KTM engines???

[johnny b]

On the earlier models the 640, lc4, duke all have the same engine.
Some are grey in colour and some are black.

Is there a difference between the two colours?
I heard a roumer that the black engines were more unreliable, is this horse shit?


To view pics on this biker's forum - your post count must be 2 or greater.



To view pics on this biker's forum - your post count must be 2 or greater.

[ciderking]

Originally Posted by johnny b

On the earlier models the 640, lc4, duke all have the same engine.
Some are grey in colour and some are black.

Is there a difference between the two colours?
I heard a roumer that the black engines were more unreliable, is this horse shit?

Not horse shit apparently - though there are some people that have had no problems the the black one. Most engine problems are big end bearing related and my theory is people don't follow the correct procedure for oil change. This involves bleeding the oil system but if its not done it can air lock and fuck the bearings
To view pics on this biker's forum - your post count must be 2 or greater.


tim

[chrisboy]

From 04 on they're grey engines, and are meant to be more reliable than the black ones, but at this stage if the black one is still runnin, then it cant be too fooked or else had the big end changed.. If ya are goin for a black one bear in mind its at least 8 years old, and however well made the new ktm engines are, the old ones were prone to problems..

[mylessheehy]

Heres a bit of info, from another forum, explains abit about the black engine..

1996 to 1999, DUKE I 620 (Black Engine LC4 - 609cc)

Bike had good stuff, WP suspension, Magura hardware, and Brembo brakes. Believe it or not -- several people had monster 70HP race versions.... they milled the head to get 11:1 compression, ported & polished, dropped in custom ground cams, and installed larger pistons. A few of these we built up to compete with Honda F3's. Standard carb was either the Mikuni BST-40 or the Edlebrock Quicksilver during later years. Mine came with an FCR41 installed from the previous owner. The Black LC4 motors were known for having crankshaft bearing problems. Several days I can think of I was left strandend on the side of the road ---- leaky oil connections, clutch cables braking (went through 4 of them in 2 years).....squeaky rear brakes. Would I buy another? Sure.... The RPM guage said it all, which lovingly said..."Beats Per Minute"

- 2000-2002, KTM Duke II 640 (Black Engine LC4 - 625cc) w/ dual exhaust, BBS wheels, 11L tank & seat combo, Mikuni BST-40 carb, and WP Street oriented suspension. (they had less suspension travel than the 640 LC4 Supermoto's)

- 2001, KTM 640 LC4 Supermoto (Black Engine LC4 - 625cc)... Mikuni BST-40 carb, 11L tank/seat, and a single exhaust. It basically was a KTM 640 Dualsport dirt bike with 17's & WP Sumo suspension.

- 2003, KTM 640 LC4 Supermoto (Silver Engine LC4 - 625cc) - this year saw some upgrades to the 640.... mainly the same highflow head as the single exhaust 625/660 smc, but still retained the 11L tank/seat & Mikuni BST 40. Of course, Europe also got the larger version...the single exhaust 660 SMC (654cc)

- 2004, KTM 625 SMC (Silver Engine LC4 - 625cc).... this bike had a dirt bike looking tail, a single can exhaust system, and a different rear sub-frame than the newer dual exhaust 625 smc....but included the racier FCR 41MX carb, smaller 9L gas tank, and the KTM highflow head. People like these bikes, because of the single exhaust --- lesser weight....and you can get a full exhaust system for this bike CHEAP ($300-400 for a full system).... Owners of this bike at times have experienced different oil flow problems (like having to replace intake roller bearings). Apparently the newer dual exhaust version was upgraded with 2 separate Eaton oil pumps.

- 2004, KTM 640 LC4 Supermoto - 'Prestige Racing Edition'. (Euro, Silver Engine LC4 - 625cc, highflow head, single exhaust, BST-40 carb, 11L tank/seat)

- 2004, KTM 450 & 525 SMC - Still looking for better pictures and more information on this one. (In my opinion, they look identical to the SMR) KTM released a version of the 450 & 525 EXC's with 17" supermoto wheels..... they were labeled SMC's. These bikes had the RFS (racing 4 stoke) engine and a 6 speed transmission. They also had a deal where you would also get a FREE set of SMC dirt wheels after buying the bike from the dealer. What I don't know is.... if this SMC was before the SMR and then just simply relabeled or if the 2 existed together. I have a feeling that this bike was actually the first year SMR released in the EURO markets, but simply labeled SMC in the USA. (because most of the info I find says --- USA only) None-the-less this limited edition bike carried the SMC name.

- 2003 to 2006, KTM Duke II 640 (Silver Engine LC4 - 625cc, US and Euro). The bike came out with the dual exhaust design, had the Mikuni BST-40 carb, Marchesini wheels, 11L tank & seat combo, Brembo brakes, WP street oriented suspension, and steel braided lines as standard equipment. Many parts from the Duke II can be interchanged with the 625 SMC.

- 2005 to 2006, KTM decided to have (3) bikes..... (they redesigned the 640 for europe) the KTM 640 LC4 Supermoto (625cc, highflow head, Mikuni bst-40, 11L tank/seat, dual exhaust), the KTM 625 SMC (625cc, highflow head, 9l tank, FCR41MX carb, dual exhaust), and the larger version --- the KTM 660 SMC. (basically an identical looking bike to the 625 SMC, w/ 654cc's and no electric start) KTM decided to only import the 625 SMC and the Duke II 640 to the US. In Europe, the dual exhaust 640 LC4 Supermoto came in several different color combinations. (Blue, White, Orange, Black/Orange, and the all Black/Grey Prestige)

- 2007-2009, KTM 690 SM, at this time production of the KTM 625/640/660 stopped. (US & Europe) The new 690's had 654cc's....biggest changes being - fuel injection, a new counterbalanced crank, a slipper type APTC 'anti-hopping' clutch, 6-speed transmission, Brembo radial mount brakes, steel lines, and an ECU with an integrated idle/cold start system......The standard 690 SM was available in 3 color combinations.....Orange, Black, and Prestige Grey.

- 2008-2009, KTM 690 SM-R, the R version included an orange frame & black Marchesini wheels.

- 2008-2009, 690 SMC (654cc's). Same great stuff as the 2007 690 SM, different look, 3.17 gallon tank capacity, spoke wheels, lighter weight. (307 pounds dry vs. 335.1 pounds dry on the 690 SM)

- 2008-2009, KTM DUKE 690. (654cc's) Different styling, a little heavier than the 690 SMC at 327.4 dry, more road oriented suspension w/ less suspension travel (7.9"-8.3" verses the 10.8"-10.4" travel of the SMC), black Marchesini wheels, and a 3.57 gallon tank. (verses the 3.1 capacity of the SMC)

- 2010 690 Duke R, (690cc, achieved by using a longer stroke) Keihin fuel injection, 12.5/1 compression ratio, 13.5 Litre tank, 327 lbs race weight (includes oil/coolant) w/o fuel, and the R version orange frame/rear shock/carbon bits. (KTM is claiming around 70 HP at the crank)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As a final recap --- the KTM SMC/SM/Duke's are basically street bikes, with low maintence and high service intervals. (With the DUKE being even more of an all-out street bike with its road based shorter travel suspension) The LC4 motors have more power than the street oriented Suzuki DRZ-400SM. (though...the DRZ has a TON of race parts available) Yes, the SMC's are capable of riding in the dirt...(and the new 690 is even more capable) --- but they are still 300+ pound bikes.

If you want a dirt-race Sumo.... better to start off with a trail bike or MX bike (450/525/530 EXC, WR450, YZF450 - race, CRF450 - race).... or just buy the race oriented, higher maintence, KTM SMR.

If Deal's Gap, road-oriented track days, riding twisties, and the ocassional ride to work are what you want (with a couple fire roads thrown in for good measure)..... then you have the right bike.

You'd still need a step ladder though Johnnyb
To view pics on this biker's forum - your post count must be 2 or greater.


Taken from:
To view pics on this biker's forum - your post count must be 2 or greater.

[noob-saibot]

They are know for their issues. New motor design / bike and people not chaging the oil properly in them probably didnt help the reputation. Mate of mine has a 00 since near new. Proper trashes the thing, as can be seen by it cosmetically, but always did its servicing properly and on time. Never missed a beat till recently

[deckyv]

have a 02 black engine.whole new bottom end put into it after clutch basket bolt came loose.other than that what a bike.great on twisty roads.can leave my mate on his xt for dead.

[chrisboy]

Thats a great find myles!
To view pics on this biker's forum - your post count must be 2 or greater.

To view pics on this biker's forum - your post count must be 2 or greater.

[rccaulfield]

What nick was the one in Roscommon in up close-u buy it?

[mylessheehy]

Originally Posted by rccaulfield

What nick was the one in Roscommon in up close-u buy it?

Not nice, would need a bit of work on it. Funny colour oil, new tyres needed, been lying up for a while, dodgy looking wiring under the seat. Wouldn recommend it anyway.

[rccaulfield]

To view pics on this biker's forum - your post count must be 2 or greater.

Originally Posted by mylessheehy

Not nice, would need a bit of work on it. Funny colour oil, new tyres needed, been lying up for a while, dodgy looking wiring under the seat. Wouldn recommend it anyway.

Jesus
To view pics on this biker's forum - your post count must be 2 or greater.
-long way to go ta see that crap! Was cold aswell that evenin! Did he mention all that over the fone or was he one of these lads that thinks if he tricks ya into travelling to view it you'll be buying it?

[johnny b]

Originally Posted by rccaulfield

What nick was the one in Roscommon in up close-u buy it?

Originally Posted by mylessheehy

Not nice, would need a bit of work on it. Funny colour oil, new tyres needed, been lying up for a while, dodgy looking wiring under the seat. Wouldn recommend it anyway.

Went well but I didnt trust it to take me home, he wanted too much money for it.
I made him an offer but no go, looking back on it even my offer was to much.
Half the engine was black and half grey so i think it was 2 engines bolted together
To view pics on this biker's forum - your post count must be 2 or greater.


If the rs sells ill be looking or a clean supermoto, and a old up step ladder.

[johnny b]

oh and thanks for all the info lads.
Cheers.