2026 KTM 690 Enduro R, the platform the 690 Rally is expected to share

KTM has built its adventure lineup around big parallel-twins and V-twins for years, but a fresh set of spy photos out of Austria points to a rally-flavored single joining the family. Photographer Bernhard M. Hoehne caught a near-production prototype cruising near KTM's home base, and the bodywork leaves little doubt: this is the long-rumored KTM 690 Rally, built off the 690 Enduro R platform (pictured above) but dressed for the desert.

More Fuel, More Range

The clearest functional change is up front — a large tank with dual filler caps sits ahead of the rider, joining the stock rear tank carried over from the Enduro R. Do the math on that combined capacity and you're looking at something well north of the Enduro R's 3.5-gallon (13.3 L) tank, likely landing around 4.8 gallons (18 L) or more. That's a real range bump for riders who've been bolting on aftermarket tanks to stretch the 690 platform's legs.

Rally Tower, Factory Look

A tall rally tower now dominates the front end, styled after KTM's factory 450 Rally racer, complete with a windscreen and fairing built for actual wind protection rather than just visual flair. The test bike's blue-and-orange paint scheme lines up with the 450 Rally Replica colorway KTM is running for 2026, reinforcing where the styling inspiration came from. The overall effect: a machine aimed at long-distance travel that still wants to stay lighter and more nimble than the 890 Adventure R.

Same Heart, Familiar Chassis

Strip away the new bodywork and the 690 Rally is still built on the Enduro R's chassis, powered by the same 693cc LC4 single — currently rated at 78 hp and 53.8 ft-lbs of torque, making it the most powerful production single-cylinder engine on sale. Spotted upgrades over earlier prototypes include a stainless-steel skid plate (replacing plastic), a carbon-fiber alternator guard, and a titanium Akrapovič exhaust — though it's not yet clear if the pipe will be standard or an options-list item, as it is on the 690 SMC R and Enduro R.

Passenger provisions look like they're still being sorted out. This prototype skipped footpegs for a passenger, even though earlier test mules had them fitted. The seat appears slightly thicker than the Enduro's, and the subframe now includes grab handles.

Suspension, Brakes, and Weight

Suspension and wheels carry over from the Enduro R: a fully adjustable 48mm WP XPLOR fork up front and a 21-inch front wheel. Stopping power comes from a single 300mm front disc with a radially-mounted Brembo caliper, paired with a 240mm rear disc. The dash looks to be a horizontal TFT unit, smaller than the vertical display KTM uses on its 1390 Super Adventure flagship.

On weight, the 690 Enduro R ready-to-ride figure sits at 357 lbs (162 kg). Expect the Rally to add some heft for the bigger tank, fairing, and cockpit changes, but it should still come in well under the 890 Adventure R's 474 lbs (215 kg) wet weight.

Nearly Ready

Given how dialed-in the paint, graphics, exhaust, and instrumentation already look on this test bike, KTM appears close to a reveal. If it lands as spied, the 690 Rally would slot in neatly between the stripped-down 690 Enduro R and the more comfort-focused 790/890 Adventure models — giving KTM a proper rally-bred option for riders who want big-bike range without the big-bike weight.

Image: 2026 KTM 690 Enduro R, courtesy of KTM AG, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.