Introduction of new emission norms last year forced all manufacturers to shelve a few models since they were unviable to have a ramped up production to suit new rules. The Austrian manufacturer, KTM, too had to undergo this process and amongst the many models taken down were the 690 Enduro (title image) and 690 Supermoto.
Luckily, however, it seems like KTM just couldn’t completely let go of these babies and is currently undergoing a full testing phase of their brand new iterations that will conform to new laws. Our friends at MCN managed to snap a few pictures of the Enduro and the Supermoto doing a full production model tests.
Both the bikes we are talking about here ran the same 690 engines including the Duke, which surprisingly was the only one that received a newly upgraded engine spec to confirm Euro IV norms. And with Husqvarna’s 701 Enduro and 701 Supermoto entering the markets, the 690 Enduro and Supermoto had a very faint chance of coming back.
But looking at these spy-snapped images, our fears have been finally put to rest. These new machines will have an upgraded motor that will put out close to a healthy 73 hp (5 more than the previous), which coupled with the inherent lightness, will make it them tremendous handling performers.
The new engine will be similar to the Duke 690’s which gets a second balancer shaft making the engine run more refined and smooth. Of course, you’ll find both the bikes come with larger exhaust manifolds to contain the excess particulates from getting out.
Nothing much can be said about the technical changes, but both the bikes seem to have an unchanged chassis architecture. They were good before, and KTM knows this. The body, however, sees a new flair with the bodywork gaining new creases beside the tank and the lights now getting LED treatment.
It is slimmer towards the front and gets the rider closer to the front end for better control. The seats appear to have an upgrade as well with better cushioning to make long strides more comfortable than the previous editions.
The 690 Enduro seems to have an upgraded front suspension that makes use of the WP unit from the 500 EXC–F probably. That means the suspension travel will not be increased from 250 mm to 300 mm and with it, offroading on this will get even better.
These bikes may enter the markets at the end of this year or as a 2019 edition along with the 790 Adventure R KTM showcased at the 2017 EICMA as a prototype.