Bought a mountain goat... :)

[FastSpy]

Word - on tires (comes with Pirelli MT 21s now, so OK to start I figure...

Word on protective gear - for both me and the scoot.

For some reason those tires in the photo don't look like MT21's.. here is what they look like on my the back of my Husky.. You should be fine with those unless you are in mud or sand.. the front MT21 is a handful in soft conditions, back is OK.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Dayum I like those things. Patch308, my brother has a 510(?), and that bike is cool. Has me jonseing for a new dirt bike, and your pictures aren't helping.

Congrats!

 

[FastSpy]

Dayum I like those things. Patch308, my brother has a 510(?), and that bike is cool. Has me jonseing for a new dirt bike, and your pictures aren't helping.

Congrats!

sorry sportguy about the hyjack..

Yes the 510 is more of a mountain goat (mine below) than my TE630 however there are benefits to not having a full fledged race bike like this at times

 

[sportsguy]

Word - on tires (comes with Pirelli MT 21s now, so OK to start I figure...

Word on protective gear - for both me and the scoot.

For some reason those tires in the photo don't look like MT21's.. here is what they look like on my the back of my Husky.. You should be fine with those unless you are in mud or sand.. the front MT21 is a handful in soft conditions, back is OK.

Excellent eye! The photo is an official one, and there are two major differences that tell you the image used by KTM USA is the European model...

1 - the tires on the bike in the image are NOT MT21's. I only know the bike has them because I looked after my test ride last week.

2 - the tail light. Euro models have a sleek LED unit integrated into the fender, whereas North American models get a blocky contraption fashioned by Rube Goldberg and first shown publically in 1974.

 

[FastSpy]

I've found tire selection is critical for the terrain you ride..

Some of what I rotate on my TE630 depending on where I'm using it..

I'm sure you will enjoy the 690.. it certainly is a nice bike with lots of kick at the twist of the right hand.

Fronts,, MT-21 3rd from left .. sand / mud tire 4th from left, 50/50 use on right or ER visit in soft soil

Backs MT-21 , 2nd from left, mud/sand far right, 50/50 use on left

 

[escapefjrtist]

Let me know if you need it broken in on some steep trails.

Well, you KNOW what I'll be riding to the next tech day!

Sweet, I've always wanted to take one of those for a spin...

Seriously, congrats on the purchase Duane and don't hurt yourself too badly on the first outing!!

--G

 

[sportsguy]

Let me know if you need it broken in on some steep trails.

Well, you KNOW what I'll be riding to the next tech day!

Sweet, I've always wanted to take one of those for a spin...

Seriously, congrats on the purchase Duane and don't hurt yourself too badly on the first outing!!

--G

It's an impressive machine, for sure. I'll hook you up.

...and the first dozen or so outings will be carefully staged to appear, in pictures and videos, to be happening offroad. Kinda like the moon landings.

 

[Pat L]

Fantastic bike! I love these and would love to add one to my own garage.

 

[Jules083]

Nice, I'm jealous. I wanted one, but decided I couldn't justify spending that much so I ended up getting an XR650R. It's the water-cooled desert race bike, but it was easy to get it plated in Ohio.

You should be in pretty good shape with MT21's as a good all-around tire from what I've read. I'm running Kenda Trackmaster II's. They are excellent off-road, but on pavement they are just DOT knobbies and it shows. I think my next set will be an MT21 front and Dunlop D606 rear. I've heard that's a fairly good compromise, so I figure it's worth a shot. Tires don't last on these bikes, so you'll have plenty of opportunity to try out different types. My kenda's have about 800 miles on them, back is down to 1/2 tread or so. Front is holding up alright.

 

[beemerdons]

Huge Congratulations Duane, Your Pumpkin is Fantastic! Looking forward to seeing You and Your Katoom in Utah at FODS VI next March, KTM's rule Moab Canyonlands!

 

[sportsguy]

Huge Congratulations Duane, Your Pumpkin is Fantastic! Looking forward to seeing You and Your Katoom in Utah at FODS VI next March, KTM's rule Moab Canyonlands!

Thanks Don.

While picking up the bike yesterday, an inmate from advrider found me. By the time I got home, there was 98 miles on the odo of which 48 was on mountain logging roads! Woohoo! Love this bike!!!

 

[sportsguy]

Ride report on the first day with the new scooter...

clicky