Central shock absorber (WP BAVP3612) with PRO-LEVER linkage to rear-
swing-arm with needle bearing
Rear
Wheel Travel
320 mm / 12.6 in
Front Brakes
Single 300 mm disc, 4 piston caliper
Rear Brakes
Single 220 mm disc, 1 piston caliper
Front Tyre
90/90 -
21
Rear Tyre
140/80 - 18
Steering Head Angle
62o
Wheelbase
1510 mm / 59.4 in
Ground Clearance
310mm / 12.2 in
Seat Height
930 mm / 36.6 in
Wet Weight
158 kg / 348 lbs
GVWR
350 / 773 lbs
Engine Oil Capacity
2.1 L / 2.2 US qt / 1.8 Imp qt
Fuel Capacity
12 L
/ 3.2 US gal /
2.6 Imp gal
Consumption Average
4.7 sec
Top Speed
168 km/h / 104 mph
I'm coming up
to the 10 000 km mark on the Katoom now, so it's probably time
to post a review. This is the most versatile and most funnest
bike I have ever owned. The bike has been totally stock until
recently.
History The KTM LC4 (Liquid Cooled, 4 valve) dates from around
1987, replacing the earlier air cooled KTM 600. It has gained
quite a few refinements over the years, among other things;
electric start, counterbalancers off the crank & camshaft, A
major makeover in '99, 43mm USD forks in '02,and new for '03 a
'high flow' head and hydraulic clutch. The '04 & '05 are the
same apart from a stronger clutch AFAIK. The specs are here
The Bike My 1st impression of this machine was how much it
looked like a modern dirt bike. The big USD forks, the beefy
Magura fat bars, the seat extending right over the tank & the
styling of the orange plastic all mean that the 640 doesn't
really stand out when parked in a lineup of KTM's MX & Enduro
models.
Throw a leg over the thing though and it is apparent this is a
different beast - it's much heavier at 149 kg, and the seat is
not a vinyl covered 4x2.
Start the bike and you're greeted with a quieter than expected
exhaust note from the big steel silencer, she's fitted with a
kick starter for a backup which works OK but usually I'm lazy &
use the button.
Out on to the the road and you'll notice the vibration. The
LC4's are notorious for it. However as my bike has run in it has
got far smoother & I have probably gotten used to it a bit. I
feel less vibes from it now than I did on my old VFR400. On the
open road up to about 120 is smooth & comfortable, over this the
wind & the vibes combine to remind you what a dastardly criminal
you are being.You'll see around 160 km/h tapped out on the
straights.
When the curves come up the fun begins.
The 300mm disc & Brembo caliper on the front do well slowing
down, careful on the down changes 'else the rear will be
chirping & skittering around, especially on the stock semi
knobblies. The big travel forks & 21 front hoop don't give the
feel of a sportbike, but seem to hang on well. At the apex give
the bitch a handful & hang on - the very good WP rear shock &
the big single power delivery give awesome drive & traction,
seemingly oblivious to any lumpy tarseal as you exit the corner.
This thing is a total blast on twisty tarmac, the tighter the
better.
It's fairly comfortable too, I think
nothing of going for a 600km road ride, however I would like to
try the wider, softer seat KTM make, and maybe one day I'll make
a bit of a windscreen to take the load off my arms as you do
have to pull yerself into the bars a little bit at highway
speeds.