I recently acquired my Ten after looking for a reliable long distance bike with a decent tank range. Now, I've ridden the Ten before and I know they arent really known for earth shattering power. They do however get the job done and will get you where you want to be.

I come from a long line of LC8 KTM's (950's and 990s for those not familiar) I also had a XR650R, so I sort of know what a decent performing single should run like. I was looked at funny by my mates when I eventually took possession of the bike and I must say I really like the ergo's. Im 1.95 and about 110kg so im not small by any means.

The bike came stock with a DNA 2 and a decatted OEM exhaust. I didnt care much for the exhaust, so I dumped it for a 2 into 1. This gave the bike a decent gain in bottom end and made it sound a little better too.

Now, I have no idea what a good performing 660 should feel like, but im guessing im missing a bit of ponies up top. The bike seems the holding back and im almost always going everywhere at 90 % throttle. I seem to feel a slight surge at 4500rpm too.


So ideally... Id like the bike to near a stock 690 KTM power levels. Can this be done without too much drama?

Low 50s rwhp is easily possible without spending too much money - PCV, stage 1-3 air filters, pipes and a bit of dyno time. To get any more than that (and to get close to 690 power) you're going to have to invest a lot of time, money and effort - big bore, longer stroke, heads, cams etc. All of which will ruin your low to mid-range power on the XT motor. However, it will go like sh!t off a stick if you give it some revs!

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Don't forget the KTM is 50kg lighter

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Lol

Don't be that guy.

So a pcv us really necessary?

Out of intrest... what sort of power does a stock 690 make? 55 rwhp ?

Stock 690 is somewhere around 70 hp

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Surely not rear wheel power?

Wow really? Doesn't feel that strong.... feels kinda choked up in stock form.

Stock 690 power is quoted by KTM at 49kW (66.6hp).

Rear wheel power is normally on a chain driven bike about 8% less so theoretically the 61.3hp and according to the dyno it pretty much is...



Most stock XTs make around 43.5hp on the dyno. The 690 in stock trim is 41% more powerful than an XT (on paper anyway) - which is, in any ones book, a LOT more!

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Combine that with the weight difference and you have chalk and cheese.


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The trouble is if you do too much to the Tenere 's engine in the pursuit of horsepower you will as Pleiades says ruin the bottom end grunt and just end up with a bike that's nearly as powerful as the KTM but still much heavier. ..if you look at what JaumeV has done, and Jmo, great grunty, lighter better handling bikes .. but not so far on the tuning front as to spoil the low end grunt and reliability. I was worried I'd miss the grunt of my XR650R, but as I rack up more miles on it I'm loving it! The thought of tearing down a Green Lane on a 70bhp Tenere is too scary for me!! Steve

Problem is performance usually comes at the price of reliability. The only KTM I ever had (1981 two stroke 495) went like stink but it needed loads of expensive parts and I spent way too much time fixing instead of riding. Just my pennies worth. Formula 1 cars are lovely but look at the pit crews they need. Take your pick and analyse whats important to you.

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2010 XT660Z Blue, Exan can, UFO high front fender, SW Motech baseplate, heated grips, 12v point, Kevs Fuel & O2 mod, DNA Stage 2 Filter and cover, Givi tall screen, Mefo mfe 99s, Kevs throttle mod, TT high seat and 'compass'