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chrisdubya
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PostPosted: 16:43 - 11 Jul 2017    Post subject: Did a buy! Reply with quote

Hi chaps, finally succumbed and bought myself a more off-road orientated machine in the form of a KTM LC4 640. Its got a few little extras including talon wheels & hubs, a rather fruity exhaust, brand new chain and sprockets, refreshed suspension, -1 front sprocket and some super corsa scrubs should I feel the need to hoon it around Teesside karting track...

Coming from an R1, this thing is such great fun on the bump backroads we have around here!

I'm also looking at light greenlaning and as such its already fitted with more on road/off road tyres - front being a Bridgestone trail wing 101 and the rear being a more knobbly Heidenau K60.

Im thinking of changing the rear to match the front as I'll be more on road, but going to give it a bash how it is first, and ordering some hand guards.

If anyone has suggestions on how to make these bikes better please do comment!

Quick Pic...

https://i.imgur.com/YJh264A.jpg
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G
The Voice of Reason



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PostPosted: 20:53 - 11 Jul 2017    Post subject: Re: Did a buy! Reply with quote

Not ideal off-road, but will do ok.

I would get a separate set of off road wheels personally, fit proper off road tyres and keep the SM wheels in road rubber.

Doesn't take long to swap and that'll make more difference than the rest of the bike looking 'dirt bike' probably!
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thx1138
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PostPosted: 22:20 - 11 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

dunno how expensive it is,

but maybe look for second hand plastics, swap them over, keep your nice shiney plastics safe for when you sell it

frame guards, if they are cheap? Cos boots will rub that frame

shock linkage skid plate maybe? Though tbh I don't have one my beta, I really should.

hand guards, looks like you've already got the levers rotated forward, makes covering brake and clutch when stood up easier
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chrisdubya
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PostPosted: 09:18 - 12 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cheers guys - this isnt going to be an all out off-roader by the way, I'd have bought a traily for that!

I just fancied a little fun machine that would have some light off road capability should I be out and about and fancied exploring Smile

Knowing me, this will last a few months and be chopped in for something more dedicated, however in the mean time this was cheap, in good nic, and I know some previous owners so it'll do for now Thumbs Up
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G
The Voice of Reason



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PostPosted: 09:59 - 12 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

chrisdubya wrote:

I just fancied a little fun machine that would have some light off road capability should I be out and about and fancied exploring Smile

That could also describe an R1 Wink.
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chrisdubya
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PostPosted: 10:01 - 12 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

G wrote:
chrisdubya wrote:

I just fancied a little fun machine that would have some light off road capability should I be out and about and fancied exploring Smile

That could also describe an R1 Wink.


Very true Laughing Laughing

Although I do try to spent most of my time on the R1 trying to keep it on the road and not in hedges and fields!
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thx1138
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PostPosted: 12:45 - 12 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

chrisdubya wrote:
Cheers guys - this isnt going to be an all out off-roader by the way, I'd have bought a traily for that!



I just went green laning on my CRF250L, after months hooning around on my Beta...

erm, well, I kinda know what I'm doing, but what a difference, and not in a good way Laughing

kept giggling to myself as I dabbed a foot down, where a twist of the throttle didn't save me, stalled it a couple of times Embarassed
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chrisdubya
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PostPosted: 09:25 - 14 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

As long as you had a giggle! I had a mini adventure last night, down some local roads which have 'Unsuitable for motor vehicles' signs.

I drive past these roads nearly every day and never been down them! So last night I had a tootle.

https://i.imgur.com/Ph4fSH9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lk4s0vO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6wD6j98.jpg

Was nice to just have a little wonder!

I saw a barn owl catching his tea and wanted to stop and take a photo. 1st lesson - not too much front brake on the slippy stuff. Skidded a little bit but didnt drop it.

Bike feels surprisingly planted and light actually! Obviously I'll find its limits on the harder, muddier lanes.

Handles well on the roads too and with the (lack of) power it has you can use everything the bike has and not worry about it going wrong.

But, although it's not the perfect machine, I had fun!
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Snowdonia Rider
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PostPosted: 10:25 - 14 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

You had fun so job well done Thumbs Up
____________________
I want your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.
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My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SnowdoniaRider
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chrisdubya
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PostPosted: 09:11 - 20 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mini Adventure No.2 last night:

https://i.imgur.com/EGsu55w.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/sVBHFrV.jpg

We went to the beach! Great fun.

Also went through some local wooded areas and I was surprised at how well it coped - it went everywhere my mates gasgas did! Once I let some air out of the tyres...

Realistically, its a big lump of a bike with too much torque for greenlaning (especially with my puny 12 stone on it) but for now, it suits me fine as I still like a little road hoon every now and then.

No regrets buying it thus far!
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chrisdubya
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PostPosted: 15:06 - 27 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

OK so its not taken as long as I thought.

This is a cracking little bike, but it may be up for sale soon... I need something more off-road biased. As a supermoto and light green laning machine this is great however something more suitable and close to me has come up for sale... a CCM 404e.

G - a quick google brings to the top of the list your review of it which you wrote on here some years ago. Seems like a positive bike and what Im after? Supermoto wheels for blasting around and also comes with the enduro wheels. Is this still a capable bike for offroad, and the odd enduro event? My mates are bombing around on gasgas 250 and beta 300 2 strokes but they say they're awful on the roads - I dont want that! I still need some road action in my life.
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G
The Voice of Reason



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PostPosted: 15:10 - 27 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, sounds like a good choice.

It is a good bit heavier than a 2 stroke enduro bike, but does well enough on the road.

For the price (presuming it's reasonably priced), I don't think you'll get much better that does both well.

Mine only came with one set of gearing - the SM wheels are shorter so effectively that makes it taller geared off road than on. That was fine for greenlaning, but I'd want the lower gearing for a proper enduro.

You could look at proper dirt wheels for yours, but think the CCM comes in a good bit lighter.
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chrisdubya
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PostPosted: 15:18 - 27 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Smile

From what I can find the LC4 is 137kg dry and the 404e 119kg so a good saving there (the gasgas 250 weight 107kg I think).

From what I can gather, the one I'm looking at is low mileage, has 11 months MOT and comes with spare plastics, a smaller tank, spare seat, SM wheels, a range of sprockets, and a few maintenance bits consisting of:

* new wheel bearings in enduro wheels
* new chain
* new countershaft bearing, ss spacer and new seal,
* carb stripped and cleaned ( had a blocked jet)
* oil and filter changed, new plug
* new brake pads and brakes bled
* new battery
* forks rebuilt with new seals

He also mentioned a 'pumper carb' producing more power? Or is this just a standard thing the 'e' version has over the DS/DRZ?

Thanks,
Chris
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G
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PostPosted: 15:36 - 27 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think all the CCMs had a FCR card with a pump - which only came on the E model of the DRZ.
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chrisdubya
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PostPosted: 15:39 - 27 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hairy muff, thanks Smile

I think this could be the bike for me. I know a full-on enduro would be better offroad, but I dont want to lose road riding capability.

I'll go and have a view anyway Thumbs Up
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G
The Voice of Reason



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PostPosted: 17:48 - 27 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

You could consider a 4 stroke competition bike, but nasty servicing intervals to make up for the lower weight and higher power.

And do have to be a bit more careful on the road - but for the riding it's self, they work very nicely generally.
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chrisdubya
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PostPosted: 18:40 - 27 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Funny you mention that as a very nice and clean 2007 (carbed) ktm exc400 has come up quite local to me! I've heard good things about them
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chrisdubya
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PostPosted: 10:02 - 15 Aug 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well that lasted.... Very Happy

640 gone, now on the hunt for a 2 stroke machine.

Looking at 2007-8 era KTM exc 250/300 as that is realistically my budget (i'm having to allow for a trailer & tow bar). Can anyone offer any information on these? From what I can see, the only downside of them is kick start only?
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G
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PostPosted: 22:10 - 15 Aug 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

2007 introduced electric start on the 300, but it got refined over the years.

However they're generally massively easier to kick than the 4 strokes if setup right, so I wouldn't get too worried by it.
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Andre2791
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PostPosted: 07:01 - 18 Aug 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

It looks pretty good.

My husband had a 125cc but we sold it. Now we are looking for a new one Smile
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thx1138
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PostPosted: 14:32 - 20 Aug 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

What about this 2T gas gas?
https://trf.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=110&t=23926&sid=66f5f6e7e5b37da69069e816868bdb9c
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chrisdubya
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PostPosted: 18:42 - 20 Aug 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

thx1138 wrote:


Yeah mate, saw that. Absolutely perfect. But about 6 hours away from me!
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chrisdubya
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PostPosted: 16:24 - 31 Aug 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

So with the KTM gone, I may be going to look at a 2007 KTM exc 300 next week.

Anything to look out for? Apparently it has had a piston 50hrs ago, new oil, plug, wheel bearings etc etc.
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G
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PostPosted: 16:52 - 31 Aug 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

First year of electric start and could be a bit flakey I think.
(Err, I think that's the case for UK bikes.)

But out of touch with what was what I'm afraid.
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chrisdubya
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PostPosted: 17:01 - 31 Aug 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

G wrote:
First year of electric start and could be a bit flakey I think.
(Err, I think that's the case for UK bikes.)

But out of touch with what was what I'm afraid.


Apparently this is kick only? So possibly an 06 registered in 07? As long as they dont have any horrific engine woes
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