KTM Duke: to buy, or not to buy?

[st00ji]

hey all,

wasnt sure where to post this, but this forum seems like the closest match :)

i've been looking to replace my bike for a while now, and lately i've had a hankering for a KTM, in particular the 640s / 690 SMs etc.

this one especially caught my eye

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=577340723

theres something about a ratty matt black bike that i just cant resist.

anyway, it seems like its probably had a reasonably chequered past given its current state, so im wondering if i should resist the lure of a cheapish bike thats going to potentially end up as a money pit? or are these things fairly bullet proof. i've read a bit of stuff online and nothing too scary has jumped out yet. the unknown kms is a bit of a concern i guess.

im not scared of a spanner (mechanic by trade) but i dont want something thats going to cost a fortune to keep on the road. it'll mainly be used as a commuter with the occasional short 'fun run'.

dont suppose anyone knows this bike?

your thoughts appreciated.

[Drew]

I'd be getting the vin number, and checking to see if it's a stolen bike to start with.

Followed closely by pricing up a replacement dash, (read; possibly fuckin expensive).

If those two things come back OK, fly down there with three K in yer pocket, and ride that bitch home!

[st00ji]

i was thinking one of those vapor tech dash gizmos would do the job there, they seem pretty damn affordable

[Drew]

Oh yeah, there's a bloody good chance it won't comply with that pipe on it. Singles are uber-fuckin-loud with open cans.

[Drew]

i was thinking one of those vapor tech dash gizmos would do the job there, they seem pretty damn affordableYeah, think they're about $700. That's pretty reasonable I thought too.

[ZondaX15]

Yeah, think they're about $700. That's pretty reasonable I thought too.

They're like, $200. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/parts-for-sale/electrics/auction-605956210.htm

[Drew]

They're like, $200. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/parts-for-sale/electrics/auction-605956210.htmShit, that is good buying.

Must have not listened to the guy I know who bought one.

[Crisis management]

How much do you know about 640 KTMs?
The early models (like this one) had the low flow head and a reputation for catastrophic failure of the clutch basket bearing (I think), I had a 640 adventure 2005 for 30,000kms and loved it but also recognised the need for constant maintenance, keep on top of maintenance and they are great but it is not a japanese bike.
Pro's: enough horsepower, good suspension (when set up correctly) and hard to break.
Cons: Vibrate like a bastard, mechanically a bit fragile, you can blow a motor in 10,000 kms. Oil & filter changes at 5000 kms

My biggest concern is the de-registered bit, does that mean the rego lapsed or that it was written off?
Check on the actual mileage, rego and who has done the maintenance, expect to spend $500 on maintenance as soon as you get it to fix all the bits the seller doesn't tell you about. I reckon it's worth about $2k but I am a tight bastard.

[st00ji]

yeah i was thinking closer to 2 than 3 myself.

apparently the clutch basket issue is caused by an output shaft bearing fault, KTM did issue a revised part but apparently it doesnt fail on all bikes.

so the internet tells me anyway.

i dont really know anything about the 640s other than what google has been telling me. im not afraid of a bit of servicing etc.

re engine failures - have yet to read about any proper blow ups, though it seems KTM recommend pretty frequent piston replacements / top end overhauls etc.

the guy was big on telling me it would be easy to get back on the road, but didnt answer questions about a picture of the VIN or what happened to the missing bits. im concerned about a damaged write off too, would be asking him to take it somewhere to get checked out i think. though he has stopped replying to my emails once i asked about the VIN pics again. interesting!

[Crisis management]

If you fancy several days of reading look on ADVrider.com in the thumper forums, there is a dedicated model specific thread on mods & maintenance. With normal maintenance expect to overhaul the heads at 40 kms and top end at 100kms, bearing failures occur at clutch basket unless bearing is upgraded (I know of several and they are not cheap), cam follower bearings go at 35-40kms taking out the cam if not caught in time but other than those the motor is sound. If you don't mind maintenance then they are a fun motor to work on, if you have the cash the 690 is a far better proposition or an RFS 450 or 525 (pre 2008) as a motard. Actually the RFS motor is really robust and could be worth considering, given it's primarily an off road race engine people have got 500 hours out of them reliably, my 450 is a better engine that the 640 ever was.

Choices eh?

[st00ji]

indeed. i quite like the look of this one too -

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-607090871.htm

though its another slightly unknown quantity i guess!

[Drew]

indeed. i quite like the look of this one too -

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-607090871.htm

though its another slightly unknown quantity i guess!Short service intervals, but great bikes.

When I say "service" I mean serious stuff, not oil changes.