Nelson-Rigg?s light-but-durable Sierra Dry Saddlebags are attached to KTM?s tubular Case Carrier System. Even holding just a spare tube, the Front Fender Bag makes the fender flex a lot over rough terrain. Photos by Kevin Wing.
We’ve got a soft spot for the hard-edged KTM 690 Enduro R dual-sport. As we reported in our December 2017 review, the 690 is light, powerful, agile and imminently capable, a bike that steps up anyone’s off-road game as long as you can get a leg over its 35.8-inch seat. But the KTM?s 67-horsepower single is buzzy, its seat is rock-hard and its 3.2-gallon tank limits range. We kept the 690 in our long-term fleet to see if we could address these issues.
KTM?s Progressive Handlebar Damping System reduces vibration in the grips; we wish a taller riser was available. To counteract buzz felt through the grips, we installed KTM’s Progressive Handlebar Damping System ($199.99), a CNC-machined handlebar mount with vibration-damping rubber inserts. Vibration hasn’t been eliminated, but it’s been reduced enough to prevent fatigue and hand tingling, especially at the end of a long ride. Comfort has been further transformed by a Seat Concepts saddle (starting at $294.99), which is wider in the back and has denser, more supportive foam without increasing seat height. With a gripper top, faux carbon-fiber sides and orange stitching, it’s a perfect match for the KTM, and I did a 300-mile day with no discomfort.
The Seat Concepts sa...