TRAVERSE 125
NEWS
There was a time when a large-capacity single-cylinder adventure motorcycle was one of the most obvious choices for riders wanting to travel beyond the end of the road. KTM played a significant role in that era with motorcycles such as the 640 ADVENTURE, but as the adventure market moved increasingly towards twincylinder machines, the big single became something of a specialist proposition.
For 2027, KTM is bringing the concept back with the 690 RALLY.
Described by KTM as the spiritual successor to the 640 ADVENTURE, the new model is based on the current 690 ENDURO R but has been substantially reworked around the needs of riders covering long distances in remote country. Rather than buying an Enduro R and adding a rally tower, larger fuel tanks and navigation equipment, the 690 RALLY arrives from the factory with the major components integrated into the motorcycle.
At the heart of the motorcycle is KTM ' s latestgeneration 692.7cc LC4 single-cylinder four-stroke engine. It produces a claimed 79 PS at 8000rpm and 73Nm of torque at 6750rpm, with the power delivered through a six-speed gearbox. The engine uses Keihin electronic fuel injection, ride-by-wire throttle control and twin ignition, while KTM says the latest LC4 incorporates revisions to the crankcase, oil system, intake, airbox and fuel system.
For a motorcycle intended to cover substantial distances away from civilisation, KTM has also concentrated on service requirements. The company lists 15,000-kilometre oil-change intervals, while valveclearance checks are scheduled at 30,000 kilometres.
But it is the fuel system that immediately separates the RALLY from the standard 690 ENDURO R.
Two additional front-mounted tanks contribute seven litres, working with the 13-litre rear tank to provide a total capacity of 20 litres. KTM has incorporated the tanks directly into the motorcycle ' s design rather than treating them as an aftermarket conversion. A dedicated fuelmanagement system allows the rider to select between the front and rear tanks from a handlebar-mounted switch.
That additional capacity is more than a styling exercise. For riders travelling through remote areas, particularly where fuel stops can be hundreds of kilometres apart, carrying substantially more fuel can make the difference between having to plan a route around petrol stations and simply following the terrain. Up front, the 690 RALLY gets a purpose-built rally tower with an integrated windshield. The headlight unit takes its design cues from KTM ' s 450 RALLY REPLICA, while the tower provides a more conventional rally-style cockpit for riders who spend long periods standing on the pegs and navigating unfamiliar terrain. KTM says the screen also provides greater wind protection during faster liaison sections, reducing fatigue over long days.
The cockpit is centred around a 4.2-inch TFT display, with ride modes, navigation and motorcycle information presented through the compact instrument layout. KTMconnect smartphone connectivity provides turn-byturn navigation along with music and phone functions, while a USB-C charging port and 12V socket are included. Cruise control will be available as an option.
Underneath the rally bodywork, the motorcycle retains the basic architecture of the 690 ENDURO R, although KTM has added mounting points required for the rally equipment and revised the platform ' s frame characteristics. The result is a machine that sits somewhere between a conventional dual-sport motorcycle and a full rally-raid machine.
Suspension comes from WP ' s XPLOR range, with 48mm USD forks offering separate compression and rebound adjustment. The rear uses a WP XPLOR shock with a Pro-Lever linkage and adjustment for preload, rebound and high- and low-speed compression damping. Wheel travel is 265mm at the front and 250mm at the rear, giving the 690 RALLY the suspension capacity expected of a motorcycle designed to spend serious time away from smooth roads.
The chassis rolls on a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel combination, with spoked aluminium rims and Continental TKC 80 tyres as standard. Ground clearance is 265mm, while the seat sits at 935mm. KTM lists the motorcycle ' s weight at 161.5kg without fuel.
That last figure is significant. With 20 litres of fuel on board, the motorcycle will obviously weigh considerably more in riding condition, but the dry figure illustrates where KTM has positioned the machine. This is not intended to be a stripped-back competition bike like
TRAVERSE 125