2012 ktm 500 exc?

[2on2off]

Originally Posted by Mulley

Thanks 2on2off. Please keep us posted. I currently ride my DRZ for all types of the terrain, everything from single track in the pines to Moab to Colorado mountain passes. I was hoping the for a replacement that was better all around. I will need a wider seat, bigger tank and I already have Giant Loop luggage.

I also have a KTM 250exc (2 stroke) that doesn't get ridden as much as it used too. Would I be making a mistake to think the 500 could replace both of these bikes? Obviously the 2 stroke is a single track beast but is the 500 going to work me too much and make me regret my decission in the tight rough stuff?

The KTM 500EXC is one of the few bikes that could replace the 250exc and the DRZ. All three, (DRZ - 250exc - 500EXC) are great bikes so it really comes down to individual preference.

You might be thrilled to replace the DRZ and 250exc with a single 500EXC but then again, you might be disappointed. If I had been riding with you for two or more years, I could give you my opinion but it would still come down to your own preference.

So many great bikes to choose from these days. These are the "good" kind of problems to solve.

[2on2off]

Originally Posted by ABYSS

Why yes I do, I own one I got mine in December and they were very hard to get a hold of at the time. I took mine to the gas station after I mounted the pump and fuel spigot off the bike and was able to put 3.52 gallons in it from a new bone dry state.

Acerbis is econsidering making a 4 gallon tank and some of us have called them to reaffirm interest.

Thanks for providing the facts about the KTM 3.5 Gallon Fuel Tank. I have a few more questions:
1. Will the KTM radiator guards work with this gas tank?
2. Did you have to remove the charcoal cannister and other smog stuff for it to fit?
3. Does the stock KTM radiator fan work with this gas tank?
4. Any other mounting issues to be aware of?

Thanks.

[2on2off]

Originally Posted by spagthorpe

I would think a con of the DRZ would be the five speed gearbox. It's hard to get the gearing right for all around dual sport use, at least if you need to ride the freeway to get anywhere.


Thanks for the comparison though. Good info. I had no idea the piston interval for the 500 was 150 hours. Ouch. Is that the racing spec interval, or for general use?

You are right about the 5 speed but I have found it very good with stock gearing for all the places I ride including some technical single track. As good as the DRZ 5 speed is, the KTM 6 speed tranny is better. Sixth gear is great for motoring down the pavement.

I have another thread on advrider regarding high mileage KTM 520, 525 and 530 EXC's. The response is very good overall and many owners have over 400 hours on the original piston and rings.

I asked my local KTM mechanic about this and he thinks you are "rolling the dice" if you run your motor over 200 hours without replacing the piston and rings.

I'd like to hear from 400 plus hour owners who have experienced their motors coming apart because they didn't change the piston and rings sooner. So far, no one has spoken up that I know of.

So..........it may be OK to run the 500EXC up to 400 hours without opening up the engine if you don't race it and just dual sport it or trail ride it.

[jesusgatos]

Originally Posted by SteveO

Mounting the GPS was somewhat of an issue...

Might want to try something like this?

[SteveO]

Originally Posted by jesusgatos

Might want to try something like this?

ooouuuu......nice.

$135.....ummmm, I don't know.

My setup cost $10......

[ABYSS]

Originally Posted by 2on2off

Thanks for providing the facts about the KTM 3.5 Gallon Fuel Tank. I have a few more questions:
1. Will the KTM radiator guards work with this gas tank?
2. Did you have to remove the charcoal cannister and other smog stuff for it to fit?
3. Does the stock KTM radiator fan work with this gas tank?
4. Any other mounting issues to be aware of?

Thanks.

1. I am not sure the about the guards, the tank completely covers the radiator on the sides. I don't think for the environments ride in I will have any need for them as I am not riding in brush and the tank supplies complete side protection.

2. I have a XCW so my bike has never had any of that stuff.

3. The stock radiator fan is not an issue in any way shape or form.

4. There still is only one mount bolt holding it in place. Two very minor pieces of plastic to trim. I only had one slight correctable mounting issue. There are two rubber bushings/isolators that mount to the front lower corners of the radiator to provide movement dampening. They are to small of diameter and don't quite make it to the tank. I corrected the issues by going to my local "old school hardware store" and purchasing slightly larger diameter to eliminate the slop and provide adequate protection/suspension for is to side movement.



ABYSS

[jesusgatos]

Originally Posted by SteveO

ooouuuu......nice.

$135.....ummmm, I don't know.

My setup cost $10......

No offense intended, but that's kinda what it looks like...

[SteveO]

Originally Posted by jesusgatos

No offense intended, but that's kinda what it looks like...

thats what what looks like?

edit: you mean the price is what it looks like?........I suppose so, if that is what you mean. Unfortunately, my meager budget only allows so much, and being that I can build something for $10 that does the same thing as the $135 item.....well......I'll build it.

I've noticed that you have some extensive fabrication skills, very nice. I used to be a Pirate groupie as well, but since my 4Runner has gone away, I'm on to the bikes now......

[ABYSS]

You know we love you man but he has a point. But I am with you, especially on the price of two Con rods like what you see out of a car and a peice of metal rod. HA!


the sad thing here is th the price. with today's tech. some facbricators still gouge the fire out of people like in this case. You could get a HWYDIRTBIKES top clamp from Paul for half that and have a great mounting point that is way less obtrusive.

It cracks me up when these guys say "well you have setup and design work involved". Come on fella's I used to do this stuff the old school way with a bridgport knee mill and yes that took time. Even then it was blue layout fluid and scribe in a mark and then cut it out and mic the tolerances. This this was done on a CNC with little or no effort by man. Most of these folks are just trying to recoupe the cost of there equipment ASAP so they gouge everyone. There arent many reputable guys left.

HWYDIRTBIKES and CJDESIGNS are a dying breed. I wish there were more folks like them but unfortunatley there are not.

Originally Posted by jesusgatos

No offense intended, but that's kinda what it looks like...

[ABYSS]

Originally Posted by SteveO

thats what what looks like?

edit: you mean the price is what it looks like?........I suppose so, if that is what you mean. Unfortunately, my meager budget only allows so much, and being that I can build something for $10 that does the same thing as the $135 item.....well......I'll build it.

I've noticed that you have some extensive fabrication skills, very nice. I used to be a Pirate groupie as well, but since my 4Runner has gone away, I'm on to the bikes now......

"my meager budget" when you are sporting a 200.00 cot for sleeping while on the trial.

I use the ground.

look at the sixth picture down.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...77&postcount=1

[OKDQ]

Originally Posted by SteveO

.......this is my first KTM bike, and my last KTM bike. I did a whole lot of research on Dual-sport bikes before purchasing this one.

I currently ride a WR250R and am looking for something with less weight and more power. Strongly conconsidering the 500EXC as my next bike to replace the WR. I've never owned a KTM and so I'd be interested in learning more as to why this will be your last KTM and what your current thoughts are as to your next dual sport bike will be.

[SteveO]

Originally Posted by ABYSS

"my meager budget" when you are sporting a 200.00 cot for sleeping while on the trial.

I use the ground.

look at the sixth picture down.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...77&postcount=1

LOL, yeah, I hear ya.

Well, I suppose I don't have the skills to build a quality cot like the LuxeryLit Cot, but I can certainly build a mount for the GPS.

LOL, meager budget.....well, maybe I should say that arm-wrestling the wife for the money is more the challenge....

[ronvan]

Originally Posted by SteveO

...this is my first KTM bike, and my last KTM bike. I did a whole lot of research on Dual-sport bikes before purchasing this one. My last Dual-sport bike was a 2010 Yamaha WR250R. While this bike was nice, it just didn't have the power. This KTM has the power and is lighter.....I like.

Please elaborate on why this will be your last KTM.

[SteveO]

Originally Posted by OKDQ

I currently ride a WR250R and am looking for something with less weight and more power. Strongly conconsidering the 500EXC as my next bike to replace the WR. I've never owned a KTM and so I'd be interested in learning more as to why this will be your last KTM and what your current thoughts are as to your next dual sport bike will be.

Originally Posted by ronvan

Please elaborate on why this will be your last KTM.

When I was looking for a Dual-Sport bike, I purchased the WR250R based upon the following criteria:

Fuel Injection
6-speed, for the highway speed
Reliability
Aluminum Frame for weight saving
Single track capable AND Dual-Sport capable
Large Aftermarket support

The WR250R is a very capable bike. It meets all of the criteria above, and does a great job of getting you to places and back. Its very capable of taking abuse, and pushes on despite the abuse.

The ONE big thing that persuaded me to move on to the 500EXC was the overall lack of power on the WR250R.

Last year I was in an event that never happend, and I quickly realized that if I wanted to run with the larger bore bikes, I had to spend most of the engine time in the higher RPMs. The first and second day were real eye-openers for me in terms of what a rally is like. The third day I decided to really push the bike and see what I could do on the little bike. I was able to keep up, and at times even passed a few of the larger bikes, but I felt like I was pushing too hard; pushing myself and the bike. At one point, I was pretty much tapped out at 72mph, when a larger bore KTM came flying by me like I was nearly sitting still. Despite my dust trail behind me, the KTM rider came up on me so quick and passed me equally as quick......seriously, I jumped off my seat.

So, I decided that I need to look for another bike that could give me some legs on the open road, AND yet provide me with the exhilaration of the tight single track. Again, I need to establish a criteria so that I wasn't going at this half-cocked.

450cc or larger
6-speed
Fuel Injected
Reliability
Aluminum frame (or lightweight bike)
Single track capable AND Dual-sport capable
Large Aftermarket support

After looking around for some time, and talking to several different riders of different bikes. I talked and listened to a rider named FORE! about KTMs. This guy knows his bikes, and he is an excellent rider. He stated the following: "everything I've thrown at the KTM, it has taken". This guy can ride! Hearing that from him, made me a believer. Seeing races such as the Romaniacs, with their KTM bikes made me a believer in the toughness of the bikes. Seeing them in the Dakar......well, you get the idea.

After looking over the KTM bikes, I heard about the up-n-coming 500EXC. New engine, new FI, new frame, new this and that. Well, I do have some pretty good mechanical skills, and thought that whatever I run into, I'd like to fix it myself so that I know how to fix it in the future. Some may take issue with the "reliability" of this NEW 500EXC motor. Yes, its new, but lets take a broader look into the KTM history. They are good bikes. Fuel Injection is the future, and not having to re-jet the bikes is simple awesome, and easy. This 500EXC is actually lighter than the WR250R, which is a welcome attribute.

As for this being my last KTM bike, well.....considering the price of these bikes, I don't intend on purchasing another KTM. I believe this bike has the power to shred single-track trails, sand hills, mud, and can still move down the highway at a nice comfortable clip. This bike has everything I have wanted in a dirt bike AND A Dual-sport bike. Yes, I've added a few things; better lights, 12V power outlets, etc, but as the core machine goes, it has it where it needs it.

In summary, this KTM is lighter, stronger (frame), more powerful (easy wheelies in the mud), faster than the WR250R and certainly way more fun to ride than the WR250R.


My next bike will be a Yamaha Super Tenere. My wife loves to ride along with me, and well, the KTM is just not suited for two up. So, the Super Tenere will be excellent for both of us, AND it will be great for me when i want to take a longer ride through the the mountains.....

[Subaru297]

Hi SteveO,

Looks like you answered my question while I was typing so I will change my question to how is the comfort of the500EXC compared to the WR250R on the highway for a couple hours?

Has anyone else put on a Lynx Fairing yet or equivalent?

Thanks