KTM 690 SMCR / Husky 701

[kgm]

I know a few folk on here have one of the above. I'm trimming the fleet to two (modded CRF250L + whatever I choose). I've had an itch for the 690/701 for a while now and life is such that I probably won't be doing many overnights or day rides over about 250 miles for a while. Also commuting. Hence I'm feeling something with an edge.

Thoughts from owners in what these are like to own? Seem like a laugh but as your main steed?

Other options I'm looking at are the gen 3 MT09/Tracer and the KTM 890 adv. Mixed back but these are what I'm drawn to at the moment.

[Weisse Schlange]

Had the 701 from new for a year last year.
Was too mental for me to ride flat out anymore so I sold it with 500 miles on it.

4 weeks later the young guy broke it in half.

They encourage you to ride like a maniac lol.

Fantastic bikes mind. Will do it all, including commuting. 125mph flat oot.
____________________
Hing Oan

[Kentol750]

Had 701 enduro when it first launched (quite literally). It's absolute maniacal fun, and the supermoto with those sticky tyres is (as said above) even more so. Had a 790 duke, adventure and now run an 890adv. I'd get a 690/GG700/H701 tomorrow if I could rationalise it. However.... The 890 would never leave the driveway unless I had big miles to do. But I don't know if the husky seat would be good for a 5 day week. So, I've also got a scrambler 1200xe as it feels like a big bad supermoto, but with a bit of a softer seat and looks a lot cooler!

(But, I still want a 701 in the shed too.) Sorry to be no help.
____________________
Some bikes.

[Kentol750]

Oh,and I have spent time on tracer9 (and7) dash was too fussy and looks like it someone in square glasses and a false nose looking at you. Engine is amazing, I think I'd like an scr or normal mt over the tracer 9.
____________________
Some bikes.

[Jayy]

Got a 701 in 2018 and only sold it recently. Also have a 690 SMC-R (20) and both were / are absolutely the best fun you can have on a bike... bar none.

Got a KTM 1290R and a Panigale V4R and I'd still rather ride the 690 SMC-R all day long, it's just a hooligan machine but also so much fun to ride.

We have supermotos + supersports mostly in our group. When we ride in a pack of motos, it's carnage.

We'll regularly pass sports bike riders on their home turf on roads they've been riding years and we've never been on and they'll just pull up like??? How the fuck did you lot pass us down there? You can't beat them on nice winding roads.

All depends what your style is, we like riding motos flat out down twisty roads but I know plenty who want to ride 300+ mile routes from 9am to 9pm on a Sunday. Each to their own but I'll always have a moto, regardless if I have other bikes or it's just the one.

Just to add... I rode my 690 SMC-R from Preston to Scotland and back. Sure, it wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world doing the motorway bits but it was phenomenal up on the Scottish roads.

Do it... you wont regret it!

https://i.imgur.com/tYegT5a.jpg

[Copycat73]

I have an Enduro 701 .. reading comments on here I wonder if it's the same bike as everyone else's on here.. I fitted a set of hybrid tyres and use it for short rides out and particular when town traffic is required.. I didn't do off road.. 70mpg with short motorways riding if necessary.. maintenance schedule is somewhat involved and disproportionately expensive when compared to japanese.. but not as to put you off..
____________________
Whatever I post I have no citation and no intention of providing one..
caveat emptor

[kgm]

Thanks folks, your comments echo what I would expect. I need to ride one to decide. I think I’ve narrowed it down to the sumo vs the mt09 gen 3. Had a go of a mates mt and it was a riot with mid corner wheelies and the like. A big improvement on the previous gen.

[Jayy]

Get out on one and give it some stick... you'll love it

[P.]

I am toying with the idea of getting one too... So this thread is not helping