Looking for opinions on 2017 KTM 500 EXC-F

dan.karp.5
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dan.karp.5
My current bike is a 2001 WR426 w/ baja designs street legal kit.

Watcha got? TIA.... http://www.ktm.com/us/enduro/500-exc-f/

Also, has anyone used these guys? https://www.ktmandhusky.com/
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rubarb
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rubarb 2/1/2017 8:42am
2/1/2017 8:42am Edited Date/Time 2/1/2017 8:45am
What is the "F"?

Opinion: this bike will be a world of difference from current bike. I have the 2012 500 EXC and love it.

Ted722
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Ted722 2/1/2017 8:45am
2/1/2017 8:45am
One of my friends brought his '17 to a local party. Looks awesome and he tells me it only weighs a couple pounds more than his '13 KTM 450SX-F. I was already a few sodas in or I would have taken it for a ride.
The Hermit
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The Hermit 2/1/2017 9:05am
2/1/2017 9:05am
rubarb wrote:
What is the "F"?

Opinion: this bike will be a world of difference from current bike. I have the 2012 500 EXC and love it.

How's that KTM after your big get off ?
Tim507
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Tim507 2/1/2017 9:07am
2/1/2017 9:07am
In my opinion this is the bike (I want) you might want. Linkage...etc.....

https://youtu.be/Lv9SlXWQbLk

The Shop

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Paw Paw 271
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Paw Paw 271 2/1/2017 9:20am
2/1/2017 9:20am
The 2017 Husky 501 is the way to go! I have an 80 year old riding buddy that has one and it is just perfect.

Paw Paw
braaap707
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braaap707 2/1/2017 9:30am
2/1/2017 9:30am
The new dual sports are great. I prepped and rode a 17 250,350 and 500 EXC last week on the street but rode a 17 husky FE 350 in the dirt. New chassis borrowed from the SXF/XCF, Xplorer forks seem nice and plush. Definitely a smoother and more forgiving bike then the last gen. Not to mention it feels incredibly light. Smooth never ending power but power is robbed a little by the exhaust. Throw a slip on and map it accordingly and its a monster. The stock DOT continentals are garbage. Seen guys that do 30 street 70 dirt rip most knobs off in under 5hrs. Id put some pirelli scorpions on it right away but any suitable knobby of your choice would work. I can seriously say id take a stock EXC of FE, lights and all street legal amenities still in intact and go racing. Theyre that good !
Monk
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Monk 2/1/2017 10:29am
2/1/2017 10:29am
What's the intended purpose?
dan.karp.5
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dan.karp.5 2/1/2017 1:46pm
2/1/2017 1:46pm
Thanks for all the responses, I'm just a little apprehensive of KTM because my last one in 96' sucked.
dirtdog36
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dirtdog36 2/1/2017 2:02pm
2/1/2017 2:02pm Edited Date/Time 2/1/2017 2:03pm
I have a 2016 500EXC. Did 2 weeks in Colorado on it this fall and it was a blast. I am very happy with it... just know that as it was told to me "Austria had to put a bikini on a 500 lbs gorilla so it would pass emissions" --- there will be some work that needs to be done after you get it

the thumper talk boys have it dailed in and yes the KTMHUSKY boys know what to do too (used to be called something like best dual sport bike.com)

I would not hesitate to get one.

FYI: would have bought the husky if the dealer wasn't 3 hours away so I went with the KTM
mx_563
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mx_563 2/1/2017 2:12pm
2/1/2017 2:12pm
I saw an A rider on one at a WEST CHECH enduro a couple of years ago. We were all stopped at a reset and he was saying lots of great things about the 500exc-f. I've heard from other sources that the KTMs feel a wee bit cramped for those above 6 feet.
Tim507
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Tim507 2/1/2017 2:36pm
2/1/2017 2:36pm
dirtdog36 wrote:
I have a 2016 500EXC. Did 2 weeks in Colorado on it this fall and it was a blast. I am very happy with it... just...
I have a 2016 500EXC. Did 2 weeks in Colorado on it this fall and it was a blast. I am very happy with it... just know that as it was told to me "Austria had to put a bikini on a 500 lbs gorilla so it would pass emissions" --- there will be some work that needs to be done after you get it

the thumper talk boys have it dailed in and yes the KTMHUSKY boys know what to do too (used to be called something like best dual sport bike.com)

I would not hesitate to get one.

FYI: would have bought the husky if the dealer wasn't 3 hours away so I went with the KTM
I had a 2012 500 XC converted into a Dual Sport. Awesome bike - it has moved to one of my sons garages. Replaced it with a 2016 KTM 350 XCF for offroad racing and trail riding...also an excellent bike.

Went and looked at the 2017 FE501 at my local dealer the other day........just maybe I need another mistress in my shop for those special occasionsSilly Whistling Woohoo
dan.karp.5
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dan.karp.5 2/1/2017 2:45pm
2/1/2017 2:45pm
My dealer has both KTM and Husky, I'm thinking I might come home with the Husky. I am definitely doing the simple mods on the bike. I'm going Friday to buy it, so keep the great advice coming. Thanks.
Skidaddle
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Skidaddle 2/1/2017 2:45pm
2/1/2017 2:45pm

Anyone know what the major differences between the KTM and Husky are except for rear linkage?
dan.karp.5
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dan.karp.5 2/1/2017 7:35pm
2/1/2017 7:35pm
The linkage is the only big difference I have found.
Langhammx 2/1/2017 8:59pm
2/1/2017 8:59pm
I just bought the '17 EXC500, but haven ridden it much yet to be honest.

I've owned a '07 EXC525, '09 EXC530 and currently selling my '14 EXC500, (which I LOVE)

Each bike has gotten better, but I have a fun feeling the '17 is going to be a very special bike to me.
overthebars39 2/2/2017 4:07am
2/2/2017 4:07am
Langhammx wrote:
I just bought the '17 EXC500, but haven ridden it much yet to be honest. I've owned a '07 EXC525, '09 EXC530 and currently selling my...
I just bought the '17 EXC500, but haven ridden it much yet to be honest.

I've owned a '07 EXC525, '09 EXC530 and currently selling my '14 EXC500, (which I LOVE)

Each bike has gotten better, but I have a fun feeling the '17 is going to be a very special bike to me.
525EXC the good old bulletproof engines. Know someone with 280+hours on the bottom end and still going strong.
Langhammx 2/2/2017 4:22am
2/2/2017 4:22am
Langhammx wrote:
I just bought the '17 EXC500, but haven ridden it much yet to be honest. I've owned a '07 EXC525, '09 EXC530 and currently selling my...
I just bought the '17 EXC500, but haven ridden it much yet to be honest.

I've owned a '07 EXC525, '09 EXC530 and currently selling my '14 EXC500, (which I LOVE)

Each bike has gotten better, but I have a fun feeling the '17 is going to be a very special bike to me.
overthebars39 wrote:
525EXC the good old bulletproof engines. Know someone with 280+hours on the bottom end and still going strong.
Yeah, the RFS motors were like sewing machines. I put 220 on my '09 before selling it to my buddy. He's a twice a year camper so it doesn't get ridden much , but it still runs great at 260.
Group23
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Group23 2/2/2017 7:26am
2/2/2017 7:26am
I've got the 2015 Husqvarna FE501S, Works great on fire roads, semi tight trails.
Very good quality. Super easy to service. You can't go wrong with either of the two.
It's a big bike, I'm about 5'11 165lbs so I went with softer springs front and rear.
I did gear it down some as I have no use for a 125 MPH Dual Sport.
And it is NOT a good street bike, Turns really good in the dirt, Not so much on pavement.

As far as the KTMandHusky.com guy, He's got some strange ideas, I'm not a fan.

Slavens or Sicass are way better sources for information and quality products.

I'm using a 2017 Husqvarna TE300 for the tighter stuff here in the NW.
Got it street legal in case I need to cross any pavement.






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