Talk me into a newer KTM 500 EXC-F / Husky 501 FE

I’d say go for the linkage on the Husky if you plan to hit the track. You’ve got to do a few fuel injection and exhaust tricks to them, They will need knobby‘s and maybe work on the forks depending on how aggressive you plan to ride. Depending on what state you are in you might consider getting a FX model and hanging some better quality lights on it, You’ll get much better suspension and the updated engine, chassis, and plastics.. The Beta is definitely worthy of consideration, The fuel injection is sorted and it comes with knobs.

Had a 2012 350 EXC. They've come a long way since then but the suspension suuuuuuuuuuucked. Ran extremely lean too. I burnt off tires at a record pace with any pavement riding, so it was a toss up. Buy good quality DS knobbies that wear slower but offer less traction, or change tires every 4th ride. Throw $2-3k in a new one and I think you'd have a great moto bike if you wanted. If I had kept it I would have loved to find a way to get my YZ250 suspension mounted

Oh one more thing, do a tail light delete. I forgot mine was back there and the plate bracket caught the tire on a big table top landing and ripped it all out.

Street registered near MX bike is the best fun. Ride straight out of the shed and up the street for a quick time restricted blat. With those bikes with WP xPlore forks, you will need to throw some money at them if your going to do anything other than ride on extremely smooth roads, plus tires. Just did the Race Tech mid valves and base valve and GV with BUD bladder conversions for a guy on a 300 and it hit the spot nicely for desert set up. They have come along way. Just keep that in mind, and as Johnny mentioned, there are some very good alternatives that come with better components for le$$. I like the Gas Gas and their KYB twin chamber suspension like the YZ etc.

Just plate a fx or xc-f. Better suspension and won't have to spend money to get to run right. Street legal (thankyou mexifornia) runs like crap and tires are throw aways. The xplor forks are fine for cruising but are seriously lacking beyond that. Now if you do buy a exc or fe, check out ktmandhusky.com for some fixes.

I've owned a '07 EXC 525, '09 EXC 530, '14 EXC 500 and now my '17 EXC 500. I've always had a Moto bike (450), but I've ridden it at several of the Moto tracks and it works great, it's almost easier to ride because of the smooth power delivery. It's a fantastic trail bike as well, you will not regret it. It's truly a motocross bike with a license plate and lights.
The '17-'19's need to have a few things done to make them run right. They sell them choked up and lean, to pass the strict EPA testing. They also disabled the Euro map download, because of pressure from the EPA. I got min done the week before they stopped. I've also added a map switch with traction control, which was kind've a pain in the ass, but the mapping was worth the hassle.... You can buy the Vortex for it and get the same results, but they didn't have them available when I did my Euro map download. JD Tuning also has a box that has good reviews, but I have no experience with them.

Lots of info that I can give you, if you decide to pull the trigger. There are several MUST DO's, IMO that will save you headaches....

yes... that.... exactly, that. Bravo man.. I'll definitely tap on your shoulder when I'm in "cash in hand" mode. Getting married in 2 months, so hoping to pull the trigger after all that dust settles

I own the 2017 KTM 500exc-f and absolutely the best bike I’ve ever owned hands down!! So much fun to be able to go anywhere I want and it’s the ultimate wheelie machine! I’ve also stiffened up the forks and rode Moto at Central Village, CT and had a blast! Easily cleared all the jumps and love it in the woods! I’m entering a Hillclimb event at the end of July and can’t wait!! I’ve put a decent amount of money into it and worth every penny! My only complaint is the front forks are decent for trails and dual sport but in reality pretty much suck. Race Tech makes a kit for them that adds a mid-valve and I’ve read really good reviews but $500. Other than that I love this bike more than anything!! Just wish I had more friends that had dual sports. DecalWorks just hooked me up with new gripper graphics with my logo. Got new tires and a bunch of different sprockets to test for the hillclimb event!!
Definitely get one and I promise you won’t be disapointed!!

sorry to thread jack but does anyone have opinions on the beta 300 2 stroke rr? I saw a used 2014 and want to make an offer but don't know much about them..

JOE_SPROCKETS#1 wrote:

sorry to thread jack but does anyone have opinions on the beta 300 2 stroke rr? I saw a used 2014 and want to make an offer but don't know much about them..

Johnny Depp wrote:
https://dirtbiketest.com/bike-tests/2016-beta-300rr/#phk8Wfm3AIT0joCo.97

https://dirtbiketest.com/fresh-dirt/the-beta-300rr-5-years-and-300-hours-later/

thanks for the reads

I have a 2017 250 exc-f and it's sick. You might think I'm crazy getting the 250 but I weigh 155 and it was fun getting some more power out of it. Ideally I wanted a 350 but this was a leftover price I couldn't refuse. Like mentioned, they come really choked up so I modified my intake, exhaust and have FI tuning and it runs almost like an mx bike and is light! I originally thought I'd want the linkage on the Husky but I have been pretty happy with the suspension. The Xplorer forks soak up gnarly trail stuff very good though I still want them a little stiffer.

Do yourself a favor and at least check these out, unless you have plenty of time and money to set up a "race ready" bike.

http://www.betausa.com/content/500-rr-s-4-stroke#region-preface-first

Here's mine Sunday. Stock. Disclaimer, that is not me.

I agree with Johnny Depp. Loving my Beta 500 RR-S. It's holding up well to aggressive A level Rocky mountain single track

Someone I know has an '18 KTM 500 EXC-F and he went from 41hp to 55hp on the dyno with a pipe and a tune. It went from being choked up and gutless, to a fire breather. I believe he got the vortex. The guy who did the work on it is in Ventura County somewhere.

To the guys who own one and ride on the streets from time to time, how well do they hold up?

HenryA wrote:

To the guys who own one and ride on the streets from time to time, how well do they hold up?

That question has been asked thousands of times around the net, in the eternal quest for a lightweight ADV bike that will be reliable for LONG distances without heavy maintenance. It is a subject of great debate. Enjoy.

https://thumpertalk.com/forums/topic/1179156-engine-life-on-the-16-500-exc/

https://advrider.com/index.php?threads/ktm-520-525-530-and-500exc-with-over-25-000-miles-results-needed.753507/

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113690 Question about KTM engine longevity


For what it's worth, the Beta separates the engine and transmission oil.

Post 549, over 700hours and 54000kms with no engine work. I haven’t checked to see how far he made it before it let go, or he rebuilt it.


https://advrider.com/index.php?threads/new-zealand-to-alaska-on-a-ktm500exc-now-rtw.1181912/page-28

Edit: Post 816, he did the top end, including a new head at 870 hours and 67XXX kms.

I've got a plate ready for this guy.

Looking to join the plated dirt bike posse soon myself. Finally realized that I have moved beyond just being a moto guy.

But man its hard to take in the $11k OTD prices especially because i still want a mx bike for practice days and the occasional mx race/GP.

unfortunately in CA any plated bike holds their value well on the used market so even one thats a few years old are still in the $8-9k range.

JDepp, those Beta's look sweet! There's a dealer here that has a new leftover '17 500 RR-S for a damn good price. Tempting...

bodean123 wrote:

Post 549, over 700hours and 54000kms with no engine work. I haven’t checked to see how far he made it before it let go, or he rebuilt it.


https://advrider.com/index.php?threads/new-zealand-to-alaska-on-a-ktm500exc-now-rtw.1181912/page-28

Edit: Post 816, he did the top end, including a new head at 870 hours and 67XXX kms.

holy balls!!!! this epiphany of mine is growing legs, fast...

Josh422 wrote:

I've got a plate ready for this guy.

Now we are talking LIGHTWEIGHT ADV! Nice setup, and they were prettier then. Looks matter

The new FI models should rock for the super slab, better mpg and oil injection makes life easy at the gas stops. Beta has the OI too, but the carb won't stretch fuel the same as FI.

bodean123 wrote:

Post 549, over 700hours and 54000kms with no engine work. I haven’t checked to see how far he made it before it let go, or he rebuilt it.


https://advrider.com/index.php?threads/new-zealand-to-alaska-on-a-ktm500exc-now-rtw.1181912/page-28

Edit: Post 816, he did the top end, including a new head at 870 hours and 67XXX kms.

F150Motocrosser wrote:

holy balls!!!! this epiphany of mine is growing legs, fast...

Those threads are easy to get lost in another world, for real. That may be the most mileage I've heard of for a dirtbike. Bucket list stuff here:

Josh422 wrote:

I've got a plate ready for this guy.

Johnny Depp wrote:

Now we are talking LIGHTWEIGHT ADV! Nice setup, and they were prettier then. Looks matter

The new FI models should rock for the super slab, better mpg and oil injection makes life easy at the gas stops. Beta has the OI too, but the carb won't stretch fuel the same as FI.

The IMS tank and Lectron helped a significant amount with range. Haven't tackled refueling options, not many scenarios to where I needed to do so just yet. More stuff to come.

Depp - One of my fathers good buddies made that trip on his BMW bike - from his home in Pittsburgh PA, to Alaska and back. I can't even imagine. I just wanna be able to throw a leg over a bike like this and not scoot down the road worrying about seeing a cop and having to make a split second decision whether to bail into the woods or not

Seriously wanting to flip my entire program - sell off my vintage bike collection and buy a 500EXC-F for general fun and an Alta MXR for the track!!! The future is looking bright...

MelonFan123 wrote:

Looking to join the plated dirt bike posse soon myself. Finally realized that I have moved beyond just being a moto guy.

But man its hard to take in the $11k OTD prices especially because i still want a mx bike for practice days and the occasional mx race/GP.

unfortunately in CA any plated bike holds their value well on the used market so even one thats a few years old are still in the $8-9k range.

JDepp, those Beta's look sweet! There's a dealer here that has a new leftover '17 500 RR-S for a damn good price. Tempting...

A lot of people think you need 2 bikes, but underneath these bikes are MX'ers. It takes some time in the garage to put all the stuff taken off to Moto back on and swap wheels to my 50/50 set, but it can and has done it all. There is another Beta 500 2018 in this ride group.




Leftover's are seldom seen in the KTM/Husky dealers for these models, and they will bring better resale than a Beta due to familiarity, but they cost less upfront too. If you plan on keeping it and riding, not selling, no worries. The prices on the new '19's jumped $600, and for this type bike you don't have to have every latest update, besides the '17's were the last year of red plastic..

You can't go wrong with a FE 501. Since this photo I've added a 3.2 gallon Tank and a few other items

I think all the new dual sport bikes will have locked ECUs. Maybe not the Beta's yet- a friend was able to re-map his.

So your $11k plated bike will need a $700 ecu along with a $700 exhaust. If you are game, I'm happy to help

Xeno wrote:

I think all the new dual sport bikes will have locked ECUs. Maybe not the Beta's yet- a friend was able to re-map his.

So your $11k plated bike will need a $700 ecu along with a $700 exhaust. If you are game, I'm happy to help

Nah, you can mod your stock exhaust. Or buy an OEM setup on EBay for $100 from a 450 SX-F. And since when are slip ones $700?

Or you can buy a 450 XC-F and put lights on it. 3 of my bros have 300 XC’s street legal. KTM’s have (or had) and MC title. So all you have to do is send in for your registration in PA. All of the Japanese bikes are title as off-road, which make it a pain to become street legal.