Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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 16 Jul 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Mexico
Posts: 4
KTM 640 Adv Two-up to Ushuaia

Hi Everyone!
My wife and I are planning to go from Mexico to Ushuaia this December. I cannot define the Bike yet. But I rather be on the safe (low weight) side. I have done Baja twice on the 640 Adv with no problems. Some techical parts with my wife up too. I like the BMWs and the 950 Adv but I think they are to complicated and heavy for the task.
Does anyone has bad experiences on a 640 Adv with two-up? (maybe broken frames or shocks?
How about saddlebags on the 640? Any recomendations?
Anyone tryed the Corbin saddle on the 640 Adv? Good for two-up?
Regards,
Ramon
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Jul 2007
BCK_973's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Buenos Aires,City of good sex,mate and asado!
Posts: 539
Ramon a V-twin would be the choice

For two up i would allways choose a twin engine! Now a KTM, Honda ?
It depends also on how big and heavy you both are.
Remember you have long distances some times very boring and moving faster is good.
Both options are great on dirt(africa twin and LC8) and fenomenal on tar.
Being two up on a smal KTM in the dirt.....can´t see the big advantage against the twins.Now solo is diferent.
OK man cu
KH
__________________
http://vientoderipio.blogspot.com/
America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Estonia
Posts: 787
Very brave guys those who travel with LC4 long distance. Don't know if all do that, but the single cyl Adventure I rode one for a short ride vibrated that my vision almost blurred. Does it have a balancing shaft?

Some guys have done to Vladivostok with that bike, made me ask are they impotent after that? So do your children before you leave! Girls will maybe like it tho...

Anyways, it's a superb bike for solo more technical offroad sections, one of the best suspensions I've experienced per such capacity bike, but it is definately not for very long distances or two-uping for me, if you want to take it easy. Stock seat is very sporty and hard and the position and feeling was just too sporty. It's travelling not racing remember.

For two up I'd recommend much smoother and more comfortible twin also as BCK, if you like Katoomers, get the 950 or 990 Adventure. You'll have much more space and comfort for your pillon, she'll probably thank you if she got a comparision ride on the back of 640 single.

IMHO, that is.

Anyways, best is if you take your pillon with you and testride different bikes before you buy them. Try them all twins or triples if you can: 640ADV (just for comparision), 950/990, GS, Africa Twin, V-Strom, Caponord, Varadero and older version of Tiger.

Happy testing and choosing, Margus
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
Hi, I had a KTM640 (normal, not the Adventure model I think) rented for a few weeks in Costa Rica earlier this year, and I would agree with the previous poster here, its good when you ride solo,
bad or even very bad when you go 2-up. It starts to feel underpowered, shakes way too much at nearly all rpm, the seat (and space overall) could ve much better,
and the gearing is for offroad, on paved roads you´ll always think you have the wrong one on (this, too, was a problem only when riding 2-up).

Sure it may be a very robust adventure bike, and in fact it was great when doing some of the worst-condition stretches or even tar-roads,
while riding by myself. But it simply wasnt made for 2-up riding, and indeed my girlfriend said this was the last time she´ll climb on the back of a 640. If
I were in her position, Id probably think the same. Didnt let that ruin our holiday, though..!

If your going on a long trip with 2 people on the same bike, I wouldnt even consider this model, there are others that are so much better suited for that.

Theres a magazine in Finland, which now features a trip from here to Vladivostok (and back!) with a 640 Adventure, that guy went solo. I think he had a subframe break up somewhere in Siberia, managed to fix that, though.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 18 Jul 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turkey
Posts: 59
I have a 2006 KTM 640 LC4 Enduro (stripped version of Adventure). I did some 2-up trips with it. I advise to change rear shock spring with a stiffer one (guess KTM Sommers have them.). Cause even too much preload isnt enough with std one. With all your luggage and 2 of you on the bike, rear wheel rubs fender on bumps etc. Also, plastic part in between the rear wheel and exhaust touched the pipe and melted. Another advise is; to have a better seat especially for 2-up. Because of the extra weight, bike loses its agility but not soo much.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Jul 2007
Jerome's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Surrey
Posts: 187
Smile

Hi Ramon,

Que tal?

- If your wife is happy riding pillion on the rough stuff on an Adventure you are a very lucky man.

You don’t have much time before you leave so perhaps “Better the devil you know“ (= take the 640)

Although I have a 2003 640 Adventure I haven‘t done any long distances 2 up but i would suggest the following:

- Rear subframe - Is a simple extended 'V' design with the rear carrier and pillion cantilevered off the back. I’m 70 kg + 50 kg of luggage, frame and tools. It never broke but was strengthened by a Touratech frame. One of the 4 mounting bolts sheared after 100,000 km.
- Seat - This was much improved in 2003. I only added a sheepskin cover.
- Rear spring - I changed the standard (70/260) to a 75/260.
- Saddlebags - I use Expedition Panniers The weight is in front of the rear axle which makes the handling much better than boxes, where the weight is behind the axle.
- The weight you can take on any bike is the same with the same sized panniers. All that changes is the speed.
- Andes Altiplano - take a range of smaller jets for > 4,000 metres. I couldn’t overtake a truck at 50 kmh in Bolivia (at 5,000 metres)

- Vibration causes the most problems - Loctite the 4 rear subframe bolts.
- Clean your bike thoroughly quite often and look carefully for things that are broken/loose/fallen off.
- list of problems/modifications etc on Americas '03

Good luck and enjoy!
__________________
Jerome

fowb.co.uk

Last edited by Jerome; 23 Jul 2007 at 22:20.
Reply With Quote
Reply


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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Two-Up on 640 Adv to Ushuaia biker2000 KTM Tech 3 9 Oct 2007 11:27
640 adv Side Stand / Crash Bars, Where? Jimmy D KTM Tech 11 24 Jul 2007 21:59
KTM 640 Adv. Fuel Tank Solutions AGriffiths Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 1 21 Jun 2007 21:53

 
 

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.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

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!

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 17:17.