2012 ktm 500 exc?

Dang, sounds like my home made clamp/hand guard/dash panel rig may have been worth the trouble after all. I've got all kinds of old hand, wrist, arm and shoulder injuries.

^^^^^^ sounds like you could use a set of flex bars.... I'd love to have some of those.

I haven't had any numbing issues with mine at all but I don't race desert and have younger hands and wrists. On the two strokes I've had them on I get some numbing in my right hand every once and awhile. I have thought of going with some reflex racing hand guards.

Love to have flex bars, if it weren't for the weight and the $$$.

I might come up with something else that works about as good.

So by stout do you mean they are too rigid, causing vibrations which makes your hands numb?
I was considering a set but wouldn't have thought different handguards could make much difference to hand numbing

Yes, stout as in rigid. There's different mounting options. I choose the "Big bolt" for the bar end. The big bolt combined with the rigidness and the fact the HDBs mount to the top clamp(s) means the bar ends do not flex. Other hand guards that mount to the bar end and then clamp to the bars close to the triples still allow the bars to flex and allow some dampening. The HDBs with the big bolt for me allowed no dampening and no flex from the top clamp all the way out to the bar end and this resulting in high rpm vibs at the bar ends. Throttle hand first, then clutch side (don't know why it happened in that order). Again though, I can't stress the top shelf quality of HDBs IMO. They are like over engineered good. They are more money, but you get what you pay for. Maybe the traditional mounting on the bar end would have reduced the vibs for me, don't know. Plenty of folks i ride with have them on thumpers with no issues and trail riding I didn't have any issues. That said, I don't see them at the track. Only one ride on my twin with them, but I rev'ed it good with no issues. And the mirrors are a great way to free up bar real estate.

Bitingdog -- My 300 XC is plated as well so I can also race to the mailbox. I have a similar Sicass Racing lighting setup which I turn on when I am leaping across roads from ditch to ditch. Can't touch the roads. That would be illegal.

Oldfuddy -- I bought the '16 top triple clamp that has rubber inserts for the handlebar mounts for my '14 300 XC. That cut vibration on the 300 a lot. I used KTM's isolastic mounts for my 500 EXC and that cut the vibration down a lot for me. The new '17 EXC motor may have a different balance factor if the crank is also the newer, lighter one. If that is the case the vibration at higher revs might be different as well. I've been told that the new EXC will also have the rubber inserts for the handlebars in the top triple clamp.

Stu

Dang, I wish I had a plated 300. I'm certain it has happened but I'd probably do jail time in So. Cal. for even trying. You guys have helped confirm my choice to go with the Scotts/BRP rubber sub-mount stabilizer kit. Since photos of bikes make me happy, here she is clean with my boy, Max.

^^^^ not only cleaned up, but it hasn't ate the plate holder yet. Nice.

Seems to have lots of clearance since I cut it and raised the plate up as far as possible. It's actually shorter now than it was in this photo. Reflectors are gone too and the axle lives farther forward now with the 50T rear sprocket.

I think it also has to do with the plastic flexing down when making your suspension work that hard. Making the underfender move forward just enough for the rear tire can grab it. Hope yours works for you though.

I run grip puppies on my bikes, just slid them over the OEM with a little tugging and cursing and all good to go. Fatter grip fits my big mitts better. Over time they will conform to your death grip but still dampen. I've been running the same set for at least 2yrs on the 500 and much longer on my GSA. <$20 from twistedthrottle.

Suspension is packed out, time for a rebuild...

I got a zero mile replacement when you're ready.

The kickstarter hits the stock footpeg too. The kickstart lever has a flat spot on it where it contacts the footpeg to use it as the stop.

Register your 300xc in Nevada or Arizona. You can plate a toaster strudel in Arizona

Looking to upgrade headlight and debating between Baja Designs Squadron sport with the dimmer box kit or the Motominded Squadron sport with the same dimmer box kit. These will both insert to the stock headlight shell and will be using the stock switch housing. Cheaper form BD but the Motominded mount has aiming adjustment built in plus was considering the supermount to go with it all. Can anyone give a description of both and how they worked out?

The Baja Designs bracket has some plastic adapters to move the headlight out further from the forks which causes the light to bounce out of the location holes on the fender. This can be aleviated by drilling some holes in the fender and zip riding the mask to the fender. I like the Motominded kit because of the adjustment but it's not as tough if you deliver a hit, since it's made from plastic. He does warranty and replace free of charge if it happens though. Personally I'd go with the motominded kit after running both.

i have the Baja Designs Squadron Pro and have abused my 500 pretty bad with no issues on the headlight or mount.

Do you run the plastic pieces that hold the rubber mounting straps, which space the light out further? I've seen it happen on two bikes besides mine now. A zip tie is all it takes to take care of it though.