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How long will a KTM 690 motor last?

D

DIY

New member
Joined
Jul 26, 2007
Location
Sacramento
Moto(s)
Tuono, ST1100, 400 Bandit (still broken)
I test rode the new 690 Duke and liked it. However, I wonder how long I could reasonably expect the bike to run? I expect a Japanese multi-cylinder to run 100K mi. with basic maintenance but what about an Austrian single? I have met several KTM owners and more than a few were in the middle of an engine rebuild. I get the impression that KTMs are awesome when they run. It's almost like KTM is the new Ducati. Remember Ducatis from the 90s? Flaking cams, weird electrical problems, horrible service manuals. My friend's Adventurer use to eat water pumps every 20K. The rear wheel hubs came loose on some of the new Superdukes. There was a reviewer from the UK that had a host of things go wrong with his long term 1290 Super Duke. I like the KTMs and they look to be great fun but if I buy the bike it will also have to fill the job of being reliable transportation. If it can't expect it to be reliable then I guess I should be looking at a different brand. Thoughts? Opinions?
 
The answer depends on a lot of things. I have a 2010 690 Enduro and I love it. I would imagine that the miles I have put on it are not typical for 690 Enduro owners, as they are probably 3/4 hard offroad riding in anything from single track to open desert. The bike had performed flawlessly until about halfway through this year's Baja trip, when it blew up. I haven't cracked it open yet, but I am reasonably sure that it was a catestrophic ring failure. I have a bit over 15K miles on it, with the original piston and rings.

I would imagine that a 690 Duke, even ridden fairly hard on the street, should last at least 30-45K before needing any engine work, as long as maintenance was properly and regularly performed, of course. It is a pretty high strung motor, so it won't have nearly the longevity of something like a KLR or even a DR 650. It's fun as hell to ride, though. :teeth
 
DIY said:
if I buy the bike it will also have to fill the job of being reliable transportation. If it can't expect it to be reliable then I guess I should be looking at a different brand. Thoughts? Opinions?
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Yeah best to look at something else.
Check out ADV Rider, they have a lot of info on the 690 with regard to owner experiences.
I had one and it was alright but I was never counting on it being reliable transportation.
 
DIY said:
It's almost like KTM is the new Ducati.
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Even the new Ducati's aren't like the old Ducati's. And the new KTM's are plenty reliable, IMHO.

I have a 2009 SMC that I've never had an issue with it. It's due for another valve check but I've found them to be in spec during previous checks. Had two recalls, the forks were replaced under that recall even though mine weren't effected. The second recall was to replace an emissions sticker.

But I don't have a direct answer to your question on longevity of the motor, too many variables. But if you plan on going deep into six digits on the odo, plan on doing a rebuild before you would on say, a KLR.
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DIY said:
I test rode the new 690 Duke and liked it. However, I wonder how long I could reasonably expect the bike to run? I expect a Japanese multi-cylinder to run 100K mi. with basic maintenance but what about an Austrian single? I have met several KTM owners and more than a few were in the middle of an engine rebuild. I get the impression that KTMs are awesome when they run. It's almost like KTM is the new Ducati. Remember Ducatis from the 90s? Flaking cams, weird electrical problems, horrible service manuals. My friend's Adventurer use to eat water pumps every 20K. The rear wheel hubs came loose on some of the new Superdukes. There was a reviewer from the UK that had a host of things go wrong with his long term 1290 Super Duke. I like the KTMs and they look to be great fun but if I buy the bike it will also have to fill the job of being reliable transportation. If it can't expect it to be reliable then I guess I should be looking at a different brand. Thoughts? Opinions?
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big difference between a thumper KTM street motor, and a thumper KTM 4T motocross motor.

The LC4s will last a long time. There are dudes with well over 100Ks on them (look them up on ADV rider)

A 4T motocross motor will have typical rebuild MX rebuild schedules counted in hours.

Then there's the anomaly that is the RFS motors. They seem to go the distance in the street, and still have great performance.

A 690 Duke will last a long time.
 
auntiebling said:
I'd expect any modern ktm motor ton last till the first rebuild at least
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:laughing

If my 690 spins a bearing, oh well, I'm enjoying it enough to swallow the rebuild.

For a daily rider, though, I got the Hyperstrada. IMO, a Duke 690 isn't a great daily rider/commuter/roadtripper - from a comfort/luggage/buzzing standpoint.
 
I don't think I'd ever buy a used 690. I'd be concerned that the previous owner might have cheaped out and run cheaper oil instead of that one outrageously expensive Motorex oil exclusively made for the 690 engine.
 
Just to add if it matters. I am thinking about the new 2016 model that doesn't buzz.
 
There have been quite a few changes since 2011. Increased displacement to a true 690 cc, better counter balancing, etc.
 
I've heard they last just long enough to get to LaPaz.....

:p
 
My LC4 SuperMoto blew up at about 20k or something. I changed the oil religiously, all 3 filters were kept clean and regular maintenance done, but I also rode it very hard. ymmv w/ the newer bikes.
 
If you are looking for longevity, thumpers, let alone a high performance one is not what you should be considering. I here about these unicorn thumpers that make 50k miles without their engines ever being opened up, even seen one. But I truly think they are the outliers statistically.

Problem is, you really cant tell the condition of them until you tear them open.... and then you may as well rebuild it anyways. I know of plenty of thumpers like XR L's, DRZ's etc that are far less high strung than say the KTMs..... going boom long before 20 or 25k miles. I'd budget for at least that if not sooner if it were me. But I tend to rebuild before they go boom.... its cheaper that way.

You dont buy these kinds of bikes and expect low maintenance or high miles between rebuilds like a street bike.

Just my opinion and experience, others may vary. Take with a grain of salt.
 
OaklandF4i said:
If you are looking for longevity, thumpers, let alone a high performance one is not what you should be considering. I here about these unicorn thumpers that make 50k miles without their engines ever being opened up, even seen one. But I truly think they are the outliers statistically.

Problem is, you really cant tell the condition of them until you tear them open.... and then you may as well rebuild it anyways. I know of plenty of thumpers like XR L's, DRZ's etc that are far less high strung than say the KTMs..... going boom long before 20 or 25k miles. I'd budget for at least that if not sooner if it were me. But I tend to rebuild before they go boom.... its cheaper that way.

You dont buy these kinds of bikes and expect low maintenance or high miles between rebuilds like a street bike.

Just my opinion and experience, others may vary. Take with a grain of salt.
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What I hear you saying is that single cylinder bikes are less reliable than two. So, you're suggesting to get the two-cylinder SXV/RXV. ;)

:ride
:teeth

:eboy
:(
 
I owned at 2013 690 duke and got rid of it at 15k miles. Even though I havent put enough miles on it, I can tell you it was a solid motor and very easy to work on. I opened up the valve cover at 10K miles to check valve clearance and the motor still look pretty good.

I just didnt like the oil consumption, It ate about 0.5L for every 1000 miles. regular maintenance could easily last it longer.

I never had any issue other than the thermostat broke and overheated. So i bought one that kicked the fans on at a lower temp because they run hot.

My overall impression on that bike was pretty good. I think it can go well over 100k with really good spot on maintenance.
 
OaklandF4i said:
:rofl if you like splitting engine cases......

You tested the new toy hauler recently? Cow Mtn is waiting....
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Yeah, tested it at Buttonwillow last weekend. Awesome having it there! :thumbup Pain in the ass filling/getting it there and emptying/getting it home.:thumbdown Overall judgment is still pending.
 
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