
Scooterists to this stuff ALL the time!

http://modernvespa.com/forum/topic48987

[Flyer]

Have a read here:
http://www.onewheeldrive.net/2011/04/19/2009-ktm-690-enduro-r-used-review-besotted/
Then git yer freek on!!  

[OrangeSVS]

Well, yeah.  But the 690 Duke is sex on a stick.  

That sounds really painful.    

[DNA]

Not just possible - Mandatory!

Buy mine- fly to DC- I'll pick you up see the sights - ride it home nonstop LDR style.

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,62655.0.html


You will be the STN folk hero.

[swingset]

Well, yeah.  But the 690 Duke is sex on a stick.  

You're not gonna head out to the garage for midnight eyeball tryst with your VStrom.    The Strom is meant to be a great tool (and it is) but it's not really a looker.

I can't tell what my Strom looks like when I'm riding it. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

[Mookie]

I rode my Husky SM610 7000 miles (on a stock seat) from Seattle to Copper Canyon Mexico and back.  Would have preferred a better seat but otherwise I wouldn't change a thing, ok maybe I'd learn to ride in the dirt before actually getting to Copper Canyon  

[birdrunner]

Have a read here:
http://www.onewheeldrive.net/2011/04/19/2009-ktm-690-enduro-r-used-review-besotted/
Then git yer freek on!!  

And he's not the only reviewer whose bought one for themselves,  two of the writers for Cycle Canada 690 Enduros as well.

[atadaskew]

I rode my Husky SM610 7000 miles (on a stock seat) from Seattle to Copper Canyon Mexico and back.  Would have preferred a better seat but otherwise I wouldn't change a thing, ok maybe I'd learn to ride in the dirt before actually getting to Copper Canyon  

Best ride report ever.

[DogBoy]

+ a Brazillion. Mookie's south-of-the-border sojourn was great reading.  

[Castaway]

 sex on a stick.  

What is sex on a stick?      



I agree that the Strom isn't a looker (I'm an owner), but I rode my Superhawk (a looker, IMO) around the country for a couple of months and man I wished I had something more comfortable. The SV 650 is not bad in any sense, though it is not an SM, and not a KTM.  

[Espada]

What do you folks think?

I need something to take me "way over there" and then back to California.  Have considered the big KTMs but I also need the bike to be a light, quick, City bikewhen I get back to San Francisco.

I dont want a KLR or Honda or Suzuki... great bikes but not for me.  

Miguel

654 cc single across country?  Great idea!  When you get back home you'll be vibed and rattled so much that you should be a shoe-in for the King's Speach II.  D D D D DO YOU KKKNnow wha wha whatt I  I  I II    IIII I m mmm mean?  

[birdrunner]

654 cc single across country?  Great idea!  When you get back home you'll be vibed and rattled so much that you should be a shoe-in for the King's Speach II.  D D D D DO YOU KKKNnow wha wha whatt I  I  I II    IIII I m mmm mean?  

Have you riden a modern, counter balanced single lately?

Somehow I doubt it.  The only issue I've heard on the 690 about is the hard as rock seat.

[cyclopathic]

I'd also throw in the SV650.

Probably not.. judging buy his original choice he wants to get off pavement at some point.

On our trip there were more then a few places where I said to myself, man, wish I had semi-knobbies and no plastics to worry to take this road, but then again 2UP loaded on 650 Ninja with serious arm fatigue case it wouldn't be such a good idea after all.

With respect to Versys vs Vstrom, the choice is down to fit and tire/farkle  availability. Versys is smaller, lighter and more nimble but wheelbase is too short for 2 people. Also 17" front limits tire choices.  Vstrom will do better with 2UP, if that is in picture.

If sexy is the ticket check out Tiger 800 or used Ulysses.

[blkhrt81]

Sherry Jo Wilkins is touring the world on a 654cc KTM single, seems to be working for her.

[Rogue]

Exactly.

People are so soft on this site.
Scooterists to this stuff ALL the time!

http://modernvespa.com/forum/topic48987

I just read an article where they toured on a Kymco Xciting 300i and 500i.  They did fine.  I would tour on one.  

I toured on my VF500F with barely a fairing on it.  Aside for not being able to cruise past 100 mph in comfort, I was fine.  The only thing I MUST HAVE on a tour is electric heated vest and waterproof bags.  Thats it.

[Espada]

Have you riden a modern, counter balanced single lately?

Somehow I doubt it.  The only issue I've heard on the 690 about is the hard as rock seat.

Why yes, yes I have: KaToohm 690 SMC, and that bike is   X 10!

While it is a little more hard edged than a 690 Duke, it uses the same general architecture.  I would not want to ride it (or its Duke sibling) across country.  That notwithstanding, I would classify those bikes as: "All day fun." Notice I did not say comfortable, just fun.  Folks who ride those bikes would be having enough of a blast not to really notice it for a day.  

Still, I do not own either, I just had the unbridled pleasure of riding them for a while... so I may not be as correct as I think I am  

[birdrunner]

Why yes, yes I have: KaToohm 690 SMC, and that bike is   X 10!

While it is a little more hard edged than a 690 Duke, it uses the same general architecture.  I would not want to ride it (or its Duke sibling) across country.  That notwithstanding, I would classify those bikes as: "All day fun." Notice I did not say comfortable, just fun.  Folks who ride those bikes would be having enough of a blast not to really notice it for a day.  

Still, I do not own either, I just had the unbridled pleasure of riding them for a while... so I may not be as correct as I think I am  

You must have gotten soft with you Italian pasta maker,  I'd ride one anywhere,  but then real men ride Hondas.  

[Espada]

You must have gotten soft with you Italian pasta maker,  I'd ride one anywhere,  but then real men ride Hondas.  

I hate you... but in a good way.

[black hills]

way better bike all around than anything that was "touring" in the 60's-70's

[Cafe Racer]

Its been awhile since starting the thread. You folks are awesome. Lots of answers and all positive. Much appreciated.  Anyway, looking at a KTM SD tomorrow. Leaving in June 2012 for Maine.

[birdrunner]

Its been awhile since starting the thread. You folks are awesome. Lots of answers and all positive. Much appreciated.  Anyway, looking at a KTM SD tomorrow. Leaving in June 2012 for Maine.

you know we'll need pics.

[Cafe Racer]

you know we'll need pics.

You will get pics of the trip when it happens.  I have been dreaming of this trip for so long. As you can probably tell from my join date.  Now that the kids are older...well, you know.

Anyway, I bought the bike. Not the ideal cross country bike.  But it will work.  And I love this bike.  Luggage is an issue to deal with. Not too concerned. 

The bike is a new 2008 SuperDuke from the dealership. Got it for under 9k.  Already paid 4500 on it.  I also ordered "mucho" farkles for the bike.  Nothing to make it tour better other then a windshield.

Anyway, I will start a new thread about the bike and trip.


Thanks folks!

Miguel

[DogBoy]

Looking forward to the trip report. I enjoyed following your FZR build on BARF.  

[Hotbrakes]

Congratulations.  An excellent choice in machinery.  How do you like the D616's?  I've been eyeing them for a while but just haven't sprung for a  set yet with a stack of takeoffs awaiting.

Check my avatar, Triumph boxes with custom brackets.  Fairly simple to mount these boxes, I can take the boxes and mounts completely on or off in about 3 minutes.

And the SD is a fantastic sport tourer.  It's only limitation is weather protection be it rain or cold or both and tank range.  Lots of info at superduke.net.

[Flyer]

+1 rep for being a hard....head.
 

[KayTeeEm]

You've picked a a very a perfect bike for what you want, a real looker and a KTM to boot.
I know SF quite well.  You'll have untold fun blasting around to places like Mines Road, Woodside, Point Reyes and Sears Point, to name but a few.....it's biker heaven and made for an SD with all those twisties.
I'm off to northern Spain in June as well.  Come on over :-) I'll try and keep up with you on my new 2012 690 Duke single ...... with it's comfortable seat.  Sorry it ain't coming over to you guys just yet.
Ride on!!!