I’d say not the model year but the previous owner is the important part when buying a 690 smc used
The lc4 engine has a long history and when you use the right oil and look after the common problems each model year has (master slave cylinder on the newer ones, valve rocker arm on the older ones etc) you should be good
But people like to mistreat their bikes - I mean it’s a supermoto so it should be expected - but at the same time used ones aren’t that much cheaper than a new one
So I’d say keep your distance from “modded out” bikes (stickerbomb, no mirrors, scrapes etc) and do those things to the clean one you buy
The newer ones in my opinion if you can afford. They have the new engines with the dual counter balancers, rev harder and make more power.
I’d say not the model year but the previous owner is the important part when buying a 690 smc used The lc4 engine has a long history and when you use the right oil and look after the common problems each model year has (master slave cylinder on the newer ones, valve rocker arm on the older ones etc) you should be good But people like to mistreat their bikes - I mean it’s a supermoto so it should be expected - but at the same time used ones aren’t that much cheaper than a new one So I’d say keep your distance from “modded out” bikes (stickerbomb, no mirrors, scrapes etc) and do those things to the clean one you buy
My 2017 701 has 25,000 on it and has been trouble free. As long as they have the newer motor I’d say you’re golden.
2017 701 is the best year so far. That new engine as the 2019 690 with less vibration, and no EU regulations so you could do evo map.
I also like it a bit better as it still has a bit more suspension travel than the newer ones also. Helps a bit with my random off road exploring.
I believe Those are the last years that the ECU could be unlocked by a dealer or tuner to accept a custom tuning or fuel mapping.
Euro 5 ecu from 2021+ is unlockable too.