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KTM 640 LC4 Adventure
 

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Make Model

KTM 640 LC4 Adventure

Year

2006 - 07

Engine

Four stroke, single Cylinder. SOHC, 4 Valve per cylinder

Capacity

624.6 cc / 38.1 cu in
Bore x Stroke 101 x 78 mm
Compression Ratio 11.0:1
Cooling System Liquid cooled

Induction

Mikuni BST 40

Ignition

Contactless DC-CDI ignition with digital advanced system, KOKUSAN

Spark Plug

NGK DPR8 EA-9

Battery

12V 8Ah, maintenance free

Starting

Kick & electric

Max Power

35.7 kW / 49 hp @ 7500 rpm

Max Torque

52 Nm / 5.3 kgf-m / 38.4 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm

Clutch

Wet, multiplate

Transmission

5 Speed, claw shifted

Primary Drive Ratio

30:81

Gear Ratios

1st 14:35 / 2nd 15:24 / 3rd 18:21 / 4th 20:19 / 5th 22:18

Final Drive Ratio

16:40

Final Drive

Chain

Frame

Central chrome-moly-steel frame

Front Suspension

50 mm WP upside-down forks

Front Wheel Travel

300 mm / 11.8 in

Rear Suspension

WP monoshock

Rear Wheel Travel

320 mm / 12.6 in

Front Brakes

2X 300mm sisc

Rear Brakes

Single 220mm disc, 1 piston floating caliper

Front Tyre

90/90 - 21 54S Enduro 3

Rear Tyre

140/80 - 18 70R Enduro 3
Steering Head Angle 62.5o
Wheelbase 1510 mm / 59.4 in
Ground Clearance 320 mm / 12.6 in
Seat Height 945 mm / 37.2 in

Dry Weight

158.0 kg / 348.3 lbs

Fuel Capacity

28 Litres / 7.4 US gal / 6.2 Imp gal

Fuel Reserve

3.8 Litres / 1.0 US gal / 0.8 Imp gal

The 640 Adventure presented by KTM retains only the good features such as versatility, agility, power and gets reed of the unnecessarily weight and size, resulting in an easy to ride all around motorcycle with plenty of power coming from the LC4 single-cylinder engine which proved successful on many KTM models (the Duke, SMC, LC4).

During the time I’ve ridden KTM’s 640 Adventure I saw a new face of motorcycling and I sure loved it. Attraction immediately came as I jumped onto its seat and fired up the four-stroke 625cc single-cylinder motor. The riding position is perfect for medium sized persons, just like me, and the exhaust note is deep, making the rider well aware of where the rpm level is all the time.

Putting the bike into first gear doesn’t involve any fatigue and the clutch feel is firm and precise. Having ridden KTM bikes fitted with the same engine, I was now expecting a quick go coming from the single-cylinder, but I must say that throttle response, although immediate, was tuned towards trail riding so it is a bit smoother and reassuring.



The engine is enough powerful for almost anything that the off-road will require: climbing steep hills, passing through rivers, and spreading dirt. You name it and the 52 horses at 7000 rpm will deal with, problems excluded. It will also be the result of a torquey engine (55 Nm at 5500 rpm) which provides all of the tractable power that gets you out of trouble and very often impresses your buddies. I had no problems taking the 640 Adventure in deep mud and then wash it as I passed the river (my feet were already wet and the boots needed to be cleaned anyway, so what better method?.

Also out on the trails I managed to get the front wheel off the ground by suddenly twisting the throttle and it was quite a pleasure to do this as the terrain ahead presented many step-like bumps. Impressive pull saves the day!

But this type of exploitation also requires good-performing suspensions and the WP front and rear units are more than suitable for the job. I did not manage to reach the fork’s bottom end more than two times and that happened while landing from an ambitious and optimistic jump above a thick log.

The front brake played a trick on me (or I may have played a trick on the front brake) on wet grass surface, determining the front wheel to slip and the rider to taste some muddy grass. It is more of a talent thing than efficiency as you have to calculate how much to pull the lever, taking in consideration the fork compression and the grip of the surface you’re on. I guess that this is why I’ve never seen an off-road rider with no broken bones. On normal, street use, the performance Brembo brakes which apply their pistons on two 300mm discs up front and a single 220mm disc at the rear prove very efficient and confident-inspiring. I preferred using both brakes because I didn’t wanted to taste the asphalt (I reckon that this ride report would have been published pretty late). Even so, it is steady and confident under powerful braking.

I’ve taken the bike down the freeway and up to 80mph so I would get a feel of those harsh vibrations that tend to make customers avoid it and I must say that evolution has clearly said its word and even though present through the handlebars and footpegs, the vibration levels are acceptable and easy to live with. Would you preferred the engine’s grunt to fade away concomitant to the rpm increase? I don’t think so.
 

Conclusion

A wonderful mix of power, versatility and fun is what makes the 640 Adventure Traveller’s Edition a true blast each time you ride it. Prepared for the long run on and especially off the road, the bike is a true representation of KTM’s dedication on delivering the best performing and one of the most agile all-around motorcycles on the market today.