Posts
70
Joined
12/26/2014
Location
Columbia, NJ
US
[list]
[*]I would love the have a new KX450f but places to ride are just about non existent and can't be arsed to load up and drive hours and back just to ride around a MX track (work, getting old, tired, etc.)
[*]There's some of the old trails scattered about but most need to be gotten to by the way of the road (sections overtaken by housing developments blocking large sections of trails among other things).
[*]Friends want me to get a road bike to ride with them (road bikes aren't my style but I used to love riding my dirt bike on country back roads when I was a kid so doing it legally sounds cool, especially some nice weather night riding)
[*]I never did like dual sport or trail oriented only machines (too heavy, bulky, crap suspension, lame style, etc.- I always liked MX style machines and always felt more comfortable on them and like to hit MX style jumps)
[*]I honestly like trail riding and exploring just as much as MX, riding on road would be a new thing for me and my friends want me to get a road bike, would the KTM 500 EXC fit the bill for me? (is it really a MX bike that's road legal?) MX bikes have always been my style, even when I didn't race and only trail rode I chose MX bikes because I like to do MX jumps and MX track riding for fun too.
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Is there anyone out there that used to ride MX and has the KTM EXC? KTM's are so pricey but if it can fit the bill of a MX/trail and road bike, I think this would be the perfect machine for me!
[*]I would love the have a new KX450f but places to ride are just about non existent and can't be arsed to load up and drive hours and back just to ride around a MX track (work, getting old, tired, etc.)
[*]There's some of the old trails scattered about but most need to be gotten to by the way of the road (sections overtaken by housing developments blocking large sections of trails among other things).
[*]Friends want me to get a road bike to ride with them (road bikes aren't my style but I used to love riding my dirt bike on country back roads when I was a kid so doing it legally sounds cool, especially some nice weather night riding)
[*]I never did like dual sport or trail oriented only machines (too heavy, bulky, crap suspension, lame style, etc.- I always liked MX style machines and always felt more comfortable on them and like to hit MX style jumps)
[*]I honestly like trail riding and exploring just as much as MX, riding on road would be a new thing for me and my friends want me to get a road bike, would the KTM 500 EXC fit the bill for me? (is it really a MX bike that's road legal?) MX bikes have always been my style, even when I didn't race and only trail rode I chose MX bikes because I like to do MX jumps and MX track riding for fun too.
[/list]
Is there anyone out there that used to ride MX and has the KTM EXC? KTM's are so pricey but if it can fit the bill of a MX/trail and road bike, I think this would be the perfect machine for me!
If you can afford it, wait for the '17 EXC500, it's going to be even better and 18 lbs lighter. That's a lot of weight....
The Shop
I was going to wait for a 17 until I found out the '17's are going to have the universally hated 4CS forks and a new unproven motor. The 12-16 motor is proven reliable with a huge knowledge base on it out on the net. I'm just a little gun shy about buying new models after my '97 CR250 experience.
I had an '07 450exc and it was the most versatile bike I ever owned. I would race local Saturday night under the lights mx races, hare scrambles, explore local power lines or ride it to work. Regretted getting rid of it.
"Super pumped " about this new '16.
I say get one, you'll love it.
The motor/frame/etc looks to be based off of the '16 SX-F 450, but maybe not ?
I had a '07 EXC525 and then an '09EXC530. Both were GREAT bikes and they improved them each time. The '17 will be no different, but I can totally understand waiting for the bugs to get worked out.
I'll be selling my '14 here soon, I've got a small fortune into it, so I'll be taking a bath on resell for sure. It's been a great bike, but I'm dying to lose another 18 lbs off the bike. I've had the '14.5 and '15.5 FE 450's and there was a HUGE difference in the bikes, IMO.
Basically the same bikes for upgrading, in comparison.
I was racing a KTM 250, so the motor has me smiling. the chassis is a race bike, the suspension is race stuff, i weigh 155 so stock springs are fine. the bike is superb on the trails. it's a 500 exc with linkage and composite rear subframe. oh and white plastic :0)
In '07, my buddy bought the 450 and I got the 525. After a few trips, he sold his 450 and bought the 525. He said there was a pretty significant difference, enough to sell the 450.... But that was the RFS motor, so apples to oranges.
Pics of mine-
http://www.vitalmx.com/community/langhammx,27612/setup,42458?scope=newe…
Pit Row
Riding knobbies on the asphalt for longer periods is real pain. I have 2008 Husaberg FE650E with supermoto wheels and it's really fun to ride with those on twisty asphalt roads
When I plated my CRF450 after converting it to a supermoto, it was really really difficult to behave myself on the road.
It became a track only bike after I found myself block passing a bus in downtown Vancouver chasing a buddy around town.
You can still have fun on a track, but it requires precision. Where a properly sprung MX bike can absorb over-jumping, an EXC will collapse. If you're style is hammering the track, the EXC may not be the best option.
I just bought a 350 XCF for off road and will make it street legal - illegally.....hahah, by adding a plate that I renew every year
My moto bike is a 350SXF so a 350 for off road made sense .......
Would I buy or have another 500? Absolutely ..... it would be a Husky 501 with linkage!
Other than the 4CS, the bike is great. I checked the valves at 100hours. No adjustment needed
Just back from a 2 week colorado dual sport trip and had a blast running down some incredible forrest service roads
I am super happy with mine
I will also say my Ducati scrambler is a blast too and I NEVER thought I would own a road bike...
Always mind-fucked me when my jumps (on my PDS KTM 125SX) would always come up shorter on jumps compared to my buddies on Jap linkage bikes...
ATTN: Guys who are successfully setup to ride "the best of both worlds" how much city/street (back roads, highway cruising, interstate etc) seat time are you logging vs. true off road construction site, backwoods =, national parks etc type riding??
Is there REALLY a setup for the best of both?? Or more of off-roader with highway manners vs street setup that's plenty off-road capable??
I don't need 3 digit top ended stable for highway use when I could be down a gear shredding through sloppy terrain plenty fast like a real dirty
..but again, doesn't mean I don't want to ride the bike home too (lord willing!)
Post a reply to: Opinions on a KTM 500 EXC for ex-motocrosser/?