KTM 690 Nomad ADV & RallyIntroducing the KTM 690 Nomad
Ever since we introduced the Husqvarna 701 Nomad, we received questions if the 701 kit will fit the 690. Short answer: No it won't. The 690 frame is different to the 701 in several ways. There is a different dashboard and the mounting to the rear is different too. The KTM 690 Nomad is thus based on the 701 Nomad design but there are only 3 interchangeable parts: the screen, the screen mounting brackets and the machined cross members… the rest is all new! Mounting the tower to the headstock is done using machined clamps which bolt on to the headstock (no welding or drilling required to the frame). Obviously the KTM 690 will benefit from a modification or two to make it a real long distance bike. We've therefore designed the travel-tower/fairing, a luggage rack that can take a duffle bag, a proper skid/bash plate which unlike many others also protects the frame, a brake cylinder protector, bar risers in various sizes and upgraded suspension front and rear. |
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Road legal and complete, also available in kit form
The KTM 690 Nomad is road legal. Making a product and then simply labelling it 'for off-road use only' to avoid all kinds of problems at the design stage, is not the way we work. We build a full blown travel bike and that means it has to be legal for on-road use too, pure and simple. We also wanted the Nomad to be complete. Our adventure tower for instance is a lot more than just an aluminium structure to which you have to adapt all sorts of brackets and holders in order to mount what you need, as we've seen often with other brands. Some of them don't even allow for the standard dashboard mounting! We looked at ergonomics, ease of use, practicality and looks (as we wanted it to fit the 690 style too). We also wanted something which would be easy to repair out in the field and be strong and adaptable. As any blacksmith will tell you, welding weakens the material, that's why we've opted for an all bolted construction. This also allows for partial disassembly of one side, so you can work on the wiring from the other and it makes it a lot easier to straighten out after a prang. Replacement parts are available and to allow for easy repairs while on the road quite a few of the machined parts are even interchangeable. We used commonly available components with a proven track record. The KTM 690 Nomad is also available in kit form, for you to mount on your bike, and comes complete with extensive fitting instructions (no welding or changes to the frame required).
The KTM 690 Nomad is road legal. Making a product and then simply labelling it 'for off-road use only' to avoid all kinds of problems at the design stage, is not the way we work. We build a full blown travel bike and that means it has to be legal for on-road use too, pure and simple. We also wanted the Nomad to be complete. Our adventure tower for instance is a lot more than just an aluminium structure to which you have to adapt all sorts of brackets and holders in order to mount what you need, as we've seen often with other brands. Some of them don't even allow for the standard dashboard mounting! We looked at ergonomics, ease of use, practicality and looks (as we wanted it to fit the 690 style too). We also wanted something which would be easy to repair out in the field and be strong and adaptable. As any blacksmith will tell you, welding weakens the material, that's why we've opted for an all bolted construction. This also allows for partial disassembly of one side, so you can work on the wiring from the other and it makes it a lot easier to straighten out after a prang. Replacement parts are available and to allow for easy repairs while on the road quite a few of the machined parts are even interchangeable. We used commonly available components with a proven track record. The KTM 690 Nomad is also available in kit form, for you to mount on your bike, and comes complete with extensive fitting instructions (no welding or changes to the frame required).
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Designing a proper KTM 690 Adventure bikeJust like we did with the Husqvarna 701 Nomad kit, we wanted the KTM 690 kit to look and feel like a KTM should. We also wanted nothing but top quality materials and workmanship in order to achieve the level of quality we were after. We do all our machining in-house, apart from the laser cutting, to get the level of quality we want. This is not a middle of the road adv kit but a top spec, road legal and long range travel bike, and unlike others comes at a reasonably price. We use the KTM 450RR Rally screen which has been tested in the Dakar at speeds of 170 km/hr(!) and has proven to work. Heated grips, heated vests and being able to charge a multitude of digital gizmos is no longer just a luxury, so we accommodated for it.
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It's also one of the reasons why we use LED headlights (which are E-marked for road use), to reduce the power drawn from the charging system, which means you have more available for accessories. We didn't go the easy way and fit the dinky little ones used elsewhere (most of which aren't E-marked) but opted for the brilliant Vision-X Halo 90 mm units. Yes they are more expensive but they give a serious amount of light and have the option to change the type of beam by simply changing the cover. We made each headlight individually adjustable in all directions. Vision-X claims a usable light of up to 260 mtr in spotlight form. Even if you fit 4 of them, say two flood lights, one dipped beam and a spot, and switch them all on at the same time, you're still below what the single original H4 unit uses in terms of power. The light kit we have comes complete with protective covers, which have a silicone seal to prevent dust between cover and light.
Plenty of electrical options
Our adventure tower has room for up to 12 USB charging points or up to 6 standard 12V connectors or any combination thereof. We've also incorporated 6 options for RAM-mounts as they are in our opinion the best and most versatile way to mount items like a GPS, satellite tracker, Go-Pro etc. On the dash you'll find the original digital speedo, which is now also easily readable when you are standing on the pegs. Apart from a change in the headlight cable (as we use two headlights instead of one) there is no change in the KTM wiring at all. All connectors can be re-used. You'll also find the option of 4 extra switches above in the dash panel which can be used for spotlights, heated vests and/or grips plus whatever else you want to fit. We use sturdy European made switches which can handle up to 15 Amps, no need for an extra relay. 15 Amps is more than ample for just about anything but a 12V kettle... |
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Adventure tower or Rally tower?
Well, actually both. The tower was originally designed as an Adventure tower. We used all our experience and technical knowledge done up in the field (which culminated into a motorcycling world record) to build a tower that works for a traveller. Most rally towers block too much of your vision. You can't see the front wheel when going slowly over the remains of that old bridge or the rock and hole infested track leading up to it, and they are too high. When you look at the photos you'll see that, unlike with most rally towers, a large portion of the KTM Rally screen fitted to our adventure tower is un-blocked to allow full view of what's ahead. But then we started to received more and more comments that it has all the basics to make it into a very good rally tower as well… That's why we've developed, together with a rally bike builder, a rally kit for it. It's a simple yet flexible and sturdy addition to the Nomad tower, which can be bolted on without disassembling the tower. For more details see here. There is plenty of vision on each side of the tower, which is kept as narrow as possible. Inside the tower you'll find the original KTM wiring, no need to cut and splice, it's all out of the weather and no dangling mess of wires on the outside either. All the power for charging points and switches comes through it's own cable and fuses, directly from the battery. We're thus not putting any extra strain on the original wiring. Your warranty is thus unaffected. |
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Aux fuel tanks?
The KTM 690 Enduro R does not have to comply to the Euro 4 standard, including the 2017 model, as it is an existing model which is on the way out. Auxiliary fuel tanks are thus available from Safari Tanks for instance, although at a cost. Another option is to use Rotopax tanks. They have a sturdy and simple mounting system and can take some abuse. To allow travelling in remote areas we have developed a mounting plate which fits our (and many other brands) pannier/soft luggage rack. On the rear luggage rack there is room for another Rotopax. When empty the 3 tanks only add 4kg. Obviously the bright red Rotopax look hideous, which is why we made a cover for them! They can stay on the Rotopax at all times, and protects the Rotopax from the worst of the elements. They have an opening flap, to access the standard Rotopax mount. To be honest, in the end we feel we've come to a much better solution than fitting auxiliary tanks. You don't need to fit the Rotopax when you don't need them, but still have the option when you do. On long trips you can take them off and leave them on the campground or at the hotel to explore that gnarly trail without being hampered by a big cumbersome fuel tank. The weight distribution is better too as we can fit Rotopax tanks front and rear. At the same time you can still take up to 23 litres of fuel for a fraction of the cost of a large tank. |
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Soft luggage options
Quite a few off-spins have emerged from our work with the Husky 701, which work equally well on the KTM 690 Enduro. Our Nomad Pack Plate for instance which allows for easy soft luggage fitment. Simply throwing saddle bags over the seat is no longer an option (if it ever was a good one in the first place is debatable...) as the heat generated by the exhaust will melt the plastic bodywork of the bike they cover. Forget dinky heat shields, they don't work. The only thing that does work is to fit a proper rack, which not only secures your bags properly and makes mounting them a lot easier, it also creates an air gap between bag and bodywork. Made for riders We've made everything for the KTM 690 Enduro from a travelling point of view. The rear luggage plate for example is not a small tiny one but properly sized to allow throwing on a duffle bag. We've also positioned it further forward, which means the bag will be over the fuel filler cap, but using the excellent ROK-straps that means only two clicks (and two seconds) to access it. We've also developed a soft luggage range at the moment, specifically for long term travel, another result of working on the Husky and realising there isn't actually anything that fits and works as well as it should. Not the bonanza of buckles and straps everywhere as found on other bags, which makes fitting them a pain, and not as ridiculously expensive either. And before you ask, no we're not going to have it made in China... In fact nothing we've made for the KTM is made in China. 95% is made right here in Holland, the remaining 5% of it elsewhere in Europe. How can we make a top quality product for this price? That's a question we've heard many times. The answer is quite simple: we build it ourselves, we love what we do and and our hourly rate is more than reasonable as we don't have extravagant lifestyles. You will not find an expensive limousine in front of our workshop that you have to pay for. In fact we don't have a car at all as we prefer to ride a bike. We are a small company with low overheads, we do not skimp on quality or workmanship and only use top quality materials. |
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The KTM 690 Nomad Adventure and Rally at a glance
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Quick facts
• Made by travellers for travellers • Built to your specification • Original KTM450RR Dakar screen • RAM mount options for GPS, GoPro etc. • 2 LED E-marked lights • Wide range of electrical options • Factory warranty is unaffected • Anodised or powder coated • Marine and aircraft grade aluminium • 100% Made in Europe, 95% made in Holland |
The KTM 690 Nomad Adventure is made to order, as everyone's requirements are different and the design allows for a lot of adaptability. We can supply them in kit form (whereby we assume you have the basic skills to fit it yourself) or we can build your bike to your specification. The tower can be anodised or powder coated to virtually any colour you want. There are various options available such as USB charge points, GPS mounting points and we're happy to fit options we probably never even thought of too. All this has to be known before anodising or powder coating, which is why they are made to order. Each bike or kit is built on order and to specification
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Kit includes:
- 690 Nomad Adventure tower - Clear KTM450RR Dakar screen - 2x LED E-marked Vision-X Headlights - 2x Vision-X headlight covers - Nomad Adventure tower sticker kit - KTM 690 Rear luggage rack in black - Skidplate anodised in black - Brake cylinder protector |
Kit includes:
- 690 Nomad Adventure tower - Clear KTM450RR Dakar screen - 2x LED E-marked Vision-X Headlights - 2x Vision-X headlight covers - Nomad Adventure tower sticker kit - Nomad tower rally kit - Skidplate anodised in black - Brake cylinder protector |
