Just got back from the dealer show in St Paul and the new 500 is awesome! It has all the "controllable" power you could ever want and is very light! Runs, rides, & tracks awesome!
2012 KTM 500 EXC Street Legal Enough is never enough for all those who are forever seeking a little bit more, KTM has created the 500 EXC. Perfectly controllable power in extravagant proportions, low weight and an unsurpassed chassis characterise an enduro of remarkable versatility: a sensational fighting machine and absolutely reliable workhorse rolled into one, the indisputable benchmark in terms of weight and rideability. At any rate, there's no way to avoid to 500 EXC on the path to the podium in the E3 class. NEW ENGINE With the 500 EXC's newly developed engine, KTM engineers have created a new dimension: The power unit has been redesigned from scratch and is now more compact, lighter and more powerful than before. Reduced reciprocating weight and a balancer shaft minimise vibration. NEW SILENCER The 500 EXC's new, improved silencer not only offers greater volume and a new design, it also reduces noise levels to the stricter standards of the future. NEW CYLINDER HEAD All ports and the combustion chamber have been redesigned in the OHC cylinder head of the 500 EXC's new engine. The new camshaft actuates four valves via lightweight rocker arms. High-quality titanium valves are used on the intake side. As before, the cylinder head cover mounted at an angle simplifies service work. NEW CYLINDER AND PISTON The 500 EXC's cylinder has been further developed especially for the new engine configuration. The new, 15 % lighter forged piston minimises reciprocating weight and optimises durability at high engine speeds. New, nitrided piston rings ensure highest levels of resistance to wear. NEW CRANKSHAFT When designing the new crankshaft on the 450 EXC, KTM engineers focussed on reducing the reciprocating weight. Thanks to the new, lighter connecting rod and the new, lighter piston, they managed to achieve minimum vibration, while maximising engine-speed strength. NEW ENGINE CASE The 500 EXC's new engine case weighs almost 2 kg (4 lb.) less than its predecessor, although it offers better resistance to damage due to stone impact or falls. This has been achieved by using a high-strength, elastic aluminium alloy and changing from sand-casting to die-casting. NEW BALANCER SHAFT The 500 EXC's new, more compact balancer shaft not only eliminates vibration, but also serves as the drive for the water pump. This intelligent multi-functionality contributes to the compactness and low weight of the 500 EXC's new engine. NEW OIL CIRCUIT The 500 EXC's new engine is equipped with a common oil circuit for engine and transmission, and two oil pumps. A pressure pump lubricates the engine, while a suction pump draws oil from the crankcase, using it to lubricate the transmission and the clutch. At the same time and in conjunction with a steel diaphragm, negative pressure arises in the casing, which boosts the engine power. NEW EFI/EMS The newly developed Keihin engine management system with electronic fuel injection ensures spontaneous responsiveness from the engine. Various engine characteristics can be activated with an optional map select switch. NEW CLUTCH The 500 EXC's newly developed clutch, with a robust steel cage and transmission-friendly back-damping, makes use of a spring washer for the first time instead of the customary conical springs, hence substantially reducing the operating force. The hydraulic actuation mechanism from Brembo® facilitates sensitive modulation of the clutch. NEW FRAME The completely revamped frame made from high-quality chrome-molybdenum steel is characterised by even greater lateral stiffness. Furthermore, it is even better at absorbing jolts introduced by the suspension system, whereby the simple handling and comfort of the 500 EXC have been further optimised. NEW SWINGARM, NEW PDS, NEW SETTING The 450 EXC's new, lighter, cast aluminium swingarm accommodates the shock absorber more centrally, in order to load the swing arms more evenly. The new, 7 mm (0.28 in) longer PDS shock absorber with adjustable rebound and high/low-speed compression damping, and a new setting is installed more flatly, so providing even more progression. TELESCOPIC FORK, NEW SETTING The 500 EXC is equipped with the latest WP upside-down fork with wider adjustment ranges and a new setting. The sensitive responsiveness and outstanding damping of the open-cartridge fork with 48 mm (1.89 in) outer tubes are a perfect complement for the 500 EXC's simple handling and precision. NEW WHEELS Practically unbeatable in terms of weight and stability, the new wheels have CNC-machined hubs, Excel rims, zinc/nickel-coated spokes and aluminium nipples. They reduce the unsprung and gyroscopic masses, hence bolstering the simple handling of the 500 EXC. BODYWORK The 500 EXC's new bodywork with the very slim seat and spoiler lines, plus excellent contact points, perfects the bike's ergonomics, making handling even simpler and more precise. The longer rear fender protects the rider even more effectively from swirled up stones.
Hey Tim, Great to see you on here! Do you have any info on when they should hit the dealer showroom here in the US? Thanks, Jim
Anyone heard how much oil the new exc motors hold with the single sump arrangement? Hope these new motors are tight....
To much new,, I;ll pass..EFI, it will leave me stranded, no doubt.. I'm very hard on my offroad bikes..Don't trust it if I can't fix it..
Sorry for the partial hi-jack but I just got my 2012 350 EXC-F. I got a hard copy of the owners manual, and I know there is a soft copy here: http://www.ktm.com/enduro/350-exc-f-eu/downloads.html But what about a parts manual, with the expoded diagrams and part numbers? I want to be able to print one out instead of referring to an online fiche all the time. Anyone know where to find one? Thanks. PS - I thought a photo might increase my chance of an answer:
There is a youtube video of an introduction for the 2012 models (it's almost an hour long if you're looking for it). They mention in the video at one point that the clutch is backward compatible with the XC-F's to 2007. It would be interesting to see if anything else might be backward compatible with the XC-W/EXC's -especially the cam chain tensioner!
I might be sleeping in the garage tonight, I think I have turned Objectum-sexual https://dave-emsley.smugmug.com/Other/EXC-F/16915277_T2hHLP#1278339163_5scnrrB
