625 SXC new 18L tank/seat install

[Speaker]

Originally Posted by KTMSER

This is my 04 625SXC with the 18L and the 02 640 seat and tank graphics

Oh yes, i like very much. That's what i want to do with my lc4. Those halogen or HIDs? How do you like them?

[snaggleXR650]

Nice bike KTMSER, although it looks like you are jetted a tad lean with those BLUE headers.

Yes, KTM quit selling the SXC here in the states in '04, but continue to sell the bike everywhere else. After '04, KTM added the oil in the frame feature like the Adventure and greatly increased the oil capacity. So, it's just the '03/'04 SXC that DOESN'T have oil in the frame. This is how I understand it anyway...

[meat popsicle]

Originally Posted by KTMSER

This is my 04 625SXC with the 18L and the 02 640 seat and tank graphics
...

Interesting - whats the story on your floods?

[Bicycle Phil]

Originally Posted by snaggleXR650

Nice bike KTMSER, although it looks like you are jetted a tad lean with those BLUE headers.

Yes, KTM quit selling the SXC here in the states in '04, but continue to sell the bike everywhere else. After '04, KTM added the oil in the frame feature like the Adventure and greatly increased the oil capacity. So, it's just the '03/'04 SXC that DOESN'T have oil in the frame. This is how I understand it anyway...

Here's my '04 SXC:



I've done a few day rides and want to do minimal gear multi-day rides.
Typical 80%dirt/20%pavement split.

I would like to hear from SXC('03 & '04 with 1.5l oil capacity) owners who have put on 5K plus on the clock.

What % pavement/dirt?
How often do you change the oil?
Have you/would you consider an aftermarket oil cooler?
Is a cush hub required for the pavement miles?

What I am trying to get a feel for is the ability of the SXC LC4 motor to handle a lot of dual-sport miles.

[Baarrrrrrryyyyy]

The cush hub has rubbers to dampen the torque (power) pusles from the engine, not necessary when on loose surfaces (sand, dirt, etc), but when you have traction (rock, cement, asphalt, etc) it basically hammers on your entire driveline, transmission, chain, sprockets, rear hub, etc. The rubber smooths out these pulsations to be less harsh.

The LC4 rear dampened wheel should fit on the SXC no problem, and it works on the 4T exc's as well. A guy I know just got an 07 525 and put a spare LC4 hub/excel rim combo on it.

SXC without oil in the frame... probably just to save a bit of weight, myself I prefer the oil.

[losiu]

Thanks for your answers guys, the bikes look totally cool :)

Sounds like fitting 640 wheels shouldn't be a problem. I'd use them for street riding because that's what I do most of the time (unfortunately).

I am also curious how often should oil be replaced in a lower-oil-capacity SXC?? I hope It won't become a PITA on longer trips...

Does anybody know whether the bikes sold in Europe were the same an for the US market? I mean MIKUNI BST in 2003 instead of FCR 41, as well as lower oil capacity until the '05 model...??? Maybe there were differences for the european market...??? Just curious...

Losiu

P.S. A very important thing to me - does an SXC have a lock in the ignition (like a 640) ???

[meat popsicle]

Originally Posted by losiu

Thanks for your answers guys, the bikes look totally cool :)

Sounds like fitting 640 wheels shouldn't be a problem. I'd use them for street riding because that's what I do most of the time (unfortunately).

I am also curious how often should oil be replaced in a lower-oil-capacity SXC?? I hope It won't become a PITA on longer trips...

Does anybody know whether the bikes sold in Europe were the same an for the US market? I mean MIKUNI BST in 2003 instead of FCR 41, as well as lower oil capacity until the '05 model...??? Maybe there were differences for the european market...??? Just curious...

Losiu

P.S. A very important thing to me - does an SXC have a lock in the ignition (like a 640) ???

heya loisu,

Security eh? Here is one review of many methods:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-alarms/
I hear great things about Xena locks:
http://www.xenasecurity.com/home/current/lock/
Not sure if the alarm option would help you, but their locks are supposed to be very strong.

I can't recall what the spec is on the SXC for oil changes. The idea would be that perhaps the SXC runs hotter, so the oil would degrade faster. I wouldn't necessarily think the road would make it run hotter than, say, slow single track technical riding - but who knows? Hopefully the SXC folks do; if not you can ride for a bit and send a sample to an oil tester (check with the long haul trucking companies for a shop) and find our for yourself.

I am not sure about US/Euro model differences - might be best to ask KTM Austria.

[losiu]

Hey Meat,

Thanks for the links. I'm prolly going to get the Xena disclock with alarm, not really for security but for the noise it's going to make before they get it off.

I can do a lot to protect my bike while in the garage (I learnt my lesson) but I go to work on it all the time and leave it basically on the street so the lock in the ignition will at least prevent the kids from getting on the bike and trying to push it away.

It actually happened to my brothers Honda VF 750C. The seat was low enough for some kid to get on the bike and lift it up from the side stand. The idiot pushed it backwards a few meters and dropped it in the middle of the sidewalk. It's a heavy bike so he was lucky to get out of it with no injuries. The bars were locked but I can't imagine what would have happened if they weren't.

I learnt to leave my bike locked and in gear even if I go into a store for a minute. The ignition lock won't help if someone is serious and wants to load the bike on a truck. KTMs need to be tied to walls or floors if you want them to stay where you left them. They're just too light.

So... does the SXC have the ignition lock??

Losiu

[mikeyb]

Originally Posted by losiu

Hey Meat,


So... does the SXC have the ignition lock??

Losiu

It is set up to have a lock on the side of the head tube that uses the same key as the ignition, but it is not installed on all bikes.
When I bought mine, the shop asked if I wanted it or not; it was no extra charge.

[meat popsicle]

Originally Posted by losiu

...

So... does the SXC have the ignition lock??

Losiu

You can get the owner's manual from their website:
www.ktm.co.at
It should say in that PDF.

[dom02]

my '04 sxc has the ignition lock. I have the 18l tank & lc4 seat also. Afraid of transmission damage and bought a rear wheel with cush drive $$$$. No oil in the frame so I change the oil every 1000mi.

[Bicycle Phil]

Originally Posted by dom02

my '04 sxc has the ignition lock. I have the 18l tank & lc4 seat also. Afraid of transmission damage and bought a rear wheel with cush drive $$$$. No oil in the frame so I change the oil every 1000mi.

OK Score one for the cush hub $$$$.

How many miles have you racked up and where...dirt/street?

[privateidaho]

Hi guys -

Check it out - my first post - let's see if I can do this without screwing up -

I've got an '03 625sxc and I want/need a seat like the renazco here - so regarding seat/tank compatibility, if I get a seat for my bike with the 9L tank, will it still fit if I go with a bigger tank in the future?

[KTMSER]

Those are just the halogens I got off my wallet when the 950SE arrived and put the HIDs on it. It is a world of difference the stock light at night say 50mph you see it you hit it not now. The lights are Bajadesigns www.bajadesigns.com You can check out the 950SE with the HIDs at http://ktmser.smugmug.com/

Originally Posted by Speaker

Oh yes, i like very much. That's what i want to do with my lc4. Those halogen or HIDs? How do you like them?

[KTMSER]

[quote=snaggleXR650]Nice bike KTMSER, although it looks like you are jetted a tad lean with those BLUE headers.


No I jetted it as soon as it left the dealer!! The plug shows it a tad rich!! I know dont figure. I think that header is to thin.