Just out of curiosity canadian_bacon, would you lower it by instaling another shorter shock and than driping the forks or is there some other way??
The motorbike show was this past weekend where I live and luckily there was a suspension shop that specializes in KTM's. My original idea was to simply get the lowering link but after looking into it and getting some advise from experts the lowering link with affect off road performance which in no good as I plan on building my 690 E into and adventure bike (Evo 2 tank kit and all). As far as the shorter shock question, this shop builds custom springs so I haven't started talking to them in detail yet but I will let you know what they/we come up with when the time comes. To be honest I kinda knew that the lowering link solution would be too good to be true because of the extra weight that will be thrown on it.
K, thanks... Reason I asked is because I'd prefer about 8" (aprox 200mm) of suspension travel for agressive street and odd track day riding ( with 17"wheels) which will be my primary use. For the lame off-road rideing that I do (from experiance) this is a good compromise for me. But like you I will spend some time with it first and see how it goes. I'm buying a 2013 next week and looks like buying it will be the cheap part lol. I'm also looking at Evo2 (tanks only). Havent picked a dealer yet, alltho I will shop around. Having said that if the price difference is not to drastic I'd reather go with a dealer with good repor. Any sugestions in AB?? Heading to Fort mac for work next week so I need to lock one in before theyr all gone as I wont be done till end of March. Thanks
If you are going to be ripping around the track maybe consider the new duke 690? Same engine, frame, more suited for aggressive road riding. Would be a lot cheaper than getting a brand new enduro, evo kit, and 17" wheels and rubber. :). The new duke is listed roughly $1200 cheaper than the enduro, then I'd get a cheap dirt bike or dual sport to go play in the dirt with. Fixing and kitting up a 690 enduro can get pricy.
FWIW - I fitted the 1" lowering link to my 690E and dropped the triples about the same amount. I rode our local APC rally in 2012 (8000kms) with the bike fully loaded on some rough and diverse terrain. And I actually like the slight change in how the suspension works. Mind you, I am no racer, but maintain a moderate pace. I found that I needed to keep the drive chain long and the wheel back in the swingarm to avoid rubbing the tank. Set up like this, a new knobby will just graze the tank on big hits. A mate, who is vertically challenged, tried the 1 5/8" lowering link on his 690R, but it is too much and does rub the tank. So he had his suspension modded and now he is very happy with the reach to the ground and suspension performance.
Tha thing is I also want to do some adventure trips so I'll be dressing it up and down. For example when I decide to do Baja I'll throw the bike in the Van, drive down to Bay area and spend few days buzzing all the local twisties and posibly do a track day at one of the tracks. When done I will swap wheels and set up for adventure mode. At this point the van goes in a secure lock up and from there I continue down to Baja on the bike. This is how I want to do all my motorcycling from now on. No big bikes no friggn' slab. I also have an SV1000, all tricked out street fighter that was put on a major diet ...It stays but the cow needs to go. Anyone want real nice 08 Vstrom 1k
I bought my 2010 at A&E Marine in Brooks AB. Everybody in that shop is great. Everytime I go in there I end up in the back shop talking about 690's and riding trips! Hey Canadian, do have the name of that suspension shop? I was at the show on saturday and completely missed seeing any suspension guys
I HAVE 2 KUBA LINKS im using the 2" one as i am a short arse. The tyre has clearance (sag rate set) and does not hit the tank. I dont have luggage etc. G.
I don't think the tire can ever hit the tank unless you have a ginormous tire on there. I think with the shock out of the bike the tire gets close to the tank but I cannot remember if it ever hits.
I've left tire marks on my tank several times...if you bottom the shock, a Bridgestone 120/100 tire will definitely rub on the 2008 model...
hmmm guess I will have to look again. mine is an 08 and I have run some tall tires on there and I don't recall any signs of damage on the tank from direct tire contact.
I bought a '12 seat from an inmate and its a lot better than my '08. Better i think than the Corbin but ill let you know after some time. Anyway it's wider in back and has more foam than the original. Cheap(ish) upgrade. I'll post a pic shortly
Huh !?!?!?!?!? :huh You call yourself SKINNY ???? You have to be unbelievably heavy to do that. People loaded like mules ride the bike without a problem ... Really, I never heard of that, and I think I had all the problems that could be ... A friend and I were riding last summer until he kissed the ground (the circus way) for no apparent reasons ... I was laughing my lungs out thinking he was just a sucking noob, up until we rose the bike up and found this : Wedges cannot get any sexier then that ... Maybe the tractionator tires are too agressives Paul Jr 8
I was so skinny at age 18, the Army wouldn't take me... I weigh a bit more now... I run my compression dampening on the soft side and it will bottom occasionally on big hits... Driving off a 3 or 4 ft. dirt bank into a dry stream bed at speed or jumping stuff is usually the cause...
Side by side. It's hard to tell but in the back it's about 1" wider, and it's significantly more plush.
Ta - I hadn't realised that the Evo2 tanks / fairing were so newly released - no wonder no pics yet ...