March 2015 Afflicted by Orange
Gary: Do you know what KTM stands for? Keep Throwing Money
Me: Yeah, but I just can't get comfortable with my XRL.
Gary: When was the last time you rode it?
Me: It's been a while. I have to admit I'm afraid of it.
Gary: So you're going to flip your bike for a bike that's gonna flip you?
Me: *decides against offering money for Gary's bike*
I found it on Craigslist, and bought it the next day. It was a 2003 KTM 625 SXC. I barely looked at it, and only rode it around the block once before I made an offer I knew the seller would accept.
If I had been more patient (just a week longer...) I could have gotten a much better one being offered by one of the forum members here.
The fork seals leaked, it made this unexplained pinging sound, the radiators were bashed and bent, and it didn't even have an air filter in it. Of course, I checked none of that when I bought it. I got to learn the hard way that Craigslist, while a great source for bargain bikes, comes with no concerns for ignorance and desire. I can only blame myself. I didn't really think much about water cooling and such yet, either.
I had been given good advice that I ignored once again. I'm a sucker for learning the hard way I guess.
However, it runs now and it runs more or less reliably. I replaced one radiator, I put a fan kit on it, I fixed the seal leaks, I changed the fluids, and I've got the carb adjusted to make the bike run cooler. No more spewing out coolant violently from a flailing tube now! I also put radiator guards on, for obvious reasons. The rebound knobs had been turned completely out or completely in, likely from kids playing with them while the bike gathered dust in the garage over the years. That was the easy fix hahaha
After the work was done, Gary told me not to change a thing...no silly farkling business. "Just ride the thing!", he said. And so I do. It feels quite a bit different from the way my XRL felt, but that may be mostly just me psyching myself out. I do get stopped quite a bit more around town to listen to someone else talk about magic orange coolaid, though, so I know I'm not the only one dreaming...
Finally sold the XRL to a really nice guy from the Houston area. He was about 6' 5", and strong. I felt like I had made some kind of mistake after I watched the bike leave me, but I hope he is enjoying it a lot. That first XRL (and first bike for me at all), unlike my first KTM, had no issues...but what XRL really ever does?
That KTM 625 is the one I use to get to work on rare occasions. That thing does get up to speed pretty quickly, but lucky for me it's the CV carb version...
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It always amazes me how quickly things go from everything being peaches and cream to, "Where am I and how did I get here!?" I don't think I've ever been knocked completely out, but I've had a few good bell ringers! Getting the wind knocked out of you can be scary. That sense of claustrophobia is strong though and I don't usually have such issues in other situations. It has only happened to me a few times, but I've learned to just lay there and not panic. This usually helps it to pass more quickly.
The 625 can be a screaming hoot on paved roads if they are tight and twisty. I spent a day vibrating around North Carolina in the Smoky Mountains wringing one out for all it was worth. The acceleration was fantastic coming out of corners and it would just dive effortlessly into the next with a quick push on the bars. Of course, it would take about 10 minutes or so after getting off for my hands, feet, and tush to quit buzzing! This one was some kind of grey import enduro bike from the early 2000s. It belonged to another TWT member that was on the trip with me. It was a LOT of fun, but the only dirt I managed to get it on was some gravel roads.
