KTM 640 E owners...advice please

[Crisis management]

As I'm considering my options for (maybe) replacing the DR I took an 02 KTM640E (12,000kms) for a ride today and came away with mixed feelings.

It had more power, was a better build quality, better suspension and a lot better seat than the DR but vibrated like a very vibrating thing.
Lots of high frequency vibes thru the pegs, seat, handlebars and just about anything else it could vibrate thru which I presume is generated from the engine. Having only ridden it for 30 minutes I have no idea how annoying these vibrations will be after an hour or two but they certainly concern me!

Clint & Warewolf (and any others) how much of an issue is this?

Other vibrations where from the running gear, felt like a stuffed chain & sprockets althought these were supposedly new (and looked it) so maybe it was tyres giving off these. These felt like a maintenance issue rather than a design "feature".

Also felt geared down, 5th could be used at 80km/h, it wheel stood in 1st off the throttle and at 120km/h sounded fairly busy...is this usual?

Vibrations aside, it was fun to ride, the suspension was great and the bike felt very precise without the wallowing feeling the DR gets in corners, I'm just not sure i could live with that level of vibration.

Advice please!

[chris]

Advice please!

Stick with the DR. Or a newer one perhaps... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=539624

[clint640]

...vibrated like a very vibrating thing...

...it wheel stood in 1st off the throttle...

Sounds like there's definitely something wrong with that one... You should be able to wheel stand off the throttle in 2nd

Std gearing is 16:42, they are a bit busy at 120, but they rev happily a long way past the busy zone.

I haven't ridden an earlier model to compare, but they did add some extra counterbalancing to the 03-on high flow motor. There's a few around at the mo, the local dealer has an 04, maybe try out one of them? You're welcome to a burn on mine if you're down Rotorua way.

Mine got a bit smoother after I put on the SXC can, rejetted & vented the airbox. Putting on some Renthal RC high bend bars recently helped reduce the bar vibes a little too. I find it OK, but it's still nowhere near as smooth as a DR.

Cheers
Clint

[CBobR]

I got used to the vibes on my 06 640A to the point where I don't notice them anymore. It is stock apart from slightly lowered gearing

I was worried after the test ride because my feet were kind of going numb, so I rented one for a few days, after which I was very happy and ended up buying one.

I've just done a road trip with a few 700-1000km days no problems.

[FilthyLuka]

Its a great big stonking single, its gonna vibrate a little. I reckon that just makes it cooler

[Crisis management]

Stick with the DR. Or a newer one perhaps... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...htm?key=539624

Thanks Chris, is this the new model with the better suspension, full power engine, comfort seat and long range tank???

Clint & Bob, thanks for the info, I will hopefully ride an 04 model later this week and see how that goes, I have to admit for all the DR's failings it was a bloody sight smoother after the KTM, however the power and better suspension certainly appeal!

[Oscar]

1. LC4e's vibrate. A lot.
2. You get used to it.
3. You don't feel it on gravel (one of their natural enviroments).
4. You need a gel seat.
5. Yours sounds very low geared. Standard gearing is good for 160km/h.
6. I wouldn't swap mine for three DR's.

[blackballs]

crisis m,

I purchased a 2002 a few weeks ago, I opened up the airbox and rejetted the carb today, vibrations almost a thing of the past now, just waiting for my staintune exhaust system and performance upgrades for me will be complete..

The bike was breathing great tonight when I took it for a fang

Having read about the lc4 for about a month solid I would say go for it, with a few cheap mods ie under $50 for air box and rejetting you will not look back

[warewolf]

It's pretty much all been said. Vibration is a personal thing; I don't like inline Jap 4s or BMW Boxers... reckon they're horrid. The DR is rather doughy in comparison to an LC4, I like my rides a bit more lively. Then there is the bike...

[Crisis management]

Thanks for all that guys, as I said before I'll try the 04 and let you know then.

Ooops, one more question; the enduro has a 12l tank, any options on a bigger one (rather than buying an adventure, I like the enduro) and what sort of range are you getting out of these?

Was that 2 questions???

[clint640]

Thanks for all that guys, as I said before I'll try the 04 and let you know then.

Ooops, one more question; the enduro has a 12l tank, any options on a bigger one (rather than buying an adventure, I like the enduro) and what sort of range are you getting out of these?

Was that 2 questions???

Good luck! One thing to remember if testing out a low km's one is that the LC4s take a while to run in, mine got noticeably smoother between 5-7000 km.

I get between 4.5 & 5.5 litres/100km so the 12L is always good for 200+km, I usually hit reserve at 190ish. I've also got the factory 18L tank as fitted std to many '02s, good for 350-400km, fits on nicely, it actually holds 20L but I'm not sure how much of that is usable. I've put a little over 18L into it a couple of times & she was still going.

The 18L tanks are around $900 new from KTM, I got mine in the package when I bought the bike as the shop had one lying around. If you're looking at a bike at a KTM dealer I'd try & screw them down on the big tank when you do the deal.

With some bracketry, Adv seat & a fuel pump the 28L Adv tanks will also fit. There is apparently an unpainted plastic 'Rallye' version that is fairly cheap from KTM, but 28L is a little excessive for NZ IMHO.

Cheers
Clint

[laRIKin]

It's pretty much all been said. Vibration is a personal thing; I don't like inline Jap 4s or XXX XXXXX... reckon they're horrid. The DR is rather doughy in comparison to an LC4, I like my rides a bit more lively. Then there is the bike...

What he said, apart from the bit about BMW (old boxers).

Gel hand grips help and that's all I have done on mine.
But then again I ride old and new Guzzi's as well, so I live with vibration all the time.
It feels strange to ride smooth running 4 cylinder.

And I would only go for the 18L tank as well.
As it is cheaper and you can use the same seat and is a quick swap between the two tanks.
So if you are going on a short fast trip or even a blat around the MX tracks you can swap back and forth easy.

[chris]

Thanks Chris, is this the new model with the better suspension, full power engine, comfort seat and long range tank???

Ohlins; it's good for 160km/h just; stand up more; 200km on a full tank. And a spanking new one is $8000.00......

[Crisis management]

All good points Chris, I acknowledge the DR is a good bike for the $ but I'm considering whether it is worth spending money on it or simply replacing it.

Eventually I'll make my mind up.

[chris]

Eventually I'll make my mind up

All part of the fun of buying a new bike. Don't take too long though or you'll likely miss out. I had the chance for the bargain of the century, thought about it for too long, missed out and have been kicking myself ever since. Go for it, you can always get rid of it if it ain't you.