KTM 640 LC4 Adventure Traveller Edition

Designing the 640 Adventure Traveller’s Edition, KTM people intended to obtain a smaller version of the 990 Adventure, so it is obvious why we’re facing a ready-to-go-anywhere looking machine.

KTM is a Dakar master so when it comes to Dual Sport machines the fairing and two small headlights

are a must. Aerodynamic looking and ready for the long haul, the Traveller’s Edition is one uniquely styled bike. The color is, of course, KTM orange.

Like a true desert machine, the 640 features a bigger front wheel (21”) for easy dealing with the bumps and the rear wheel (18”) is there to provide tractable power in any situations. The rims are black so that they would create a nice contrast fairing’s color. So is the seat.

Inspired on the much bigger, Paris-Dakar winning motorcycle (KTM 990 Adventure), the 640 Dual Sport motorcycle 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.