Been more than a year, so thought I'd give an update. It's been a move year for us, so none of the bikes have had a lot of use in 2021. Yesterday I finally got the 690 out for a great ride.
Took the bike on a "End State Maintenance" road I found a few years ago. Back then I did not want to take the heavy Tenere on what looked to be an abandoned rutted out road. I noted it in my head and told myself to return with a more appropriate bike someday.
The road finally justified the knobbies I've been running on the 690. Honestly I've been considering changing to a Trials tire on the bike. The gravel roads I usually run are either too hard, or too gravelly for the knobby to offer any traction. Most of the time they've been counterproductive at best. Going through one of the mud holes on the "road" yesterday I found myself in a deeper and gooier hole than anticipated. Surprised...yes, concerned...no. That 21" knobby studded front of the ideally balanced 690 made the mud hole a breeze to cross...both times.
I'm pretty sure it was a legit road. I saw a lot of posted signs along the road, and I don't think people post those in the middle of their property. The road was rutted out, not all that rocky, and occasionally down to just two single tracks running through the woods. The bike never gave any cause for concern. In fact, I was really enjoying remember that, "oh yeah, I really do know how to ride dirt." It may sound odd coming from a guy named Dirt_Dad, but I ride so much pavement lately, that you kinda forget that you have dirt skills tucked away in your brain. It felt good to be picking a line through the ruts, wheeling over when necessary and just generally relying on long dormant skills.
The bike was the perfect tool for this road. After a couple of miles I took a break to take some pictures. That's when the thought crept in. I wondered how often someone travels this road. I saw no other tracks either 2 or 4 wheel. I felt isolated. No phone signal, no riding buddy, no tracker, DM clueless about where I'm at....this might not be smart. So I thought it prudent to turn around and vowed to come back when I have a riding buddy or at least a tracker before finishing the road.
Too cautious? Maybe...I never experienced anything that made me feel the bike or myself was going to be pushing the edge of our abilities. It was strictly a decision based on isolation, and the thought if something happened it could be a week or two before anyone happened by. I guess this 50-something year old guy just likes having his bases covered and I'm willing to walk (ride) away if I feel it's prudent.
The 690 was flawless all day. I really appreciate it has no rider aids. No traction control, no ABS, it forces me to ride and not become lazy. It only shocked me once. I went for a 3rd gear wheelie and it came up so fast and so high way quicker than I was anticipating. I'm used to fighting against the electronics on my SAS, so most of my wheelies lately are electronically muted. Still enjoyable, but mistakably limited. Ain't nothing artificially limiting wheelies on the 690. It gave me a refresher course and we worked together great after that one.
Overall, the 690 remains a blast to ride. Not much fun on long, high speed jaunts between riding areas. The wind blast will wear you down after a couple of hours. But get it off pavement and it will put a smile on your face. It is light weight, perfectly balanced, easy to ride slow, and has all the power I could ever want.
The 690 remains a keeper.