Snoozin

So yeah - since that last ride update, there's been plenty of others, mainly just local stuff, here there and everywhere - I have pics from all of them but really, seen one seen em all? But what DID happen, about 10-11 weeks ago, is I was arsing around pretending I was a flat track guy or something, on the beach following a group ride through the coastal forests around Himitangi/Foxton area. Arsing around you say? Doesn't that potentially lead to mishaps?

Well, yeah. It did.

I was in third, with the bike cranked over sideways when I think I just leaned a bit too far, the front bit in and the bike stopped but I didn't. I went sailing through the screen (which disintegrated) and landed on my left hand with arm outstretched. Got up, thought "nah this isn't good" as my shoulder was instantly locked solid, and a bit painful. Said a hurried goodbye to everyone thought gritted teeth, then rode back down the beach for a while, then 30km or so to my folks who took me into ED at Palmy Hospital.

Sat around for a few hours, got an X-ray and yep, dislocated. By that stage it had really started to hurt a bit but hey, a bloke came in who'd just mashed his arm in a woodsplitter so my mishap was relatively minor in the scheme... got hauled into whatever they call the place they take you into for a quick fix or assessment or whatever, and the doctor proceeded to tell me I'd done a great job on my dislocated shoulder, there didn't seem to be any bone damage and they "should" be able to pop it back in. 

I couldn't actually get my jacket off without a bit too much pain, so the doc thankfully produced a little trolley with a cylinder of N2O and of course I huffed enough of it 'til I was 'comfortable' removing my jacket - the alternative was chopping it off, and I wasn't having ANY of that...

The doc then instructed me to huff as much as that shit as I needed to either not care enough, or not hurt enough and tell them that, so they could have a hoon on popping my shoulder back in, and once I'd asked them "let's just send it now" the process involved the doc and a nurse and a good amount of what seemed like brutality to make the shoulder go back to where it ought to be. Instant relief. A sensation that is up there with some of the best I've ever experienced.

Anyway - about 6 or 7 weeks later I sat and attained my restriced license (on the DRZ, with a repaired screen), and haven't really ridden since - until yesterday.

So, if you've binned a 400cc Suzuki with a moderate level of power and hurt yourself, what's the best plan of action? Buy a more modern, more powerful, way faster motorbike over 500km from home and ride it back.

Introducing the latest folly, a 2020 KTM 690 Enduro R. 

About a month ago I sealed the deal on this, it's a Japanese import and I'm the first owner. 6500km on the odo, a few little extras like the bash plate, a weird little auxiliary display that shows gear selection, crash bars, RPM, water and ambient temps, and that's it really. Jamie kindly picked it up from the dealer and stashed it for 4 weeks or so, while I waited for an opportunity to get to Christchurch and pick it up, between work weekends and that.

What a bike though! Gobs and gobs and gobs of torque, involuntary wheelies, a QUICKSHIFTER (oh my lord, what a giggle), brakes better than anything I've ridden to date, selectable maps (mild and certifiable)... just lots of goodness.

Although I didn't take any photos (too busy enjoying myself) the ride home was immense. The sun cranked up as I hit the coast road around Kaikoura, I had some belter tunes playing through the Cardo and it was one of those moments when everything is just perfectly aligned, almost euphoric. The 690 hums along at 120km/h with no drama, more than I can say for the DRZ (and the XT even) and that twin-counterbalanced single is surprisingly smooth. Throttle response is manic when it's in MAP2...

But I got home after riding it 559km, and duly gave it a clean the next morning, partly because I'm obsessive with cleaning vehicles, and partly because I'd had a month to collect a few bits for it and couldn't wait to bolt them to it...

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (1) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

But first, a few average beauty shots before I fall off it and scratch it.

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R-20 by Richard Opie, on Flickr

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R-1 by Richard Opie, on Flickr

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R-8 by Richard Opie, on Flickr

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R-25 by Richard Opie, on Flickr

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R-23 by Richard Opie, on Flickr

Then straight onto the wee scissor lifty thing in the shed... space is getting tight in here and I need to move cars out to actually work on bikes.

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (3) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (4) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

First port of call was to install the AdventureSpec nav tower/screen. With no real wind protection to speak of, my torso took a good hiding all the way home. There are a lot of VERY expensive rally tower options available for the 690, usually featuring LED lighting and price tags of $3500 upwards, but these were absolutely not in the budget. AdventureSpec offered this simple alternative, with a robust nav mount (and room for a switch or 2) which features an adjustable screen. Looks a bit weird I'll admit, but is budget friendly and superbly functional. Bolts on easily via the top triple clamp bolts.

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (5) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (6) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (7) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

I'll wire the power feed in for the Garmin at a later date, as I also want to add grip warmers like I have done on the DRZ too (better actually make that update). The next port of call was to replace the OEM fuel cap/filler. It's a keyed type fuel cap, in a recess that is notorious for filling up with dirt/mud etc which has the super excellent result of then dropping aforementioned muck into your tank when the filler cap is removed. For those playing at home, the tank is under the seat - and also does double duty as the subframe on a later model 690.

There is an expensive USA brand of this unit, I chose to buy the not very expensive Aliexpress knock off. After all, it's just a bit of alloy with an O-ring groove in it...

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (8) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (9) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

A good view of the tank setup here. She's a complex bit of moulding.

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (10) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (11) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

Next up? Muffler. Primarily, for noise (because who DOESN'T love a loud pipe) but also, the stock muffler contains the catalytic converter, is very heavy, and gets very hot. Hot enough, that when carrying rackless type luggage (like the Kriega OS system I use), it has been known to get hot enough to melt the tank/side panel. And that ruins your day. So I elected to replace this behemoth...

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (12) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

...with this svelte Wings titanium slip-on unit, with an extra silent baffle just in case I get tired of a slightly noisier bike.

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (13) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

Installation wise, a fairly straightforward prospect. There is a small link pipe that connects to the OEM header with the OEM donut gasket in place, align the hanger and she's good to go!

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (14) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (15) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

Bit of a skeleton looking thingo. The packaging and ease of accessibility to everything on the bike is spectacularly good.

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (16) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

A pretty simple but crucial upgrade. These things use a pleated paper filter like a car from stock, which are notorious for being overcome by dust, not filtering properly and causing catastrophic engine damage. Cue, a UniFilter 2-stage foam unit in it's place.

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (17) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

Another item commonly knocked off and available on Aliexpress is the PerunMoto rack. I chose the genuine article this time, as it was only $40 more than the Ali version. A bit nerve wracking to fit, as you need to drill the holes in the plastics that would usually suit the optional OEM grab handles. The problem is, the telltales/template markings on the bottom of the side panels are known for not being in the right place, so you need to drill a tiny pilot hole to first see how far out of alignment you are, then make an informed guesstimate to drill an 18mm hole in either side to accomodate a bush/spacer, and align the bolts with the OEM thread inserts in the tank/subframe. I got it kind of right the first time, with a slight Dremel tickling on the right hand side to allow adequate clearance. A great looking rack, though, that doubles up as a grab point in case of being stuck etc.

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (19) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (20) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (21) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

Another couple of PerunMoto parts made the grade, namely the heel plates to use as attachment points for luggage, and the rear brake master cylinder protector, as it hangs out in a pretty exposed spot. No pics though... because.

After about 170km on the journey home though, my arse was screaming "enough is enough" from the absolute punishing it was taking from the factory seat. Which is less of a seat, and more of timber by-product. Thankfully, I'd scooped up a deal on Trademe (before I actually paid for the bike...) and nabbed a Seat Concepts seat, the same brand as I have on the DRZ. Absolutely brilliant product, would recommend. No real install required. Toolless.

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (27) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

So this is where we are at! I've since learned this bike has a bloody short spring kit in it, which KTM offers as an option. Makes sense being a Japanese market bike maybe? Anyway, this will be on the agenda to sort, so I'll make some phone calls and see what the best action plan is. Perhaps a valving change is in order, the short, sharp hits are very harsh on this bike, but will discuss with people who know a bit more than me about this WP suspension. The DRZ isn't going anywhere, I still intend to use it on tighter stuff, although the 690 feels like it should be pretty capable. I just think at this point, I am more comfortable with the somewhat more mild power delivery of the old Roota...

2020 KTM 690 Enduro R Phone (26) by Richard Opie, on Flickr

Thanks for reading. That's a bit of a chore no doubt, but I'm really excited to put more KM on this thing (and the DRZ). A 3 day ride coming up in November which I'll take the Suzuki on, so expect an update then.

On 15/08/2024 at 08:09, Adoom said:

Pulled in behind this guy on moonshine bridge this morning. Real nice looking alloy trailer.

1985 Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86-493-Edit by Richard Opie, on Flickr

This thing's hot.

Tang on the carousel, how good. Weird flares though, have Berg Cup vibes which I guess makes sense given the location. 

IMG_1168 by Richard Opie, on Flickr
I can't imagine this car on small wheels... maybe it's just the total package. But it works and always has.

1973 Mazda RX3 UWANIT (455)-Edit by Richard Opie, on Flickr

The quality of this build has to be unparalleled in Kiwi rotary circles?