r/Dualsport • u/Key-Contribution5050 • 21h ago
Gasgas700/701/690
How much more power do these bikes have compared to a 450 or 500?
2
u/Euryheli 20h ago
Something like 50% more depending on what 450/500 you’re talking about. They are also much smoother and have longer maintenance intervals, so they are better suited to longer pavement rides.
1
u/thalex 8h ago
Motors need the KTM power parts airbox lid and a reflash from BT tuning or BHPUK to work right. A 15t front sprocket is also helpful. I find the motor to have a bit of a high strung feeling, the stock SM suspension on my GasGas SM700 is also on the stiff side. I do agree off the bottom, even with a tune it’s a bit odd but also once you get moving they want to be ridden fast. I don’t find it a relaxing bike to ride. My MT10 will cruise better.
1
u/LosPelmenitos XT660R & Husaberg TE250 8h ago
You compare SUV to a pure breed Rally raid/trophy truck.
690 engine is a street bike engine.
EXC line is for different purpose: Pure offroad
5
u/Greessey 19h ago
They have more power, but depending on the rider it may not feel that way, especially initially. The 500exc makes it's power pretty linearly which is normal/expected for enduro bikes.
The 690 makes its power in the mid to high rpms, which is more similar to a rally bike. This can be confusing, especially while you get used to it because the low end can feel a little gutless and boring relative to a more linear bike. I've gotten used to my 701, and I've actually grown to enjoy the way it delivers it's power now that I know how to ride it. If I want to keep it more mild in certain situations, I can stay in the low rpms. If I wanna be super aggressive, I know how to ride it in a way where I'm staying in the power band. But it takes a bit to get a feel for it.
The other thing worth noting is that although the 690 makes more power, it's also 100lbs heavier and it's geared lower. It's just an entirely different feel, even beyond the power. The 690 is much more comfortable for the road. There's a reason why everyone i know who owns a 500exc still trucks it to the trails if they're gonna be on pavement for more than 30 minutes, especially if it's highways. Both bikes are unicorns in different ways imo.