ktm comfort

[ash_d]

This is probably a much discussed topic n/less:

How does one go about making the 640 adventure a more comfortable bike? Now I know thats kind of a "how long is a piece of string question", but surely it would be possib;le with a bit of imagination to 'plush' things up a bit without rebuilding the entire thing. Basically we'de be talking about seat hardness, shape and especially width. A lot has been said of the KTM being about as comfortable as an upside down chair but it doesn't have to be that way. To be honest this a bit of a quest as my mate (a GS owner) has had a lot to say about this and I'm dying to prove him wrong. Imagine a bike as capable as the katoom but comfortable as well, I don't think it would take much and if we all put our heads together we may be able to figure something out to make these machine a truly comfortable without taking anything away from their capabilities.
Les start with a modified / shaped seat and perhaps slightly modified sidecovers to allow the seat to be slightly wider at the rear. Handlebar and footpeg position next. I dunno, any ideas...this think is killing my ass and lower back...

[Freek]

I'm using a sheepskin for the longer trips.

Freek (NL)

[Kudi]

Indeed, especialy the seat question is a often discussed thing. It's a real pain in the arse on long term trips. But I'm shure it's possible with a few modifications. You will never get the comfort of a GS (at least as long the engine is running/vibrating) but this will be more than compensated as soon your GS mate is seeing only your number plate far in front of him once off-tarmac ;-)

Seat: I cutted mine aprox 4cm in height and would say it's wide enough now. This is not reasonable for taller riders but it has a important side effect for me (1.75m ish): my feets are touching the ground now... Tested this version on a 5'000km trip. NOT good. Thought my bottom will die after 2'500km/3 days on the motorway. Next step will be to workout different shape and foam with my saddler. There was a topic in the HUBB on this: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000005.html Could be worth a test. Another advice often given by RTWs: Lamb coat.

Handlebar:
- The 30mm higher handlebar mounts are very good if you often ride standing on the foot rests. You have to adjust the handlebar angle exactly to avaoid pain in the wrists (I din't and I regreted it)
- ProGrip 714 (http://www.progrip.com): Good alternative to the original grips. They're absorbing vibrations quite good, are comfortable and do not absorb water.
- Acerbis Rally Handguards with Spoilers (http://www.acerbis.com): Excelent lever and finger protection (as long you leave your hands out of'em when dropping the bike) and excelent weather/rain protection (ok, not so important in Oz ;-)

Footrests: The KTM Rallye footrests (original KTM acc.) are not comfortable onroad, they're passing vibrations 1:1 into your feets. But you don't want to miss them once you're standing offroad on them.

Vibration-free travels, Kudi

[JNTaylor]

Ash_d,

After 23000k's my seat is still as good as new. Tip if you do go the route of re-upholstering. You don't necessarily need to use an equigel 'horse' gel pad - personal choice. Before getting the work done (or do it yourself - it's only stapled down and you can pick up cheap 'firm' foam in most places). Make sure you know you high it will be as per your height/comfort & remember it will bed down. Perhaps use firmer foam, but make it wider, not higher. Mine has bedded down a bit but it is still high, but it's the way I like it, and there is years left in the seat. Some have said they did not like the extra 5cm in heiight and width. The seat is the biggest problem IMO with comfort.

Also - don't over harden your suspension - my rec's (on a fully loaded new bike) take it back to factory default - on front - take rebound & compression up 2 clicks (on mine bike feels more stable and handles vibrations, in fact - the faster I go the smoother it gets - could cause trouble in the long run!). On back - spring up half a turn, compression, 8-9 (1-11- - underneath bike) and rebound 4-5 (1-7 - on side of bike). I might have the names confused - so check your manual.

Also - I rind the riding position ok and believe you need to be in the most 'sitting up, upright' position. So if you do redo the seat - make sure you are not sliding forward, i.e. the angle, too much I really reccommend the use of a kidney/back support belt. Doubles the ammount of riding time. It is a single and you will get vibes up your back on any long day's ride.

Regards
JT


[This message has been edited by JNTaylor (edited 23 January 2003).]

[atgreg]

Hi,
for the most comfy bike seats in Oz see, http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~maddoggy/

100% improvement to my Africa Twin seat. 1000km day are no trouble now.
Greg

[Freek]

Originally posted by ash_d:
I don't think it would take much and if we all put our heads together we may be able to figure something out to make these machine a truly comfortable without taking anything away from their capabilities.
Les start with a modified / shaped seat

Well the last trip I had blisters on my ass. (no joke)
So now I've add some pieces off alluminium near the seat.



I've tested it with 2 small rolls of sheepskin and it's feeling like a goldwingseat.
The seat is at least 10 cm/4 inch wider at both sides.

Now I looking for some hardfoam, shape it and cover it with a sheepskin.

I like my seat for short off-road trips and like to keep it original. the 'add-on's' are easy to remove with 4 bolts.

Freek (NL)

[Mr. Ron]

Hi. Just my 2 cents on the topic. I'll NEVER ride a dirtbike on the highway again! I've had to take 2 days off after only 2 days on the road, wishing i was at home in bed my ass hurt so bad!

[reaper]

In reply to ktm comfort I have taken my seat to a guy called LES WOOD in south shields uk. He trades as; seatman@blueyonder.co.uk I have to say his workmanship and quality are superb. les is an engineer by trade but has a buisness making seats. He has foam moulding facilities, gel pads,and various shaping and finishing techniques that are superior to original equipment. Cost wise his prices are very reasonable(vary depending on work but the full monty will cost a lot less than a standard seat replacement) my own seat has been refoamed and contoured for touring comfort with gel pads back and front and finished in two contrasting materials finishes.also included is a removable pillion strap that fixes under the saddle base.I will update on higher mileage comfort very soon.Les is very knowledgable and can make seats to your own requirements and design.

[Freek]

final result;

[Ro]

buy my corbin seat



only 175 euro

netherlands

[Shelton]

Hey orginal 2003 black comfort seat with wider passenger place costs about 90Euros in KTM Sommer!!!

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[simmo]

Freek..thats the weirdest seat I have ever seen ..lucky your not a New Zealander! they would be called ""love handles"".

[This message has been edited by simmo (edited 08 January 2004).]

[Freek]

Well, the sheepskin IS from New Zealand.

Long time agoo, I past the 'how it looks'point.

[Ro]

Originally posted by Shelton:
Hey orginal 2003 black comfort seat with wider passenger place costs about 90Euros in KTM Sommer!!!

Jep. This one is much better

[badwolf]

Originally posted by Freek:

Well the last trip I had blisters on my ass. (no joke)
So now I've add some pieces off alluminium near the seat.



I've tested it with 2 small rolls of sheepskin and it's feeling like a goldwingseat.

Uhmmmm... I don't think that is a good idea putting those sharp things near your legs when riding... brrrr...

Look at my seat instead: the bike is the same KTM EGS 640 Adv MY 2001...



I've inserted a jelly pad like those used to protect horses back from the saddle, changed the cover with an hand made cover and the seat now feels pretty comfortable... No more blisters on my backoffice now ;-) (I suffered that kind of problem during my first Spain tour: 14.000 Km in 18 days trip 3 years ago). Now I can ride for a lot of Kms wihout any kind of trouble and... is not too bad looking stuff, don't you agree? ;-)

Bye

Pietro (aka Badwolf)