Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > KTM Tech
Service Intervals.......... Service Intervals..........
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
KTM Tech KTM Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to KTM riders only.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 19 May 2005
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 349
Service Intervals..........
What intervals are you all servicing your 640's at. I know it says 3000 (miles)..... but my guessing is that this may bit a bit much....

As usual your thoughts are appreciated...

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 May 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Flagstaff,AZ U.S.A.
Posts: 81
With full synthetic oil,I have the oil changed at roughly 5,000 mile intervals(assuming normal usage).This is much longer than the factory recommended intervals.You can also increase the mileage between valve adjustments by using a larger gap at the exhaust valve(0.20mm,instead of 0.15mm).The exhaust valves see more thermal stress than the intake valves.The factory recommended service intervals are for abusive racing conditions,and not real world travelling.I've heard of travellers who have gone 10,000 miles without servicing their KTM 640's.Obviuosly this is excessive,but I see no reason why you cannot increase the mileage intervals(assuming a well broken in engine).The warranty on my bike has long ago expired,but you might want to consider this when modifying the manufacture's recommendations.The LC4 engine is a very reliable engine with basic care.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 May 2005
Ian Ian is offline
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 443
I've gone way beyond the 3000 miles between the service intervals, say 5000 miles, on rough going. I also refilled with semi-synthetic car engine oil (the best I could get at the time). This was from a well known brand (Total I think) so it had quite a high quality rating (SG?).

No apparent ill-effects from this.

If you're off to NW Africa, it might be worth knowing that I found suitable oil almost impossible to find in Western Sahara and southern Algeria. On the other hand, I've found it in Senegal and Niger.

I'm still playing with the idea of fitting a third oil filter as on the rally LC4s but I'm not sure it would help much.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20 May 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Seattle, WA - USA / Oltenita, ROMANIA
Posts: 97
I've never seen my valves vary by more than .02mm or so, and I have 55,000 km on it now. This is miniscule, and won't affect anything no matter what direction it goes. I've checked and adjusted the valves all of 4 times. If you leave the exhaust valves at .2mm like BMBaxter suggests, you wont really hurt anything, but I think you'll hear the tappets pretty loudly at that stage. I think .15mm is quite a safe number that KTM gives and even if it tightens to .1 you should be fine...

------------------
Improvement makes strait roads, but the crooked roads without Improvement, are roads of Genius - William Blake
__________________
Improvement makes strait roads, but the crooked roads without Improvement, are roads of Genius - William Blake
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 May 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, UK
Posts: 68
Hi,

Whilst performing my own services (now too busy/lack of tools) I always changed the oil around 5000K's, but would not check the vales for 10,000K's. I have to say at that point the bike was struggling with backfires/etc and the tappets were quite noisy - I was desparate to get the valves checked.

As the effort in checking the valves is (virtually) the same for a service - I just be done with it and get them done. I always used a good branded semi-synthetic oil.

I'm sure you can go longer, and it depends on the conditions really - I would be more prone to service in a city than on the open road.

My local KTM garage always swears by the 5K rule - but KTM garage services are very expensive. mmmm.

Regards
James

__________________
KTM LC4 640 Adventure-R 2001

Previous bikes...
KTM Duke II 2000
Kawazaki ZX-6R 1998
BMW F650 1996
+ others...
------------------
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:18.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top