640 or 990S

[Tagati]

G’Day
After a break from bikes for a few years or so I am getting myself back on 2 wheels at the end of this year. (seems to be a lot of that going on) I raced a bit of flat track and motocross when I was a kid then got into road bikes when I got my licence. Had a string of big sport bikes YZF’s and the sort.

Then due to health reasons and family expansion got my first car at 26 and sold my last bike at 28. I,m now 34 and going to start doing cape runs and stuff with my brother from our home in Townsville (he never lost the faith). I will also be doing a lot of solo trips and taking the gravel roads where ever possible. So I’m after something that can do big K’s and carry all the gear I need to be self sufficient (im thinking panniers and top box as a minimum). But also be fun when I have the chance to liven things up a bit.

So any way Im looking at getting A KTM 990S or 640 Adv. I had previously made my mind up on the 990 as I like the idea of lots of power and a V twin. But my brother seems to think the 640 would be the go because of the longer range and less weight. (The fact that its about 5 grand cheaper can not be ignored either). My concern with the 640 how will it go if for some reason I decide to tackle the wilds of down south with a trip to say Sydney ( A crock infested cape york river is a much safer place than Kings Cross IMHO), a long highway trip at constant speed and a thumper don’t fudge in my mind for some reason. I suppose the other thing is that in my still road bike mind a 600cc bike is well smallish. But I understand that is a big bike in dirt terms.

So would the 640 do what I want it to do? Or would the 990 be a better bike for me? Or should I just hold out for the 690?

[rjf]

Originally Posted by Tagati

G’Day
So would the 640 do what I want it to do? Or would the 990 be a better bike for me? Or should I just hold out for the 690?

You'll be holding out for over 12 months if waiting for a 690.

Only way you can decide is ride em and chose.

A 990 ADv will go anywhere a 640 ADv can go, but the extra weight will make it much harder in tight going, sand, mud, etc.

I have ridden my 640 all day on the bitumen and the vibes didn't bother me. (Seat does though, its too soft.) perhaps mines a smoother 640 than others (or I'm not a sook like other riders ). But I bought the 640 for as much non bitumen riding as posible. If I was going to be doing 50% or more of the riding on bitumen I'd go the 9x0 ADV.

[nevgriff64]

Welcome to the forum Tagati..

I was in a similar position to you in that i didn`t know which way to go.. I ended up buying the 950S and haven`t regreted it at any stage..

If your large enough to manhandle the extra weight of the 950 or 990 then that would be my recomendation given the longer trips that you have in mind.. Would also carry the extra weight a little easier..The 640 I tested really did vibrate and that was what put me off owning one of them.. I have heard that some do vibrate more than others and I only rode the fairly new demo that my KTM dealer had there..

Given that your from an experienced bike riding background then the 9x0 would be my pick..

I don`t think there is a clear winner here though.. either bike would be a good choice.. by riding them both should make your mind up pretty quick..

[ozadvntr]

I have a 640 and a 950S, completely different bikes. If you want to ride to Sydney, hire a road bike and buy the 640, I would if I planned on regular Cape Runs. If you want something bigger and heavier with a lot of power and no fuel range unless you buy the Aqualine tanks, buy the 990.
There is a guy on the list from Townsville (TrevorS) with a 640 who will explain there virtues in depth to you.

[Dirt Doctor]

I've got a 640 and have been thinking about the 990 for a while. Only problem is that I keep taking the 640 into similiar terrain that I take the 400 & 200 so I think until I do a bigger trip I will stick with the 640.

Have riden a few and that is the big problem. Once you ride one you just want to go and get one.

640 if you plan on doing more tighter rider and 990 if you plan on loading it up and doing more serious kilometers.

one thing to be aware off is the 640 vibrations....as stated previously either you don't really care about it or it drives you nuts

[Mouse]

fuel range pure and simple i'd reckon.

realistic range on the 990 seems about 280km tho i'm sure someone will contradict me.

nyone tried out the 40L tanks yet? i wonder what it will do to the handling????

[slowbike smallpenis]

Originally Posted by Mouse

fuel range pure and simple i'd reckon.

realistic range on the 990 seems about 280km tho i'm sure someone will contradict me.

Is that inclusive of the Tow?

[GTinAus]

Originally Posted by Mouse

fuel range pure and simple i'd reckon.

realistic range on the 990 seems about 280km tho i'm sure someone will contradict me.

Might be more to the point on how far you can go on a bottle of brake fluid, particulary the rear brake. Despite the problem with the rear brake (for the unwary), I do actually quite like the look of them, particulary the black ones.

I guess service stations are closer together in Europe?

[parrankin]

I agree with the previous comments. If it helps, I'm also a 640 rider and love the bike.. however I'm more dirt road and off road. The vibs are not a problem as it's thumper that I'm now used to, and lots of go for me (an old bugger in early 50's). I guess if you are used to the road situation and looking at long road trips the 9X0 would be a performer that would not dissapoint. However if your preferences are off road, the weight when attempting the mountain goat stuff it's a bit a handfull. I looked at the 990 at the time and thought if I could not pick the bike up in the middle of a creek on my own, it was going to be a problem. The 640 fits my needs and has the range etc that suits. So far has lived up to my expactations.

parrankin

640 Adv

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by GTinAus

Might be more to the point on how far you can go on a bottle of brake fluid, particulary the rear brake. Despite the problem with the rear brake (for the unwary), I do actually quite like the look of them, particulary the black ones.

I guess service stations are closer together in Europe?

what rear brake problem do you allude to gt?

[GTinAus]

Originally Posted by Mouse

what rear brake problem do you allude to gt?

Went riding with a gent who just bought a 990, 1 week old. Fuel consumption wasnt good.

However, he had a minor spill onto the right side, lifted the bike up and continued. Next day, rear brake was not good, and soon became non existant.

Closer inspction revealed that all the fluid from the rear brake had escaped, via the master cylinder.

What had hapenned, was the brake lever had been knocked upward during the fall, and the puny stop bar, which uses the engine housing as a stop, bent enough to allow the push rod to pull out the circlip, which holds the whole piston in, resulting in loss of fluid, and when wiggled, the whole thing fell out. Not exactly what you would call sturdy.

Coupled with this, the front brake developed a slight seep, which made the front brakes spongy as well.

Roadside repairs at Lowanna

[Witherstrom]

I went with the VStrom DL1000 for long fast trips and I'm going to buy a 400 or 650 pure dirt bike. I've riden 650 KLR's and would not settle for a single as my fast bike. There's days when the need for speed prevails and up here in Canada the open road calls. There's too much open space that you can't get to without a pure dirt bike.

[nevgriff64]

Originally Posted by GTinAus

Went riding with a gent who just bought a 990, 1 week old. Fuel consumption wasnt good.

However, he had a minor spill onto the right side, lifted the bike up and continued. Next day, rear brake was not good, and soon became non existant.

Closer inspction revealed that all the fluid from the rear brake had escaped, via the master cylinder.

What had hapenned, was the brake lever had been knocked upward during the fall, and the puny stop bar, which uses the engine housing as a stop, bent enough to allow the push rod to pull out the circlip, which holds the whole piston in, resulting in loss of fluid, and when wiggled, the whole thing fell out. Not exactly what you would call sturdy.

Coupled with this, the front brake developed a slight seep, which made the front brakes spongy as well.

Roadside repairs at Lowanna

Hi GT

I can sort of understand some of your comments mate but maybe a little unfair to place all the 950/990s in the same bunch..

Any new bike when breaking in will give fairly poor fuel economy.. It did improve quite a bit after the run in period.. if economy was to be a consideration then maybe the 640 would have been a better option for your mate.. I know I would like more Ks from a tank full but 300 odd loaded will get me to most places..

Most bikes of this weight when having a little spill will do damage.. It may have just been the way it went over maybe.. I have had mine now for a year and a half (9000 ks) with no brake problems at all.. Apart from brake fade on the rear once when I had my foot half on the pedal..

There are things that could be better designed but all in all I think KTM built a very good bike.. That`s only my opinion of course..

[AusStealth]

I looked at exactly the same options late last year and it came down to price, weight (not mine) and complexity. I went the 640A path and don't regret it. The 950/990 is a superb option and one I'd have taken if I planned more long haul miles. If you go the 640, then I'd like to offer the following observations:

1. From new they vibrate enough to make you ask yourself if you made the right choice.
2. Over the first 1000-1500 they smooth out a lot
3. I can't explain why, but a good pipe takes even more of the vibes away and transforms the bike (Wings was my choice)
4. By all accounts (and who knows why) cleaning them up of the excess pipe work and jetting them as a result means they are even smoother
5. My inside leg will always be an issue with the seat height
6. I like my 640

Its your choice in the end and unless you are wealthier than I, you will have to make the most of it for a while. I'm sure that whatever happens , you will enjoy either.

[prestonpaul]

I have to weigh in here.
I was faced with a similar choice a few months back and ended up buying a 640Adv and do not regret it in the least. As far as vibes go, I think riding style has a bit to do with it. If you like to grip the tank firmly with your knees like I did then you will get the full force of the vibes. I couldn't believe the diference it made just relaxing my legs a little (knees aren't flapping in the wind, just don't have a death grip on the tank anymore ). Vibes are no longer an issue for me. The other reason I am happy with my choice is my off road riding skill or lack there of. If like me you don't have a lot of off road experience the lighter weight and friendlier power delivery can make all the difference between a good day in the bush and an absolute nightmare
Having said all that it realy is a matter of buying whatever the hell yanks your chain and riding the bloody thing. If you like the bike enough you will live with what ever shortcomings it may have.
All the best.
Paul.