KTM newbie wanting used KTM dualsport, the lightest, most dirt oriented one they made

[Sierra Thumper]

Originally Posted by laramie LC4

if you buy an RFS ('00-'07) the 450 exc bottom is exactly the same as the 525 and bigger. if i was you, id look for the 450, buy an oil cooler, and ride the piss out of it. when the intake valves go bad (and they will), you can rebuild the bike to what ever size you want. use the same crank (also relatively cheap to replace), put on a bigger piston and bore. you can buy these kits relatively cheap and go all the way to 570 if you want. put kibblewhite valves in and the bike will last forever if you take care of it.

laramie

Awesome info Laramie, thanks That sounds like a great game plan. I'm really ready for a nice light st machine, tired of wrestling the big bikes everywhere. The 450 is really catching my interest..I think I'd enjoy the heck outta one.

You guys have really came through on educating me about the KTM line-up. I'll be honest, until I got my xrl I hadn't ridden a dirt bike since the mid 90's, and didn't follow ANYTHING to do with dirt bikes up until recently. I grew up riding dirt bikes, but switched to street for many many years.
I'm very well versed in streetbikes, but have a lot of catching up to do with dirt bikes, especially KTM, they've come a long way since I last read up on them

[MZRider]

Originally Posted by Sierra Thumper

I was mainly thinking KTM because they seem to make the lightest, most dirt-oriented dual sports, but if you guys have any suggestions on another slightly older, lighter dual sport bike with enough power for highway riding, and good torque, don't be afraid to speak up

'97 on ATK 605.

[NSFW]

525exc can be had for $3k to $6k, depending on model year and condition, plus farkles. i think the 07 model are street legal.

check out your local c.l.

[Barry]

I had an 04 400 EXC, great bike. Never missed a beat, was not street legal. Sold it and got a 06 525 EXC with 20 hours on the clock, fully street legal from the factory.

Prior to owning a 525, I always read comments about how the 525, 530 is a handful off-road, esp. on single track cause of hte power hit. So I got mine, and immediately made sure a JD jet kit was installed, did the accellerator pump mod, and the big o-ring mod. OH SHIT... now I know why I read all those comments. 525 is waaaaay faster than the 400 once you let it eat. The 525 feels just like the 400 until you are well into the RPM range, then it is an entirely different beast.

That said, I am entirely happy with my 525 vs. my 400. I realize how much is on tap, and ride accordingly. I may re-do the o-ring mod but leave the accellerator pump mod in place. To redo the o-ring mod I simply remove 1 thick o-ring and install a thinner o-ring. No biggie.

The 525 has waaaaaaay more top end so if you want something streetable, go big. The power is there in spades.

And here is a pic of my beast.



And here is what broke me in for the 525... my 560 SMR, which makes the 525 seem timid.

[MrHix]

Originally Posted by Sierra Thumper

I'm new to KTM's, don't know anything about the dual sport models they've made, how reliable they were, how light, how dirt oriented etc. I'm looking for a used, older KTM dual sport that is dirt focused, lighter, dependable, and preferrably e-start. Any and all info about a KTM that will fit my bill from you KTM specialists is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me

I also posted this in the KTM-640 thread but so far noboby felt the need, or had the knowledge to respond ....so I figured I'd ask the collective

What are you going to use the bike for? Are you going to ride interstate highways, back roads, dirt roads, trails. It depends on what you are doing with the bike. If you will be doing more than a bit of highway, a 450 or 500 would probably be best. Not so much revving out on the roads. I had a 250/320 XCF-W and used it about 90 percent off road, but I could still hop on the pavement and cruise @ 70 mph for 20 - 30 miles with no problems. Not a lot lighter, but sometimes every bit helps.

Cheers,

MrHix

[Droptarotter]

Originally Posted by Sierra Thumper

I'm wondering how easy it would be to convert a pre-07 450/520/525 to the street? That might be the route I go if I can't find an 07 up for a decent price...

I was fortunate when I made my 2000 520 EXC street legal.
All I needed was a brake light, mirror, DOT tires and a sound making device.
I used an Enduro Engineering rear brake light kit, a Dual Star mirror and a bicycle bell.

That was then. Now where I live............good luck converting an off road bike. And really, why would you need to anymore with such great dual sports available that are street legal.

Cheers

[Navin]

I raced my 2002 520EXC in both off road and MX for a bunch of years, then it became a practice race bike for awhile and it was used for 2 years after that as and adv touring/commuter, and had only been "upgraded with a cush hub and up to a 6.6 gal tank. Bike used a single WP seal in all that time, sold it around 2007.

Don't believe the hype about short lives and extra maintenance. Change the oil and ride the damn thing. Tuff as an anvil. I have a 09 530 and more of the same yet smoother still. Delightful bikes. Single track it, race an MX and ride it down the highway at 70 MPH on the same day.

[Droptarotter]

Originally Posted by Navin

Don't believe the hype about short lives and extra maintenance. Change the oil and ride the damn thing. Tuff as an anvil. I have a 09 530 and more of the same yet smoother still. Delightful bikes. Single track it, race an MX and ride it down the highway at 70 MPH on the same day.

I agree with this Navin!

My 520 has never really been apart.........some upgrades.......newer style water pump seal carrier......screen at bottom of cam chain......original clutch, original valves/piston/rings.

I remember when I bought mine, it was one of the first RFS's into the country.......no one knew much about them..........was told not to go hard in 6th gear as it was designed more of a "transfer gear" to be used between enduro stages.
Was also told not to wheelie them too much as the motor might starve for oil due to the low volume of oil.

Well, I used mine to commute with 17" wheels and never used a cush hub.......it's also been on it's rear wheel for countless miles.

Just change the oil and adjust the valves and ride the bag off of them!

Cheers

[waldecker]

Best dual sport KTM?
Husaberg FE 570!
May be a bit off topic, but I had a number of EXCs with the RFS engine (400, 520, 525) but my 09 FE 570 beats them hands down for the above purpose.
If you find one within your budget think hard about it!
Cheers waldecker

[Off the grid]

Originally Posted by waldecker

Best dual sport KTM?
Husaberg FE 570!
May be a bit off topic, but I had a number of EXCs with the RFS engine (400, 520, 525) but my 09 FE 570 beats them hands down for the above purpose.
If you find one within your budget think hard about it!
Cheers waldecker

Isn't the Husaberg the same exact engine?