http://www.bulletproofdesigns.com/KTM-RADIATOR-GUARDS-p/ktm-rg-08-std-sil.htm Expensive, but have saved me from at least 3 new radiator purchaces so they have paid for themselves a few times over. Personally I run the Acerbis 4.1 tank as well and it does provide some protection of the radiators but not better than the BPD guards.
I run both the BPD guards and the 4.1 tank. Overkill, but my radiators are straight as a judge after more offs than I'd like to admit.
If you run guards with that style tank check for clearance where the tanks wing is pushed in with a crash. I have punctured a couple of tanks this way. Now I won't run guards with the wing style tank. Wings provide good side protection and stock guards do well for the front
one HUGE advantage to NOT using billet rad guards is you're maximizing air flow through the fins. That's one reason why KTM's radiator guards are like so:
Thanks for the feedback. I was actually thinking of running the 3.0 tank because of the potential for radiator guard conflict with a larger tank. But it the BPD guards play well with the 4.1 gallon tank, I might go in that direction. Tipsy
A 4.1 tank and PMB braces work fine together. I've had other tanks do what RG mentioned but the acerbis fits very well with the guards.
I leave the 3.1 on most of the time, there are times I need longer range and in that case the 4 gallon has been great. If I had to pick one it'd be the 3.1 and I suspect in the eastern US a 3.1 would do fine.
KTM Hardparts catalog has a 3.4 gallon (13L) tank that's perfect for all around riding and has the radiator protection and works well with rad guards. https://www.ktm-parts.com/7810791324404.html when you go from the stock gas tank to ANY aftermarket tank you'll need the shorter fuel tank connector because the stock tank is thicker for EPA reasons... https://www.ktm-parts.com/77707988017.html
From what I'm seeing, the IMS tank is 3.1 gallons and the Acerbis is 3.0. I saw a reviewer photo of the KTM 3.5 Hard Parts tank that shows it in "natural" (translucent) but I can only find a part number for orange (7810791324404 as posted above by RAZR). The similar and slightly larger 4.1 Acerbis tank is available in natural. EDIT: The tank pictured below is 5.3 gallons despite being listed on RMATV as 3.5g Image from Rocky Mountain ATV of KTM Hard Parts Tank in "Natural"
I'm pretty sure KTM just re-branded the Acerbis 5.3 for that one. I haven't seen a translucent version of the Hard Parts 3.5
Okay. I guess Rocky Mountain ATV is getting their reviews mixed up. Here's the link for what's listed as the 3.5 gallon KTM tank with a review photo of the translucent tank. On closer look, it does appear the pictured tank is a different from the hard parts 3.5 gallon tank. You must be right...I guess what's pictured is the 5.3 tank.
Here's my dumb question for the day; It looks like most of the data in the owners manual has the metric value as the primary with the imperial value followed parenthetically. I'm looking to see what the stock gearing is on my 2014 450 XC-W. When you count the number of teeth, it makes no difference whether or not you're on the metric system. Why the parenthetical entry? What am I missing here?
im not sure why the xtra numbers, but my 15 450xcw came with 13/52 off the show room floor and wear at worn point i did new chain with 13/50 for dirt and 14/50 for dual sport ( just flip axle blocks) been happy with the switch thus far.
I'd like to do a sanity check -- found a 2013 500 XC-W with just over a 1,000 miles on (no idea on hours). It's at a semi-reasonable price and loaded out with some nice additions. Would this bike be insane to do a run from Austin to Alaska (it has the larger gas tank)?
Having a 2012 500 XCW and having ridden to Alaska (on my 990, not the 500), I wouldn't like to take the 500 there. Could it be done? Yes. Are there better bike for this? Yes. I say this because Alaska, and more importantly just getting TO Alaska, is all about distance--as in LOTS of miles of paved, grind along road. I don't care if you have hundreds of miles of real off road where the 500 would have you smiling. You will have thousands of miles where it won't...FWIW
