Nice overview, i just picked up a 2016 Enduro R and have had a 2006 XR650L for over 3 years. For the clutch pull, i have installed a bearing in the lever pivot and new cable that has improved the pull dramatically. Seat is correct, i do not have a seat concepts (yet) but the XR is way better. I ended up putting up Rox bar risers on the XR and now it way better to stand up and ride without being hunched over.

The 650 puts a big smile on your face and the 690 puts an even bigger smile on your face.

Enjoyed your well reasoned and presented video. Used to own an '83 XL600 with XR500 suspension on it back in the late 80s, that was one of my favorite bikes. Oh man, could I do wheelies for days on that versatile and fun machine... I currently have a dedicated dirt bike (KTM 300 XC) and a big ADV bike (Super Tenere 1200) and have a '23 Husky 701 that sits between them. I live in Colorado and can ride from my garage to fun trails via back roads, so I am pretty well in perfect "690 country". One thing worth mentioning is the new LC4s come fueled very lean, and they have hot running CATs in their massive mufflers to comply with Euro 5. My 701 runs great, but only after I put a Yosh exhaust on it and added a PC6 with Rottweiler's map. Before the fueling mods, my 701 was surprisingly weak off idle. Post mods it chugs hard off idle like a near 700cc thumper should, which negates a lot of the need for clutch slipping unless it is truly tight going. If it is running and ya want to get the revs up, just turn the throttle and it will turn the tire and get the revs up. Also changed out the fan switch to a lower temp unit, as the stock one is set very hot. This keeps the engine much cooler while riding slow or off road. Meanwhile in XR650L land, it is a lot cheaper and simpler to drill the CV slide and swap the spring, needle and jets in the old skool carb with a Dynojet kit like we have been doing for decades. It is much easier to tune and optimize a 650L than a 690. The newer 690s do come with very good XPLOR suspension that is surprisingly capable, but the 650L has cartridge units that can be revalved and resprung to work well for more demanding off roading too. If I could magically change things about the new 690 platform, I would get rid of to save the weight, complexity and expense of the ABS and traction control as I have them turned off all the time anyway. Ya gotta actually buy a freakin' dongle thingie to accomplish this. Especially with a free breathing exhaust and the fueling corrected, the 690 powertrain is a kick in the pants, but the gearing seemed short, I recall my old XL cruising easily at 70 while my fortified 701 was revving more than it needed to. I went on the Gearing Commander website and confirmed that ya, the stock 15/46 gearing is lower than my old XLs was. I went to 16/45 sprockets and it is perfect now, much more relaxed at highway speeds and surprisingly it is better off road too - 1st used to run out too quickly - I don't want to be revving the socks off a near 700cc thumper on the trail. Taller gearing keeps it in that just crusin' 4-5K RPM sweet spot all the time, with the power laden high revs always available if needed. My 701 is a weapon on a canyon road, sounding bad ass and quickly ripping past 100 MPH with a surprisingly hard revving top end. I do like the quick shifter - being able to leave the throttle on and shift up while carrying a wheelie is awesome. And to think I sold my fast 4 cylinder sporty bike to get the 701 - it may not go 165, but my 701 has the potential to get me into even more trouble than my old 1000 did 😆 Perhaps because I had such a great time on my old XL600, there is a part of me that wishes I had saved the cash and done a full on engine and suspension / various cool goodies modfest XR 650L project along the lines of what Rocky Mountain ATV/MC did, minus the luggage as I hate tent camping and don't want to strap a bunch of heavy crap to my dual sport. While such a bike wouldn't have 690 power, it would be fast enough, simple and unbreakable. Sounds like fun to me! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gMllfteYqdGsmJs.html

Great review. I had a 2011 690 a few years ago as well as the same XR650L. Loved both but for different reasons. After selling them both in 2017 I always missed the 690 more as a sweet spot between my 300 & 990 to ride different events or when I do medical support for enduros or adv bike events. Last year I filled that gap in my garage with a 2017 690. The XR was a nostalgic ride but remains a nice memory.

Best comparison I have watched. Great job!

This is the question and video I've been looking for

Great comparison, I had a few of the 650's Japanese dual sport in the past, as well as a 2019 690 er and one of the things that I love about the 690 is the greater distance between the seat and the foot pegs, this something that not many people talk about, but it brings much better riding comfort especially for taller riders,

You have the best KTM 690 comparison videos on U-Tube. My favorite riding tune is “Born to be Wild”. You have great videos, but I stop watching this one at 43 HP. As long as I can ride I want to be able to ride hard and fast. Thanks!

I own both bike's. 2019 Ktm 690 Enduro R and 2023 Honda XR650L. The Honda is way more leisure riding. Definitely more fun on mild terrain and casual jonts. The KTM is more aggressive and requires a little more attention to ride. I find myself on the Honda more often when riding alone. The KTM I ride when I am with a group or when I am in need of a rush. 0to60 KTM all the way. Casual relaxing Honda hands down. My opinion 😊

Interesting video,nice to hear from someone with both!Thanks from Greece.

I’ve had 2 of the xr650’s,2 Klr 650’s,adv 1190r, and now the 690. The 690 so far is the best for me. I jump it like my 426f, road it like the 1190r, and trail it like the xr650. Has it all.

the 690 is a better bike for riding, but the 650L will still be the 650L when the 690 is replaced by some newer generation of german space magic. 30 years of parts is hard to beat for any product. I've had KTMs and yeah they will piss you off with problems when they have them. I'm looking forward to having a bike that doesn't do anything great, but just works when I turn it over. The budget doesn't hurt either :)

Great review, balanced and informative 👌

That AXP bash plate on your 690 - is it the first generation one? Mine has lotsa space on the sides - too much. It could definitely be an inch or more closer to the engine on the sides. Apparently the newer Gen 2 is a more snug fit and would have preferred it but, I'm not buying a new one.

Great review of two great bikes! Thank you.

good stuff id roll either but own the BRP. hope you get to chase some today for both of us and #livetoride

Should Honda bring back XR650R? What are your opinions?

Liked and subscribed! Trusted content

I think you might like the AJP PR7. Wish they had a better dealer network in the South East.

Cool video. IMO intros and outros are the please leave your name and message after the beep with answering machines

It all comes down to how much you want/can spend on a motorcycle, the price difference is huge.

What about putting a rekluse on the ktm

Any thoughts of converting a newer 690 smc to enduro? There's seems to be more smc for sale than the enduro so you can find a better deal. I know there are some drawbacks with stiffer susp and travel. Some guys are putting 19" wheels up front. Thx for your input.

change 690 rear sprocket to 48t and it's still plenty fast on the highway

Isn't the gearing on the ktm is too tall first is too tall

What is the silver bracket on the right side of the 690?

It all depends on if you want to go ride then get home , so honda! every time.

So XR650 is not available in whole EU so my choice is KTM (XR650 is an old dog out of age (I know it is a good bike but...))

Is the seat concepts reg or xl? Thoughts on each maybe?

Should have had the 690 and xr650r thats what everyone wants to know

Not verbose ! 👍🏻

An XR650R has 61hp, a lot closer to the 690 than the L ;-)

I have the honda and am switching to the ktm...honda is too tall and underpowered

buy the honda it will keep runing

KTM!!!