Hot Sand And Burnign Hearts

The Motorbikes

Our motorbikes are two KTM LC4, built 2001 and 2002, bought two months ago.

"Why don't you ride BMWs, they are the most technically advanced motorcycles right now?" asked me Touratech's Herbert Schwarz. The answer was simple: our journey is completely self-financed. In our price range 650 Dakars might be more comfortable to ride on long rides and maybe they are more reliable. Still for such a long enduro trip they are no option for us when they remain unmodified. We could not afford a brand-new 1200 or xChalangers.

Therefore: We rely on KTM's well-tried and trusty workhorse: the good, old 640 Adventure. 12.000 and 29.000 km of driving performance respectively, well-maintained by the previous owners and equipped with enough roadcases.

News

August 13th

11.000 km and back in Berlin

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August 5th – 7th

Russia is burning...

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August 2th – 4th

Riding a motorcycle in Russia is a metaphysical moment...

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Spare parts? What shall we include? Maybe we should add a camshaft to the wearing parts like bowden wires, brake pads and tubes? These parts are known to break with KTMs. Maybe even cylinder head? well then we could even pack up an entire piston including the cylinder ...

I ask for four or five spare spokes for the wheels at Ketten-Kunert in Berlin Neukölln."You will need everything you take with." Says the lady behind the counter with a thick berlinish accent. "Great answer" I think to myself. And in the exact same moment I know: We will simply need a little luck.

Our two 640 bikes are stock. 50 H.P. no tuning. On the silver KTM the Mikuni constant pressure carburetor has been replaced by a Dellorto, because the original broke. When adjusted correctly it gives you a bit more power. The other bike has a SXC tail pipe installed. Everything else is stock. Stability under load is our motto.

I don't want to miss the raised windshield on the black KTM. This thin object minimizes wind noise and considerably increases riding comfort. I don't need to wear earplugs on long rides anymore.