"Joshua Rollins" (joshuarollins)
02/05/2016 at 16:03 • Filed to: None
5
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"Joshua Rollins" (joshuarollins)
02/05/2016 at 16:03 • Filed to: None | 5
| 8 |
Well at least for my drivers license!
After about 1000 miles of driving, I’ve got the new (to me) KTM 690 SMC home and in the garage. I’ve ridden quite a few bikes but this thing is just an absolute hooligans bike. During the test ride I really didn’t get on it too much, it wasn’t mine and I didn’t really want to down someone else’s bike. Now that its home, I really don’t know if I will get back on my Ninja except for track days.
It’s just a bike that doesn’t give a shit about what people think, curbs, no problem. Dirt, please try a little harder next time, wooded paths, wheelies, stairs. Not to mention it it will turn faster than a angry dog on its owner. Talking about angry dogs, its always surprising when your dog bites you, similar to when you grab a handful of front brake and get that initial bite from those big Brembo brakes. Coming from a sports bike world, the suspension travel is a little odd! It feels squishy when hard on the brakes but still very controlled.
The HUGE thing is the absolute raw grunt of that 690 motor! Get a little throttle happy in first gear and it will lay you on your ass faster than a punch from Mike Tyson, you’ll get up wondering how did that happen. Second gear is a little more tame but not much, without any sort of problem, snap on the throttle and the front up comes up with ease. I find myself in stupid areas just cracking the throttle in first to bring the front end up a couple feet and drop it back down.
Overall, if you want something inexpensive (mines a 2008) but want to enjoy riding without breaking the sound barriers, look at a super moto. Honestly one of my favorite bikes I’ve ridden or owned, highly recommend it.
MonkeePuzzle
> Joshua Rollins
02/05/2016 at 16:08 |
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wow, its stunning!
ceanderson920
> Joshua Rollins
02/05/2016 at 16:14 |
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How do those tires work in the dirt?
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Joshua Rollins
> ceanderson920
02/05/2016 at 16:18 |
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I will give it an OK - sure not knobies or sand paddles. Keep the weight back and speed pretty high and it seems to glid over the sand pretty easy. I don’t think I would want to do anything slippery, mud or creek crossings with them but im working on a KTM 400 EXC right now to handle the real offroad stuff. Yesterday traffic was stopped so I just went around them in the grassy median, its great. hahaha
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> Joshua Rollins
02/05/2016 at 16:22 |
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Cool bike! How does this compare to a dual sport like a 650 GS or similar?
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ceanderson920
> Joshua Rollins
02/05/2016 at 16:29 |
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Ha that’s funny, I bet the people who were stopped wish they had a bike like that.
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Joshua Rollins
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/05/2016 at 16:35 |
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I havent ridden the 650 GS but I have been on KLR’s and I’m not that big of a fan of those bikes for off roading. They are comfortable on an everyday ride but they are super heavy compared to the “street” legal dirt bikes. The 690 SMC is just a hair over 300 lbs wet. I’m a pretty small guy, 6 foot 160 lbs so the lighter the better for me.
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Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> Joshua Rollins
02/05/2016 at 16:42 |
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Now I know what I want. I agree the dual sports seem like they would be good off road but they are quite a bit bigger and heavier. I want to get my motorcycle endorsement and get something dirt worthy for a few thousand.
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Joshua Rollins
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/05/2016 at 16:57 |
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Look for a converted KTM 400 EXC - plenty of power and similar design. ^ this is a 400 EXC I tear on through the dirt roads
Or another one is a DRZ400