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KTM 640 in the desert KTM 640 in the desert
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Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #1  
Old 5 Oct 2004
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KTM 640 in the desert
Hi,
Has anybody done a longish trip, fully loaded, overland across a lot of sand on a 2003 KTM 640 Adventurer ?

I'm trying to estimate fuel consumption in desert conditions. On the road the bike does about 380 miles per full tank. I know I could make an estimate of what it will do in harsh conditions based on that, but does anybody know from real experience ?

thanks for your help,


Simon
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  #2  
Old 6 Oct 2004
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Yes I was reach about 380 to 480km. with full loaded Adventure on Maroccan desert.

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  #3  
Old 19 Oct 2004
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In Morocco, Libya and Sudan fully loaded was getting the same - 380-450km including almost all reserve doing 40-80km/h.

Friend on identical bike had wildly different consumption +-15%.

The things I noticed that made a significant difference included: speed obviously, needle settings in carb,condition and adjustment of chain/sprocket set, state of filter/airbox, quality of fuel and altitude. Was told tyres and tyre pressures also have an impact.

John

[This message has been edited by city2surf (edited 19 October 2004).]
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John Sutherland
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  #4  
Old 31 Oct 2004
Ian Ian is offline
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From my 640LC4-E with Adventure tank, rallye side tanks, ortlieb panniers and rallye engine guard (never weighed the extras but just to give an indication I've listed most of them), I got about 18km/litre on the piste (in Algeria, Niger, Mali and Guinea) and about 21km/litre on sealed roads.

The motor was in a standard state of tune with a KTM SXC silencer, 43T rear sprocket and 16T front. For what it's worth I try to be conservative with the throttle, which can be a huge factor. I noted that fuel consumption drastically increased when riding against the wind.

[This message has been edited by Ian (edited 31 October 2004).]
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  #5  
Old 14 Nov 2004
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just got back from riding round the world.the absolute maximum acheived on tarmac was 370 kms but normally 350kms and deep sand was down to 250kms to reserve. we were 2 up with 43kgs of luggage.
good luck.
dave

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  #6  
Old 25 Nov 2004
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Thanks for all the figures guys. I'm off across Mauritania and Mali and I am carrying 45 litres of fuel (main front tank plus 15 litres on rear tanks). I need to cover about 350km in the desert between stages so I think from what you've all said that it will be enough. Travelling relatively lightly, but there's only so much you can do without !

I think i might juts take another five litres in a gerry can as a back up too .... not sure. I'll test out exactly what the bike will do in sand on the way through Morocco,

cheers,


Simon

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