KTM 530 or 690????

[bajaman]

Hey Boys and Girls,

Whats better 530 or 690.....any ideas...with all this RUM :censored:I'll be looking for a new bike.

:hb:

[Orange Crush]

Thanks for asking, those are exactly the two bikes i am trying to decide between. Right now i am leaning towards the 690.

[Rib Eye]

My two cents on the subject ...

I have never rode a 530 ...but I believe it favors the more motocross & single tracktrails & can do the "A" routes with ease.

I own a 690 ...which I find is perfect for even themost challeging"B" routes style of riding and is also excellent for the occasional pavement. Awesome fuel economy, and has power to spare.



Yo Cactusreid - you have a 530 right? Care to comment ....

[North]

I have a 530 and it is so much fun off road. it does need the smog stuff removed, JD jet kit and rad fan. I also see that KTM is making a larger water pump for them, which I plan to get.

I also have a Husky 610 which is nicer on the road and great to bomb around FSR and the city on. It's good on the "B" stuff, but not as easy to ride as the 530 is off road.

I did have 11,500 trouble free km on my Husky until a rocker bearing went. And I have 5,500 km on 530.

I have never been on a 690, but I might of got one, but there were none to be had last July/August when I was looking to buy.

[Lonewolf]

I've been thinking that i need a 690 and a 300cc 2-Stroke... I've kind of come to the realization that no one bike does everything well, so this seems like the best of both worlds.

[North]

Lonewolf wrote:
I've been thinking that i need a 690 and a 300cc 2-Stroke... I've kind of come to the realization that no one bike does everything well, so this seems like the best of both worlds.


That would be around what I would be looking at if I had to do it all again. It also would be nice to be able to plate both Bikes.

[Lonewolf]

North wrote:
Lonewolf wrote:
I've been thinking that i need a 690 and a 300cc 2-Stroke... I've kind of come to the realization that no one bike does everything well, so this seems like the best of both worlds.


That would be around what I would be looking at if I had to do it all again. It also would be nice to be able to plate both Bikes.

Its either a KTM 690 and a KTM XCW-300 or KTM 690 and 2010 Husaberg FE-390 (drool)

but yes, being able to plate both would be nice, my idea is that I should be able to do most of my dualsporting on the 690 and keep the 300 or 390 for singletrack/backcountry riding.

[zokalr13]

i was initially waslooking at the 690..its great if you can find one.. was thengonna get the KTM 530- then found out its justa 4 stroke kx500- -wild, crazy,wheelspin city beast[not sorted out yet]...then decided on the 450 EXC..[perfect]:D-its got a 6-speed ..picking it uptomorrow.. this is the best enduro/dirt/streetbikeIMO.. the dealership i talked to knows the new dilemma about licensing dirt bikes and plans on ordering extra KTMs -so hopefully,youll get yours.. ZO13 :cool:...OH YEAH, i looked at buying another newHUSKY,[450/510] but the price was too high -i got a killer deal on the 09 KTM450EXC- priced like an ASIAN bike-[$8200]!!plus taxes :Xthis one comes fully modded-bark busters,skid plate-derestricted and canisterectomied,jetted,new FMF pipe,new lower- geared chain and sprockets,fan kit...cant wait to get it....so go get yours [the dealerships are hurting]

[franhoser]

Lonewolf wrote:
I've been thinking that i need a 690 and a 300cc 2-Stroke... I've kind of come to the realization that no one bike does everything well, so this seems like the best of both worlds.

I absolutely agree Lonewolf. I have not seen a bike that can do best of both worlds. That's why I got the CRF250 and have the TE610. I have no intention of DS the CRF cause then again I sacrifice on tires, gearing, weight.

The only down side of the 690 I heard was the same complaint I have of the TE610. It's go a horrible turning radius. Like a Mack Truck. Usually not an issue unless you are in slow tight stuff or trying to turn around on a trail.

690 vs 530, ask yourself the question what kind of rider you areand what kind of riding you would like to do. If you want to ride mainly road and like others said stick to B route type trails, then get a 690. If you want to ride A route and more gnarly type trails go for the 530.

[Strongleftleg]

Franhoser pretty well nailed it. Both bikes can do it all, but each suffers a bit at the extreme ends of the dualsport spectrum. The 530 can handle anything from highway to the gnarliest single-track. But it suffers a bit on the highway. The 690 can do everything from highway to gnarly single-track, but its gonna suffer on the real gnarly A trails.

The question is what do you do more? Hard "A" line riding or road riding.

Plus the other factors like money, availability, maintainance schedules play it to it.

[old trials guy]

For those loooking for KTM 690 there is a new 2009 at Spunky's in Parksville. He has the new 2010 Champions Editions in and they look great.

otg

[sueandal]

zokalr13 wrote:

newÂ*HUSKY,[450/510] but the price was too high -i got a killer deal on the 09 KTM450EXC- priced like an ASIAN bike-[$8200]!!plus taxes
that is a very good deal
for several years i have looked at the ktm 450/525/530
the price for last three years was 9999.99$ new and 8999.99 at year end when new model had arrived. (tax not included)
thats from Holeshot (non-dsbc sponsor )
goggle Beta if you want the RFS engine, they still produce it.


[size=6]Al

[Dorky]

For me, the 690 is the perfect dual sport if you only have one bike. It is very much a dirt bike yetit is fun to ride on the street - i.e. dualsport. You can ride it in the single track but as noted, it has the lock-lock of a bus. It has reasonable highway manners and you can load it up and travel.


Tons of power.
You don't need to do much to it (skidplate, maybe a seat...)
Reasonable range (250km)
2 liters oil, fans, etc.
Slipper clutch.
Luggage racks available from KTM - good mounting.I believe RTR in Kamloops has a 690 in stock.

The 530may be the the solution if you don't plan on travelling - local trails and tracks only. The 530 (I've heard) is a dirt bike with a plate. Wicked fun in the bush, but you don't want to go too far on the road (Al might argue here).

If youare allowed to havetwo dualsport bikes, a better split might be FE390 &990 Adventure.

[zokalr13]

as i was breaking in my new 450exc tonight it feels like a ducati with knobby tires-i havent rode such a fine bike as this ever-wow !!:Dand one plus- no one seems to mention is that it is frikkenneon orange-how can a stinkin car not see you riding this around kelowna?? anyway,there is a 530 exc left at VMS and a 690 in vernon -go get em..

[bajaman]

Here's the scoop...I ride 70% logging roads...30% single track a/b stuff,have no plans to get saddle bags an travel on it...I have a camper and truck for that..I'm 6'1 280 lbs,so a 300 lbs bike is no problem for me to throw around.

Rode RENVO8's KTM525,nice bike lots of power...but when he did single track it started to cook itself..I find it really had to spent $10,000 on a new bike,than have to spend another couple of grand to make it trail ready..ie fan...oil coolers..seens kind of silly..any more ideas??

:hb:

[bajaman]

zokalr13 wrote:
there is a 530 exc left at VMS and a 690 in vernon -go get em..
Do you know what they are going for???

[Rib Eye]

Looks like full retail for the 690 ...

http://www.vernonmotorsports.net/classifieds.cfm?catid=6865

I wonder if they would negotiate the frt, pdi, etc?




And here is an add for a 530, sweet deal if they still have it!

http://www.cbbtrader.com/2008/ktm/530_exc-r_4_stroke_street_legal/2993

[bajaman]

Rib Eye wrote:
Looks like full retail for the 690 ...

http://www.vernonmotorsports.net/classifieds.cfm?catid=6865

I wonder if they would negotiate the frt, pdi, etc?




And here is an add for a 530, sweet deal if they still have it!

http://www.cbbtrader.com/2008/ktm/530_exc-r_4_stroke_street_legal/2993

Thanks for the info...the 690 is the same price as here on the island...but the 530 looks interesting...only problem would cost me a wack of cash to go get it.:mad3:from here.

[Dorky]

bajaman wrote:
Rib Eye wrote:
Looks like full retail for the 690 ...

http://www.vernonmotorsports.net/classifieds.cfm?catid=6865

I wonder if they would negotiate the frt, pdi, etc?




And here is an add for a 530, sweet deal if they still have it!

http://www.cbbtrader.com/2008/ktm/530_exc-r_4_stroke_street_legal/2993

Thanks for the info...the 690 is the same price as here on the island...but the 530 looks interesting...only problem would cost me a wack of cash to go get it.:mad3:from here.


Call Don at RTR - 1(800) 374-5474. I don't know what they areasking fortheir 530s and 690sbut it is getting late in the season and I'mpretty surethey may want to deal a little ?? And RTR is a sponsor of DSBC... Craig Fortune (owner? manager?) says they will givea discount to DSBC members so be sure tell him you're a member and you got their number off the DSBC site. :clap::clap:

[KTMJeff]

Ktm 690 is a great bike, heard there is a big boar kit coming out. make it a 700, trying to get a hold of a performance chip any ideas?

[mike_123]

another vote for the 530

even though mine spent the first 6 months of its life in and out of the shop on a weekly basis with massive oil consumption problems i love it now that its fixed right

i find the power of the ktm unlike any other bike ive ridden with excellent throttle control,never ending power/torque,excellent balance a good quality tight feeling did i mention torque

bit of a maintanace pig but i enjoy tinkering with it.the seat sucks did i mention torque

knowing what i know now abotu the bike i would have beat them down on the price and gotten the fan jet kit and desmog all included in a even better price.i think dealers are pretty willing to deal now as sales might be down a little.i think they should be selling bikes RIDE READY without needing the jet kit fan or desmog done

[cactusreid]

i'd rather be able to carry more fuel! i can't use all the power my present bikes have,but range sure is nice.

[cactusreid]

i'd rather be able to carry more fuel! i can't use all the power my present bikes have,but range sure is nice.

[North]

Range is important and it sucks to have to carry fuel, but...it's power that puts a smile on my face. :D

[mike_123]

north what kind of range are you getting on your 530

i find i usually switch over to reserve at about 150 to 170 kms depending where and how im riding

ive easily gotten 200 km but then i start to get nervous.this is a combination of trails and roads .tight single track sips up a tad more fuel

id rather have the power and be able to fix the range with an aftermarket fuel tank rather then havign the range and fixing the power with aftermarket parts

and yes the smile a 530 provides is just awsome

[North]

Hi Mike,

I have 13 L tank now, but what you get sounds about right for what I was getting with my stock tank.

[CuboiD]

I have the 690 and love it. I ride about 50/50 on and offroad, the bike is TALL on the road so you get a good view of traffic, but if you are under 6 footyou might be stretching your legs a bit,offroad this makes for good ground clearance.

It depends what you are going to be riding mostly, as some other guys said, when you have that big long and tall 690 on some tight trails, a 530 or 450 would be better. But for open logging roads and B type stuff the 690 is awesome.

In an ideal world i would have the 690 for weekend rides/tours/exploring, and then a 300xc or a 450 trail bike forhair scrambles/races/ and enduro style events, just because the 690 is heavier and taller and can't be manueverd as well as a smaller bike.

On the highway in 6th you can cruise all day at 110kph comfortably, your ass will wear out before the bike does, 3rd 4th and 5th are pretty close, i wish the gears had a wider ratio because the bike has so much torque, and also that 1st was a bit lower for the tight offroad stuff.All that is just nitpicking though, straight out of the box go get a better skidplate and you can go anywhere on this thing.

I really wanted a 530 as well but decided on the 690 for longer road trips, the LC4 engine is tried and tested, i say just try and find both and try them out, see which suits you best

good luck, it's a tough decision, but either way you will end up with a hell of a good bike

[KTM-Bryon]

I have the 690 R and I like it as my only bikebecause I have no truck or trailer. The 690 will get you anywhere. I bought mine used in Fort McMurray and rode it back to Vancouver in 3 days. Since then I have been on the trails from Squamish to Chilliwack plus the last two DSBC "A" rides.

I think a 200/250/300 EXC would make a perfect 2nd bike because those 330 poundscan really wear you outplus I have seen the DSBC bus U-turn better! However I am leaning towards a trials bike for my 2nd bike...

It looks like we should get a 690 ride going in the spring. A full 690cc's pitcher.

http://www.x-entertainment.com/kool-aid/reviews/orange/2.jpg

[cactusreid]

big ]boar kit coming out. make it a 700, trying to get a hold of a performance chip any ideas?

why?? does yur uncle own a tire store? i can't keep tires on my 525,and a 690 has a wack more power than the 525!

[Mac525]

I have a 525 and i agree with most of the guys if you are more trail get the 525. More road stick with the 690 but the power of the 525 with a jd jet kit is awsome.. Hey North where did you get that fender/saddle bag set up

[lost530]

I had a 2008 530. Loved it. my first ride was in the snow in northern alberta and never looked back. Definately lose the stock battery and get a better one. JD Jet kit is a must also.

Definately gonna get another one if mine isnt recovered!!!

[Rock Chucker 1]

hey guys. just my 2 bits. I just sold my 690E. great bike, absolutlly no complaints for what it is designed for. tons of power. sus. brakes etc. Having a new daughter and not doing so many trips for a while I picked up a ktm 450exc. love the bike for riding more trails and single track close to home. i rode my 690 on the trails which it can do well but at the end of the day you know it. the 450 feels a ton lighter and way more fun off road. each has there pros and cons. just decide what style of riding your into

[triplenickel]

Where you'll be riding bajaman I say 690, for the guys saying a 690 can't do A routes it's not the bike that's the issue. As for Pauls overheating issue he just needs to get it properly jetted, my 525 never spit a drop in several years of riding in warmer climates than the Island, they're both sweet bikes but I'd say 690 easily.:hb:

[bajaman]

triplenickel wrote:
Where you'll be riding bajaman I say 690, for the guys saying a 690 can't do A routes it's not the bike that's the issue. As for Pauls overheating issue he just needs to get it properly jetted, my 525 never spit a drop in several years of riding in warmer climates than the Island, they're both sweet bikes but I'd say 690 easily.:hb:


Riding...Everywhere

I think there could be a 690 in my future...Just have to get rid on DRZ..:mad3:I have no problem with the weigh issue....I'm 6 ft and 260 lb SO throwing around the 690 shouldn't be a problem...:tup:



:hb: