When I was buying the 690, the money came out of my new sled fund. I really had a hard time deciding between the 690 and the 500. The prices are almost the same. I flipped my decision every day. In the end the maintence schedule, and The urge to do some touring, made me go a bit more to the street side and get the 690.
My reasoning was that I love my kdx, and if I wanted to dirtbike, I would just ride that………This was before my stupid friends started talking about getting a timbersled and bigger dirtbike.
I don't regret getting the 690, so I think I may have to look for a good deal on a fuel injected kx450 if I were to go the timbersled route. I think the 690 may be a bit of a handful for doing anything but hill climbs. I don't want to have to work significantly harder than my friends to have the same amount of fun. A little bit, yes, but not alot.
Vietnam looks like fun, but I am super keen to go explore what BC has to offer. I now have the fuel range to get into some serious trouble.:)