Dakar 2007: The new KTM 690 Rally is one step ahead of its p

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Dakar 2007: The new KTM 690 Rally is one step ahead of its predecessors
Thursday, January 7, 2007 - Marathon Rally - marathonrally.com



When something works, common sense tells you no to touch anything, or at least to change the least possible things. This is how it is been during the last six years, in which KTM has been taking consecutive victories such as that of Marc Coma last year or Nani Roma in 2004. The motorbike was more or less the same along these years, safe for little evolutions, but with no radical changes.

But this has been left behind now with the new 690 Rally prepared by KTM for the coming edition of the Dakar Rally. It is a completely new motorbike, built from zero, in which almost all pieces are different, but with a very precise objective: making the job of the riders easier in every sense. In other words, the KTM engineers have manufactured a motorbike in which not only riding will be easier but also the mechanical aspect, so that in case of a breakdown, the problems will be easier to solve.

One of the main features of the motorbike that will be used by the riders of the Repsol KTM Team for this edition of the Dakar is the big feeling of lightness it transmits to the rider. It weights eight kilogram less than the last year’s winning machine. However, as important as the "diet" it has undergone, is the new weight distribution. The KTM 700 Factory Rally had its weight much more in the front than the new 690 Rally, in which the engineers have been able to lower and put back the weight towards the rear wheel. Thus, even if the weight of the whole has been reduced by merely 5%, the centre of gravity has changed so much that the feeling of the handlebar is completely different; it seems as if the bike would be much lighter than those real eight kilograms. This change of weight and of the centre of gravity is reflected in a larger agility and easiness to handle the bike on every kind of ground.

A further considerable change was made to the level of the frame. The new 690 Rally has changed the traditional double beam for a completely new multitubular frame. This change is reflected in the way to absorb all the reactions of the ground and the way it transmits them now to the biker. The change is noticed especially at high speed, because the new design makes the chassis flex less, providing more stability than the previous one. Something similar happens on sand; and when you have the throttle completely opened, the bikes moves much less in the back so it becomes easier and safer to ride. On the other hand, on more technical sections, either with a lot of stones or, on the contrary, very soft surfaces, its great agility helps the rider a lot as well, because despite achieving a better stability at high speed, it doesn't mean that they will have to give up the needed agility when technique so requires.

The third noteworthy change is in the engine, which is still a 1-cylinder 4-stroke engine, although with a lower displacement. The bowels of the KTM 690 Rally have been reduced a bit; the whole has been clearly updated. The change is a much more modern engine, with a modern design in which the stroke of the connecting rod has been reduced to reach an increase of revolutions in a much faster way. Moreover, the transmission has been changed, adding a sixth gear, allowing the machine to travel much more comfortably in all those sections in which top power is needed. On the other hand, even the way it is mounted in the bike has been changed. Now the engine is placed from under the bike, fixed with two metal arms which make mounting and dismounting the engine much easier. In the KTM 690 Rally, you had to dismount the whole dumper, radiators, etc. to change the engine, now, many of these operations are not necessary any more, saving a lot of time.

Following this philosophy of simplifying everything to the most, the place of the battery, the fuses and all electrical connections has been changed. They were located in the front, behind the GPS tower and now they are under the seat. Furthermore, the seat is mounted on the structure carrying the rear fuel tank, and the two emergency drinking water tanks, which are compulsory for cases of emergency.

It also has to be said that the bike will not have its debut at the Dakar which is to start next 6 January. The official team riders have been preparing it exhaustively for almost a year. It is the current Raid World Champion machine, which was ridden by Marc Coma to win the five races of the World Championship he entered. Thus it was not only possible to test the reliability and the performance of KTM's new weapon, it also allowed the Spanish rider to participate directly in the development of the bike with which he will be fighting to regain the victory at the 2007 Dakar Rally.

The KTM 690 Rally has thus an unbeatable business card, allowing the Repsol KTM Team to face the 2007 Lisbon Dakar Rally with the largest guarantees and the hope to regain the title achieved at Senegal's capital in the past edition. After a year of exhaustive preparation of the motorbike on all kinds of terrains and conditions, the die is cast, and the KTM 690 Rally is ready for the true challenge for which it has been prepared.

KTM 690 Rally

Type of engine:
1-cylinder 4-stroke. 653,7 cc. Liquid cooled. E-starter.

Transmission:
6 gears. Multi-plate clutch, operated hydraulically.

Chassis:
Chromium molybdenum frame, powder-coated. Aluminium handlebar Ø 28/22 mm.
Seat height: 980 mm

Suspensions:
Front: WP USD Ø 52 mm. Rear: WP Monoshock.
Suspension stroke front / rear: 300 / 300 mm.

Brakes:
Front: Brake disc Ø 300 mm. Rear: Brake disc Ø 240 mm.

Fuel capacity:
Approx. 36 litres

Weight:
Approx. 152 kg.