KTM 525 EXC as an Adventure Bike - Page 282

The Bigfella · 09-15-2012, 06:56 PM

Slogging up hills you say?... good fun, isn't it....

Its nice up in the clouds

team ftb · 09-15-2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazybrit

I thought for a sec that you'd traded your 525 for the SE. I was looking fwd to see the "custom lowering" take shape on the SE

For some daft reason i do like the 950 SE. I thought about getting one in California for my around town bike but after trying to straddle one reality hit me square in the face, or rather inseam. 5'5" and 950 SE's don't go together. However it didn't stop me from trying to trade Ian the 525 for the 950

.

team ftb · 09-15-2012, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-Rod

Don't rule out the 350 EXC either. I rode one the other day, and it was nice. Due to my lack of dirt bike back ground, I actually was a little afraid of it and it's somewhat two-stroke feel when the power comes in. I bought the guy's 530 (rode it for the first time yesterday!!), and I am much more comfortable riding that than the 350. There is no throttle spring feedback on the 350, and its looseness scared me more than anything. I can handle the power, but I never felt I had control of the throttle. Almost whiskied 'er a few times.

Yes another option but in reality not enough different ftom my 250 XCF-W w/a 320 bore on it. Plus my 250 weighs at least 15 pounds less.

team ftb · 09-15-2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bigfella

Slogging up hills you say?... good fun, isn't it....

Its nice up in the clouds

I'm feeling sorry for the 525 now. Not just the extra 100 pounds you weigh but what in the hell are ya packing? Looks like ya bought everything including the kitchen sink

? I'm betting you slim down the load a bit going forward to make the offroading a bit more fun.

Lovely pictures Ian

and enjoy the masseuses in Luang Phabang.

The Bigfella · 09-16-2012, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by team ftb

I'm feeling sorry for the 525 now. Not just the extra 100 pounds you weigh but what in the hell are ya packing? Looks like ya bought everything including the kitchen sink

? I'm betting you slim down the load a bit going forward to make the offroading a bit more fun.

Lovely pictures Ian

and enjoy the masseuses in Luang Phabang.

Yeah, last bit first... 5+ hours of massage in the last two days. Rain's lifting, so I reckon I'll head to Phonsavan in 30 minutes or so.

Packing? Not much - its just that the GL Great Basin makes the KTM's arse look big.

Rabbot · 09-17-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazybrit

You average 50mph?

To be honest I'd never actually read the manual. I see it changed in 2007 from "every 15 hours or 100 liters fuel" to "every 20 hours, 140 liters fuel or 1 race".

So the 20 hours and 140 liters match up if you average 63mph (assuming 35mpg).

I still see lots of for sale ads saying "oil changed every 2 rides". I expect that's BS to make it sound like the bike was cleaned with a q-tip but it probably goes a long way to perpetuating the myth that the bike is a maintenance hog.

I'd say that is about right. When I ride trails I average 24 MPH basic enduro speed. Most of the time I have the 17" SUMO setup. I ride forest service and twisty asphalt. Try to maintain 65 or so with some sprints to higher speeds thrown in for fun.

The Bigfella · 09-19-2012, 02:41 AM

A few more....

I like big barrels

... and dirty girls

Hurried quietly across this one....

It was wet, slippery and very, very narrow in places. 200' or more to the first stop going down...

chippertheripper · 09-19-2012, 07:43 AM

butthole=puckered ^

team ftb · 09-20-2012, 04:17 AM

Good stuff Ian. Glad to see the rains making those boring fireroads interesting for ya

.

The guy in your picture of the ferry crossing is known for over charging, hope ya didn't get too screwed. How deep was the river crossing before this one ( short but lumpy solid rock bottom)?

The Bigfella · 09-20-2012, 07:35 AM

Rivers haven't been too deep.... I've gotten through them.

That lovely chap charged me 50,000 Kip.... but I wasn't going to wade it with the bike on my back... it was a tad fast flowing.

RAZR · 09-20-2012, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bigfella

A few more....

I like big barrels

... and dirty girls

Hurried quietly across this one....

It was wet, slippery and very, very narrow in places. 200' or more to the first stop going down...

WHOA

selaznog · 09-23-2012, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selaznog

He ... mentions ddmtuning.com and says they have a HID kit that uses the existing shroud for about $40, and that's what he has on his bike. At that price an experiment is in order. So, I'll report back once I get it installed.

Installation report:

*It was a little more than $40 to get the 55W upgrade.

*The unit ships from China in about 7 days.

*The bulb lacks a dimple to keep it in place, so I had to fashion a shim. No big deal.

*The wiring harness is the same for a 1 or 2 bulb system, so there's some extra wiring to tidy up.

*the sales guy didn't know his product. He thought it could be installed a la plug and play w/o wiring a lead and a ground. Wrong. Telephone tech guy answered quickly when I called to resolve the apparently conflicting info.

*All in all a very easy install. Simple, unique connectors with no way to install incorrectly.

*It's bright. WAY brighter than stock. Well worth $45.

I haven't run it for long to make sure there are no overheating issues. I will do that Friday.

yondering · 09-24-2012, 10:12 AM

selaznog, thanks for the report. I've been thinking about one of those. Debating whether to get the 35 or 55 W version. Seems like the 35 should be way brighter than my current 55W halogen, with less power draw. Haven't decided yet though.

crazybrit · 09-24-2012, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yondering

selaznog, thanks for the report. I've been thinking about one of those. Debating whether to get the 35 or 55 W version. Seems like the 35 should be way brighter than my current 55W halogen, with less power draw. Haven't decided yet though.

I have the DDM dual hi-low version (slimline ballasts). Not sure if they still make it, I got it probably 18 months ago and have still not got around to installing it.

yondering · 09-24-2012, 01:53 PM

Yeah, the hi-low version is what I was looking at too. It was still offered as of last week, anyway. Hurry up and install yours so you can tell me if I want one!

Truth is, my stock '02 headlight with a 55/60W bulb works pretty well for my uses. I wouldn't mind a little more, but it's not bad as-is. I hear the light output of later models is a lot worse though.

09-15-2012, 06:56 PM	#4216
The Bigfella Big Adventurer Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Dooral Dooral, Eastern Oz Oddometer: 1,780	Slogging up hills you say?... good fun, isn't it.... Its nice up in the clouds __________________ A man should only do the work that is required of him. To do more is a form of greed.

09-19-2012, 02:41 AM	#4222
The Bigfella Big Adventurer Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Dooral Dooral, Eastern Oz Oddometer: 1,780	A few more.... I like big barrels ... and dirty girls Hurried quietly across this one.... It was wet, slippery and very, very narrow in places. 200' or more to the first stop going down... __________________ A man should only do the work that is required of him. To do more is a form of greed.

09-19-2012, 07:43 AM	#4223
chippertheripper motorcycle junkie Joined: May 2009 Location: s.e. mass Oddometer: 1,457	butthole=puckered ^ __________________ Cliff's Cycles KTM LRRS 560ex (retired), PSTR b-vet 317

09-20-2012, 04:17 AM	#4224
team ftb Befuddled Adventurer Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Lost in the jungles of Thailand Oddometer: 1,211	Good stuff Ian. Glad to see the rains making those boring fireroads interesting for ya. The guy in your picture of the ferry crossing is known for over charging, hope ya didn't get too screwed. How deep was the river crossing before this one ( short but lumpy solid rock bottom)? __________________ Cheers, Team FTB ------------------ Team "Fingering The Bean" Looking for the woman that takes the wheel when I'm seeing double.

09-20-2012, 07:35 AM	#4225
The Bigfella Big Adventurer Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Dooral Dooral, Eastern Oz Oddometer: 1,780	Rivers haven't been too deep.... I've gotten through them. That lovely chap charged me 50,000 Kip.... but I wasn't going to wade it with the bike on my back... it was a tad fast flowing. __________________ A man should only do the work that is required of him. To do more is a form of greed.

09-24-2012, 10:12 AM	#4228
yondering Beastly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Location: NW Wa. state Oddometer: 1,072	selaznog, thanks for the report. I've been thinking about one of those. Debating whether to get the 35 or 55 W version. Seems like the 35 should be way brighter than my current 55W halogen, with less power draw. Haven't decided yet though.

09-24-2012, 01:53 PM	#4230
yondering Beastly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Location: NW Wa. state Oddometer: 1,072	Yeah, the hi-low version is what I was looking at too. It was still offered as of last week, anyway. Hurry up and install yours so you can tell me if I want one! Truth is, my stock '02 headlight with a 55/60W bulb works pretty well for my uses. I wouldn't mind a little more, but it's not bad as-is. I hear the light output of later models is a lot worse though.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode