By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Enduro
KTM 690 Enduro R (MY2019) vs Husqvarna 701 Enduro LR (MY2020+)
KTM 690 Enduro R vs Husqvarna 701 Enduro LR: which one belongs in your truck bed?
Pick your way through a rock garden on the KTM 690 Enduro R and it's the lightness you notice first, the front flicking between lines. Over those same rocks, the Husqvarna 701 Enduro LR's suspension doesn't skip or kick. It sinks into each root and ledge, then settles.
So which one do you buy?
The 690 Enduro R has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: 690 Enduro R
Once the road starts to bend, the 690 Enduro R noses ahead. It's down to a sportier chassis and more feel through the bars. Your own skill counts for more than a gap this size.
Real off-road capability
Slight edge: 690 Enduro R
In the dirt, the 690 Enduro R edges ahead. Not enough to decide it alone.
Which one's the smarter buy
Nothing in it on value
Neither bike is the clear better buy for the money. The used prices sit close enough that the choice comes down to what you ride.
What makes each one tick
690 Enduro R
On a tight, twisting trail, the 690 Enduro R's 351 lb (159 kg) dry weight means the handlebar doesn't fight a change of direction. Corner entry on pavement doesn't upset the steel trellis frame. It tips in and holds steady. Kane Creek's ruts vanish into the long-travel WP fork.
701 Enduro LR
Even with 6.6 US gal (25 L) of fuel aboard, there's no top-heavy lurch from the 701 Enduro LR, because its trellis frame holds the mass centrally. A sharp bump meets plush damping in the WP XPLOR fork. One light tug on the bar swings it over.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 701 Enduro LR has the larger fuel tank: 6.6 US gal (25 L) vs 3.5 US gal (13.3 L).
- LED Headlight: standard on the 701 Enduro LR, not offered on the 690 Enduro R.
- The 690 Enduro R has the lower dry weight: 351 lb (159 kg) vs 373 lb (169 kg).
Which one for the way you ride
These two run dead level on commuting, running costs, and a first bike. Sit on both in the showroom and trust what your body says.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
690 Enduro R
What owners say
Strengths
- Lightweight and off-road capable
- Advanced electronics for a big single
Trade-offs
- Questionable long-term reliability
701 Enduro LR
What owners say
Strengths
- Outstanding off-road capability with compliant suspension
Known problems to check before you buy
690 Enduro R
- Electrical gremlins (stator, wiring harness) Corroded connectors, failing stators, and chafed wiring harnesses have been reported, causing intermittent electrical cutouts and charging system failures.
- Recall 21V792000: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:SLAVE CYLINDER Recall 21V792000 KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 690 Enduro R, Vitpilen 701, 701 Enduro, 701 Supermoto, 2019-2020 690 SMC R, Svartpilen, 2018-2019 690 Duke, and 2020 701 Enduro LR motorcycles. The bellow-style gasket on the clutch slave cylinder may have been damaged during manufacturing, which could cause the clutch to become inoperable and not disengage when the clutch lever is pulled in.
- Fuel pump prone to failure The in-tank fuel pump is a common failure point, often triggered by contaminated fuel or heat, causing the bike to stall or not start. Many owners carry a spare or replace with an aftermarket unit.
701 Enduro LR
- Front tank fuel line abrasion (recall) Recall 21V363000 Fuel lines on the front tank can chafe against the tank, risking a fuel leak. Husqvarna issued recall HTB2105 (NHTSA 21V-363) for 2020 models to replace the lines and add a securing clamp.
- Clutch slave cylinder failure The stock clutch slave cylinder is known to leak fluid or completely fail, leading to sudden loss of clutch disengagement. Installing an aftermarket replacement is a common preventative upgrade.
- Electrical gremlins (battery drain, intermittent dash flickering, occasional cut-outs) Owners report weak batteries leading to starting problems, intermittent display flickering, and occasional engine cut-outs, often resolved by switching to a lithium battery. Poor battery performance is a commonly cited frustration.
- Recall 21V792000: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:SLAVE CYLINDER Recall 21V792000 KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 690 Enduro R, Vitpilen 701, 701 Enduro, 701 Supermoto, 2019-2020 690 SMC R, Svartpilen, 2018-2019 690 Duke, and 2020 701 Enduro LR motorcycles. The bellow-style gasket on the clutch slave cylinder may have been damaged during manufacturing, which could cause the clutch to become inoperable and not disengage when the clutch lever is pulled in.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 2-year-old 690 Enduro R with a 2-year-old 701 Enduro LR.
- 690 Enduro R
- about $10,500
- 701 Enduro LR
- about $10,900
What they share
- Displacement
- 693 cc
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Peak power at
- 8,000 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
- Rear tire
- 140/80-18
- Front travel
- 9.8 in (250 mm)
- Rear travel
- 9.8 in (250 mm)
Where the spec sheets split
| 690 Enduro R | 701 Enduro LR | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 36.8 in (935 mm) | 36.4 in (925 mm) |
| Dry weight | 351 lb (159 kg) | 373 lb (169 kg) |
| 690 Enduro R | 701 Enduro LR | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 75 hp (55 kW) | 74 hp (54 kW) |
| Torque | 54 lb-ft (74 Nm) | 52 lb-ft (71 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,500 rpm | 6,750 rpm |
| 690 Enduro R | 701 Enduro LR | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.5 US gal (13.3 L) | 6.6 US gal (25 L) |
| 690 Enduro R | 701 Enduro LR | |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | 10.4 in (265 mm) | 10.6 in (270 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 690 Enduro R | 701 Enduro LR | |
|---|---|---|
| LED Headlight | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
