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KTM 660 for Africa?? KTM 660 for Africa??
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  #1  
Old 20 Apr 2009
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KTM 660 for Africa??
Hi there
I have a KTM660 and a DR350 and my question is as follow.
Shall I sell the DR350 and spend the money on a tank(28l),sub frame (alu original), 21" front wheel and sump gard conversion on my 660 and will it survive Africa UK to SA
Or keep the KTM for road fun until the trip in 2011 and sell it then and take the DR350.

would be nice with some pro and cons.
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  #2  
Old 20 Apr 2009
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I assume you have a 660 enduro, rather than a rally?

I am a massive fan of KTMs, but you need to be aware that obtaining parts for the old LC4 engine on a 640 adventure was virtually impossible in Africa, outside Morocco, Togo, South Africa and Kenya. Given that 660s haven't been around anywhere near as long as the older LC4 engine, parts availability for a 660 will be even worse, meaning you will have to carry them with you or be prepared for expensive shipping via DHL etc.

My gut feel would be to trade down from the 660 to a 640 Adv, which is already purpose built for the job and doesn't require extensive modifications. DR350 would be fine for most of the trip, but might feel a little small on some of the long stretches.
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  #3  
Old 20 Apr 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Roach View Post
I assume you have a 660 enduro, rather than a rally?

I am a massive fan of KTMs, but you need to be aware that obtaining parts for the old LC4 engine on a 640 adventure was virtually impossible in Africa, outside Morocco, Togo, South Africa and Kenya. Given that 660s haven't been around anywhere near as long as the older LC4 engine, parts availability for a 660 will be even worse, meaning you will have to carry them with you or be prepared for expensive shipping via DHL etc.

My gut feel would be to trade down from the 660 to a 640 Adv, which is already purpose built for the job and doesn't require extensive modifications. DR350 would be fine for most of the trip, but might feel a little small on some of the long stretches.
Yes maby you are right I maby should stick with the 350 for the long tripp and keep the 660 forfun. As you say it will cost abit to upgrade the 660 to640adv standard and I dontmind the slow speed on the 350.
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Old 4 May 2009
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FYI: I just travelled from Europe to Japan and onto Australia on a KTM 660 Rallye Replica and yes it can be done... Make sure the 660 is in mint condition (if it has a race history be weary..) and slap on some soft ortliebs and duffle bag and away you go...(really, its that easy!!) KTM dealers on the way, yeah nothing between Turkye and Japan... but hehe didnt have any major failures...

The 660 is a blast (bring earplugs), ripper offroad -but not so onroad-, 48L of fuel (no need for large aftermarket tanks) and great attention puller... (bring a cover..).. The only drama was the circlip of the waterpump coming off but that was quickly detected and fixed... just remember that the older KTMs are 'mechanics bikes', the more you can do yourself the better ... To be honest, this is were i actually got fed up with the bike (+onroad char) and shipped it home after 1.5 years or so... and now driving a nice new yamaha scorpio bought in indonesia.... lol

Will organise some pics...edit: check Travelmaniacs and search for 660

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Old 5 May 2009
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Yeah, its all good.
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  #6  
Old 5 May 2009
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That thing looks sweet! Got any more pictures?

First time I hear of a 660 used for long distance travel. My KTM mechanic actually said that he would recommend it over a 640 because they are built much better and more solid. But the spare part situation would definitely complicate things.
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