640 Adventure ?s

[Flagster]

Good morning...
I have a lead on a 2006 KTM 640 adventure for sale locally and am wondering if anyone wants to chime in for things to look out for when I check out the bike...5100 miles...one owner...
I have recently "re-learned" to ride on a CRF50x that I bought a few years ago but am looking for a bike a little more amenable to weekend-week long touring here in the southwest...
Thanks
Matt

 

[Frank]

KTM's are nice bikes and if I could find a somewhat local 640 to buy, I would ditch my KLR as fast as possible to buy it.

As long as the maint records are good, not much else to worry about. Good luck!

 

[Hound]

Definitely buy this bike if it is in good mechanical condition and you can afford it. Like Frank, I too would buy a 640 in a heartbeat, but I can't seem to find any decent local examples. I was very close to purchasing a KLR650, but have now set my sights on a 640 Adventure. Good luck and let us know if you pull the trigger. If you are looking for more technical advice, you may want to try advrider.

 

[RHINO]

used to own an 03. great bikes and very capable. they are not as comfy on the road as said KLR, but they are a lot more dirt bike. if you tend to hit the dirt pretty hard and just need something to carry you and some stuff a distance on the pavement its a good choice. if you need something thats more comfy on the road and hit the dirt less aggressively then you may wonder why you bought it when the newness wears off.

bikes are funny things, you will never know for sure until you've had one, whatever it is. i say buy it so you can see if its what you want, they have good enough resale value that you can sell it later if its not a good fit.

 

[coguzzi]

ive had almost every dual sport under the sun, 2 klr650's, transalp, DR's, XR's etc, etc. the KTM640 is hands down the best one in this cc size class, all the other ones did everything mediocre, KTM doesnt really make any sacricies and does everything well. packable, huge range on the tank, more comfortable than KLR's on the slab (in my opinion), better in dirt etc. still a pretty heavy pig for single track but i have a 4500 for that. ive ridden the 990's, much better "all round" bike in my opinion.

now--i have ridden a couple examples that vibrated more than the KLR's, my personal one is smoother, so the one in question may vary. my KTM640 is probably never leaving my stable, took me along time to find a bike i was as happy with. i am tempted to test ride the new f700-800gs though--dont tell

 

[Stumpalump]

I've read some vibrate and some vibrate less. Go ride it at road speed and see if you think it's too buzzy for you. Only what I've read.

 

[bianchi]

great bikes i did 3000 miles in 10 days this summer in the french italian alps

cheers

Dave

 

[dhally]

I owned one for 15,000 miles (2001 model). The 2006 model has no known issues and with 5000 miles on it nothing should have failed yet. Something to keep in mind with this bike - it requires far more/more difficult maintenance than a Kawasaki or Honda would. Oil changes take over an hour and cost $30-$40 in parts. Valve inspections are easier after radiator removal. Over the time I owned the bike, the speedo computer failed, the fork seals failed regularly, the water pump seal failed, some wires broke, The rocker cover seal failed, the TDC sight glass failed, the countershaft seal failed, and the prolink bearing failed (probably my fault). All of these issues are not uncommon with all model years. Even with all these issues, the bike never failed me on the trail.

They all vibrate - some more, some less. The stock seat is pure torture on the highway (custom seat $400). The tiny windscreen is fairly effective and luggage capacity is huge for a dirt bike.

On the positive side, once I got the suspension sorted ($900), it was the most incredible method of moving fast over rough ground I have ever experienced. It worked very well on twisty asphalt too. Not so good on freeways and I kept off single tracks unless I had a couple buddies along to help pick up the bike.