KTM 500 - Less is more?

[guns_equal_freedom]

Hey Neduro, my experince with the STR fork bleeders has not been good.
One fell apart a few days after I installed it, the replacement stripped itself when I installed it.

I have had nothing but good times with the KTM Hardparts bleeders.

YMMV.

[guns_equal_freedom]

I also bought a Hyde Racing plastic skid plate.

What I did with the front mount was to figure out where it sits, then I built up 8 layers of duct tape below where it sits on both frame rails and then used a small bit of duct tape to hold it in place.

I used a long bolt on one side to locate the hole and get the bracket in place, then I use a smaller bolt on the other side, then I go back to the first hole and use the stock bolt and bolt it up, the do the same with the other hole.

It's worked great so far for me.

[empedrado]

While this tank is not a huge increase in volume 11.5L vs 8.5L, it does it without adding much additional bulk and it is lighter than the stock tank to boot!! In fact this tank is the same width as the stocker.

So how did they do it. Well a bunch of the volume and the weight must be attributable to DOT vs aftermarket. This tank is thinner wall than the stocker by a significant margin. I can only assume DOT had something to do with that. In addition the indentation on the stock tank where the charcoal canister resided is not present adding probably a quart there alone -- and this is lower cg weight for the same amount of volume. Most of the rest of the volume increase comes from a taller neck on the tank. Which isn't bad as you do not have to fill it all the way up -- meaning with the stock volume of gas this tank is lighter and has a lower cg.

The only snivels I have about the tank are that the fuel pump and shrouds are held on with wood screws vs brass inserts. Could only really see this being a potential problem if one should need to go in and change fuel filters often. The other snivel is the sock gas filter does not fit with this tank. I was having a lot of piece of mind knowing that our crappy gas was getting an extra dose of filtration before mixing with all the FI stuff. Maybe one of the engineer types could figure out how to make the filter fit.

[guns_equal_freedom]

One thing I did change out was the stock seat for an Enduro Engineering soft stock height seat.

Comfy.

[unaweep]

Stay away from the Clockwork tank.

Acerbis is perfect, as Ned mentioned.

As for the stabilizer- I have two 2012 500 EXCs. I didn't think I needed a stabilizer so ran about 20 hours on one with a stabilizer and 20 on the other without a stabilizer.

While I do not think they are necessary, I must say that riding the one with the stabilizer is far less fatiguing. I'm riding primarily desert stuff in west CO and eastern UT with some initial riding in the San Juans.

Great write up Ned.

[Wentjo]

I thought I needed a stabilizer on my 500, but after I had the suspension revalved I don't think it needs on anymore. Handles great in the rocks now and no more head shake on the road.

[unaweep]

Originally Posted by Wentjo

I thought I needed a stabilizer on my 500, but after I had the suspension revalved I don't think it needs on anymore. Handles great in the rocks now and no more head shake on the road.

Who did you have do your suspension? I've been thinking about it, but honestly, I found it to be pretty good, right outta the box. Had to up the rear preload quite a bit, but otherwise pretty good.

[c.vestal]

I have put 27 hours on my 500. Purchased with 20 on it.
The one time I checked fuel mileage, I was riding near Sargents, CO. Mix of open 2 track to some gnarly single track on the CDT trail. Right at 50mpg.

I have added:
BRP rubber mounted sub mount. This bike has a noticeable vibration at lower rpm, compared to the 530. I assume this is due to a lighter counter balance.

BRP chain guide yet to be installed.

Dirt tricks 52T rear.

Acerbis 3.2 gallon. I am surprised this re-used the stock shrouds.

White front fender. Looks better to me than the orange.

Black rims. That was a high priority on my end.

Bib Mousse, Michelin since that is what I have laying around. Once these wear out, I will order the Mefos.

2nd ride earlier this fall.


In the shop today.






This winter I plan to make it more long distance oriented.
Taller gearing. around 14/45. This motor has the guts to make this work.
Rally Moto Kit frames are cut and I am trying to get the time to fit them on.

[Velociraptor]

You guys are making it tough on me! Can't bear to part with my trusty 690r so may have to let my 990 Supermoto go and make the 690 my primary street bike and a 500 my dirt ride. Won't do anything for now though, but the 500 is sooooo tempting.

[unaweep]

Originally Posted by c.vestal

I have put 27 hours on my 500. Purchased with 20 on it.
The one time I checked fuel mileage, I was riding near Sargents, CO. Mix of open 2 track to some gnarly single track on the CDT trail. Right at 50mpg.

I have added:
BRP rubber mounted sub mount. This bike has a noticeable vibration at lower rpm, compared to the 530. I assume this is due to a lighter counter balance.

BRP chain guide yet to be installed.

Dirt tricks 52T rear.

Acerbis 3.2 gallon. I am surprised this re-used the stock shrouds.

White front fender. Looks better to me than the orange.

Black rims. That was a high priority on my end.

Bib Mousse, Michelin since that is what I have laying around. Once these wear out, I will order the Mefos.

2nd ride earlier this fall.


In the shop today.






This winter I plan to make it more long distance oriented.
Taller gearing. around 14/45. This motor has the guts to make this work.
Rally Moto Kit frames are cut and I am trying to get the time to fit them on.

Looking good mang! Surprised you don't have HDB guards on there.

I really like the looks of that tank. I saw that today on JustGastanks web sight. I love the looks of the shrouds, but I hate messing with em. Hope we can catch a ride together again sometime.

[Wentjo]

Originally Posted by unaweep

Who did you have do your suspension? I've been thinking about it, but honestly, I found it to be pretty good, right outta the box. Had to up the rear preload quite a bit, but otherwise pretty good.

Hitchcock Industries out of Englewood. He has done 4 or 5 of my bikes, makes a big difference. My 500 use to glance off rocks pretty bad, night and day difference after revalve.

[Wentjo]

Did you have to lengthen your fuel lines and wires for the larger tank?

Originally Posted by c.vestal

I have put 27 hours on my 500. Purchased with 20 on it.
The one time I checked fuel mileage, I was riding near Sargents, CO. Mix of open 2 track to some gnarly single track on the CDT trail. Right at 50mpg.

I have added:
BRP rubber mounted sub mount. This bike has a noticeable vibration at lower rpm, compared to the 530. I assume this is due to a lighter counter balance.

BRP chain guide yet to be installed.

Dirt tricks 52T rear.

Acerbis 3.2 gallon. I am surprised this re-used the stock shrouds.

White front fender. Looks better to me than the orange.

Black rims. That was a high priority on my end.

Bib Mousse, Michelin since that is what I have laying around. Once these wear out, I will order the Mefos.

2nd ride earlier this fall.


In the shop today.






This winter I plan to make it more long distance oriented.
Taller gearing. around 14/45. This motor has the guts to make this work.
Rally Moto Kit frames are cut and I am trying to get the time to fit them on.

[Wentjo]

So I just finished installing my tank from Clockwork KTM, which they installed the pump in. I rode the bike about 2 miles last night and everything seemed to be fine. Today I came home and it won't start, I changed the in line fuel filter thinking it might be clogged and it still won't start. Any other ideas?

[Wentjo]

I can hear the fuel pump running even while I'm cranking it. Lines aren't kinked, fuses good and can't see any fuel leaks in the tank either. Not sure what to try next.

[Wentjo]

Originally Posted by crankshaft

Are you sure the injector is plugged in? Is the FI light blinking a code? If a wire is diconnected, it will flash a code.

No codes flashing, acts like it flooded or something.