The KTM 500 XC-W Thread. - Page 24

team ftb · 02-11-2013, 08:42 PM

So comparing felt thickness between the legs can someone comment on the differences felt between the RFS bikes and the new 500 model? Is it thinner or thicker when standing? I always felt my RFS bikes were nice and thin and the 08-11 bikes were a lot thicker through the middle. Where does the 500 stack up in comparison?

Has anyone with the HardParts 3.4 gallon tank pictured above on Geeks bike ridden an RFS bike with the same style tank? How does it feel through the middle (between your legs), contrast the two if you've ridden both. I felt on the RFS bike it kept the bike nice and narrow between your legs standing and the width was only felt when putting your leg forward near the radiator shrouds for turns. How is it in comparison on the 450/500 frame?

KrustyKustom · 02-13-2013, 03:18 PM

I just came off a great relationship with my 07 RFS 450exc to a 500 this past October. Having ridden the 08-11 generation with my buddies bikes the 500 is a different animal. While the chassis of the previous generation was great the new one is even better which you can only tell riding them back to back. The new 500 feels lighter and to me the same ergos as my 07 in the tank, seat to pegs etc.

Something interesting is how much lower the center of gravity is on the 500 than a 530. Sitting side by side it looks 1.5" lower under the skidplate, the swingarm looks to go in a bit higher on the frame than a 530 also. I have drug bottom twice creeping over an obsticle that my 450 would have cleared on the 500, but generally this is just an observation not a biggie.

The thing that got me on the new bike is the motor. Sweeeeet! Smooth and controllable, one sump system with more oil capacity than ever on a under 600 cc KTM. Bike gets super mileage, build quality of the engine is awesome, new die cast case is high quality.

I weigh 172 and the suspension is perfect for me.My buddies 530 is super firm and it is stock. Power hit on the 500 is there just more easy to "meter", 530 seems to have more low end grunt but comes on with more authority. If I had a 530 i would want a throttle cam.

I put a Scotts on my 500 and it is rock stable, wide open in sand or on the pavement. No head shake.

Give one a ride if you can

Yellow Pig · 02-13-2013, 03:45 PM

So what kind of MPGs are you guys getting out of the 500s?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

toddler · 02-13-2013, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow Pig

So what kind of MPGs are you guys getting out of the 500s?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

26-55mpg so far. Depends on the riding. That probably didn't help

55 on road just coasting.
26 on high speed desert singletrack.

crankshaft · 02-13-2013, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by team ftb

So comparing felt thickness between the legs can someone comment on the differences felt between the RFS bikes and the new 500 model? Is it thinner or thicker when standing? I always felt my RFS bikes were nice and thin and the 08-11 bikes were a lot thicker through the middle. Where does the 500 stack up in comparison?

Has anyone with the HardParts 3.4 gallon tank pictured above on Geeks bike ridden an RFS bike with the same style tank? How does it feel through the middle (between your legs), contrast the two if you've ridden both. I felt on the RFS bike it kept the bike nice and narrow between your legs standing and the width was only felt when putting your leg forward near the radiator shrouds for turns. How is it in comparison on the 450/500 frame?

The big difference is that I always felt like I was sitting in the RFS frames but the new bike has you sitting on top of it. The 500 feels smaller than the RFS bikes for sure.

PatrickM · 02-13-2013, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geek

I had a couple of lenses with me yesterday and took an arseload of pics (thanks to Paul & Derek for their patience and letting me play with my camera

)

Some more random ones:

Here's Paul's current cockpit setup:

Okay, what are all the buttons?!? I'm counting 11!

And geez, it reminds me I need to order myself another set of HDB guards!

Danger4u2 · 02-14-2013, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickM

Okay, what are all the buttons?!? I'm counting 11!

And geez, it reminds me I need to order myself another set of HDB guards!

I count 21.

Geek · 02-14-2013, 06:38 AM

...and there are some you can't see

Indy Unlimited · 02-14-2013, 06:47 AM

It would look way cooler with an I-PAD instead of the roll chart.

Geek · 02-14-2013, 01:14 PM

...that can easily be arranged

What are you doin' slummin' in this thread Indy? Time for another toy?

theantipaul · 02-14-2013, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickM

Okay, what are all the buttons?!? I'm counting 11!

And geez, it reminds me I need to order myself another set of HDB guards!

OK, the 3 button switch on the left is a Trail Tech computer switch, they can be wired up to also work with the KTM computer for all the same functions as the KTM switch.

Push buttons on the guard are for the roadbook holder for/rev, usually lives on the clutch lever.

IPhone/IPod remote, 2 on the brake perch are Squadron spot and horn.

The Baja Designs key switch powers up the computer and the top clamp push buttons and they are lights, fan over ride and then 2 open.

Kill on the clutch lever and and start on the brake lever.

Crankshaft has put an IPad up there.

Geek, it's snowing, we should go riding.

Motorfiets · 02-14-2013, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theantipaul

Geek, it's snowing, we should go riding.

My bike's getting closer!! I should stop seeing these pictures.... I'm gonna spend way too much!

oh wait.... I got paid today!

KrustyKustom · 02-14-2013, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crankshaft

The big difference is that I always felt like I was sitting in the RFS frames but the new bike has you sitting on top of it. The 500 feels smaller than the RFS bikes for sure.

Well put. My RFS felt very rigid also.

My 07 handled like a dumptruck compared to my new 500. Hard to imagine the difference.

I have yet to get less than 46mpg on mine, high of 56 in Moab.

trailjammer · 02-15-2013, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geek

nope.. no studs. Lots of slip-sliding

The extra wind protection of the HDB fairing was well appreciated when we got going fast as it was waaaaaay below freezing.

cheers,
Edward

Damn Edward! Those are some awesome pictures! ...now where's the tow rope and the snowboard you can pull around?! LOL

You need a case saver on that bike before it finds a rock in the snow.

That's some skill riding in the snow!

The Wolf · 02-15-2013, 08:47 PM

anybody have a part number on the baja designs keyed ignition? is it specific to the 12/13 500xcw?

02-11-2013, 08:42 PM	#346
team ftb Befuddled Adventurer Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Lost in the jungles of Thailand Oddometer: 1,210	ergonomics Q So comparing felt thickness between the legs can someone comment on the differences felt between the RFS bikes and the new 500 model? Is it thinner or thicker when standing? I always felt my RFS bikes were nice and thin and the 08-11 bikes were a lot thicker through the middle. Where does the 500 stack up in comparison? Has anyone with the HardParts 3.4 gallon tank pictured above on Geeks bike ridden an RFS bike with the same style tank? How does it feel through the middle (between your legs), contrast the two if you've ridden both. I felt on the RFS bike it kept the bike nice and narrow between your legs standing and the width was only felt when putting your leg forward near the radiator shrouds for turns. How is it in comparison on the 450/500 frame? __________________ Cheers, Team FTB ------------------ Team "Fingering The Bean" Looking for the woman that takes the wheel when I'm seeing double.

02-13-2013, 03:18 PM	#347
KrustyKustom Lets Go.... Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Desert-away from people... Oddometer: 523	fingering the bean.. I just came off a great relationship with my 07 RFS 450exc to a 500 this past October. Having ridden the 08-11 generation with my buddies bikes the 500 is a different animal. While the chassis of the previous generation was great the new one is even better which you can only tell riding them back to back. The new 500 feels lighter and to me the same ergos as my 07 in the tank, seat to pegs etc. Something interesting is how much lower the center of gravity is on the 500 than a 530. Sitting side by side it looks 1.5" lower under the skidplate, the swingarm looks to go in a bit higher on the frame than a 530 also. I have drug bottom twice creeping over an obsticle that my 450 would have cleared on the 500, but generally this is just an observation not a biggie. The thing that got me on the new bike is the motor. Sweeeeet! Smooth and controllable, one sump system with more oil capacity than ever on a under 600 cc KTM. Bike gets super mileage, build quality of the engine is awesome, new die cast case is high quality. I weigh 172 and the suspension is perfect for me.My buddies 530 is super firm and it is stock. Power hit on the 500 is there just more easy to "meter", 530 seems to have more low end grunt but comes on with more authority. If I had a 530 i would want a throttle cam. I put a Scotts on my 500 and it is rock stable, wide open in sand or on the pavement. No head shake. Give one a ride if you can __________________ Krusty Kustom, Houston Texas 2013 KTM 500exc

02-13-2013, 03:45 PM	#348
Yellow Pig Allergic to Asphalt! Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Oddometer: 5,979	So what kind of MPGs are you guys getting out of the 500s? Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD __________________ So Many Idiots, So Few Comets!!!!!!!!!

02-14-2013, 06:38 AM	#353
Geek ^OP oot & aboot Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Colorado Oddometer: 25,739	...and there are some you can't see __________________ www.motogeek.com

02-14-2013, 06:47 AM	#354
Indy Unlimited Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Parker, CO Oddometer: 1,120	It would look way cooler with an I-PAD instead of the roll chart. __________________ Current Stable: 2013 Ducati Hypermotard SP, 2011 Husaberg FE570S, 2011 BMW S1000RR, 2010 BMW F800GS 2007 Husqvarna TE610 , 2003 KTM 525 MXC

02-14-2013, 01:14 PM	#355
Geek ^OP oot & aboot Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Colorado Oddometer: 25,739	...that can easily be arranged What are you doin' slummin' in this thread Indy? Time for another toy? __________________ www.motogeek.com

02-15-2013, 08:47 PM	#360
The Wolf Adventurer Joined: Nov 2012 Oddometer: 32	anybody have a part number on the baja designs keyed ignition? is it specific to the 12/13 500xcw?

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