640/690 compare and contrast.....
I was tempted by your new acquisition, looks a very well sorted bike.
I suppose I'm doing much of that in my mind right now, but not having lived with the 690 on a long trip yet it's still unclear.
Also both my bike's are yes, very well sorted but both aren't standard so any comparison I make may not hold true for stock bikes.
When KTM dropped the 640 Adv there was much excitement at the prospect of a new 690 Adv ...but it didn't happen!
possibly because it would be too expensive.
I never particularly liked the Rally Raid Evo 1, but this Evo 2 seems to be about right and with the additional changes Rick made to suspension, engine etc. the end product (if there ever is an end) is much more than the Adv that KTM couldn't produce.
The 690 is smoother, faster, lighter ...BUT... it has fuel injection, my 640 has an FCR 41 carb jetted perfectly and I love the way it almost responds to what I'm thinking, whereas with the 690 I need to think about the throttle more.....if that makes sense.
Both stunning bikes, with the 640 I have history, it has soul
I've been through it inside out preparing for trips, it's been reliable, kept me safe, I've always had great fun and love it..........
......the 690 I will have to make mine, for it's part, it'll need to earn that respect too and when it does, who knows what to do!
Problem is when you have to choose, like here....which would be most fun...mother or daughter?
Here's mine next to Ferret's old 690 (I say 'old' because he sold it at the end of the TAT in preference for a bike he liked the most),
so if I had to choose between these two, the 690 wouldn't even get a look in