Expensive
 

My friend has just bought a 690 (he's not actually taken delivery of it yet), but I can tell you from his research that Rally Raid fairing, larger tanks and maybe a more comfortable seat all adds up to a very large cost! I think the tanks are �800 and the fairing was something crazy like �1500.

He's going to try it in standard form first and see how he gets on, but I have a feeling he will end up spending big in the end.... Or wishing he'd saved a tonne of cash and bought a Tenere like me :-)

I won't mention the flighty ride to him just yet but will be interested to see what he thinks when he gets it.

It is expensive, but for cost of 990 Adventure i can have 690 + rally kit.
Together with painting and graphics rally kit will cost around 1800-1900 pounds.
Bike for around 5000 and for 7000 we have rally bike replica. Yes - my Tenere was 4000 pounds and with mods maybe 4500, but... didn't stand abuse in the end :-(
Trouble is... still haven't make up my mind what i want :-)

Oh, one more thing - my mates are blaming me for blowing the gearbox for not changing oil enough often - i was sticking to manufacturer guidance and i have change my oil after 6000 miles (fully synthetic Motul 10W40 and then fully synthetic Silkolene 10W40)... They saying with my style of riding i should change oil after 2-3k... what you think guys?

The Rally Raid EVO 2 tanks and fairing with a set of graphics is about �2000. Nothing needs painting, panels come with gel coat in 2/3 different colours and graphics go straight on.

This adds 10kg (without fuel) the the front of the bike which balances the bike out nicely. I have difficulty telling if my bike is empty or full of fuel, it feels the same. If the front end still feels loose there is a facility within the headstock to change the rake by 2 deg which adds further stability.

My bike is rock solid at the front, never had any headshake or feeling of lightness in the front end, that is with the standard rake.

I'm interested to know where the 690 is to small. Do you mean between the seat and the pegs? There are lower pegs available.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...psgl6lsp6r.jpg


Nick.

Did you ever think about completly changing the engine, there are a few on fleebay for a price that you paid for a service. (opt for international search)
We do have very good expirience with semi sythetic oil , i.e. Motul 3100 or 5100 on our Tour-XT�s. 100.000 km are no problem at all.
Personaly, i change every 5000 km and filter every 10.000 due to poor fuel quality in the Andes, never ever any gear box issues.

cheers,
Joe

Hi Joe, At the moment plan is to strip the engine, and see if it's repairable. I can't do this due to limited experience, but one of my mates back in Poland offer help, so i will take engine out, stick in to my car boot and take with me to Poland. If it's beyond repair then plan B is to buy second hand engine.
Everything only to sell the bike though...

Hi Nick, thanks for a great input:-)
I was considering rally raid kit, but it's a matter of taste, and i prefer look of this set:

http://www.albertodottori.net/ktm%20...ica%20race.htm

This set looks like proper dakar replica, and unpainted cost 1600 pounds. With paint and some graphic it will cost around 1800-1900.

Rally raid kit is made from better material and overall finish is very good from what i have research, also spare parts are cheaper (one side of rally raid tank as a spare part is 100 quid and one side tank from Italy is 460). But... Italian set is just prettier when properly fitted...

And in regards to 690 size - my biggest problem is the front of the bike. After riding Tenere which is in the size of pregnant cow i have sit on the 690 and... bike has disappeared... it was only me and the power :-) The fact that there is not much of the fairing at the front and no tank is creating impression that you riding nuclear powered pushbike :-) I know it's in my head, and i want two impossible things going together - big size and good offroad capabilities - this is why i'm struggling so much to make a choice between 690 and 990.

I've not seen one personally, but I understand there is a lot of work required to fit/finish the Dotorri fairings.

Have you seen the kit from Australia?

http://www.dalbymoto.com.au/adventur...00rr-exclusive


Nick.

shoot, engine failure??? that not what I'd expect from yamaha... :(

how come it is advertised as bullet proof engine...

It is bullet proof, mate. Just sh*t happens sometimes.

what year was that bike from and how many miles on it?