My KTM 625 SXC Adventure bike build

[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?

[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 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 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 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

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 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 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

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

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

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 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 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

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

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?