The KTM 690 series is a range of single-cylinder four-stroke motorcycles made by KTM. Its roots lie in the first-generation LC4 KTM 600 GS of 1987, and the 690 designation arrived in 2008 on the Duke, SMC and Enduro R models, even though the LC4 motor then displaced 654 cm3.
KTM 690 at a glance
| Maker | KTM, Austria |
|---|---|
| Type | single-cylinder four-stroke motorcycles |
| Roots | LC4 KTM 600 GS, 1987 |
| 620 Duke | 1994, actually 609 cm3 |
| 620 EGS/Adventure | 1997, 609 cm3 |
| 640 | from 1998, with a 625 cm3 LC4 motor |
| 690 name | 2008, Duke, SMC and Enduro R |
| 2008 engine | 654 cm3, 64 bhp |
| 2012 engine | 690 cm3, 102 mm x 84.5 mm, 68 hp |
| Compression | 11.8:1, then 12.5:1 in 2012 |
| Frame | epoxy-coated chrome-molybdenum lattice |
| Rear subframe | the moulded polyethylene fuel tank itself |
based on one source
History of the KTM 690
From 600 GS to 640
The 690’s roots are in the first-generation LC4 KTM 600 GS of 1987. The follow-on 1994 KTM 620 Duke and the 1997 KTM 620 EGS/Adventure, both 620 models, were actually 609 cm3. In 1998 both changed their model designation to 640 and KTM introduced the 640 Supermoto with a 625 cm3 motor shared between them. In 2008 the KTM 640 Adventure R was replaced by the KTM 690 Enduro.
The 690 Enduro and Enduro R
The 690 Enduro is a dual-sport motorcycle made from 2008 and introduced as a direct replacement for the 625 cm3 640 Adventure R. It was initially released as a dedicated adventure-touring motorcycle and, in spite of its model name, featured a 654 cm3 engine developing 64 bhp, a comprehensive instrument cluster with tachometer and 250 mm of suspension travel front and rear with WP 4860 MXMA forks and a 4618 shock absorber. The 690 Enduro R, introduced in 2009, was marketed as the more off-road-oriented version: travel grew to 275 mm front and rear, the instrument cluster lost its tachometer, the headlight was lighter and more profiled and the front fender was shaped to shed water and mud. Enduro Rs have orange frames where Enduros have black ones. The Enduro was dropped for 2011, while the Enduro R remained in production.
2012: a real 690
In 2012 the Enduro R received its first facelift. Colours and graphics changed and the front side panels were restyled, while the specification reverted mostly to that of the 2010 Enduro: the off-road instrument cluster with tachometer returned, along with the original Enduro headlight, and suspension travel came back down from 275 mm to 250 mm to lower the seat height. Displacement was increased from 654 cm3 to 690 cm3 by changing the bore and stroke from 102/80 mm to 102/84.5 mm, and compression rose from 11.8:1 to 12.5:1, taking output from 64 hp to 68 hp. Oil and filter changes were extended from 7,500 km to 10,000 km.
2014 onwards
For 2014 the engine was updated for Euro 4 emissions with a dual-spark ignition system, ride-by-wire throttle and software locking of the engine ECU to prevent map alterations. Two-channel ABS with On and Off modes became standard, and a plug-in dongle allowed the ABS to be disabled indefinitely for off-road use; a gear-position readout was added to the instrument cluster. From 2015 to 2018 the Enduro R was unchanged from its 2014 specification. The Husqvarna 701 Enduro, the first of two badge-engineered versions of the KTM 690 Enduro R, was released for 2016.
The frame
All 690 Enduro and Enduro R models use an epoxy-coated lattice frame of welded chrome-molybdenum steel tubing. Unlike most enduro or off-road sports motorcycles, the 690 Enduro variants have no conventional metal rear subframe: the rear-mounted moulded polyethylene fuel tank plays a double role as the subframe, carrying the seat, battery and rear bodywork.
Design and features
- LC4 lineage: a line of single-cylinder four-strokes running from 1987 to the present.
- Tank as subframe: the polyethylene fuel tank carries the seat and rear bodywork.
- Long service intervals: oil changes extended to 10,000 km in 2012.
- Switchable ABS: two-channel ABS with On and Off modes from 2014.
KTM 690 versions
- 620 Duke and 620 EGS/Adventure (1994-1997): 609 cm3 models.
- 640 and 640 Supermoto (1998-2008): with the 625 cm3 LC4 motor.
- 690 Enduro (2008-2010): adventure-touring set-up with 250 mm travel.
- 690 Enduro R (2009 on): 275 mm travel initially, orange frame.
- Husqvarna 701 Enduro (2016 on): badge-engineered version.
The bigger single-cylinder KTM is the Duke, and the twin-cylinder touring model is the 950 Adventure. More models are in the KTM collection.
Sources
- KTM 690 series, English Wikipedia: model history, engines, Enduro R changes
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