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Ktm 640? Ktm 640?
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

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Photo by Ellen Delis,
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  #1  
Old 27 Oct 2013
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Ktm 640?
Hi guys,

I'm still bike shopping...came across a 2000 KTM 640 adventure with 18k miles on it for 2600 euro in Ireland.

I'm looking at a trip from UK to Mongolia in May 2014 so probably 12-14,000 k's. I guess realistically it will be 80% tarmac.

From my preliminary research they seem to have a few problems but I thought this one had fairly low ks?

Also a 1998 BMW F650 with 30,000 kilometres on it.

Any opinions appreciated.
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Old 27 Oct 2013
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No offence Dazz but the horror stories you read about seem to be from people who expect a bike with no maintenance, the pre 2003 640's had issue's with the main output shaft bearing(if I recall right) this was sorted by an upgraded bearing that could be swapped out without splitting cases and done by anyone with some basic mechanical knowledge, your bike being a 2000 model has more than likely already had this done, the only other issue these engines have is the bearing on the exhaust rocker arm,(another easy and cheap repair) need replacing about every 15,000 miles, you know when they are on there way out as the valve clearances will start getting bigger and bigger. Apart from that these engines are bombproof, through into that, that these bikes will go everywhere that a beemer/Yamaha/Suzuki etc can only dream of and be a load of fun while your doing it makes them an ideal travel bike, oh and they have all the bits on them from standard that you have to pay serious money for, suspension/brakes etc.
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Old 30 Oct 2013
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send me on the link to the ktm think may know who owns it. if not i can see if any other riders know the bike

id pick newer ktm 640 twin disc model over other single disc

also id pick bmw twinspark f650 dakar over ktm for such journey as more reliable

also keep eye on ukgser doneddeal.ie and uk ktm forum for bike going up for sale
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Old 31 Oct 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by john_aero View Post
send me on the link to the ktm think may know who owns it. if not i can see if any other riders know the bike

id pick newer ktm 640 twin disc model over other single disc

also id pick bmw twinspark f650 dakar over ktm for such journey as more reliable

also keep eye on ukgser doneddeal.ie and uk ktm forum for bike going up for sale
Cheers, sent you a PM with the link.
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Old 6 Nov 2013
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For off road, the KTM 640 ADV is far better than enything else on the market! I did ride the Tuareg Rally this year with mine, without any other modifications than putting a roadbook.

For road use, it vibrates to much I think. But how I would have loved to have this bike in Mongolia instead of my heavy BMW R 100 GS PD... Almost 80kg less! And the suspensions are fantastic.

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Old 8 Nov 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by john_aero View Post
id pick newer ktm 640 twin disc model over other single disc

also id pick bmw twinspark f650 dakar over ktm for such journey as more reliable

also keep eye on ukgser doneddeal.ie and uk ktm forum for bike going up for sale
The 950 SE and 690 only have 1 disk. I had a 05 640 and I did the single disc conversion to it. You don't need twin disks on a 640. It stops well enough with just 1.

I rode a 690 in Mongolia this summer and I rode with a guy on a F650 dakar. When people talk about "reliable" they don't talk about Mongolia and riding styles. The BMWs have sub-par suspension and get beat to crap in Mongolia/siberia. You don't want to be waiting on parts in UB for your broken Dakar suspension. The 640 is 158 kilos dry and the Dakar is about 20 kilos heavier.

UKgser is a good site to find bikes.

Also, the above about the counter shaft bearing and the rocker bearings. Easily swapped before you start your trip.
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