Hi all, keep reading the fantastic reviews of the 500 EXC and I am in the market for something that i can rip around the center of town with or the twisties and that i can load up and take off-road with my mates. My friend is raving about the bike and as great as it is i have some concerns about my lack of experience and knowledge of basic things such as oil changes ets. This is the only concern i have (apart from trying to find a used one) I am open to learning how to to do the maintenance however i don't want to take on more than i can chew.. Thanks guys...
I also just recently bought one and love it - I dont think you are going to regret owning one for a moment. From what I can see everything is pretty simple to do, and from what I have read most people who get to the point of checking valve clearances end up not needing to adjust. I put 16 hours on mine in the first weekend alone!
They come with a decent manual and you can find almost everything online that you'll need to do regarding maintenance. Congrats and enjoy the bike, it's a blast! Garrett
Beautiful Motorcycle. Many of my friends have bought one for DS riding here in MI. They love them. The only concern is something to do w/ the fuel filter deteriorating w/ the ethanol in the gas. You might want to read up on that in the KTMTalk.com forums.
Holy Moly are they fun bikes! Ive got a 530 and it is also a powerhouse of a broadsliding wheelieing dirt throwing snorting sort of bike. Or it can chug down and do singletrack very contentedly. Then it can cruise 75 on the road,I feel that's a waste of it's talents though. Last weekend I sat back and pinned it briefly on an uphill smooth sandy road............ 90mph showed on the clock and it was still pulling hard. I enjoy it lots. Have fun!