ive decided I'm getting a road supermoto, not racing just want some road based fun with a little green laning action. Have about 3500 to spend tops, really quite liking the look of the ktm 640 and found a real nice 660 smc but lack of electric start and left hand kick start worries me... Also looking at wr450 and crf450 but big 640 ktm engine for maximum fun factor keeps dragging me in.. Anyone know how reliable the ktm is and availability of spares etc? Bring on the hoonage!
Good call sir ! I have a friend that has the KTM 650 and its a serious weapon and he has had no issues with it and maxed it out with carbon and trick bits... You'll have loads of smiles per hour out of one !
Thanks B, yeah fancied one for some time and I'm biting the bullet, seen a nice 660 smc was worried about insurance but it's £70 will be great fun on the twisties and keep speeds a little lower without sacrificing the fun factor
What out with the seat height, some of them have a very tall seat height, so if you're not tall you may want to sit on them first.
Bike bay what's that Dave? I'm 6'2 so seat height isn't to much of an issue.. Need to arrange some viewings see what I like, sat on a 640 last weekend two lads had them said they loved them. Also sat on a DRZ400 and WR450 but still can't decided.. No way to test ride so guess it's a case of taking the plunge
Just commented on it so its bumped upto top for you! https://www.facebook.com/groups/222935171108991/ 59 plate 12k miles
had a DRZ 400sm as a first bike, fun but ...slow, then had KTM 625smc great fun when it was on the road (they're not called Keep Taking Money for nothing) as has been mentioned the seat height on them was very moto x style. Had a test ride on the new KTM 690 SM great fun in the twisties and through traffic but, anything above 80 and the front wheel was skipping about all over the place (very unstable) Test rode the Ducati 796 Hypermotard and more recently the 821, when funds allow this'll be my next (second) bike without doubt, head and shoulders above the competition. If you can stretch your budget a bit to a 10/11 plate 796 i'd thoroughly recommend it, it's a more refined hoon mobile down to personal preference at the end of the day but for me it'd have to be the Ducati http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ducati-HY...897?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c909de4f9 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-11-D...315?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c4b59a48b
I rode and raced off road KTMs for ten years and the spares availability for the off roaders was second to none. I can only assume that the same applies to road/supermoto bikes.
Friend of mine is selling his 640 And you would have plenty of change to spend on other stuff I have an identical bike and love it Certainly gives me plenty of smiles and cheap motoring http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/141638597678?_mwBanner=1 I think his actually on here @Andrewzzz as he has a cb1000 tricked up
Wow great feedback guys thanks, it's difficult and I only want to go this route if it's a bit mental / great fun. Think the XT and duke 640 could be a bit tamed down, but then the mental bikes need lots of maintenance / care.. Guess you can't have both! Looking at an aprilia sxv 550 this morning which after some research is mental but could be to unreliable.. But it's only around the corner from my house so silly not to at least have a look and a chat with the guy
The 640 isn't the most wild of supermotos I admit but it bashed super bikes up through the lanes with no trouble and can hit triple figures pretty easily it's no slouch either Also reliable with a fairly large maintenance schedule compared to the likes of the aprilla and ccms ect
Yes it's super clean, 3000 miles with all mot and books and spare keys etc. only 200 miles between mot! Will soon change that Oh didn't think about tail tidy good idea, will see who makes one
Wish I hadn't started reading this thread Mr Chops, been putting a bit aside every month to get myself a hypermotard, just put a bid on an 08 plate KTM 690..it's all your fault !!