<HR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #575757; COLOR: #575757" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --> 2012 KTM 500 EXC gone will be the 530? Yep; new motor,:eek1 look close at it, water pump, clutch cover etc. I'm guessing a single sump, notice how the bottom of the cases are level front to back unlike the xc-4 where the trans is higher than the power section. It still doesn't mean it holds much oil though. Just a hunchNew frame from the 350exc also. Still using PDS rear shock. This looks like a lighter weight machine than the current 530. I wonder if it has the Super reliable KTM EFI , looks like it might. This is a photo with the "Knighter" who now rides for the factory team. Only a photo no details on speeds or gearing. I thought this needed its own thread.
I'm wounderring about the bore and the stroke in the new engine ... I hope KTM made it short stroke! (About 100mm*64mm would be perfect.)
I wonder if this is the adjustable WP shock it will come with? The head looks alot like a 690 LC4 design but not exactly. Bvery NICEzz However; looks like "THE EVIL EFI" is here to stay.
Somebody said earlier that it has two cams....doesn't look like that to me... EFI's here to stay, that's for sure. Beautiful bike nevertheless. M.
Good point! Maybe we're saved. Although It might be an EFI system like the CRF 450R. I don't see a starter or battery but then again this is the race bike not a U.S. duel sport version.
Looking forward to seeing what in coming. KTM has been late in showing what we will be riding in the future. Yes, yes, yes
That is a WP Trax shock, not going to be standard for sure unless you get a factory SXS bike. But the stock shocks on all KTM dirt bikes are fully adjustable anyway (even separate low and high speed compression), they just don't have the fancy coatings, polished internals etc.
Really? My 02 520 EXC doesn't have separate low and high speed compression adjusters, unless I'm missing something. I thought that was only on the SX shock.
Sorry, I meant to say current models. I think they introduced it on the enduro models when they went to the new frames in 2008, SX-F and SX already had it in the RFS generation.
Knight rides the PDS and can ride anything he want, so I wouldn't bet on the 500EXC coming without linkage...
I was wrong about the 690 design, the head is almost the same as the current 530. Further study reveals that the outward apperance of the heads are the same with the addition of a MAP or temp sensor for the EFI just left and below the spark plug, the cases are different as is the trans and clutch aspects one could assume. Possible good news for those wanting the factory 570 kit or other BB kit which would need only drilling and tapping for the MAP sensor. This may be KTM's way of addressing oil transfer issues and the percieved lack of long term durability due to low oil volume on extended rides. Can't wait to get more data. See pics below to compare heads. New 500exc: note MAP sensor location. current 530 head: note MAP sensor location as a flat area left and below plug.
As far as the percieved oil problem with the 530's, most of my friends that have 08 and 09 450's and 530's have to add oil to them on longer rides. I'm sure hoping that they get rid of the separate engine/tranny oil compartments and increase the capacity of engine oil. It has kept me from buying the 08 or newer 530's, and I have kept my 525. gmtcm