KTM maintenance

wvridgerider · 01-11-2013, 03:42 PM

Everyone talks that a KTM is maintenance intensive. I picked up a 06 525XC with a 169 hours on it. The maintenance record, sheet of paper, was given with it. I now have 249 hours on it and looking at the paper there has only been a lot of oil changes. The PO replaced the steering stem bearings, heim joint, front wheel bearings, chain sprockets, and lubed the swing arm bushing at 168hrs. Right now I need to have seals put in the rear shock and I will replace oil and seals in the fork. I change the oil every 15-20 hours and clean the air filter. I adjusted the valves recently. The bike runs great and I consider the work performed on it routine and dont feel that it is maintenance intensive. I hope it keeps on ticking. Do you feel oil changes every 10-20 hours is maintenance intensive. I guess I like the orange kool aid.

bobnoxious67 · 01-11-2013, 04:56 PM

Nope, not for a dirt bike that does all these things so well.

Good on ya for not falling for the Internet hype...while others are on the interwebz warning everyone of the doom and gloom of Euro-bike ownership, and patting themselves on the back for being so smart as to buy a "cheap and reliable", we're busy just enjoying our bikes, and not stuck on a certain brand

Navin · 01-11-2013, 05:04 PM

Consider a new gen shock set to the correct length. Far better and especially when valved for you. PM me if you need a recommendation on a great guy to build you one, cheap too.

And yes, overblown on the wrenching. My results are the same, oil, brake pads, drive and tires.

wvridgerider · 01-11-2013, 05:13 PM

I really like the bike. I was out of riding for about 20 years and bought a XR400 to see if I wanted to ride again and knew I still enjoy the sport so I unloaded it and now have the 525. The bike handles way better than the XR. I was fortunate that the bikewas already sprung for me. I dual sport it and it is a blast. So far it has been good to me. I don't care about changing oil and such and that needs to be done to all bikes.

Off the grid · 01-11-2013, 11:22 PM

People that don't own or have any knowledge of KTMs use terms like "maintenance intensive" as fearful fuel to stay on crappy bikes....

.....which is just fucking fine by me, there are already too many people that ride em!

raycam01_au · 01-12-2013, 02:20 AM

i have one of these XR250R 98 model love it

but bought one of these even after HEARING THE OMG KILLER MAINTENANCE stories an LOVE IT amazing bike.

honestly the most hardcore bike i have ever owned love it

01-11-2013, 03:42 PM	#1
wvridgerider ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2009 Location: west virginia Oddometer: 330	KTM maintenance Everyone talks that a KTM is maintenance intensive. I picked up a 06 525XC with a 169 hours on it. The maintenance record, sheet of paper, was given with it. I now have 249 hours on it and looking at the paper there has only been a lot of oil changes. The PO replaced the steering stem bearings, heim joint, front wheel bearings, chain sprockets, and lubed the swing arm bushing at 168hrs. Right now I need to have seals put in the rear shock and I will replace oil and seals in the fork. I change the oil every 15-20 hours and clean the air filter. I adjusted the valves recently. The bike runs great and I consider the work performed on it routine and dont feel that it is maintenance intensive. I hope it keeps on ticking. Do you feel oil changes every 10-20 hours is maintenance intensive. I guess I like the orange kool aid.

01-11-2013, 04:56 PM	#2
bobnoxious67 Baby steps... Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Marion, MA Oddometer: 1,754	Nope, not for a dirt bike that does all these things so well. Good on ya for not falling for the Internet hype...while others are on the interwebz warning everyone of the doom and gloom of Euro-bike ownership, and patting themselves on the back for being so smart as to buy a "cheap and reliable", we're busy just enjoying our bikes, and not stuck on a certain brand __________________ "turn it on man, turn it on-whatever, whoever you are-TURN THE FAWKER ON!" -Herbert Foster Gunnison 01 Girlie 09 TE450

01-11-2013, 11:22 PM	#5
Off the grid Needs to STFU Joined: Jan 2008 Location: That buzzing in your earhole, CA. Oddometer: 7,778	People that don't own or have any knowledge of KTMs use terms like "maintenance intensive" as fearful fuel to stay on crappy bikes.... .....which is just fucking fine by me, there are already too many people that ride em! __________________ Wedding = $25,000 Divorce = $500 Brazilian 2nd wife = Priceless 2007 Triumph Tiger 1050 ABS

01-12-2013, 02:20 AM	#6
raycam01_au Sir Ray! Joined: Feb 2010 Location: CLontarf Oddometer: 942	sexy bikes i have one of these XR250R 98 model love it but bought one of these even after HEARING THE OMG KILLER MAINTENANCE stories an LOVE IT amazing bike. honestly the most hardcore bike i have ever owned love it __________________ *1998 XR250R Honda* 2004 KTM 525 exc

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01-11-2013, 05:04 PM	#3
Navin Unwounding Joined: Sep 2009 Location: Mudville Oddometer: 4,322	Consider a new gen shock set to the correct length. Far better and especially when valved for you. PM me if you need a recommendation on a great guy to build you one, cheap too. And yes, overblown on the wrenching. My results are the same, oil, brake pads, drive and tires.

01-11-2013, 05:13 PM	#4
wvridgerider ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2009 Location: west virginia Oddometer: 330	I really like the bike. I was out of riding for about 20 years and bought a XR400 to see if I wanted to ride again and knew I still enjoy the sport so I unloaded it and now have the 525. The bike handles way better than the XR. I was fortunate that the bikewas already sprung for me. I dual sport it and it is a blast. So far it has been good to me. I don't care about changing oil and such and that needs to be done to all bikes.