-From Richard, co-founder Westwind Moto
As hardcore off-road motorcycle travelers, we spent over a decade using every holiday we could find to ride out into the wild. What we needed most was a bike that was light, highly capable off-road, and able to carry enough supplies for journeys lasting more than ten days.
That is when the KTM 690R caught our eye. Lightweight, powerful, and torque rich, this single cylinder machine delivered explosive performance at just 140 kilograms. Most importantly, it had enormous potential for customization, making it the perfect base for building a lightweight adventure bike.
We equipped it with a larger fuel tank, a windscreen, a wider seat, upgraded lighting, heated grips, and extended footpegs. Each modification was carefully chosen to improve comfort and highway capability without sacrificing its off-road agility. Even after loading it with saddlebags, the total weight stayed low, making it much easier to pick up alone after a tip over in the backcountry.
Back then, the KTM 690 was not easy to find. We had to call in favors and pay a premium to secure a properly imported, road legal model.
For more than ten years this bike has been our faithful companion. Together we have climbed mountains and crossed rivers. Dependable, rugged, and truly irreplaceable...
It is still riding with us today.
