Well on paper a 690 with a lot more HP less weight and a motor that needs looking after is a conundrum!!!,the fly in ointment,I've read one post about an XT(on a KTM site) with mods(mine has) isn't far short of a 690 and I have to say mine potters along quite well,thats only one post but food for thought,and as I've found out with another bike,it's just as easy shedding weight for a performance gain as opposed to working on the motor.