Aussie Safari- KTM or 'Berg ??

AUSBERG, thanks for the debate, it is one I have been contemplating since about October last year when they announced that the Safari was on again this year and it was to be in WA.

There is no emotion in it for me, I have had KTM's now since the first yr 2000 520 RFS and I did the Safari in 2001 from Alice Springs to Darwin on a LC4 640 Adventure and its motor did a main bearing at the end of Day 1 !! Luckily I could get a spare motor and finished the event, best riding experience of my life bar none !!!

For me I know a 525 is the easier option and slightly cheaper, BUT I know the 650FE would be a more competitive bike if it hangs together. The combination of the light weight, extra grunt and higher top speed will give the same rider many minutes of time saving over a 350km long special test. The Safari is all about average speed, if you can average even an extra 5km/hr over a 3hr special test you will be 15kms in front of where you would have been on the slower bike for the same time elapsed. The only other bikes that have similar (or more) power and top speed would the KTM 690 Rallyes (of which I have heard of 4 being bought so far for the Safari this year at $45kAUD each !!) but that is way out of my league !

When I did the Safari in 2001 I wanted to use a 520 EXC, but no one had done it before, everyone said no way you need an LC4, and I was persuaded to use the LC4. For me it was a mistake (main bearing aside) as the bike was too big and heavy for me and I would have been a lot safer and faster on a 520 (Learning #1).

This time if I go with a 650FE I will be taking a complete brand new spare bike with me in its original factory crate unopened, the dealer has been great and will let me give it back if if I dont use it, if I do then I buy what I use etc. (Learning #2 take a spare motor).

As for fuel I have got a solution. This year it is 250km between fuel stops, so I need about 25 - 27 litres. I should be able to do it with:
1) New Clarke main tank 12.9 litres
2) Right side panel tank 5.5 litres
3) underseat tank 3 litres
4) Nomad bumtank 5.8 litres
Total of 27.2 litres which are fairly well spread over the bike for pretty good weight distribution.

So thats where I am up to in the debate, it looks good for the 650 but still not 100% sure yet. Any advice or input is always appreciated.

Cheers

True a single tank is simpler re lines & junctions etc and I would go that way if I could.

The refeuls are done in either service time or transport time, they are not done in competitive time so its not an issue being a bit fiddly.

On the multiplie tank issue the KTM Rallyes have 4 seperate tanks ,2 front & 2 rear to also get better weight distribution.

Other than that is there anything else I should know about the motor and making it last ??

Cheers

Yup, with either a 525 or 650 I will be fitting both an oil cooler and a cush drive rear hub.

Didnt know about the shift plate thing, I have never had a Berg before, what is the issue there ??

i think the 650 would perform well ..

if i were you i would throughly inspect the motors you plan to use before hand , checking end float , locktite where applicable , using one of dales heavy duty cam chains , inspect shift plate

and anything else that comes to mind or is recommended .

as i said previously , once ''set up '' i believe the 650 will eat anything in it's way