I own a 2001.
20.800 km without a single problem.

My friend didnt buy the KTM so I have .Trailered the bike home on Sunday and noticed a smell of petrol ,didnt think too much of it until yesterday I noticed that the reserve fuel tap has gone awol! so this is my first taste of KTM ownership .

Sommer KTM in Germany seem to have a great catalogue and I am intigued by the Sommer tips ,Is anyone able to send me an English language copy by e mail I dont have the technical ability to translate it from the net

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Hello,

Oblivious to above (every bike has problems)I bought a new 2003 KTM 640 Adventure for a nice price and really looking forward to some off(all)road trashing...(after running it in properly for 1000km's.. sigh)

Grtz

Just completed my first long trip on my 2000 640 Adventurer, my backside hasnt yet recovered , I know what everyone says about the seats but boy I didnt believe it could be that bad .

Couple of questions .I checked oil from cold everyday as per manual , each time it showed either nothing or to much , back howm I drained oil and thankfully it seems to have had enough .Does anyone use the sighting window to check the oil - my manual doesnt refer to it .
What gearing do people run who use the bike off road , I am not sure what I have but it was a bit high for comfortable low speed .Also the bike doesnt seem very happy at low speeds , obviuosly the transmisson on big singles can be a bit snatchy but the engine itself seemed to be a bit hesitant

Only problem was a loose raditator hose in 2000+ miles much off road and my inability to get the bike onto the centre stand when loaded

RussellT, the case can be prone to leaks if the engine mount bolts are overtorqued then the seal can migrate between the case halves. I do not believe this to be common, and do not think you would see the oil at the front of the case, but rather on the underside, below the skidplate. (Though I am just guessing.)

Crosspost from ADV R problem list: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000145.html

Just some thoughts. It is really important to bleed the USD forks, otherwise you asking for leaks and/or blown fork seals, with the KTM Hard Parts bleeders it just takes a push of a button to bleed them.

If you have a 2002, I would upgrade the front spokes, or at a minimum carry spares, and loosely zip tie the spokes, so a broken spoke will not cause a get off. Checking spoke tension, and not going to tight really seems to help as well. Always add grease inside the lip of the wheel bearing seals anytime the axle is removed, a small tin comes in handy for holding grease in the tool kit.

The pre 2003 L/H main bearing should be replaced with a 2003up upgraded bearing ASAP, if it fails you will most likely be looking at a major engine overhaul.

IMHO, it is best to use the kickstarter as much as possible, at least avoid multiple starting cycles by holding the button until you have a good start, as the electric starter geartrain is somewhat prone to failure. With a properly jetted carb, and consistant technique, kickstarting is fairly easy.

On my LC4s the vibration after rejetting and break in was approx 2/3rds less then when new. I attribute the majority of the reduction to the rejetting. Love this bike, but doubt I do a RTW trip on it. Cheers, Mack