New member - looking for a bike

T

TomP

fast rider
Joined
Apr 17, 2022
Messages
31
Location
Uk
Hi all,

I’ve just found this site, I had been on the other site but it doesn’t seem to have much use any more.

So I nearly bought a vitpilen 701 18 months ago. I test rode it against a 790 and 890 duke and still thought it was more fun than both of them. I then got offered a bmw s1000r for a very good price so ended up going with that. 18 months on and I still thought about the vitpilen and found myself watching the review videos so thought I’d put the s1000r up for sale as the prices for them have gone up.

Long story short I sold the bmw yesterday so I’m pretty much set on getting a vitpilen. I’ve found a very low mileage one (350 miles) which has had all the recalls done.

I’m guessing that as it has done less than 600 miles it will still have the running in restrictions? Do they need to be removed by a dealer or does it happen automatically?

The bike is a bit of a distance away but there aren’t many available at the moment in the uk. The 150 mile ride back would get me some way to getting to 600 miles as well.

Anything I should be looking for when buying? Although the low miles is probably a good thing I’m also concerned about how long it’s been standing.

Thanks

Tom
 
I got mine recently, with very low miles.

The restriction thing is automatic with the tachometer and running-in process is based on the rider preference.

I also recommend the first "1000 kilometer" service at an official dealership, regardless of which brand or model motorcycle.

Either way, brake fluid, oil and filters are probably due.

So... as for tips, I think this one is funny:

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The few manufacturing quality problems with the Vitpilen are well known now: tank replacement, clutch slave, dash o-ring seal, plateholder alignment on swingarm. Once these are addressed the KTM LC4 at the heart of this little gem is known for reliability and few people have had other issues. I've had all of the known problems and either fixed them in a couple minutes myself or had them addressed under warranty by the dealer. I've put 7.5k hard miles (including track time) on my 701 and it has never failed to start quickly, run smoothly, and bring one of the highest levels of enjoyment of any bike I've owned in over 350k miles of riding.
 
Thanks for the replies

To be honest I’ve pretty much got my heart set on this bike. I spoke to the seller today and he said the bikes in showroom condition. If I can get a bit of money off then that can pay for a service at 600 miles and a check over.

I still have concerns that coming from a 165hp bike will mean the vitpilen feels slow but from what I remember on the test ride it was so fun I won’t really care.

The bike had the factory Akra can. Again from what I remember it wasn’t that loud but not sure the db killer can be removed?

Thanks

Tom
 
I have a gen 3 KTM Super Duke as well as the 701. When I ride the Vitpilen I get to rough it up a bit, really let it rev and enjoy how nimble it is. Riding the Super Duke is only faster on the straights where the least fun (and on the road the greatest risk) happen. For daily sport rides on the road the Vitpilen is a much better fit than the over powered Super Duke. Just my 2c.

The DB killer on the Akra can be removed. You just drill out the carbon (directions with the exact location here: https://vitpilenforum.com/forums/topic/701-akrapovic-pipe/) and remove the set screw holding the DB killer in place. Cover the hole with the Akrapovic rubber plug (I think the exact part number is available in the link I provided) and it looks factory. I did it to mine, it took about 20 minutes total. This is how Akra used to ship them back before the emissions rules tightened up.
 
TomP said:
I still have concerns that coming from a 165hp bike will mean the vitpilen feels slow but from what I remember on the test ride it was so fun I won’t really care.
Click to expand...
On a straight line or highway use, yes, it will feel slow compared to an S1000R, but that's not what this bike is for. I have two liter bikes that are way faster but on the mountain pass I typically ride the Vitpilen is just as fast and more fun. The bike is very light/nimble, has good power, good brakes, good electronics, so so suspension and is plain fun to ride. Although it has a lot of tech, it feels very pure and in a way raw. I love that about the bike.

Short version: If you want straight line speed look elsewhere. If you want fun in the tight twisties, not many better options.
 
TomP said:
The bike had the factory Akra can. Again from what I remember it wasn’t that loud but not sure the db killer can be removed?
Click to expand...
Easy to do, just DON'T DRILL holes in carbon cap! Get some stainless gas tight rivets, drill old out from the cap, remove db killer, put cab back with new rivets and job done, nice and smooth with no holes/rubber sticking out/stickers to hide holes etc. :)
 
Looks straight forward either way 😃

So I’ve taken the plunge and the bike is being collected tomorrow and delivered on Wednesday. It’s only on 330 miles so I guess I need to take it easy for the next few hundred.

The current owner did have it serviced when the recalls were done in October. I’m not sure what oil is now in it as I thought it should have mineral oil in for the first 600 miles. I know the dealer that did the work so I can call them tomorrow and find out what they recommend. I don’t mind putting mineral oil back in for a bit if it means it won’t drink oil in the future.
 
Just to add to that is there a limiter on the bike before 600 miles? I guess I should just ride it normally? Or should I be loading it up as much as possible?

Not had a bike to run in before and not had a single before either.
 
TomP said:
Just to add to that is there a limiter on the bike before 600 miles? I guess I should just ride it normally? Or should I be loading it up as much as possible?

Not had a bike to run in before and not had a single before either.
Click to expand...
Oh boy here we go, everyone has a different way to break in… I just rode mine normally keeping the revs down like the manual says and not doing a lot of highway cruising… I did rev it out a couple times.. 3k miles later it has not burnt any oil…

I would just follow the manual. It’s not limited, the shift light just may kick in lower depending on how the dealer prepped the bike..
 
Ok great thank you.

The current owner sent me the receipt for the service and it’s got motorex power synth 10-50 in it now (was changed at 300 miles when the recall was done). It was done by a husky dealer so assume they know what they’re doing.
 
Really looking forward to Wednesday now. Feel like a kid at Christmas. Just hope it’s a fun to ride as I remember it being when I test rode one back in 2020.

I guess I should wait for a bit before taking the airbox lid off and adding the fuel dongle?
 
Ayzen said:
Easy to do, just DON'T DRILL holes in carbon cap! Get some stainless gas tight rivets, drill old out from the cap, remove db killer, put cab back with new rivets and job done, nice and smooth with no holes/rubber sticking out/stickers to hide holes etc. :)
Click to expand...

Dont mean to tj...

Is it possible to remove the db killer by removing the whole cap?

Or am I missing a few steps... does the carbon piece come apart from the rest of the stainless part with all the little holes?
 
BISavage said:
Dont mean to tj...

Is it possible to remove the db killer by removing the whole cap?

Or am I missing a few steps... does the carbon piece come apart from the rest of the stainless part with all the little holes?
Click to expand...
Yes, so if you want to keep clean look, without drilling holes, then:
1. Drill out rivets around carbon cap.
2. Remove carbon cap.
3. Unbolt and remove db killer [bolt is under the cap, hence all this drilling-in-the-carboin ideas]
4. Put carbon cap back on
5. Replace rivets [gas tight stainless steel rivets].
 
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