heavy on the front wheel and with a
high center of gravity. A seat height of
nearly 37 inches enhances this feeling.
The bike feels inherently top-heavy with
vague handling.
Some enduro tires on an enduro bike
can do wonders here, but they never
eliminate the sensation you're up high
and along for the ride more than you're
in total control. This compounds at
speed where you might hit something
unpredictable. I wouldn't trust the
front suspension to protect me from a
desert obstacle at speed. After all, it's
a 330+ pound dirt bike with nearly 80
horsepower, and while the suspension
is adequate at a moderate pace, the
reserve isn't there to save your ass from
the big hits when you run out of talent.
So, the move here is to slow down and
act like you're on a huge bike (because
you are). Enjoy the precision the chas
-
sis provides at reasonable speeds.
Thankfully, it's crazy-easy to lighten
the front end for upcoming obstacles
with a truckload of power and torque on
demand. That is, if you can get the bike
to find traction. It's simply overpower
-
ing tires most of the time. This is where
Rally mode is a welcome addition. Dial
in your preferred wheel slip and go. If
you go full analog and reduce electronic
intervention to the minimum, the bike will
lose traction on acceleration every time
you twist the throttle in loose conditions,
(Top) This isn't a new engine by any stretch
of the imagination, but it's been heavily
updated and improved in the past 15 years.
(Middle) All the latest tech is right under
your nose thanks to the fantastic new TFT
dash. (Bottom) The 690's gas filler hides
underneath the rear fender.
P106
RIDE REVIEW I 2026 KTM 690 ENDURO R
