Just about to turn over 7k miles on my 2018 500 with Vortex and FMF. Love it. One of my exhaust valves was a little tight at 200 hours so I had it re-shimmed. Zero issues other than that.
Awesome review. I took up sailing for a while - got fat and weak. My RMZ-450, WR450 and DRZ-400 keep me fit. There's nothing on planet earth that is as fun to do as ride a dirt bike.
I have an '18 that has 550 hours on it and 24,000 kms - still going strong. Had a top end done at 240 hours when the previous owner ran it out of oil! Just had to replace the fuel pump - known to be weak on KTM's. Watch out for this as it will leave you stranded when it goes - I was way up back country and had to be towed out by another bike.
great news - about to grab one myself, nice to see larger mileage reports :-) i have ran my sxf 450 since 2013 - faultless machine, i service it myself but nowhere near the so called intervals either, bullet engines - i bet my 450 gets oil every 50 hours and i only ride sand or enduro, off road of course - it is on its way for an exc500 so i can ride roads + off roads
I have an 18 with 525 hours / 31,000 kms on it. Just starting to idle a bit of smoke when I stop .. valve shims need to be replaced. The frame wiring harness on the right side between the triple tree has broken a few wires a couple times.. left me stranded once (kill switch wire) .. another wire break was just the headlight. So I've extended those about an inch with solder and heat shrink and it's been good ever since. I've changed my fuel pump also but it didn't break. I also had the ground wire loosen up on me but I was able to limp home.. it wouldn't rev up. I have also done the vortex / FMF / desmog / reed removal.. and the bike still hauls ass.. (no clutch 5th gear wheelies at 105kph) topping out at 170kph on gearing.
I HAD A HUSKY 510 4T IN THE 80S IT WAS A GREAT BIKE,BUT THE REAR TIRE ONLY KASTED ABOUT ONE MONTHH..THE FRONT TIRE LASTED ABOUT 3 MONTHS,,GREETINGS FROM THE PHILIPPINES
My main concern on getting these high CC KTM's is precisely the amount of maintenance that they need, so far as I know they are prickly machines, with constant oil changes every 1000km, with constant valve checks and adjustments, then there are the fuel pumps yadyadyada But yeah, all in all, the annoyances of maintenance and such, as you said at the end, this is the type of bike that just changes your life for the better, you get more exercise, take more sun, have fun and discover new places (that said, one can do all that on a Honda CRF300!!!!) but yeah, appreciate the review a heck lot Just for curiosity, I know that they dont correlate 1:3, but how many kilometers/miles does it correlate to 1 hour of use? As a rough estimate? I would maybe, like to pick up a KTM450 used, but as a street fellow I am used to managing Kilometers/Miles rather than hours Anyhow cheers and happy riding!
I loved when you said: "... it changed my life..." that made me smile.
Just about to turn over 7k miles on my 2018 500 with Vortex and FMF. Love it.
One of my exhaust valves was a little tight at 200 hours so I had it re-shimmed. Zero issues other than that.
Awesome review. I took up sailing for a while - got fat and weak. My RMZ-450, WR450 and DRZ-400 keep me fit. There's nothing on planet earth that is as fun to do as ride a dirt bike.
Nice job pal! About 4,000 miles on mine and zero problems so far.
Same year bike and similar riding conditions.
Best bike in the world! Good to see you're using it as it was meant to be 🤛
I have an '18 that has 550 hours on it and 24,000 kms - still going strong. Had a top end done at 240 hours when the previous owner ran it out of oil! Just had to replace the fuel pump - known to be weak on KTM's. Watch out for this as it will leave you stranded when it goes - I was way up back country and had to be towed out by another bike.
I've got 14K+ miles / ~425 hours on my 2009 530 EXC. These big bore KTMs are great, versatile bikes.
I’m really looking forward to getting either the ktm 500 or the husqvarna 501 hopefully by November.
Great vid buddy. Love riding with you.
Great review. Just made the leap from XR650L to KTM 500. Glad to hear your happy with the bike!
I know what you mean about your health, I recently got a 350 exc f and it's genuinely improved my mental health, they're great bikes!
heck yes!!! miles of smiles ;-) enjoy the night.
That was a great review thanks man
great news - about to grab one myself, nice to see larger mileage reports :-) i have ran my sxf 450 since 2013 - faultless machine, i service it myself but nowhere near the so called intervals either, bullet engines - i bet my 450 gets oil every 50 hours and i only ride sand or enduro, off road of course - it is on its way for an exc500 so i can ride roads + off roads
Down to earth guy! Thank you for sharing!
You forgot license plate obstruction mod.
PS. I had the same problem with the ground cable and had to relocate it.
pretty stoked I went with KTM (even got the 500 EXCF)
I have an 18 with 525 hours / 31,000 kms on it. Just starting to idle a bit of smoke when I stop .. valve shims need to be replaced. The frame wiring harness on the right side between the triple tree has broken a few wires a couple times.. left me stranded once (kill switch wire) .. another wire break was just the headlight. So I've extended those about an inch with solder and heat shrink and it's been good ever since. I've changed my fuel pump also but it didn't break. I also had the ground wire loosen up on me but I was able to limp home.. it wouldn't rev up. I have also done the vortex / FMF / desmog / reed removal.. and the bike still hauls ass.. (no clutch 5th gear wheelies at 105kph) topping out at 170kph on gearing.
Does the bike have got 6th gear or no?
@@Kantuva Yes it does have 6 gears
I HAD A HUSKY 510 4T IN THE 80S IT WAS A GREAT BIKE,BUT THE REAR TIRE ONLY KASTED ABOUT ONE MONTHH..THE FRONT TIRE LASTED ABOUT 3 MONTHS,,GREETINGS FROM THE PHILIPPINES
Exc500 is the best ❤
How ofter have you adjusted the valves
Never, 14,950 miles now, I check every winter.
@@sandnapper6796 thanks!
Hi, have you ever done any major engine work done ie piston, clutch work?
No engine work at all. I check valves every winter, still in spec.
HELL YEAH!
I recently purchased 2015 Husqvarna FE 501. Just hitting 40 hours/ 1200 miles. Hoping it lasts because it cost more than a brand new Honda 300L.
You made the correct choice, you would never have been happy with the 300L. Life’s too short to ride overweight & underpowered motorcycles. Enjoy
what oil and filters have you been using?
Motorex 10w-50, KTM oil filters
How many miles you do the service?
15 to 30 hours depending on how dusty the riding is. Motorex Oil
My main concern on getting these high CC KTM's is precisely the amount of maintenance that they need, so far as I know they are prickly machines, with constant oil changes every 1000km, with constant valve checks and adjustments, then there are the fuel pumps yadyadyada
But yeah, all in all, the annoyances of maintenance and such, as you said at the end, this is the type of bike that just changes your life for the better, you get more exercise, take more sun, have fun and discover new places (that said, one can do all that on a Honda CRF300!!!!) but yeah, appreciate the review a heck lot
Just for curiosity, I know that they dont correlate 1:3, but how many kilometers/miles does it correlate to 1 hour of use? As a rough estimate? I would maybe, like to pick up a KTM450 used, but as a street fellow I am used to managing Kilometers/Miles rather than hours
Anyhow cheers and happy riding!
That’s over 16,000 kilometres.
10k hard miles btw