KTM has turned the 690 Enduro R into a long-range rally bike. The 2027 KTM 690 Rally keeps the dual-sport’s engine, frame, suspension, and brakes, then adds a rally tower with a windshield, slim rally bodywork, and two front-mounted fuel tanks to increase range. KTM calls it the spiritual successor to the 640 Adventure, with some hardware from the high-performance 450 Rally Replica. Production starts in Austria this month, and the bike reaches US dealers next month. KTM has not announced a price.
Photograph by Andreas Balaz.
Fuel capacity climbs to 5.3 gallons. Two front-mounted tanks add 1.8 gallons to the rear tank’s 3.5 gallons, a roughly 50% increase over the 690 Enduro R. The front tanks sit low on both sides of the frame, ahead of the engine. A dedicated fuel-management system lets the rider switch between the front and rear tanks with the handlebar-mounted switch cube. A low-fuel light reports on the selected tank.
A purpose-built rally tower carries the windshield, the headlight, and the display. This piece separates the Rally from the Enduro R visually and functionally. It provides wind protection on fast sections, and it mounts the LED lighting derived from the 450 Rally Replica. The 4.2-inch TFT display is the same unit used on the Enduro R, and it is mounted in the tower. Your smartphone can connect to the dash wirelessly with the KTMconnect app.
The bodywork is new from the tower back. The slim Rally side panels are new, and the handguards are standard. KTM lists the seat height at 35.8 inches, an inch lower than the Enduro R. The wide footpegs are designed to shed mud, with rubber inserts available for pavement riding. The rear fuel tank is a self-supporting plastic structure that doubles as the subframe.
The Rally weighs 356 pounds without fuel. That is 21 pounds more than the 690 Enduro R, and it is roughly what the Enduro R weighs with its smaller tank full. With the Rally’s 5.3-gallon tank filled, it weighs about 388 pounds. The range and wind protection come with a weight penalty.
The 690 Rally carries over all the updates the 690 Enduro R received last year. Both bikes use the 693cc LC4 single, rated at 78 horsepower and 54 lb-ft of torque. The 6-speed gearbox pairs with an assist-and-slipper clutch and Braktec hydraulics. The 690s share the same chromoly trellis frame and a 59.3-inch wheelbase. The WP Xplor suspension units are unchanged, as are the Brembo brakes and Continental Twinduro TKC 80-shod wheels. The electronics package is also shared, including cornering ABS and cornering MTC fed by a 6D sensor, Offroad ABS that allows rear-wheel lockup, a dedicated ABS-off button, and optional Rally ride mode with enhanced traction rider aids.
KTM did not create a new motorcycle. KTM started with the capable 690 Enduro R platform, and built a fuel-carrying system and a wind protection unit. These are features that aren’t always easy to add on your own. The Rally arrives with the tanks plumbed, the tower wired, and the whole thing homologated and warrantied. Whether that is worth it comes down to the price, which KTM has not published yet. If the 2027 KTM 690 Rally is close to the Enduro R’s $13,399 MSRP, there will be rejoicing everywhere.
In our first segment this episode Don Williams takes us for a ride on arguably the most comfortable British take on the American cruiser: the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster. It’s a superbly relaxed motorcycle in an equally relaxed state of tune, so while you shouldn’t be swayed by the “Speed” in its name, there’s a lot more to the Speedmaster than you might imagine.
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Now here’s a really cool event you absolutely cannot miss—yes, we’re rapidly approaching the 34th Annual Biketoberfest Rally in Daytona Beach, sunny Florida.Biketoberfest this year runs October 15th through the 18th. Biketoberfest is all about the beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, and motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway. And don’t forget, there are miles of spectacular rides along the famous A1A, the historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. There really is something for everyone here, and almost every event and attraction is free to attend. So, if you want a fun few days out in the Florida sunshine, Biketoberfest really is the place to be. Make sure you download the Biketoberfest mobile App from Apple or Google Play or visit www.biketoberfest.orgfor more details.
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In our second segment this episode Teejay Adams catches up with World Cup Bagger racer, Archie McDonald who first came on this podcast last December. Whether you’ve watched any of the World Bagger Cup racing or not, you’ve likely heard of it. Despite a lot of initial skepticism, the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup really seems to have captured the racing public’s imagination. The Championship is now being led by Archie, and despite never having seen most of the tracks before, that he’s beating several very experienced and highly talented competitors, shows what an amazing talent he is. Archie is also extremely mature for his just 19-years of age, and sadly, in the last few months he’s had to grow up even faster after his older brother Toby took his own life in April. Archie brings us up to date with his racing for the Joe Rascal team, and he speaks candidly with Teejay about his brother and how Toby’s passing has affected him.
Fair warning: if you’re sensitive to this topic please be careful listening to this segment, and if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, know that support is available. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In Australia, you can contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.
Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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