Mon, 27 Jul 1998 23:16:26 +0200
- Message No. 3638
From: "Jorn Ronnow"
Subject: RE: KTM Adventure R vs @
> Marco Kost wrote:
> The KTM looks quite good and seems to be even better. But donīt
> underestimate the vibrations. I once tested a LC4 620 and I must say,
> the vibs are brutal!!! No comparison to a Dominator or another
> japanese Single. As long as the KTM engine has no Balancer
> (Ausgleichswelle), there is no reason to change the bike :-)
The newer KTM's have balancers. I've only tested the old 620 without the balancer, and agree that it's painful! BTW, the engine of that particular bike broke down at 4500 kms, and again at 9000 km's.
As far as the new 640's are concerned, the idea seems 100% right: A bike for fast gravel road riding, unlike the more forest/hard terrain oriented bikes like Husqvarna 610 etc. I would have bought a KTM, if it wasn't for their history:
When Honda, Yamaha, Cagiva and BMW (the boxers) have entered bikes in the Dakar rally, their bikes have finished. Suzuki and KTM have failed to do so. Their engines have broken down. When the "big guys", like Magnaldi, Arcarons etc, fail to reach Dakar, it's not their own fault; they always finished before they started riding KTM's. So, the reliability seems to be too low right now.
> BTW2: According to PS, Honda will present a liquid-cooled XR660,
> which shall participate at Dakar 99!
Now we're talking: hope this is true!
Keep sliding
-Jorn
www@atic.org