KTM 690 Enduro

The 690 Enduro was introduced for the 2008 model year as a direct replacement for the 625 cm³ 640 Adventure.

As of January 2024, the 690 Enduro R occupies a niche market. No direct equivalents or competitors are currently made by any other motorcycle manufacturer that is not owned by KTM.

In its overall role (being an enduro/adventure motorcycle with lower than normal weight for the class, a considerably larger than typical single-cylinder four-stroke engine, and a higher than normal power-to-mass ratio for the class), the 690 Enduro R is closest in spirit to the alloy-framed, liquid-cooled Honda XR650R, as well as to larger-capacity 1980s and 1990s-era two-stroke motocross and enduro motorcycles such as the Honda CR500 and Kawasaki KX500.

All 690 Enduro and Enduro R models use an epoxy-coated lattice-type frame made of welded chrome-molybdenum steel tubing. Unlike most other enduro-class or offroad sports motorcycles, KTM 690 Enduro variants do not have a conventional rear subframe of metal tubing. Instead, the rear-mounted, moulded polyethylene fuel tank has a double role as the rear subframe, carrying the seat, battery and rear bodywork.

This timeline includes all KTM 690 Enduro and Enduro R models produced from 2008 to the present day, as well as badge-engineered variants sold with Husqvarna and Gas Gas branding.

The 690 Enduro was initially released as a dedicated adventure-touring motorcycle. In spite of its model name implying an engine capacity of 690 cm³, it featured a 654 cm³ engine developing 64 BHP. In line with its anticipated role of adventure touring, the Enduro featured a comprehensive instrument cluster with tachometer, and 250mm suspension travel front and rear. WP Suspension 4860 MXMA forks and a 4618 shock absorber were standard fitment.

Only colour and graphic changes were made to the 690 Enduro for the 2009 model year. Simultaneously with continued production of the 690 Enduro, the 690 Enduro R was released in parallel. In anticipation of more rigorous offroad usage than the Enduro, the Enduro R's front and rear suspension travel was increased from 250mm to 275mm front and rear. The Enduro R also featured a different instrument cluster with no tachometer, a differently-profiled lightweight headlight, and a front fender more accommodating of water and mud splashes. Visually, Enduro Rs of any generation are most easily distinguishable from Enduros by their main frame colour. Enduro Rs have orange frames, while Enduro frames are black.

For the 2011 model year, the Enduro was discontinued. The Enduro R remained in production, with no changes from the 2010 model.

In 2012, The Enduro R received its first facelift. Colours and graphics changed, and the front side panels were slightly restyled. The overall specification of the 2012 Enduro R reverted mostly to that used on the 2010 Enduro. The offroad-style instrument cluster was replaced by the comprehensive instrument cluster with tachometer, the minimalist headlight was replaced by the original Enduro headlight, and in an effort to lower the overall seat height (and thus make the motorcycle accessible to a greater base of riders), front and rear suspension travel was reduced from 275mm to 250mm. Engine displacement was increased from 654 cm³ to 690 cm³ by re-configuring the bore and stroke from 102/80mm to 102/84.5mm, and compression was increased from 11.8:1 to 12.5:1. This resulted in a power increase from 64 BHP to 68 BHP. Oil and oil filter changes were extended from 7 500 km to 10 000 km.^[2]

For the 2014 year, colours and graphics were changed. The engine was updated to make it compliant with EURO 4 emissions regulations. The necessary changes included a dual-spark ignition system, ride-by-wire throttle, and software-based 'locking' of the engine ECU to prevent engine map alterations by enthusiasts. Two-channel ABS with On and Off modes was fitted to all Enduro Rs as standard. A plug-in dongle was made available that allowed the ABS system to be disabled indefinitely for offroad use, and a gear-position readout option was added to the instrument cluster.^[3] From 2015 to 2018, the Enduro R remained unchanged from its 2014 specification. The Husqvarna 701 Enduro, the first of two badge-engineered KTM 690 Enduro Rs, was released for the 2016 model year.

In 2019, The Enduro R received its second facelift. This comprised all-new bodywork based on the styling of KTM's EX-C models, and a new seat, with seat height reduced to 910mm to further accommodate riders with shorter inseams. With Husqvarna having been a fully-owned subsidiary of KTM for some time, a push was made to increase commonality across KTM and Husqvarna models. As part of this drive, the improved engine first fitted to Husqvarna 701 models was fitted to all KTM 690 models. Engine displacement was increased from 690 cm³ to 693 cm³ by re-configuring the bore and stroke from 102/84.5mm to 105/80mm, and compression was increased from 12.5:1 to 12.7:1. This resulted in a power increase from 68 BHP to 74 BHP. A second balance shaft, located in the forward portion of the cylinder head, was also added. The WP Suspension 4860 MXMA forks and 4618 shock absorber used on earlier models were replaced with WP Suspension XPLOR 5448 forks and an XPLOR 5746 shock absorber. Traction control, and a quickshifter allowing clutchless upshifts, were fitted as standard equipment. The ABS system also received an upgrade, with a 'Cornering ABS' function and an 'Offroad mode' that disables ABS functionality on the rear wheel added. The Husqvarna 701 Enduro's fuel tank was also fitted to the 690 Enduro R, resulting in a tank size increase from 12 litres to 13.5 litres. The KTM-pattern instrument cluster was dropped in favour of the Husqvarna 701 instrument cluster, which is similar in pattern and operation to the instrument clusters fitted to 690 Enduro Rs made between 2009 and 2011.^[4]

For the 2021 year, colours and graphics were changed, and the engine was updated to make it compliant with EURO 5 emissions regulations. The instrument cluster was updated to include a digital tachometer, and gear-position readout. The Gas Gas ES700, the second of two badge-engineered KTM 690 Enduro Rs, was released for the 2022 model year.

For the 2023 year, colours and graphics were changed, and a more durable LCD instrument cluster was introduced in an attempt to cure a known instrumentation breakage issue.

The 690 Enduro, its variants, and other motorcycles that use its components have suffered from a number of persistent technical issues. These include:

• LCD segments in the instrument cluster becoming inactive due to mechanical failure of the conductive supporting pins supporting the instrument cluster circuit board.
• False neutrals when shifting between gears.
• Breakages of the valve rocker arms (typically under high-mileage and/or high-stress conditions).

The 690 Enduro was used as a base to develop the 2008 690 Rally Factory Replica. This was a privateer rally raid special based on KTM's contemporary 654 cm³-engined rally raid motorcycle, and homologated for FIM events. In place of the 690 Enduro's EURO-compliant electronic fuel injection system, the Replica used a Keihin FCR-MX 41 carburettor and more aggressive camshaft, allowing the engine to develop 25% more power than the 690 Enduro it was based on. The 690 Rally Factory Replica was made available in limited numbers for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 racing seasons before an FIM rule change necessitated its replacement with KTM's 450 Rally Factory Replica.

KTM's 690 Duke, 690 SMC and SMC R, and discontinued 690 Supermoto models, all use the same 654 cm³, 690 cm³ or 693 cm³ engine as the equivalent year-model Enduro or Enduro R. The 690 SMC and 690 SMC R also use the same frame, front and rear suspension, plastics and electronics as the equivalent year-model Enduro or Enduro R, differing only in wheel and tyre, front brake, front fender, and fork triple clamp specifications.

With the Husqvarna and Gas Gas brands currently owned by KTM, the 690 Enduro R has been used as a base to produce a number of badge-engineered models. These include Husqvarna's 701 Enduro, 701 Enduro Long-Range (a 701 Enduro with increased fuel capacity), Vitpilen 701 (a naked street bike designed by Kiska's Maxime Thouvenin^[5]), and Gas Gas ES700. All current (2019 onwards) Husqvarna 701 Enduro and Gas Gas ES700 variants use the basic KTM 690 Enduro R platform, including engine, transmission, frame, electronics, front and rear suspension, wheels, and brakes.

• Official KTM model information