My KTM 625 SXC Adventure bike build

[timg]

I bought a low mileage 2004 KTM 625 SXC to replace my trusty and immaculate Transalp. While the Transalp has been a great bike, it's really a bit big and soft for some of the places I seem to enjoy going. One day there will be tears when it all goes pear shaped :eek: so I decided to get something a bit lighter and more suitable in the gnarly bits, yet still capable, if a little less comfortable, of some decent mixed road trips as well.

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The EQ has meant I had a wee bit of time to have a good look at the KTM and install some of the items that are not getting sold with the Transalp. So the heated hand grips are on and going and I have figured out where the Pro-Oiler (www.pro-oiler.com) components will go. There’s not much surplus space on the SXC compared to the Transalp but there seems to be a space for everything.

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Some bits and bobs are winging their way from the good ole US of A. Some other bits were ordered from Superior Motorcycles to support the locals where the cost of doing so was not prohibitive but I figure it will be a fair while before those will be available considering the destruction inside the 4 Avenues.

My brand new Shoei Hornet (KTM Orange of course :) ) was still in its box waiting to come home from work and it is unlikely that we will be allowed back into the building – bugga!

233387

The first items to be attended to will be a KTM 18 litre tank, comfort seat, pillion pegs, screen and/or fairing and a luggage system.

Nice to have a new project on the go :niceone:

[Taz]

Here's one I prepared earlier :lol:

[clint640]

Nice! Welcome to the orange side :niceone: That looks like a tidy one. No doubt you have found the LC4 index on advrider?

Cheers
Clint

[timg]

No doubt you have found the LC4 index on advrider?

Cheers
Clint Yep, found that a while ago. How's yer rebuild coming along?

[clint640]

Yep, found that a while ago. How's yer rebuild coming along?

Back on the road last week & she's purring like a happy kitten. :niceone:

One thing you should sort out before the 1st gnarly ride is a proper chain guide. Having the chain fed off the sprocket every time you get in a deep rut is a PITA. That little plastic flap is pretty useless, you can get an early LC4/Husaberg part off the KTM dealer that will bolt on.

Cheers
Clint

[Night Falcon]

Nice one....look forward to seeing the progress. :niceone:

[timg]

Back on the road last week & she's purring like a happy kitten. :niceone:

One thing you should sort out before the 1st gnarly ride is a proper chain guide. Having the chain fed off the sprocket every time you get in a deep rut is a PITA. That little plastic flap is pretty useless, you can get an early LC4/Husaberg part off the KTM dealer that will bolt on.

Cheers
Clint Thanks, will do. T.

[clint640]

Thanks, will do. T.

It amazes me the amount of LC4's I see with a bash plate, but no proper chain guide. If you're planning on being in a situation where you might need a bash plate, you are DEFINITELY going to need the chain guide. It's also a good way to pick out the ones that haven't been used for much gnarly offroad stuff.

Cheers
Clint

[timg]

233569 :woohoo:

[clint640]

I bet I know what's in that box :msn-wink: You might find you need some extra fuel line to fit it, not sure about the FCR but the tap ended up quite close the carb inlet on mine so I had to use a loop of hose to avoid kinks.

A mate who does some fibreglass & CF stuff as a sideline is currently making me some carbon-kevlar tank guards for my 18L tank, to glue onto the leading edges.
He's got too much work on to make any more sets but said I can have the molds to get someone else to make some more if there is interest from others.

Cheers
Clint

[Waihou Thumper]

The choke button is also a bit of a pain in the arse reaching up alongside the tank with the FCR

[Waihou Thumper]

It's also a good way to pick out the ones that haven't been used for much gnarly offroad stuff.
Cheers
Clint

I disagree, the bikes can still 'gnarly' with a OEM chain guide....I had one on my LC4 Adventure and have one on the 625, it is still intact. It has had it's moments....
Tell ya what though, the KTM original chain guide is way better than Touratech at half the price too..:) Didn't last 5 minutes before it snapped....

[rogerh]

I never had the problem with the chain guide. Have managed to bend a rear sprocket tho:o (Impact damage)
Maybe I run my chain too tight?? And it stays on the right side of the guide. I think I have only got it on the wrong side of the guide once, and during a pretty good off.

Put the comfort seat high on the to do list. I have only just put an 18l tank on mine, and I love the range, but I am still not used to the extra bulk up front, and find it a bit unnerving still. Got too used to the 11l std one I think.

With the choke on the FCR, I put the cable from the BST into the FCR, with a few minor mods to the valve to make it fit. Works a treat. Don't know if I would bother again though as the requirement for a choke on a pumper carb is a little academic here in the north. May be more in the south, but I don't generally ride down there in the winter.

I manage to break most of the accessories on mine, but the bike is seemingly bulletproof, so make the mods strong. Just my 0.02c

[yafeetup]

It amazes me the amount of LC4's I see with a bash plate, but no proper chain guide. If you're planning on being in a situation where you might need a bash plate, you are DEFINITELY going to need the chain guide. It's also a good way to pick out the ones that haven't been used for much gnarly offroad stuff.

Cheers
Clint

my 625 has been on lots of really gnarly true off road rides ,its done 15000 km and have never had an issue with the guide. The 18 ltr tanks biggest issue is the increased dive under brakes when full, this is a small price for the range and increased radiator protection

[timg]

I bet I know what's in that box :msn-wink: You might find you need some extra fuel line to fit it, not sure about the FCR but the tap ended up quite close the carb inlet on mine so I had to use a loop of hose to avoid kinks.

Cheers
Clint

Yup :)
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There is a preformed fuel line for the FCR as a std KTM part for the big tank which I have ordered - only $8. Now the cordon has been lifted around a portion of the outer CBD I the parts I ordered locally may become available


I managed to peel the decal off the shroud and reuse it on the tank. Not a perfect fit but not too bad IMHO.
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Put the comfort seat high on the to do list.

With the choke on the FCR, I put the cable from the BST into the FCR, with a few minor mods to the valve to make it fit. Works a treat.

Comfort seat is ordered :msn-wink: SWMBO ain't too impressed with the idea of what the SXC offers as std. I'd read about the choke conversion on KTM talk, good to know it works well. My SXC seems to need choke at the beginning of the day and then it's sweet. I had it drummed into me as a kid to always warm up an engine before using it. I start my bikes, then put in my ear plugs, helmet on & gloves on by which time the KTM runs without choke so the awkward location isn't too big a problem at the moment. Winter might be a different story. My Ducati won't even consider running until it's well warmed up.


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Another parcel turned up from the States :msn-wink: Just like Xmas around here at the moment.

[clint640]

my 625 has been on lots of really gnarly true off road rides ,its done 15000 km and have never had an issue with the guide.

Maybe it's an issue peculiar to the narrow pumice/clay ruts often found in central Nth Is trail rides, the first few I took my new 640 on the chain seemed to get fed off the rear sprocket every 5min, usually in a puddle or 1/2 way up a hill.

Cheers
Clint

[timg]

Well my temporary work from home remote computer access wasn't working today so no work got done, and I had a chance to do more interesting things...

I thought long and hard about hard luggage v's soft and in the end decided to go with the hard luggage, partly because I already have a set of large and small Givi panniers and a top box, and partly cos I like the convenience and security of hard luggage.

& :yes: I'm aware of the issue of the rear subframes failing on some LC4's so I'll keep an eye out for potential problems. I have a trusty MIG sitting under the bench and a bit of 2mm panel steel lying around which should be ideal for making up some gussets and reinforcing. If I get really keen I may strip the subframe one wet weekend and do a bit of preventative maintance before before it gives problems. Clint has a good write up on ADV Rider on how to do it http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=487154

I opted for an SW Motec system which allows for the pannier frames to be removed leaving just the mounting tangs on the bike. It takes just a couple of minutes to remove the side racks.http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/28/89/ http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/228
It sounds good in theory anyway so we will see how they work out in practice.

233928 Givi E21 cases 233929 Now you see it 233930 Now you don't!

Next step will be welding some lugs on the carrier for the top box base to mount to but I can't do that until the comfort seat arrives to make sure there is enuf space for the co-pilot to be comfortable.

Cheers.

[Waihou Thumper]

Do you think though that sometimes the reason sub frames go/crack is because

a. Carrying far too much?
b. For what you are asking of the bike on the terrain you are carrying too much?
c. Because you have really big panniers, bags, you can load them up and carry too much?

:yes:

I think maybe most of the time less is good, rather the opposite of the Mitre10 ad:)
Pack like you are going away tramping and having to carry it on your back kind of thing....It is great to have the ADV touring bike like the 990A, the BMW1200GS etc and others....The LC4 can handle the packs on top to a degree, I have had mine loaded up with no issues for a good jaunt over rough terrain.
I agree with Clint and yourself though, prevention is better for the long haul, but maybe we also need to think about weight and load, i.e how we pack and what we pack into what.....:)

[timg]

Do you think though that sometimes the reason sub frames go/crack is because

a. Carrying far too much?
b. For what you are asking of the bike on the terrain you are carrying too much?
c. Because you have really big panniers, bags, you can load them up and carry too much?

:yes:

I think maybe most of the time less is good, rather the opposite of the Mitre10 ad:)
Pack like you are going away tramoing and having to carry it on your back kind of thing....It is great to have the ADV touring bike like the 990A, the BMW1200GS etc and others....The LC4 can handle the packs on top to a degree, I have had mine loaded up with no issues for a good jaunt over rough terrain.
I agree with Clint and yourself though, prevention is better for the long haul, but maybe we also need to think about weight and load, i.e how we pack and what we pack into what.....:)
Entirely agree. I travel pretty light, hence the E21 panniers which are the smallest and lightest available, and they were bought for the Transalp which is a pack-horse. Just because you can carry it doesn't mean you have to take it. Cheers.

[timg]

Being a short ass I have installed a Kouba link to lower the bike a bit.

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Bound to be controversial but we had one on my wife's CRF230 and found it to be an effective solution on a bike that was not ridden hard. Being a slow old fart the SXC won't be ridden to any thing near it's full capabilities either. I'll see how the link suits my riding and use. I put the old tank and seat back on so I could use the bike while I wait for the new seat to emerge from the quake and went for a blat up the Waimak.

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I was very happy with the KTM. Compared to the Transalp it is chalk and cheese the way it just soaks up the rough and how responsive it is - reminds me of the CR125 I had when I was a pimply youth. So far so good.

[Taz]

Where'd you buy the link from and how much?
Taz.

[timg]

Where'd you buy the link from and how much?
Taz. www.koubalink.com $144 delivered. Cheers.

[warewolf]

www.emigracing.com (http://www.emigracing.com/) also have lowering links, 1.125 and 2.25". I tried the 1.125" ones and they ruined the suspension action - I'd hate to think how bad 2"+ ones are.

While you have the links off it is worthwhile cleaning & lubing the frame-mounted link bearings and shaft. That bit wears faster than everything else, possibly because it cops engine heat. However much you think it's a PITA to clean & lube, it's much worse to replace those bearings once they go, and expensive to replace the shaft. It's at least an annual job, if not biannual.

[Night Falcon]

www.emigracing.com (http://www.emigracing.com/) also have lowering links, 1.125 and 2.25". I tried the 1.125" ones and they ruined the suspension action - I'd hate to think how bad 2"+ ones are.

While you have the links off it is worthwhile cleaning & lubing the frame-mounted link bearings and shaft. That bit wears faster than everything else, possibly because it cops engine heat. However much you think it's a PITA to clean & lube, it's much worse to replace those bearings once they go, and expensive to replace the shaft. It's at least an annual job, if not biannual.

I took my Kouba 1" link off -didn't like the feel and bottomed out rear tire on guard....which on a 690 is not recommended as the guard is the rear fuel tank. Mind you a little less height would have been good on the last ride :facepalm:

[timg]

Almost finished... the fairing/dash ordered from http://www.britanniacomposites.com turned up very conveniently on Saturday morning. Went for a bit of a ride to see a few friends at the Tai Tapu Pub last night. Once I found a good height the screen deflects the wind blast well and the Hella lights in these things are awesome - much better than any other bike I have had.

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The dash has plenty of room for what I need there, and room for the Trail Tech Vapor speedo computer thingy I'll be getting to replace the KTM speedo that does not like to respond to the buttons :(

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Cheers.

[yafeetup]

The lights look awesome, standard ones are as good as having a candle strapped to your helmet. Suprised that you are replacing the stock dash unit find my one is a really good comprehensive unit, looking at the pic noticed you running lots of fork height above triple clamp, any issues with high speed stability, head shake
Seal savers and bark busters are worth the outlay and the KTM seat that fits their 18 litre desert tank are really comfey

[timg]

The lights look awesome, standard ones are as good as having a candle strapped to your helmet. Suprised that you are replacing the stock dash unit find my one is a really good comprehensive unit, looking at the pic noticed you running lots of fork height above triple clamp, any issues with high speed stability, head shake
Seal savers and bark busters are worth the outlay and the KTM seat that fits their 18 litre desert tank are really comfey Hiya, fork height is due to the Koubalink lowering link fitted to lower the bike. Bike is nice and stable and a bit less 'quick' in the steering than std. 18 litre tank is sitting in the garage ready to go and seat is ordered via local KTM dealer but delayed due to the quake :( My KTM dash doesn't respond to pressing the buttons so I can't cycle thru the various modes and options or reset trip meters etc. About once every 100 presses a button will respond. I've had it apart several times now - blown it out with air, cleaned the buttons/switches with white spirits, tried some CRC etc. Trail Tech Vapor is cheaper than getting a replacement KTM speedo unit and the Vapor includes a rev counter and water temp which the KTM unit does not. Water temp, revs and $'s are more important to me than lap and split timers etc. Cheers.

[XF650]

Hey Tim - It's been a week since the 625 went down to the SR Rally. So where's ya ride report? What's your impressions? Is it a keeper?

[helenoftroy]

Hiya Tim!

I didn't have a good look at your new beast at the Tai Tapu pub the other week,but have to say from the photos...looking awesome!

Sheez !! going to have to really choose well with the new bike,& up my skills to stay with my side kick now!!!! :shit: :bye: :scooter: :rockon:

[cold comfort]

Hiya Tim!

I didn't have a good look at your new beast at the Tai Tapu pub the other week,but have to say from the photos...looking awesome!

Sheez !! going to have to really choose well with the new bike,& up my skills to stay with my side kick now!!!! :shit: :bye: :scooter: :rockon:

Just had a fixed price offer on a KTM 450 EXC of 5k-not in the market now due to previous purchases but ideal for the intended purpose?

[helenoftroy]

Just had a fixed price offer on a KTM 450 EXC of 5k-not in the market now due to previous purchases but ideal for the intended purpose?

Hmmmmm!! that would be nice yes!!rather keen on the WRs too,really impressed at how they went on the DButt

.....and look at your stable buddy!!!impressive!:yes:

[timg]

Hey Tim - It's been a week since the 625 went down to the SR Rally. So where's ya ride report? What's your impressions? Is it a keeper? Blardy slave driver. Yep, its a definite keeper :woohoo: 1042km for the weekend from Rollyberg to Alexandra and back via the Hakataramea Valley and Danseys Pass carrying gear for a weekend away including tent, bedroll, sleeping bag, food and drink was a pretty fair shakedown run through country that I enjoy. The bike didn't miss a beat and the 'adventure' mods all seem to work well. The suspension on these things is amazing by comparison to the Transalp - the KTM just soaks up and hooks up the ruts and the like that would leave the Transalp wheel spinning and juddering along. The screen and dash unit works very well.

236856 Menzies Pass

236859 Haka. Fixed up a bit since Night Falcon was here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/120343-My-KTM-690-Adventure?p=1130010096#post1130010096

236855 Danseys

236854 Looks much better than a GSXR in there!

236857 Yup. I really did buy the bike to match my tent :facepalm:

236858 Capital punishment is still an option ...

South side of the Haka had just been re-shingled and graded and was like riding on marbles but the rest of the shingle was in excellent nick. I had intended coming back over the Black Forest but ran out of time.

The seal portions of the ride were fine. The much mentioned/maligned 640 vibes while certainly there were not an issue. The bike came with pretty aggressive knobblies (Trackmaster K-760 & Mitas C-02) and clutching in at 100+ kmh on seal doesn't reduce the vibes much so most of the vibes seems to be the tyres. Changing to my preferred TKC80's is likely to reduce the vibe.

The seat was the only grizzle. Geez that thing is awefull! :shit: After my first fuel stop my bum felt like it had done a couple of days on the Transalp. Blardy lucky I still had the small tank on so I had a regular excuse to stop :yes: Still no sign of my comfort seat emerging from the quake yet.

Very happy with my new :scooter:



Hiya Tim!

I didn't have a good look at your new beast at the Tai Tapu pub the other week,but have to say from the photos...looking awesome!

Sheez !! going to have to really choose well with the new bike,& up my skills to stay with my side kick now!!!! :shit: :bye: :scooter: :rockon:

Hiya, I was :gob: to see you sell your trusty DR. Just don't go getting any thing too quick - I'm still a slow old fart :blink:

[Night Falcon]

.

Very happy with my new :scooter:

welcome to ORANGE SIDE!:love:

[warewolf]

The seat was the only grizzle. Geez that thing is awefull! :shit: After my first fuel stop my bum felt like it had done a couple of days on the Transalp.I get sore from the Enduro seat in 30 mins, but the Adv seat I can ride for near 24 hours quite OK. The comfort seat is a big plus!

[dino3310]

sorry of topic but i gotta ask....
Hey Timg is that tent the one from Kiwi camping and if so how is it?... im looking at getting one.


As you were

[timg]

sorry of topic but i gotta ask....
Hey Timg is that tent the one from Kiwi camping and if so how is it?... im looking at getting one.


As you were Hiya, Nah its one of these that I managed to buy cheap as it had been returned by a previous purchaser slightly marked. Great wee tent. Tent, sleeping bag and mattress all fit in my top box and weigh stuff all. Cheers.

http://www.kathmandu.co.nz/Tents_&_Shelters/Hiking/50080/North_Star_Tent_v3.html

[yafeetup]

Ran TKC on my 625 scariest tyre ever, 100km in the wet crank on power starts wheel spinning its nut off. These are absolute rubbish on wet sealed roads if your bike puts down its power hard and with no real side knobs useless when confronted with a sidling

[mattsdakar]

Ran TKC on my 625 scariest tyre ever, 100km in the wet crank on power starts wheel spinning its nut off. These are absolute rubbish on wet sealed roads if your bike puts down its power hard and with no real side knobs useless when confronted with a sidling

Ah hello, what enduro tyre would grip on tarmac in the wet when you "crank" a KTM 625???? Maybe you should ride to the conditions. :facepalm:
I personally think the TKC80 is about the best enduro tyre available on the market, I only wish I could afford them!

[badblackbuell]

Ran TKC on my 625 scariest tyre ever, 100km in the wet crank on power starts wheel spinning its nut off. These are absolute rubbish on wet sealed roads if your bike puts down its power hard and with no real side knobs useless when confronted with a sidling

Too much fun, brings back memories of sneaky missions round town on the CR250 in the rain, knobs and wet asphalt will really teach you some cool stuff, drifting 4th gear moooohahahahaha!

[Oscar]

Ran TKC on my 625 scariest tyre ever, 100km in the wet crank on power starts wheel spinning its nut off. These are absolute rubbish on wet sealed roads if your bike puts down its power hard and with no real side knobs useless when confronted with a sidling

Have a tyre that the 625 wouldn't spin up in the wet?:facepalm:

[NordieBoy]

Have a tyre that the 625 wouldn't spin up in the wet?:facepalm:

Dunlop d803?

If it did, it'd only be for half a revolution and then sudden forward motion...

[timg]

Ran TKC on my 625 scariest tyre ever, 100km in the wet crank on power starts wheel spinning its nut off. These are absolute rubbish on wet sealed roads if your bike puts down its power hard and with no real side knobs useless when confronted with a sidling Thanks, I'll bear that in mind but am still getting them. Was very happy with them on the Transalp. TA actually has a couple more hp than the KTM and my TA has had a couple of mods so it puts out 54hp at the wheel on the dyno, but it's a linear power delivery, not the kick yer in the bum KTM dellivery :) The TKC's were my favorite tyres on the TA & that's what I feel comfortable with, so will give 'em a try. If they don't work out I'll try something else. Cheers.

[Night Falcon]

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind but am still getting them. Was very happy with them on the Transalp. TA actually has a couple more hp than the KTM and my TA has had a couple of mods so it puts out 54hp at the wheel on the dyno, but it's a linear power delivery, not the kick yer in the bum KTM dellivery :) The TKC's were my favorite tyres on the TA & that's what I feel comfortable with, so will give 'em a try. If they don't work out I'll try something else. Cheers.

TKC's on the 690 where great on anything off road and gravel with the occasional step out on shiney sealed bits. My only complaint (and why I wont use them again) is the cost vrse life equation. They disolve pretty quick for my pocket!

[warewolf]

timg, TKCs may not perform the same on the 625 as the TA for another reason: the 21- and 18-inchers have a much closer tread pattern with smaller blocks than the 19- & 17-inchers. They're almost a different tyre.

I don't buy TKC80 rears because they cost 40% more than several other tyres that do me just fine.

[Night Falcon]

I don't buy TKC80 rears because they cost 40% more than several other tyres that do me just fine.

...mind lettin us in on what the several others are exactly?:corn:

[timg]

timg, TKCs may not perform the same on the 625 as the TA for another reason: the 21- and 18-inchers have a much closer tread pattern with smaller blocks than the 19- & 17-inchers. 21" & 17" on the TA so the front will be the same 90/90 X 21 that I am used to. Must admit I haven't looked at the rears side by side. Tyres seem to be to some degree a confidence thing. Some folks swear by their favourite, while some one else with the same bike will rubbish the same tyres. I have confidence in the TKC's on the TA and will see if that carries through to the KTM.


...mind lettin us in on what the several others are exactly?:corn: :wait::wait::wait:

[warewolf]

Ran a few MT21 rears but they chunk in rocks - and it's either rocks or greasy clay hereabouts, not much else. On the tarseal they'll slide or grip depending on throttle - you choose. But otherwise not bad.

T63 doesn't chunk so bad therefore lasts and grips for a lot longer. Slide sooner on the tar than the MT21, but always nice'n'easy. Frustrating sometimes because they _always_ slide at that lean & power, but sweet 'cos it's always gentle and predictable, and grips up to that lean even with lotsa power. And it is only at serious lean angles that they slide. So far my fave.

TKC80 cannot get the power to the ground. Over the likes of Takaka Hill, the bike simply skips sideways as soon as you try to open the throttle. It behaves like you might expect a full-on knobby on the tar, but on the dirt there's nothing remarkable about them.

TKC80 fronts, well they don't suit the nose-heavy wide-rimmed 640Adv. Won't steer in the dirt above 16.5psi, and if you run them below 116psi they melt on the tar. On the front I've run goodness knows how many different enduro & MX full knobblies, mid-soft through to hard terrain, all DOT rated and pre-loved. Work great (the best) in the dirt and satisfactory on the tar. Stick 25psi in 'em and just ride everywhere, they'll just work everywhere. They do fine for 'spirited' tar riding in the dry, and seem okay in the wet.

TKC80s are so uninspiring that I feel I may as well just run a more street-biased tyre like the MT90 A/T. At least then they'll out-perform the TKC80 in the wallet and on the tar, and have a damned good excuse for not being so capable in the dirt.

[warewolf]

Some folks swear by their favourite, while some one else with the same bike will rubbish the same tyres.Weight & style has quite a bit to do with it. Because I'm a fairly umm, "trim" weight, I found that on the road bike I like tyres with soft sidewalls because they flex more, providing grip, bump absorption and feedback. I also learned to stay away from any tyre recommended by a big dude. So anything by Michelin or Dunlop was likely to be good, anything by Pirelli or Metzeler was bound to be crappy. Haven't found such a distinction in the off-road stuff yet.

[timg]

I have had a comfort seat on order since early Feb. ETA was initially advised as early April however Superior M/C have told me that KTM NZ can give no eta :angry: as apparently they are out of stock at KTM Austria. Anybody know of one hiding somewhere?

[Waihou Thumper]

I have had a comfort seat on order since early Feb. ETA was initially advised as early April however Superior M/C have told me that KTM NZ can give no eta :angry: as apparently they are out of stock at KTM Austria. Anybody know of one hiding somewhere?

Mate, skip NZ and KTM, go straight to the USA, I bet there are some lurking there on their sites and if not they sure as hell can be better than KTM here in NZ...
With the Xchange rate and postage, I bet you would still be okay in the end...

[clint640]

I have had a comfort seat on order since early Feb. ETA was initially advised as early April however Superior M/C have told me that KTM NZ can give no eta :angry: as apparently they are out of stock at KTM Austria. Anybody know of one hiding somewhere?

In my shed, but yer not having that one :sunny:

If you don't find the comfort seat, just get a std enduro one & re pad it - it's not hard to do & you'll end up with something better than the comfort seat. There is plenty of info on the net about rebuilding seats.

Cheers
Clint

[dino3310]

I have had a comfort seat on order since early Feb. ETA was initially advised as early April however Superior M/C have told me that KTM NZ can give no eta :angry: as apparently they are out of stock at KTM Austria. Anybody know of one hiding somewhere?

i just ate extra pie's now i got plenty of seat padding

[Oscar]

I have had a comfort seat on order since early Feb. ETA was initially advised as early April however Superior M/C have told me that KTM NZ can give no eta :angry: as apparently they are out of stock at KTM Austria. Anybody know of one hiding somewhere?

Do you realise that an LC4e comfort seat will only fit an SXC if you've got the LC4 tank on?

[timg]

Mate, skip NZ and KTM, go straight to the USA, I bet there are some lurking there on their sites and if not they sure as hell can be better than KTM here in NZ...
With the Xchange rate and postage, I bet you would still be okay in the end...

Yep, with hind sight I should have got the lot from the States when I ordered my tank and a few other bits in, but thought I'd support the locals where they weren't too much dearer :facepalm:


Do you realise that an LC4e comfort seat will only fit an SXC if you've got the LC4 tank on? :yes: I have a new KTM 18l tank in my shed waiting for the seat to arrive so I can use both....

[timg]

In my shed, but yer not having that one :sunny:

If you don't find the comfort seat, just get a std enduro one & re pad it - it's not hard to do & you'll end up with something better than the comfort seat. There is plenty of info on the net about rebuilding seats.

Cheers
Clint Aww go on. You don't need it :innocent: I have an 18l tank I want to put on and the std seat don't fit the big tank.

[clint640]

Aww go on. You don't need it :innocent: I have an 18l tank I want to put on and the std seat don't fit the big tank.

It's bolted to the bike & staying there sorry :shifty:

If you get stuck & have a trip you need to fit the 18L for let me know, you could borrow my original seat if you are desperate, strictly on a loan basis though.

Cheers
Clint

[timg]

It's bolted to the bike & staying there sorry :shifty:

If you get stuck & have a trip you need to fit the 18L for let me know, you could borrow my original seat if you are desperate, strictly on a loan basis though.

Cheers
Clint Thanks for the offer Clint. If it comes to it I'll get the enduro seat and rework it to suit as you suggest. What I did to the seat for my wife's CRF230 worked well so hopefully I can get the same result for 625. Cheers.

[cynna]

my 625 arrived on friday night but still havent had a chance to have a decent ride. will see how long i can keep it in good condtion for - seems very quick blasting round the neighbourhood

what bar risers are you using timg - from your pics the bars look like they are sitting way higher then mine? i found it to be pretty cramped up while standing so thats the first thing i need doing. might try out the 2 inch rox risers but will have to check if the cables will cope with raising that high

[timg]

what bar risers are you using timg - from your pics the bars look like they are sitting way higher then mine? I fitted a Kouba link lowering link and needed to raise the fork tubes an inch which fouled the bars. Made some risers out of a bit of an old bit of alloy and a longer cap screw I had lying around. Think I made 'em 25mm from memory. Cheers.

[mattsdakar]

[QUOTE=cynna;1130074793]my 625 arrived on friday night but still havent had a chance to have a decent ride.

Ummm coast this weekend?

[cynna]

Ummm coast this weekend?

i couldnt get the sunday off work... would have been good tho

[timg]

It's been a while with one thing and another but it's finally finished.... for now :shifty:


From this
245744
To this
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[clint640]

That looks gooood! The headlight/screen setup gives it a very cool & unique look.

Cheers
Clint

[Taz]

Looking nice.

[.chris]

Looks nice, nice and different.

What is your range?

[timg]

Looks nice, nice and different.

What is your range? Hi Chris, not sure yet as I have not had a decent ride with the big tank and comfort seat on. I'm hoping for something 300 plus and hopefully approaching the 350/360km the Transalp was capable of. Stories on the www suggest the 18l tank is closer to 20l so it will be interesting to see what it does. Will do a tank run out test once the rego on hold period is over. Cheers, Tim

[Waihou Thumper]

Hi Chris, not sure yet as I have not had a decent ride with the big tank and comfort seat on. I'm hoping for something 300 plus and hopefully approaching the 350/360km the Transalp was capable of. Stories on the www suggest the 18l tank is closer to 20l so it will be interesting to see what it does. Will do a tank run out test once the rego on hold period is over. Cheers, Tim

I almost got 21 litres in the tank, range was between 300-330km at a push depending on how you ride her. BUT, she doesn't like it slow :)

[Taz]

24 Litres consistently gets me 500kms with another 4L to go in reserve so I would be surprised if you didn't get closer to 400kms. But then I ride like a nanna......

[Waihou Thumper]

Suprising what a 41mm carb does over the 39mm of the 640A, fuel consumption is less, but it is more fun, because it is way lighter, thus ride faster thus use more fuel..:)

[Waihou Thumper]

I almost got 21 litres in the tank, range was between 300-330km at a push depending on how you ride her. BUT, she doesn't like it slow :)

and there is no reserve on the tank at all, it is just 20 or 21 litres...The reserve cock is just for show...:)

[Taz]

Suprising what a 41mm carb does over the 39mm of the 640A, fuel consumption is less, but it is more fun, because it is way lighter, thus ride faster thus use more fuel..:)

True. 525 gets 18.5 km/l in adv configuration where the 640A gets 21km/l.

[warewolf]

Suprising what a 41mm carb does over the 39mm of the 640A, fuel consumption is less, but it is more fun, because it is way lighter, thus ride faster thus use more fuel..:)


True. 525 gets 18.5 km/l in adv configuration where the 640A gets 21km/l.640A/E have a 40mm CV, at least the more recent ones do. The 625 and the RFS bikes have the flat-slides which are easier to over-fuel when the fun handle is turned - it's what the carb is designed to do.

Good job, timg!

[BMWST?]

Almost finished... the fairing/dash ordered from http://www.britanniacomposites.com turned up very conveniently on Saturday morning. Went for a bit of a ride to see a few friends at the Tai Tapu Pub last night. Once I found a good height the screen deflects the wind blast well and the Hella lights in these things are awesome - much better than any other bike I have had.

Lynx? halogen lamps or did you go for HID?

[timg]

Lynx? halogen lamps or did you go for HID? Yep, Generic Lynx for KTM with the std Hella lights, not HID. Really liking this setup on my bike. Cheers.

[offrd]

Very nice!

[SuperTrap]

Hi,

Your bike looks great.

I got a 625 recently ( good thing) but it's too tall for me . It's not too tall to ride it's just getting on the thing that I find difficult. Wondering how the bike performs with the lowering link and also what gearing do you run.

Cheers

[clint640]

Hi,

Your bike looks great.

I got a 625 recently ( good thing) but it's too tall for me . It's not too tall to ride it's just getting on the thing that I find difficult. Wondering how the bike performs with the lowering link and also what gearing do you run.

Cheers

Word on the street is that lowering links screw up your suspension action & are best avoided.

What I would do is look for a tall bugger with a 640 Enduro & swap suspension. The Enduro is about 1" lower & I suspect the forks & shock would swap straight over.

For general adv touring 16/42 works well, swap on a 14T front for more gnarly stuff. It depends on the type of riding you do really.

Cheers
Clint

[Oscar]

Word on the street is that lowering links screw up your suspension action & are best avoided.

What I would do is look for a tall bugger with a 640 Enduro & swap suspension. The Enduro is about 1" lower & I suspect the forks & shock would swap straight over.

For general adv touring 16/42 works well, swap on a 14T front for more gnarly stuff. It depends on the type of riding you do really.

Cheers
Clint

+1

If yer going to use a lowering link you need to change the spring. Even then your chances of matching front and rear ride height correctly are problematic.

[timg]

After much angst this awesome bike is for sale :weep: Trademe ad here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=514302191

[dino3310]

What ride have ya got lined up next Tim, gonna be hard replacing the handling of the ktm.

[Night Falcon]

:drool: gonna be a sweat ride for someone with enough pingers! Good luck with the sale....we will all still respect ya if ya end up with a GS for ya next bike :weep:

[timg]

Gone to a nice young local lad.... a lot taller than me :niceone: Enjoy your new :ride: Hayden
:bye: :bye::bye::bye::bye::bye::bye::bye:

[timg]

to the orange side:woohoo:
2007 & hardly used.
The last one was by far the best bike I've ever owned.
With the benefit of hindsight I should have never sold the first one.
The intention is to do basically the same 'adventure' mods with a couple of changes to counter the height 'issue' for this short ass.

291215

[Night Falcon]

Nice work, looks like a sweet bike

[cynna]

hopefully there is another comfort seat left out there somewhere.....

[Waihou Thumper]

hopefully there is another comfort seat left out there somewhere.....

Hens teeth..:) and gold dust...required.

[mattsdakar]

to the orange side:woohoo:
2007 & hardly used.
The last one was by far the best bike I've ever owned.
With the benefit of hindsight I should have never sold the first one.
The intention is to do basically the same 'adventure' mods with a couple of changes to counter the height 'issue' for this short ass.

291215

Congrats Tim, but didn't you sell the last one because you conceded it was to tall for you or have you grown!

[timg]

hopefully there is another comfort seat left out there somewhere..... Nah, the KTM 17 litre tank and comfort seat was one of the mistakes I made last time. From a comfort perspective the comfort seat is great, but the comfort comes from extra foam etc which = extra height. I have had a chat to the folks that did my Transalp seat and will be having the standard seat lowered by them and gold gel inserts fitted in place of some foam - should be lower and comfier ;) I'll get a Safari 17 litre tank which works with the std seat. Cheers, Tim.

[timg]

Congrats Tim, but didn't you sell the last one because you conceded it was to tall for you or have you grown!Grown some bigger balls perhaps :lol: A trip to Robert Taylor/KSS Ohlins will sort that out - new shorter progressive springs and reduced suspension travel. I should have had the suspension professionally lowered last time :brick: would have saved a lot of grief and $'s :eek5: Cheers.

[cruza]

Wasn't your old one stolen soon after you sold it? was it ever recovered?

[thepom]

Who did your seat as I need mine lowered too...

[timg]

Who did your seat as I need mine lowered too... MacDonald's trimmers Tauranga. Highly recommend them. Did a great job on the Transalp seat. Cheers.

[timg]

Wasn't your old one stolen soon after you sold it? was it ever recovered? Yes, think Hayden had it for about a year or so. Occasionally saw him riding thru Templeton on my way to work. Dunno it it was ever found.... pricks.

[timg]

Looks kind of familiar :msn-wink:

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