Poised in a sinewy high crouch above its wheels, the 2011 KTM 690 Enduro is an off-road motorcycle that is at home on roadways also. Falling at the robust end of dirt bikes, this machine’s 654cc, four-stroke engine is capable of spinning up a sturdy 62 horsepower at 7500 rpm, while torque peaks at 47.2 lb-ft just slightly lower, at 6000 rpm. The motorcycle is strong enough to carry a passenger and some luggage as well as tackling rough off-road terrain, making it a versatile and nearly universal vehicle for dirt bike enthusiasts. There are foot pegs for the driver only.
Smooth-shifting and handling cornering with ease, the 2011 KTM 690 Enduro’s most crucial measure are how well it deals with rugged off-road conditions. Stiff springing and powerful brakes help the machine cope with driving away from paved surfaces, while the suspension deals well with all types of surfaces. Some purists may find the exhaust sounds of the KTM 690 to be rather more polite than the dirt bike’s brashly confident performance demands. However, the modulated exhaust note helps to keep this motorcycle street legal.
Handlebar angles maximum control even in high-speed negotiation of difficult terrain. The chrome-molybdenum frame makes the 2011 KTM 690 Enduro R highly resistant to torsion, though the trellis construction natUrally increases the bike’s turning radius. Though certainly not the peak of comfort, this is only to be expected from an off-road motorcycle that is meant for gritty enjoyment and not luxurious cruising. Overall, the KTM 690 combines a compactly robust design, explosively energetic power backed up by the noted 47.2 lb-ft of torque, and all-around capability that makes it equally at home on the road and in the brush.