tell me about... 1999 KTM 640 LC4 Enduro

[Sharky]

Don't bother trying to get an NX. I probably got the only reasonably priced one. Same with transalps. They are waaaaay too rare. Zero to no local aftermarket support for either. I found a transalp for 200 with a blown motor once, couldn't find a replacement motor for less than what a cherry complete bike would cost. The NX at least has an xrl motor.

 

[psychocandy]

Hey man, I HAVE been shopping. You're right, prices are pretty ridiculous. What's the MSRP on a brand new DR650? $6K? And people are commonly asking for $4K and up ones that are a few years old! People are asking over $3K for pre-redesign KLRs! (although there are a couple cheap KLRs on cl right now, just gotta decide if I want to do that much work on a bike)

 

[antidote]

Hey man, I HAVE been shopping. You're right, prices are pretty ridiculous. What's the MSRP on a brand new DR650? $6K? And people are commonly asking for $4K and up ones that are a few years old! People are asking over $3K for pre-redesign KLRs! (although there are a couple cheap KLRs on cl right now, just gotta decide if I want to do that much work on a bike)

I'd prefer a DRZ again, but would like a DR because honestly there is way too much slab to anything good in CA (had a KLR too, no want again unless mega mods for mega cheap).

In the same boat. Looks like once that nice DS shows up on CL we will be fighting each other. En garde....

 

[psychocandy]

^^^Yeah, did a little more research. I'd pretty much have to be given a KLR for free to make it worth my while.

In the meantime, I'll sharpen up my epee. Or do you prefer foils?

 

[antidote]

^^^Yeah, did a little more research. I'd pretty much have to be given a KLR for free to make it worth my while.

In the meantime, I'll sharpen up my epee. Or do you prefer foils?

I REALLY wish I bought Nemo Brinkler's DR650 for sale here recently...kicking myself still.

When it comes to bladed weapons, I prefer .45ACP....

 

[DefyInertia]

Loved my 2000 640 Adv and ride it all over, street and dirt. I thought it was an excellent street bike, even with full Knobbies. Had the FCR carb, Leo pipe, and opened up airbox...tons of power. Had starting down to one kick, with the magic button working font too. Last time I spoke to the guy I sold it too the bike had over 50,000iles on it and running strong.

Definitely a paint shaker but I had a good saddle on it and did plenty of 300+ mile days of mixed dirt/pavement loaded with camping gear. Fuel consumption was poor, but it had a huge tank.

 

[boney]

You may want to look for a "Duke" or a "Duke II."

(you don't see too many green ones)

17" cast wheels. It's already pretty close to what you're looking at doing with your new purchase. In the long run you may save a little bit of money over what you'd have to put into an enduro to 'tard it.

And suspension wise, yes, the KTM's come with much better suspensions than most other D/S type bikes. I sold my old D/S bike for a similarly set up 640 Adventure mostly because it was far cheaper to make the trade than it was to upgrade the suspension to anything close to what the KTM came with from the factory.

 

[Sharky]

You may want to look for a "Duke" or a "Duke II."

(you don't see too many green ones)

17" cast wheels. It's already pretty close to what you're looking at doing with your new purchase. In the long run you may save a little bit of money over what you'd have to put into an enduro to 'tard it.

And suspension wise, yes, the KTM's come with much better suspensions than most other D/S type bikes. I sold my old D/S bike for a similarly set up 640 Adventure mostly because it was far cheaper to make the trade than it was to upgrade the suspension to anything close to what the KTM came with from the factory.

This is all true. Love the duke, but sadly they are few and far between. Also not sure about cast wheels for dirt duty.

 

[OldFatGuy]

I've owned a 2000 LC4 Supermoto and a 2000 Duke II, both with FCR carbs. I loved them both in different ways. I've never been as fast on any bike as I was on the Supermoto. It just handled awesome and had no problem breaking 100MPH. Never had any mechanical problems with it (unless you count a broken clutch cable, which is extremely common on LC4s for some reason. Always carry a spare. )

As soon as I bought the Duke II, I put a Magura hydraulic clutch on it, so I never had that problem (or any other problem) with it. I did replace the mainshaft bearing, but it was just preventative maintenance, since the older ones are known to have issues. The bearing I removed was in perfect shape, FWIW. I rode that bike all the way to Hawthorne and back last year and was perfectly comfortable. Didn't mind the "paint shaker" effect at all.

To make a long story short, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another LC4-powered bike. The oil change is a little bit of a PITA, but really not bad. And I think the oil change interval is something like 3000 miles, so it's not like you have to do it every week.

 

[boney]

Never had any mechanical problems with it (unless you count a broken clutch cable, which is extremely common on LC4s for some reason. Always carry a spare. )

The fix is easy and takes five minutes. The cable wears where it exits the handle-bar mount. A small piece of stiff rubber or plastic tubing and a long zip-tie to make a little brace and you're done.

 

[OldFatGuy]

The fix is easy and takes five minutes. The cable wears where it exits the handle-bar mount. A small piece of stiff rubber or plastic tubing and a long zip-tie to make a little brace and you're done.

Good to know, thanks. The Magura clutch was really nice, though. I'm glad I didn't know about your fix then, or I may not have had an excuse to buy it.

 

[Sharky]

Tom u still have a DS?
Doing some silly ds rides and going to do sheetiron. Good to have your gorilla ass along if I get stuck.

 

[OldFatGuy]

Tom u still have a DS?
Doing some silly ds rides and going to do sheetiron. Good to have your gorilla ass along if I get stuck.

Yup, I still have my 530EXC. I was thinking about doing the Sheetiron again this year, too. Hmm...

 

[Sharky]

Yup, I still have my 530EXC. I was thinking about doing the Sheetiron again this year, too. Hmm...

Other than me being a twat, let's hit it up this year.

 

[weak_link]

Late to the party but I had my LC4 SM for over 10 years and really enjoyed that bike. As Tom said, the oil changes are a bit funky but in time you get used to doing them and can knock them out pretty quickly after the first couple. Never had any major issues and was a ton of fun, especially with the fcr carb on it.

 

[sasquatch]

The fix is easy and takes five minutes. The cable wears where it exits the handle-bar mount. A small piece of stiff rubber or plastic tubing and a long zip-tie to make a little brace and you're done.

That is awesome.
Been waiting for mine to break...
Time to replace and do this mod

 

[rjbrittain11]

I got an 01' 640 with all the bits...FCR, full TI Akro, and a few other bits. Rode it for 350 miles and the engine took a crap (19k) . It wasn't the Cam Bearing or the ball bearing behind the clutch. I think ita the conrod bearing.

Anyway, parting the damn thing out. I have frame, forks/triples, wheels, Motomaster rotor/caliper/bracket, tank, engine (was running when I took it out, just a really bad knock), and a few other bits left...set of plastics...If anyone is interested.

It was a really fun 350 miles tho

 

[weak_link]

That sure sounds like my old bike!!! How the hell did you blow it up? That bike was solid like a rock for me. I think it was my old one anyway, sorry to hear she is no longer with us.

 

[fast4d]

the cast wheels on duke II will bend very easily but some came from the factory with spoke wheels.

 

[rjbrittain11]

That sure sounds like my old bike!!! How the hell did you blow it up? That bike was solid like a rock for me. I think it was my old one anyway, sorry to hear she is no longer with us.

Ya I got it from Stan. How'd I blow it up? Hell I don't know. But I wish it hadn't.