2005 KTM 625 SMCI have a soft spot for the large displacement single-cylinder KTM models (LC4 engines). My first enduro bike was a 2003 625 SXC - a crude, harsh machine that was torture to ride for more than about 20 minutes. However, the first 20 minutes of every ride were amazing. I eventually turned that bike in to a supermoto, but was never that happy with it. I sold it, and bought a newer 690 SMC, which was a nightmare of a bike. The engine was smooth compared to the 625, but the fuel injection was imprecise, and the most unreliable bike I've owned (which says a lot if you look at my motorcycle history). I got stranded twice in one riding season for unrelated issues, and that was just unacceptable.
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After all the reliability struggles I had with my 690 SMC, I decided I really missed the original 625 I used to have. But I really wanted a factory supermoto bike. I tracked down a 2005 625 SMC in the Seattle area that fit the bill. Turns out, one of the past owners was a friend I know through racing with WMRRA. Some of the changes I have made to the bike so far include:
- Making custom mufflers out of the stock canisters. These are a full-length perforated core, with ProMoto Billet endcaps that have spark arrestors in them. The bike still isn't quiet, but it is much quieter than it was.
- Replacing some of the plastic bodywork. It wasn't in terrible shape, but it had signs of wear. And unpainted KTM body parts are very reasonable.
- Repair some of the buttons on the dash (common problem with KTM displays of that era)
- Replace the carb needle/seat (slow leak out overflow if you forget to shut the petcock)
- Replace front wheel (has a slight bend in the rim)
- Check the front disk rotor (slight pulsing from either bent rotor, or contamination on rotor)
- Add Pirelli MT-60R tires (good on/off road tire, even if they wear very quickly)
- Add passenger pegs (because vibrations can be a good thing for your passenger)
- Replace some seals on the engine/covers (occasional oil drip on the garage floor)
- Install the 12L fuel tank (replacing the stock 9L tank, and getting improved seat in the process)
Good and Bad
Good:
With 60 horsepower, a 300 lb weight, and long-travel suspension - this a stupid bike to ride. Stupid fun! Sure, the top speed is only somewhere around 100 mph, so track days aren't ideal. But you can take it up a mountain, to a kart track, or down any unexplored road you desire. The carburated LC4 engine is as reliable as a rock. And it is a unique bike that most people have never seen. It is everything the Suzuki DRZ should have been (powerful engine, great brakes, and quality suspension).
Bad:
With 60 horsepower, a 300 lb weight, and long-travel suspension - this a stupid bike to ride. Stupid fun! Sure, the top speed is only somewhere around 100 mph, so track days aren't ideal. But you can take it up a mountain, to a kart track, or down any unexplored road you desire. The carburated LC4 engine is as reliable as a rock. And it is a unique bike that most people have never seen. It is everything the Suzuki DRZ should have been (powerful engine, great brakes, and quality suspension).
Bad:
- I can't stress this enough. It vibrates like you're riding a paint shaker.
- Fuel tank capacity is small (although several larger tank options exist)
- Who am I kidding...no one wants to ride this for more than 12L of fuel at a time!
- For a supermoto, it is pretty tall.
- Have you seen the video where they throw a brick in to a washing machine on spin cycle? That is what riding this motorcycle is like.
- It is about 80 lb heavier than a racing supermoto or a dirt bike.
Future Plans
This bike is a gravel road dream. And being street legal, I can ride it to some mild off-road trails, enjoy the trails, and ride it home. I do have a spare 625 engine I picked up when I had my first 625, and I'm tempted to build a hot racing motor from that and enter an occasional WMRRA event in the Open Singles class.
