fükengrüven
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.Originally Posted by yafeetup
Cheers
Clint
Making James May look quick...
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.
&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.
Givi E21 cases
Now you see it
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.
Sometimes you wish it was easier, but if it was, everyone else would do it, then you remember you don't want to be like everybody else!
Garmin Geek
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?
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.....
Making James May look quick...
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.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?
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.....
Sometimes you wish it was easier, but if it was, everyone else would do it, then you remember you don't want to be like everybody else!
Making James May look quick...
Being a short ass I have installed a Kouba link to lower the bike a bit.
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.
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.
Sometimes you wish it was easier, but if it was, everyone else would do it, then you remember you don't want to be like everybody else!
Forum whore
Where'd you buy the link from and how much?
Taz.
Making James May look quick...
www.koubalink.com $144 delivered. Cheers.
Sometimes you wish it was easier, but if it was, everyone else would do it, then you remember you don't want to be like everybody else!
Where's the ride?
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.
Cheers,
Colin
Eat Sheep
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
....wherezz that track go
Making James May look quick...
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.
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
Cheers.
Sometimes you wish it was easier, but if it was, everyone else would do it, then you remember you don't want to be like everybody else!
Scooter boy
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
Making James May look quick...
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 quakeMy 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.
Sometimes you wish it was easier, but if it was, everyone else would do it, then you remember you don't want to be like everybody else!
Registered User
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?
HOT!
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!!!!
Hardcore Biker
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?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!!!!
"Age and treachery will triumph over youth and skill"
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