Should I buy a 640 Adventure?

**QuasiRob** · #1 8 Jan 2005

Hi all, OK, this isn't exactly tech talk but it is KTM. Im kinda drawn to the idea of this adventure biking and having looked at various makes of bikes I've convinced myself that the 640 Adventure is the bike I need, it meets all my requirements technically, theres just one think Im not sure about - the height of that saddle! I've always ridden bikes like CBRs and an R6 before which are much lower.

Sat on a new one today and my toes just about touched the ground. I'm 5'9" tall. Its a new bike and the dealer thinks he can get the seat recut and drop that a couple of inches, and get another inch lower from the suspension.

How tall are you other 640 riders? How do you manage when stopping?!

**Freek** · #2 8 Jan 2005

Just slide a little aside on the seat and put one foot on the ground.

Also with the bike all packed up, it will be lower.

------------------
Freek (NL)

**mcdarbyfeast** · #3 9 Jan 2005

Superb bike for solo overlanding. Sold mine to a guy who rode it to Australia. Great for lots of off road but, a bit vibey if your alot of road mileage. They do feel tall but, you get used to it and handles well even fully fueled/loaded. The gearbox was the biggest surprise being very light and positive.

**Ian** · #4 9 Jan 2005

I'm 5'11" and had no trouble (with feet touching the ground, that is) on a 2000 640 Adv, and AFAIK the later models are slightly lower.

A friend had his Adventure lowered by, I believe, a relatively simple change of one of the suspension linkage components. It was done by Marsh performance near Plymouth 07855 464922.

I believe the seats fitted to 03 and later models are a big improvement, comfort wise, over their predecessors, so cutting it might negate that.

If you're a bit concerned about the size/bulk of the bike you might consider a 640LC4-E (my choice), and add a big tank etc. to your requirements.

Re: Bike choice: nothing to add to the above, IMHO the name of the bike says it all.

**yngveer** · #5 9 Jan 2005

Hi, I`m 177cm high. Have a 02mod adventure. Can handel it fully loaded offroad. You will get used to it, but take it easy in the beginnig. compared to my previous xt600 and africatwin 750, the adventure is the best bike.

I have now about 28500km on the bike, and no problems.

yngve

**MissPink** · #6 15 Jan 2005

Hi there. I'm 5'8", a girl (and not that butch),and - up until last summer - had only ever ridden a 1972 Vespa. Then I passed my test and bought a 640 Adventure...the next morning I rode to Turkey (well, six days in all). I love my bike - my wild pony...she is gorgeous (and she is a she I'm afraid). I can only just touch the floor on tip toes, but am flat footed when fully loaded up. I am definitely envious of guys (still haven't met another girl on one) who are flat footed on the bike, as the bike isn't light, and balancing the whole of its weight on tip toes requires very strong calf muscles (which yoga is good for). However, I wouldn't swap her for the world...and shall be heading off through Africa on her this year. Buy the 640 Adventure...it's a wild ride...

**Buckster** · #7 23 Jan 2005

I like mine but have yet to do any long trips, I haven't travelled for a few years, but the Katoom is a world of difference over my DR800 that I did my big miles on, oh I'm 6'4" and can flat foot no probs, but I am going to uprate the springs to suit my weight.

**Jerome** · #8 23 Jan 2005

Yes. (imho)

The 2003 seat is much more comfortable than the earlier ones but, depending on your route, I'd suggest getting the seat lowered before changing the suspension. Try MCN back pages or car upholsterers - much cheaper than a new seat.

Even when you load the bike up resetting the sag should bring the height back, So the lowering the seat is the best way to get your feet nearer the ground without affecting the handling.

I can't flat foot mine

------------------
Jerome

http://www.fowb.co.uk

[This message has been edited by Jerome (edited 22 January 2005).]