Should I buy a KTM LC4 Supermoto

[Sigmamark7]

OK. Long story short. I’m 69 and my knees are knackered. I sold my race car recently to release some cash for a new house and sold my GSXR1000 track bike because I couldn’t get the best out of it because my knees aren’t great. Consequently, I’m desperately short of toys and keep thinking about a decent supermoto just to go out and have a bit of fun on. The upright riding position and high seat could work for my knees, so should I buy an LC4, or should I start smoking a pipe and stay at home and watch Bargain Hunt and Pointless?

[slime bomb]

Go for it. I'm 66 and have the Husky 701 LR and love it, mind you, it's the enduro but with road tyres. The quick shifter turns you into a teenager again!

[ssray]

Yes, happy to help

[GreaseNipple]

Yeah but try a hypermotard 698 too if you're buying new. They don't have the low down torque of the LC4 bikes but I preferred the riding position which is not as far over the front wheel and it feels more refined, the gearbox is excellent. I think the KTM bikes would be more fun in isolation but the hypermotard would be a better thing to live with.

[Biker 1]

I had a 690 Enduro R, & an SMC R a couple of years ago.
I found the riding position really easy on the back & amazingly agile & light. However, these bikes are pretty tall, so give it a test ride!
I would have preferred more power though...

[KTMsm]

Depends what you want to do

I have a proper supermoto - a KTM 525 Enduro bike with 17" wheels, bigger brake, stiffer suspension and it's a million times better (or worse) than a 690 supermoto depending what you're doing

The 50kg difference is very obvious

[yellowstreak]

I am 6'4" and find the SMCR comfortable, but I don't ride it much more than an hour. They are great fun, go for it.

[Biker's Nemesis]

I had a 2001 model for 3 years, it was absolutely no bother at all, I used to change the oil/paper filter every 600 miles.

I am 6ft 4" and found it no problem comfort wise.

Excuse the other bikes in the photos.

[Ken_Code]

I have just sold a similar bike, a Husqvarna 701. I did 250 miles on it in two years of ownership because I never got on with it.

The suspension set-up was too off-road for what I wanted, and the engine too much work.

I wish I’d bought a hypermotard instead.

[Sigmamark7]

Thanks for the replies. I’m 6’4”, so see the seat height as a bonus, particularly with dodgy knees that really don’t like being folded up onto rear-sets. I’m also not planning on crossing any continents, nor attempting to break the land speed record, so just want something to have a laugh on over fairly short blasts and maybe an occasional trackday for fun. I’ve done plenty of trackdays riding in the fast group, so I think a supermoto like the LC4, should be ok with the intermediates. I guess it’s time to start looking seriously.

[-Cappo-]

Sigmamark7 said:

Thanks for the replies. I’m 6’4”, so see the seat height as a bonus, particularly with dodgy knees that really don’t like being folded up onto rear-sets. I’m also not planning on crossing any continents, nor attempting to break the land speed record, so just want something to have a laugh on over fairly short blasts and maybe an occasional trackday for fun. I’ve done plenty of trackdays riding in the fast group, so I think a supermoto like the LC4, should be ok with the intermediates. I guess it’s time to start looking seriously.

I once owned a Husaberg FS650, it was an absolute hoot to ride and I'll cling on to the memories of riding around the outside of sports bikes in the corners on a Lydden track day for a very long time! Very very focused, but ten times as unreliable. Something like that but reliable would be great fun - I assume the 701 would get close.

[Biker 1]

My SMC R was pretty reliable, apart from the dreaded clutch slave cylinder failure which was sorted under warranty. I believe this this has now been resolved by KTM.

The other things I didn't like:
Fasteners seemingly made out of cheese - lots of corrosion over winter
Stock mirrors look crap, but aftermarket mirrors suffered horrible vibration
Starting the engine when hot, e.g. at petrol station: sounded like a sack of spanners for several seconds - horrible graunching noises that apparently didn't cause damage
Under seat storage: not enough even for a spare pair of glasses....

Potential theft - for some reason these things are apparently the vehicle of choice for our travelling friends. Mine didn't get pinched, but I was paranoid parking it anywhere in public.