2003 KTM 640 SM

[Cal]

I'm thinking about one of these orange things. I've heard that the engine Honda-like in reliability and pulls well from low down, but that the thing is generally quite vibey (and i'd hate to lose any teeth riding to the shops). They seem to come packed with quality items as standard and really look the part. I don't want a supermoto that is maintenance intensive as I have 3 bikes in the stable and costs begin to skyrocket, so that rules out WRs, Huskies, CRFs etc and i'd like 600+ CCs anyway. And before Antti tries to lead me on the path of a big red pig, I have no interest in kick starting a bike every again in my life.

Any thoughts? Impressions? I've heard that the engine is quite docile out of the box but what does it need to become a fire breathing, arm tearing, tar burning montser?

[Muzzard]

Its the bike for you Cal,
Or maybe do the DRZ with some good bits for half the price mate.
Dicky can give you the good oil on the LC4 640.
There is also a forum specific to Katooms I think stangely called KTM Talk.
May be some help in reference to the go fast mods, either there or http://www.ultramotard.com which is Lorenzo's site and there is an english speaking forum there. Probably one of the better for KTM info. ;)

[Wobbly]

The KTM come alive aparently with a full exhaust and some jetting, drilling and maybe cam work. Its much the same story with the SMR570 from Husky, and I think they are about comparable in terms of power. If you're buying new I'd def go the husky, as it comes with a 2 year warranty.

2nd hand I'd say bag a ride on both - the husky is supposedly less vibey than the katoom, but you'd need to ride both to get a good idea. I must say that the katoom looks like it vibes quite a lot, enough to visibly shake the front wheel at idle much like a hogly :shock:

But I'd say those 2 are your best bet. The KTM is probably a bit less maintenance intensive because of its larger sump size, the Husky has screw + locknut valve adjustment which makes valve maintenance easy (the KTM may well have the same too?). Earlier model KTM LC4s did have a problem with main bearing, but these seem to be sorted by about 2002?

Get thee on a test ride methinks 8)

[Cal]

Not buying new, hence the title with 2003 in it :) so I think the KTM is the option. Went to try and find a test ride but couldn't get one. Might have to head further afield.

[Flash]

The Husky sms610 or sm620s is the right bike to compare the 570 is a race bike. The 610 is a "road" type bike and has a big sump capacity. There is a few reviews on the internet about the older ones they are pretty good apparantly

[playwme]

I just got myself one of these a few weeks ago and its seriously the best thing I have ever bought. There is a bit of vibration, but to be expected and it's perfectly capable of trips down to the shops or flat out blasts through the twisty's. I got given a Keihin flat side carby with the bike (2003, less than 2000km) which I fitted after about a week and a half. Didn't do a lot up top but it made the bottom end kick a lot harder and greatly improved the throttle response. I also changed the front sprocket at the same time from a 14 to a 16 so it was kinda hard to judge the exact difference. There are a few around at good prices, and it's well worth the money.

[Muzzard]

Howdy there Playwme,
Victorian?
Where are the twisties you refer to and tell us more as you get more familiar with your bike too mate.
Where did you come across motard and been into it long? :)

[playwme]

Nah, I'm from Canberra.

I've done 1 run down to the farm via the back roads, half gravel, half paved and the thing handles great on both. although traction isn't great on the gravel with these tyres.
I only bought the thing a couple weeks ago. My other road warrior is a Honda CBR1000RR and i found i was reaching really stupid speeds on the way to work and it wasn't very confidence inspiring to ride in the wet so I figured a motard would give me the thrills at half the pace, plus I needed a registerable off roader as the YZ426 wasn't getting much use due to lack of rego.

Back to the KTM, it takes our many roundabouts with ease and feels really safe and stable in the wet. It eats up Black Mountain (3km twisty road up mountain a couple of km from the city centre) without any hesitation and it's perfect for "creative commuting" during rush hour when its easier to use the grass than the road. It's been a really easy bike to get used to and i feel a hell of a lot more confident on it than I do the Blade. You also get a hell of a lot of looks on the motard too, moreso cause of the bright orange colour scheme.
http://members.optushome.com.au/cbr250forum/playwme/ktm2.jpg

[Muzzard]

Mate,
Canberra based, I must ask do you ever remember seeing a Black 03 Husky 450 SMR scootin' around there 18 months ago?
Unfortunately the rider was killed a few months ago and was originally from Canberra before moving to the West.
He was a lone rider there for a long time and wished for someone like yourself to ride with through the Brindabellas.
Being in Wangaratta, I also ride with my own reflections in the shop fronts but now we have another couple of bikes here it wont take long and that lonely riding will be gone.
He also owned sportbikes prior to the motard, and then would never go back
More motards to the Capital I say!

RIP Krumm...

[playwme]

Cant say I ever saw the Husky, not good to hear that he ended that way though. Brindabellas are a great road. I've done from Tumut through to Canberra on the Fireblade which has caused a few people disbelief due to the state of the road and the type of bike. Can't wait to do it on the KTM.

As for Canberra motards I have seen a couple on the road, one of the new Husaberg 610's?, another KTM and a Suzuki DR slowed down going past my house the other day when the KTM was parked out front.

[Muzzard]

I have ridden the road from Tumut to Canberra also,
A gnarly sucker at times, but I would ride a Blade down it too though. :roll:
Lived in Wagga for many years so know that area quite well and was a regular at both Blowering for the boat and Thredbo/Jindabyne for the snow, Berridale/Rocky Plains for shooting and blowing things up.

[wobbler]

I have the 04 model which is the same. Yes it has vibes but they seem to lesson as more kays go on. Much less than my old 95 620, a real eyeball shaker that one. I have done a few big trips on it no worries. Nowra to Geelong through the snowies. 15 hours all up in one day. And a weekend trip up to Bathurst the other week.

I geared it down one tooth on the front 16t from 17t. Custom pipe made jetting done plus drilled the slide and cut 2 coils off the throttle spring. Much better than stock. My mate can get it up to 185kmh and I have seen 176kmh so they go alright. They encourage a lot of this too

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/lewy110/2005-09-11015.jpg

Custom pipe

http://www.bikepics.com/pics/pics/ktm-640lc4-04-bikepics-393270.jpg

[Muzzard]

Nice pipe there Wobbler,
'Play it loud OK' :twisted:

[Wobbly]

I couldn't but help notice that there are 2 SMR570's for sale around Melbourne at the moment, both for $8000 :-"

[Muzzard]

They are the wrong colour Neil, Thats why they are for sale ... ;)

[ZuluFoot]

How much do the LC4's go for down under? we will be shipping our household stuff over, could squeeze a few bikes in if there's space, but will they sell?

[Muzzard]

Hi Muzz,
Mate I reckon the average seems to be:
02' $7500-$9500
03' $8000-$10000
04' $8500-$10500

New 05' around $12,000- $13000 if you shop around.

Hope this is of some help Mate.
Looking forward to the trip now its closer?
Good luck to you.

[ZuluFoot]

Hi Muzz,
Mate I reckon the average seems to be:
02' $7500-$9500
03' $8000-$10000
04' $8500-$10500

New 05' around $12,000- $13000 if you shop around.

Hope this is of some help Mate.
Looking forward to the trip now its closer?
Good luck to you.

Cheers Muzzman,

Prices are not that far off from what they are over here, will do some sums and check out cost of shipment first.

Yeah, cant wait to get our asses over there, the hols will be short, but our first visit so excited big time. I have to finish my thesis before we fly on 6 December, so a heavy deadline and a good motivation to get it done.

Cheers for now.

[Wobbly]

Worked out a travel ittinerary yet?

[ZuluFoot]

Worked out a travel ittinerary yet?

Erm, kinda mate,

Arrive, meet friends, drink Beer....
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Depart

[dangermouse1100]

If i had the money then i would definately buy one.
Brett at AJ's Motorcycles in Shepparton lent me the 05 640 supermoto for a day trip. Myself & a friend went riding up to Mansfield, this is one seriously wicked machine. Yes it vibrates heaps but if your only on it for a coupla hours at a time then you'll have a blast. Man i reckon they look fast when they're parked. The biggest problem as a friend said to me is what KTM stands for. Kost Too Much. :cry:
I can dream, dreams are free. :)

[Wobbly]

So where's the new katoom Cal? ;)

[jakestein]

Sat on the demo 640 at AJ's in Shepperton has some cool looking Akropovic cans.

More interesting was the chain runner!! :up:

[Muzzard]

AJ's in Shepparton eh?.. :-k