The KTM 500 XC-W Thread.

I did pull the switch apart and had a look. It is not easily reversible and would take substantial work to change.

I decided to take the easy route and just alter the markings.

Besides that I dove in and removed the rats nest of wiring from where the previous owner had installed a dual sport kit. Like I said I can be a little OCD and this was bothering me.



Everything has been cleaned up and I can sleep tonight.

After six years of dirt bike drought, I lovingly convinced my wife that my mental health program included getting back on a bike. I broke my back 6 years ago on my KTM 300 XCW. She thinks I'm reckless and don't know my own limits. I'd say I most certainly found out where my limit is. I don't want to go back there. I've read every page of this thread and lusted over the 5 Hunnies since Kyron got his. I am now a proud owner of another KTM and this bike blows my mind. We did 150 miles on Sunday of the most beautiful scenery in Arizona. I can't wait to see the rest of it. Margaritas at lunch sealed the deal on an epic return to the dirt.

Congratulations! What size tank do you have, and do you know it’s range yet?

I’m looking to get an oversized tank, but need a minimum 150 mile range (off road). I’m thinking the 4 gallon will get me approx. a 200 mile range.

I think most people are getting no more than 45 mpg, so I think you will be a little short.

I have a 4.1 on a Husky 500. 200 is easily doable dual sport. All trails it entirely depends on the trail. If a real death march milage will plummet. Worth knowing plastic tanks grow over time. Mine holds closer to 4.4 now.

I'm getting 68mpg on my "13 450xcw but I'm old.

Thanks to all who responded. I’m leaning towards the Acerbis 4. I’m doing a build for the Sonora and Baja Rallies and I think the 4 will be a great balance between size, weight and range.

I find the sand vs hardpack a big consideration, my mileage goes down as much as 30% in loose sandy conditions, that can be an issue south of the border.

While doing a similar ride in Utah, I found my mileage plummeted while riding in the sand. I have the 5.3 and was glad I had filled it up on the sand stages when the light was on upon my return to camp. I would get the big tank and then just put less gas in when that is what you need for the day.

I don’t think there is really much difference in the size where your body interacts with it (between your knees) between the 5.3 and 4+ gallon acerbic tanks.


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What bike are you using for your build platform? I am starting the same process as you.

2012 KTM 500 XCW

where can you buy this front mask and holder ?



https://advrider.com/f/threads/the-ktm-500-xc-w-thread.773406/page-21

Its a highway dirtbikes setup made by an inmate.

You can order at highwaydirtbikes.com

many thanks :)

HDB Rallye Lite Kit and Dual Sport fairing
https://advrider.com/f/threads/hdb-rallye-lite-kit-and-dual-sport-fairing.860034/

Still running strong, but has developed a ticking sound. Valves in spec, going to replace the clutch bushings to see if that fixes the problem.

Good day all ,hope some one can help having my '15 xcw 500 fully plated are destroying battery's ,had it a few months and rode about thousand kilometer no issue ,after I installed a 55 watt headlight globe and did some TPS settings I rode about 200 kilos and bike died while riding could not get it going again ,Changed battery with new one same thing after +- 180 k's died ,and had the stator tested nothing wrong charges at between 14.2 and 14.6 volts when the fan comes on it drops to round 13.6 volts .So all must be good . before I could finish a tank of gas same thing ????

Is this the original battery from when you bought it? Those voltage levels are normal and a 55w bulb is no problem with that stator. It sounds like you have a parasitic draw from the bike or else a bad battery. Also make sure your brake light isn't hung up and staying on.

Do you smell the strong scent of sulfur before the battery goes dead? The reason I ask is when my voltage regulator died on my 950, the scent of sulfur was pretty overwhelming. To my knowledge the 500s don't have voltage regulator issues, but it seems like you're going through batteries much too fast. FWIW I am only on my second battery in 6+ years and the only reason I needed a second one was my fault for not maintaining it correctly.

No sulfuric smell ,I destroyed 2 brand new battery's

It seems unlikely that you would destroy 2 brand new batteries in such a short time due to the batteries being bad from the factory, unless they were from the same lot, from the same factory, and there was some quality control issue for that specific lot.

It seems that a parasitic power draw would cause a dead battery that would not allow the bike to start after sitting?? whereas a faulty regulator/rectifier would allow the bike to start and run, but would eventually destroy the battery. Since you are describing that the bike stops running while riding, I would check out two things: make sure your ground wire from the battery is clean and making contact with the frame (maybe add some di-electric grease to the frame ground), and check the output of the regulator/rectifier while the bike is running.

Here is a video that explains how to simply trouble shoot the electrical system: