Where can I get those KISS boots? (a 640 Adv story)

[Corbeau]

 

As some of you may know, I'd like to complement my 02 Viffer with a dual sport, more than likely a used KLR. (Cheap bastard that I am). Mind you, I've recently got an interest in KTM so who knows?

Well, we're a little closer to finding out... Turns out that my local KTM pusher had a 640 Adventure coming in for an out of town buyer and he offered me to check it out, throw a leg over to figure if I need to carry a little stool to get on it. (Damn short French-Canadian legs! Insert your own joke here, using the words "pack" and "stool".)

In the dealer's fenced yard, in all of its orange glory, was the C$11k object of my fascination, fresh out of the crate, not even PDI'ed yet. Now folks, last year I took a stock KLR around the block and, while flatfooting on both sides was out of the question, a couple of toes on one side at a strop sign was not scary at all.

Methinks it was scarier on the KTM. Perhaps the lack of a sidestand made a mental difference? Anyway, as you know the Austrian Beast is a couple of inches taller than Kawi's venerable 650 and I could feel those inches by the way my butt was not centered on the saddle and my left calve was stretched almost to the point of cramping up. (OK, the cramping up was probably mental as well, as I imagined the conflict between my empty bank account and the dealer who looked at me with a "you drop it, you buy it" expression.)

Let's not forget that one rides by standing on the pegs, not touching the ground with his toes. And I could probably install an aftermarket sidestand, to make getting off easier. I could probably drop the triple tree by, say, an inch, and install new links for the rear, without hopefully affecting too much the suspension's travel. (I'm 155 pounds, btw, and I don't know how the preload was set fresh from the factory.)

So this could work out. Maybe. Or maybe not. My Levi's say "Inseam: 30 inches". Does one get used to such a tall bike? Is it a question of mind over matter? Should I just get a KLR and get over it. Can I get those KISS boots on eBay?

640 Adventure v/s KLR: twice the price, four times the sexiness. And a few inches of seat height.

[Mac]

here you go, handmade to you specifications by evil headbanging gnomes.
http://motorcowboy.com/category/kissboots/

[photomd]

here you go, handmade to you specifications by evil headbanging gnomes.
http://motorcowboy.com/category/kissboots/

Then the trick becomes upshifts.  

[vitaminC]

You can buy a sidestand, so you don't always have to worry about using the centerstand.

I'd think very hard about how much you plan to ride the bike vs how much maintenance it needs. It's basically a race bike, so it requires very regular servicing...

[DNA]

Markus should be checking in about....now.

I love the 640 and also lust over one, but used is more likely in my budget at this time.

[R.Markus]

My inseam is the same as Corbeau's. At a light I have the tip toes of one foot on the ground and have gotten very used to it.

Getting on and off isn't bad once you get used to it, I just take it off the centerstand and hold the handlebars (squeezing the front brake) and throw my right leg over. Then slide over and put my right leg on the ground so I can shift into first with the left. With a tailpack this becomes difficult and I usually then resort to getting on it on the stand and rocking it off.

I just got a sidestand, but hardly use it. The only time I have found it to be handy is in uneven terrain or in a deep rut or mud where the centerstand won't go down all the way. I just assume lean the bike against a tree like I did before I got it. I have found it hard to get used to having a sidestand again anyway, and still get off the bike before putting it down.

Oh, preloads are set for a 150 lb rider from the factory. They do make lowering links. There are a lot of them sitting in people's toolboxes over on ADV, just enquire about them and you will get numerous PM's from people.

ONe more thing about the KTM versus the KLR...vibration. The KLR is super smooth compared to the LC4. I would at least have them start up the KTM and let you sit on it (if they won't allow a test ride) before buying. It doesn't bother me, but a lot of people complain about the vibes of the KTM engine.