Hyper v KTM 690

[desmolvr]

Has anyone that owns a Hyper ridden any of the KTM 690's? I am looking at changing from the Hyper to the 690 Enduro R. I love my Hyper but would like to have a bike thats maybe a little more versatile. The 690 is 30 hp down on the duc but 90 lbs lighter.

I also have a 1098 that mostly a track bike but I still have all of the road parts. Tell me what you guys think.

[dave2riff]

I rode the KTM 690 SM quite a bit before buying my Hyper. The 690 is a
very good motor and does an impressive 30-60 mph blast (esp. if you gear it
down a tooth on the front). To me, the Hyper is just all around a more
exciting bike and does not really feel much heavier than the KTM, which
seems to carry its weight up higher. I find the overall comfort of the Hyper
to be better, and vibes are less. Build quality seems better on the Duc.
Some of the KTM plastic parts are cheap and the screws tend to back out
of them. As far as warranty failures, my friend's KTM 690 just had a clutch
slave with a fluid leak problem, but that's about it. Overall they are good
bikes, and have one of the strongest single-cylinder motors out there. The
one I rode did have the Akrapovic dual exhaust system on it

Since you mentioned the 690 Enduro, I assume you are thinking of doing
the dual-sport thing (part dirt/part street). Obviously, the Hyper won't
really do that very well. I think the 690 Enduro makes a good adventure
bike, but may still be bit heavy for a true dirt bike when it comes to serious
off-roading. For fire roads, it would be great. Again, the motor just kicks
major tail in terms of horsepower compared to just about any _dirt_ bike
short of an Aprilia 550, so it would be fun on fast fire roads.

[kyle_01]

a good friend of mine got on a waiting list for a 690smc last year. he finally got it, and first thing he did was have the seat rebuilt into something he could tolerate for more than 15min. at the time i was riding a ktm 450smr. the 690 is definitely akin to riding a full-on dirtbike on the street. ktm singles are awesome motors, but they all sound like they have a handfull of marbles rolling around in the crankcase. not to say the exhaust note isn't sweet, cause it sounds great. his 690 was short-lived. i think he was looking for something more of a street bike (along the lines of the hyper or even a duke) going from the hyper to the 690 will seem like going from the drivers seat of a european sports car to the seat of a european muscle...um... suv? if such a thing exists. definitely not a bad thing, but just not so civilized.

[desmolvr]

Thanks for the feed back. I have owned several KTM but all straight off road. I am looking at some duel sport action. I have ridden the 990 adventure in the desert even some single track. The 690 would be a duel sport & desert bike with a few twisty rides thrown in for fun.

[Motard-Menace]

I demo'd the 690 motard and thought it was a riot. It really hauled ass and could do things the Hyper can't. More of a true SM bike. That said the Hyper is by far a superior rode going bike. For what you are stating as your intended purpose I think the 690 Enduro would be one of the better choices. It can run the street to get you to the dirt and thats what it is intended for. Its not a true dirt bike, (too big) but as a smaller adventure bike it will work great. The 690 singles are bullet proof what I've heard and seen. I will say that some of the build quality was a tad lacking but nothing too too serious. The mirrors were garbage however.............anyway goodluck.

[Chuckracer]

Over at the ADV forum there's several guys that ride the crap out of 690E's. I think it's a lot better dirtbike than is being told here.

Compared to a Hyper? Apples and oranges.

[Antigrav]

IF you're looking for a versatile bike the 690 is it...It will kick ass in open desert, fire roads, and be acceptable in single track, plus it will get around on the freeway. And then you can just put some supermoto wheels on it and you will have a nice SM bike for the SM tracks and from what I heard Streets of Willow.

I consider my Hyper just a sportbike only....I have an WR 450 that I got a street legalized, a SM kit for and it is the coolest bike I've ever had... where it lacks is it can't do the freeway even with taller gearing, but a 690 could hang frwy time. I take that bike everywhere... on the street in SM trim, put the knobbies back on and run at MX tracks, and do the single track up in Gorman, dual sport in Big Bear....All I did was have the suspension done and it just does everything well (except freeway) Nothing beats having a quality jack of all trades bike.

[jpgibson]

just sold a 08 690 SMR .It was a blast and really went well with the Wings pipes on it.I thought the quality was as good or better than the HM and it felt WAY lighter and flickable than the HM.I wasnt allowed to keep both so the KTM went.
I miss it and want another proper motard.I would buy another in a heartbeat.
If I had a choice between the two I'd still take the HM.
Jonathan

[desmolvr]

Thanks again for all of the input. I decided for now to add a 530EXC for some duel sport action. I may let go of the Hyper later but I did the wrong thing (i went for a ride on it).

[Decreasing Dave]

I'll trade ya'

I have a 2007 KTM 690 SM and all I do is dream about owning a Hyper (explains why I'm on this forum).

I'll be at MotoGP, we can make the trade there......

Dave