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Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 2 Sep 2009
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2 up on a KTM 640 Adv......advice/experience
Hi, I'm new to the site so apologies if I am posting this in the wrong place!

I am looking at buying a KTM 640 adv to tour 2 up with my girlfriend with a view to riding the americas north to south in 2011. My question is: is the 640 suitable for 2 up with luggage or should i be looking at the 950/990? I'm quite a big guy, 6'1" and 15stone though the missus dont' weight much (more than my life is worth to give her weight out!)

I'm sure this is a daft newbie question but my only biking experience is a GSXR600 where luggage and 2 up where never a consideration!
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  #2  
Old 2 Sep 2009
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Originally Posted by rish99 View Post
Hi, I'm new to the site so apologies if I am posting this in the wrong place!

I am looking at buying a KTM 640 adv to tour 2 up with my girlfriend with a view to riding the americas north to south in 2011. My question is: is the 640 suitable for 2 up with luggage or should i be looking at the 950/990? I'm quite a big guy, 6'1" and 15stone though the missus dont' weight much (more than my life is worth to give her weight out!)

I'm sure this is a daft newbie question but my only biking experience is a GSXR600 where luggage and 2 up where never a consideration!
Keep the misses happy or you will be miserable. 2 up on any bike is demanding. I would be more inclined to the 950/990 (needs skilled rider to get the most out of it) but to go as frugally as possible I would really consider Wee/V-Strom (bullet-proof, comfy, can do Batopillas (Copper Canyon) easily and Wee gets very good mileage). I'm planning a RTW soon and the bike is the hardest choice going solo (I like the idea of a 250 -400cc DS). 2 up, hands down Wee/V-Strom would be my choice. Go ride with the misses and see her tolerance level for hours in the saddle.
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  #3  
Old 2 Sep 2009
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Forget the 640 2 up, ok for a few miles,at 45 bhp two up with luggage over the distances your talking about the engine will be stressed and the the sub frame and saddle really are not designed to take that weight and stress and will fail - however that will most likely be long after your relationship has failed. It would be a real endurance test sitting two up on the 640 for any real distance and if the going gets hard it would be intolerable. There are far more suitable 600cc bikes around for two up travel, I used a 950 ktm for almost 50,000 miles of use and travelling two up. Its a great bike but you need to be mechanically able and if your going to use it anywhere off road two up it really is not the best choice unless your fairly competent on the dirt. If i was you I would look more towards something that has lots of low down torque, reasonable power output 60/80 hp, and a solid build. There is several choices around depending on your preference - and what your ultimate (real and achievable) travel goals are.
Last edited by adventure950; 13 Oct 2009 at 09:33.
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  #4  
Old 3 Sep 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rish99 View Post
Hi, I'm new to the site so apologies if I am posting this in the wrong place!

I am looking at buying a KTM 640 adv to tour 2 up with my girlfriend with a view to riding the americas north to south in 2011. My question is: is the 640 suitable for 2 up with luggage or should i be looking at the 950/990? I'm quite a big guy, 6'1" and 15stone though the missus dont' weight much (more than my life is worth to give her weight out!)
Well, whatever people might tell you - it is possible to ride 2 up on any (suitable) bike. Now, what you want to consider "suitable" I don't know.

As for me I used my old Honda TransAlp (400ccm due to license restrictions over here in Japan) and it took me and my girlfriend + all the stuff we needed to Hokkaido (besides some other minor touring we did). Didn't have any problems at all!

Of course the TA does not have the power of any 400+++ccm bike, but I am not a racing bike rider either. It was enough, riding on the highways with more than 100km/h and a gas milage of 5 l/100km - what more can you expect?

So, I would check my savings account, see how much I want to / can spend and go from there.
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  #5  
Old 3 Sep 2009
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I know a couple who managed RTW 2 up on a 640, they didn't find it that bad. I have done 9000 mile trips 2 up with luggage on a TT600R.
2 bikes does introduce its own extra costs and hassles and a bigger bike is not always ideal either. Try finding a 150 section tyre for a KTM 990 or a chain (has to be endless, remove swingarm) for one in central/south America, Africa etc.
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  #6  
Old 3 Sep 2009
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If you're interested (or anyone else for that matter) I will be selling my two 640 adventurers - both in 1st class condition - both with pannier racks.

1 x 2005 (55) with Akropovic & kuba links 6415 miles (serviced at 6000) orange.

1 x just completely rebuilt 2003 (with fuel octane switch fitted) 12000 miles grey

Pic of 2005 bike here:

Bike Pics :: ktm4.jpg picture by strimstrum - Photobucket


Pic of 2003 bike here :
Bike Pics :: ktmfinishpictures001.jpg picture by strimstrum - Photobucket
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  #7  
Old 3 Sep 2009
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2 Up On A 650 Is Quite Doable
My wife and I have logged 95,000 km on our 2004 F650GS Dakar. Much of this has been on gravel/dirt roads and includes some off road in Baja.

Last winter we spent 6 months on it traveling from Canada to Panama and back with no issues other than a water pump leak.

The only mods we had to do was to upgrade the rear shock to an Ohlins at 50,000 km and we matched the ohlin with heavier fork springs.

The bike will cruise all day at 110-120 km on the pavement fully loaded but if freeways are your preference it would not be my first choice. It is outstanding on gravel/dirt roads.

I can't comment on the 640 KTM.

I have some detailed evaluation info on my blog if you are interested.
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  #8  
Old 13 Oct 2009
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2 up on 200
My friend Shona and I have just returnesd from doing 3000 miles through UK, France and Italy on a clapped out CD200T. I weigh 180, she 140, tank bag of 30 and throw overs of 30 lbs. It easily made it to the top of Cap col Bonnet, the highest road in Europe 10,000 ft, much to the disgust of the sport bike riders.

Benifits: cheap on gas, cheap on parts, no one wants to steal it

And it's nimble and low on dirt, gravel and cobble stones.

I'm considering riding it to Istanbul in May- maybe further.

Justin
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  #9  
Old 13 Oct 2009
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??
Hi
I did Iceland+ 2 up on a ktm 640 adv. Bout 5000km.
I think there is more comfort for 2 with the bigger 950/990, if you have no real attraction to either. Especially on the longer roads.
Thats what I am looking to buy.
I loved the 640 but my weight combined with my girlfriends is 190kg. I thought it was a bit much.
Cheers
Orrin
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