Author Topic: KTM 640 Adventure (Read 1836 times)

Jayman · « **on:** September 08, 2006, 12:03:24 am »

Hi all.... I am a new member to this site and require so info on adventure bikes..

I am very keen to buy an ADVENTURE bike and do the local tours .
Can anyone comment on the KTM 640 ADVENTURE LC4...It looks like a
very nice bike....I DONT KNOW!!!!

Help guys
:shock:

BlouVark · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2006, 12:58:39 am »

Welcome Jayman.

Have you browsed around here yet. Some interesting discussions.

Jayman · « **Reply #2 on:** September 08, 2006, 01:00:53 am »

Hi blouvark...

Ek check van die fotos uit

Welsh · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2006, 08:17:01 am »

Quote from: "Jayman"

Hi all.... I am a new member to this site and require so info on adventure bikes..

I am very keen to buy an ADVENTURE bike and do the local tours .
Can anyone comment on the KTM 640 ADVENTURE LC4...It looks like a
very nice bike....I DONT KNOW!!!!

Help guys
:shock:

Welcome, I sugest you review some of the discusion.
The KTM 640 is not a Nice bike, its a great bike, top end suspension, vibrates lots.
It is also expensive.
First things you need to establish is, what do you want to do with it, what is your level of riding skill.
Only when you set your "parameters" can the guys give meaningful advice.

Welsh

It's like watching Madonna discussing religion and philosophy. But without the big tits.

funacide · « **Reply #4 on:** September 08, 2006, 08:22:41 am »

Words of wisdom from Welshie so early on a Friday morning, must e the longing for beer sometime today!!

Welsh · « **Reply #5 on:** September 08, 2006, 09:13:12 am »

Quote from: "funacide"

Words of wisdom from Welshie so early on a Friday morning, must e the longing for beer sometime today!!

Its comments like this that set me on that rocky road to ruin, so early on a Friday morning.

Welsh

Necrophilia : The desire to crack open a cold one!

krazy-eyes · « **Reply #6 on:** September 08, 2006, 09:37:09 am »

very nice bike!

was it not for the fact that i do overland trips with my girlfriend on the back, i definitely would have gone for the 640 instead of the 950.

the 640 is closer to a scrambler due to its low weight (very low at 158kg), and excellent offroad handling.

it has a 28l tank (most bikes are 20l ) which is very handy on long trips.

it is by far the most powerfull bike in its class.

the only downfall is the vibrations being a single cylinder, and that it has no side stand, only a centre stand (but aftermarket sidestands are available)

i stillhope that one day i'll get two 640's, one for me and one for GF

shark_za · « **Reply #7 on:** September 08, 2006, 09:52:05 am »

Like I said before Jayman, whaty do you see an Adv bike being used for?

The 640 Adv really tries to be a tourer, and for some people this can work, its rougher than a KLR, butthe big tank is a major plus. But if its just to ride short distances on tar to an offroad spot, mix it up in the rough stuff and then back, look at the LC4-Enduro or Suzuki DRZ400.

For the person who wants one bike for everything, offroad, road, touring, commuting, etc, the KTM 640 Adv is the best bike out there.
Take away the gnarly offroad requirement and there are better choices.

I sometimes think the KTM 640 is the best bike for my riding uses, and only the fear of being stuck 500km into Mozambique on a bike that I cant fix is the stumbling block.
That and the cost of doing anything to it.
I have done a KLR up to be what I need for about the same price as an out of the box KTM, but its basically 100% now, only falls short of the KTM offroad. The suspension is the flaw but I have another bike for offroad riding so I dont need my DS bike to do that.

OX · « **Reply #8 on:** September 08, 2006, 10:03:23 am »

cant go wrong with the 640 , but you must first decide what riding you want to do. I have one my self with scotts damper and acropovich zorst which is awesome.

krazy-eyes · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2006, 10:04:22 am »

Quote from: "shark_za"

only the fear of being stuck 500km into Mozambique on a bike that I cant fix is the stumbling block.

why would you get stuck on a KTM?

Quote

I have done a KLR up to be what I need for about the same price as an out of the box KTM

but then a out the box ktm640 doesnt need anything done to it as it is already exactly what it needs to be (bar the side stand)

michnus · « **Reply #10 on:** September 08, 2006, 11:39:58 am »

Jayman:

Quote

...It looks like a
very nice bike....I DONT KNOW!!!!

Exactly why people make mistakes with bikes, they LOOK nice. You need to take the 640 for a 100km trip on tar and see if you still like it, and then some on dirt.

It is essentialy a off road bike with a big tank. No bling, and it will not sooth you, it is a brutally honest bike, and you need to understand that, other than that you will smile the moment you see dirt.

The engine needs to be reved high and keep it there to have the power out put. They are actually quite reliable bikes but again it is more a racy high rev engine and need appropriate love and care.

KiLRoy · « **Reply #11 on:** September 08, 2006, 12:05:27 pm »

Quote

Exactly why people make mistakes with bikes, they LOOK nice. You need to take the 640 for a 100km trip on tar and see if you still like it, and then some on dirt.

It is essentialy a off road bike with a big tank. No bling, and it will not sooth you, it is a brutally honest bike, and you need to understand that, other than that you will smile the moment you see dirt.

The engine needs to be reved high and keep it there to have the power out put. They are actually quite reliable bikes but again it is more a racy high rev engine and need appropriate love and care.

Couldn't agree more

Definately the most off road d/s bike in its class - also the most expensive.

Like to be reved, vibey. Lekka suspension - racing orientated. I deduct that with this racing orientation and higher revs, you would not get the same engin longevity as most of the other 650's? plus the extra care as Michnus said.

H

JourneyMan · « **Reply #12 on:** September 08, 2006, 12:16:30 pm »

Quote from: "KiLeRSA"

Like to be reved, vibey. Lekka suspension - racing orientated. I deduct that with this racing orientation and higher revs, you would not get the same engin longevity as most of the other 650's? plus the extra care as Michnus said.

H

Also the need for the bigger tank then? What's the consumption on the KTM640?

I'm a closet 640 admirer. Seen them in action and they are awesome. Well, maybe one day when I can afford two bikes.

Jayman · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2006, 04:50:04 pm »

Hi all

What type of riding do u guys normaly do?
I ride alot of enduros, wfo's .."on my yz250F". more technical stuff than flatout on the freeway....

Jayman · « **Reply #14 on:** September 09, 2006, 09:18:53 am »

Hi

I would like to ride more technical stuff and less tar... Touring from places to places. Discovering new routes where no one gone before....

I dont want to buy an adventure bike for breakfast runs on sundays..
Some of the pictures I saw of Lesotho etc.... looks awesome!!
Do the weekend think, sleep somewhere in the bush and just ride!!!

ARE THERE BIKERS OUT THERE THAT FEEL THE SAME..?

Thanx

krazy-eyes · « **Reply #15 on:** September 09, 2006, 11:32:20 am »

if thats the case the the 640 is definitely the bike for you.

shark_za · « **Reply #16 on:** September 09, 2006, 11:59:54 am »

Yeah, if you want to ride it like and Enduro bike, no question. KTM 640 is for you.

Most people here want something else out of an Adv bike, dirt roads, long travels. As soon as you throw in a bit more technical riding, the KTM, KLR and Dakar shine.

The only other options are the KTM LC4 Enduro and the DRZ400, both are dirt bikes with indicators.
The 625SXC (same as LC4 Enduro) will do technical better simply as it has a smaller tank and no fairing, less weight up top. Think of it as a 525 with elephantitis.

Age has a lot to do with it, the older you get the more comfort you demand. The KTM can ride far, its tank and fairing ensure that, but you will walk like a cowboy afterwards.

krazy-eyes · « **Reply #17 on:** September 09, 2006, 01:27:54 pm »

Quote from: "shark_za"

but you will walk like a cowboy afterwards.

ja, like a gay cowboy on Broke Back Mountain

Welsh · « **Reply #18 on:** September 09, 2006, 06:39:01 pm »

And what changed from my opening statement?

Welsh

Welsh · « **Reply #19 on:** September 09, 2006, 06:58:56 pm »

Quote from: "michnus"

Quote from: "African Welsh"
And what changed from my opening statement?

Welsh

Back to square one?

:roll:

Wanna play Dominoes ICM will beat me at chess.

Welsh