Later KTM 640 Adventures are better?

[davidlomax]

As a general feeling would all those of you out there who seem to be hard core devotees of the KTM 640 Adventure say that the later the model the less reliability problems the bike has?

I am about to make a purchase and am trying to work out in my mind whether a properly post exploded rebuilt 2000 bike for £2000 is a better bet than a newer 5000 mile 2003 bike for £4000.

All I really want is to know it wont go bang on me (as well as I can know with a 640!)

Cheers,

Dave

[yngveer]

I have a 02mod and is really happy whit it.
Have done 25000km whout any problems. Okay, the forkseals had to be replased after about 15000km but thas my foult. A lot of offroading whitout good enugh cleaning of the forks.
I would go for the newest one. The 03mod had also some improvments from the previus..

Good luck

[Jerome]

You dont say how many miles/owners each has had and their relative conditions etc.

If you have the money i'd get the 2003:

- oil sight glass for quick checks
- high flow head so its faster
- better brakes
- a few other mods

It's quite possible the 2003 may be in worse condition than the 2000 - it just depends how it's been looked after, but all things being equal newer should mean more reliable

Good Luck


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Jerome

http://www.fowb.co.uk

[CountPacMan]

All the nice upgrades mentioned above plus:

Improved front wheel axle. Now its MUCH thicker with bearings to match. My 2000 model has the old thin front axle with the small bearings that go out way to fast due to all the weight/abuse on the front.

New computer now displays just how hot the coolant in your radiator with a nifty bar. BUT the display is smaller so its a little harder to read.

From 2003 on the CDI unit is switchable from 95 to 80 octane settings. You don't need to buy the replacement.

All this is great in my opinion except for the new windscreen. From 2001, KTM changed to an integral windscreen that is much shorter and one that you can't see through. I like the old one much better.


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Improvement makes strait roads, but the crooked roads without Improvement, are roads of Genius - William Blake

[BlitzBike]

Don't forget the improved main shaft bearing on 2003+ models----big bang item