By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Enduro
KTM 690 Enduro R (MY2019) vs Suzuki DR650SE (MY1996)
KTM 690 Enduro R vs Suzuki DR650SE: which one to buy for the riding you do.
Roll off the freeway onto a rutted trail and the KTM 690 Enduro R's long-travel suspension swallows the ruts; it's light enough to place where you want. The Suzuki DR650SE doesn't follow you off the pavement: it's ruled out for the dirt. It holds steady at speed, without much buzz.
So which one do you buy?
The 690 Enduro R has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: 690 Enduro R
The 690 Enduro R is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. That comes from harder acceleration and better suspension.
The DR650SE has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Nose ahead: DR650SE
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the DR650SE pulls a nose in front. Most of that is lower running costs and simpler maintenance. Your own commute could easily flip it.
Keeping running costs low
Inches ahead: DR650SE
The DR650SE is a touch easier on the wallet to run. Condition still matters more than the model.
Which one's the smarter buy
More for your money: DR650SE
The DR650SE is the better buy at these used prices.
What makes each one tick
690 Enduro R
There's no ground the 690 Enduro R likes more than rocky, technical going. Corner entry on tarmac doesn't unsettle the steel trellis frame, and the bar tips the front tire into the bend without a fight. Off the asphalt, the WP XPLOR fork doesn't quit as the ground breaks into stones and roots. The rear shock eats every rock.
DR650SE
Right off idle, the DR650SE's air-cooled single pulls cleanly, and there's no need to chase revs. At a stop sign the brake lever eases off and the motor tugs the bike away on barely any throttle. The seat's still comfortable on day three of a trip. The engine shrugs off the miles.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The DR650SE has the lower seat: 34.8 in (885 mm) vs 36.8 in (935 mm).
- The 690 Enduro R makes more peak power: 75 hp (55 kW) vs 44 hp (32 kW).
- The 690 Enduro R makes more peak torque: 54 lb-ft (74 Nm) vs 40 lb-ft (54 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Real off-road capability
Wrong tool: DR650SE
Leave the DR650SE on the pavement. Real dirt isn't what it's made for.
Nothing splits them on a first bike. Ride both back to back and the decision usually makes itself.
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
DR650SE
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable for long-distance travel
- Strong low-end and mid-range torque
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.
DR650SE
- Neutral sending unit (NSU) screws backing out The screws securing the neutral indicator sensor inside the engine can loosen over time, potentially falling into the clutch and gearbox area and causing severe damage.
- Upper chain roller mount cracking the frame The frame-mounted upper chain roller can seize, snap off, and tear a chunk out of the frame.
- Primary drive nut loosening The crankshaft nut that secures the primary drive gear can loosen, potentially causing knocking or severe engine damage.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 2-year-old 690 Enduro R with a 2-year-old DR650SE.
- 690 Enduro R
- about $10,500
- DR650SE
- about $5,500
At two years old, the KTM 690 Enduro R sits around $10,500 while the Suzuki DR650SE lands near $5,500. That's a $5,000 gap in the US market. These are estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
- Ground clearance
- 10.4 in (265 mm)
Where the spec sheets split
| 690 Enduro R | DR650SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 36.8 in (935 mm) | 34.8 in (885 mm) |
| 690 Enduro R | DR650SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 693 cc | 644 cc |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air-cooled |
| Power | 75 hp (55 kW) | 44 hp (32 kW) |
| Peak power at | 8,000 rpm | 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 54 lb-ft (74 Nm) | 40 lb-ft (54 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,500 rpm | 4,600 rpm |
| 690 Enduro R | DR650SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.5 US gal (13.3 L) | 3.4 US gal (13 L) |
| 690 Enduro R | DR650SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 5-speed |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telescopic |
| Rear tire | 140/80-18 | 120/90-17 |
| Wheelbase | 59.3 in (1506 mm) | 58.7 in (1490 mm) |
| Front travel | 9.8 in (250 mm) | 10.2 in (260 mm) |
| Rear travel | 9.8 in (250 mm) | 10.2 in (260 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 690 Enduro R | DR650SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
