Touring the country on a KTM Duke 690?

[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.