450 over 500? Opinions?

[Dband212]

Well I'm trying decide what to do with my bike situtation. I currently have a 2011 KTM XC-W 450 six days edition that I love. I ride this bike year round and am super happy with it. My delima is that I would like to have a little more power for the snowbiking time, and fuel injection being a plus on top if that. But I'm not sure the gains will be substantial enough to trade out of a bike I have set up for myself and really like. I would be going to a 2014 KTM XC-W 500 if I do the upgrade. Just wondering what kind of gains you have experienced or any thoughts you have. If I have to keep thinking the way I am I'll be able to get the 2015 because I can't make up my mind! Thanks for any input in advance

 

[PalousePoo]

No right answer

I ride a piped 2011 yz450, with TS ST kit. Got on my friends stock 2014 500 xcw with TS ST. I thought I would get a 500 for next year. However, 1st is ridiculously slow, don't know when it would be needed. The torque felt good, but the wide ratio gearbox would take a lot of getting used too coming off of a MX bike. Tried upshifting in a climb, 3 to 4 I think, and it was too big of a jump to pull. The 450 is more responsive, I feel, therefore, more enjoyable to ride, in my opinion. However, the 500 may kick its butt in some situations. Havent dragged raced up a hill......yet.

 

[retired motoman]

keep your sx

I would like to have fuel injection

Not really a upgrade. Unless you get engine temps up on a Fi they over fuel and dilute the oil.
And like PalousePoo mentioned wide ratio tranys make climbing more difficult at times. They work well for the road and still work alright on the mountain.

 

[DieselTwitch]

Not really a upgrade. Unless you get engine temps up on a Fi they over fuel and dilute the oil.
And like PalousePoo mentioned wide ratio tranys make climbing more difficult at times. They work well for the road and still work alright on the mountain.

I found a quick fix for the lack of heat in the FI bikes. I run 100% glycol. this lowers the cooling eff% by as much as 30%. I have noticed an increase in fuel milage. or at least longer riding times on less fuel. no temp gauge, so no numbers

I'm wondering what rear gearing the of the track would do to better simulate a Close ratio gear box.

 

[Jon Mutiger]

Well, the feedback up to here hasnt' answered any questions.

As a guy who has a 500XCW, the truth is the 450 makes about the exact same amount of power. The EFI on the 500 is great for starting, but if you want a dedicated snowbike, the MX bikes are better all around bikes. The KX is my first choice, second a KTM SXF450.. Then the YZF.

The truth is the KTM is a woods bike with lazy power delivery, there is no disputing that, and it's heavy to boot. I'm completely happy with mine. It starts perfectly all the time, but it isn't always the first to the top of a climb.

I chose this bike because I had a hip replacement, otherwise I'd be on a KX.

Jon

 

[350scott]

I might be in the minority but I really like the 500 and I had a KX450 last year. The electric start is obviously great. Yes 1st is ridiculously low, but I find the remaining gears spaced well. The torque is the part I really like over the 450. It lets me keep the track spinning in a higher gear those critical few seconds longer allowing me the make it up stuff that would have been a problem with the KX.

 

[DieselTwitch]

The truth is the KTM is a woods bike with lazy power delivery, there is no disputing that, and it's heavy to boot.

How do you figure? the 14' 500 XC-W is actually 3lbs lighter than the 14' KX450.
245lbs vs 248lbs
KTM Spec Sheet
Kawi Spec Sheet

I agree the power is a bit lazy but some small steps can fix that and some big ones can really wake the bikes up.

A new slip on is the fastest way to gain some snap. and then a port and polish job on the head. they are made tame to help with long woods ride where you don't want the power to come on suddenly they are enduro bikes and when used as such they are awesome. Ride the bike, don't let it ride you

 

[ktmrider714a]

I think we are forgetting that he already has a 450 W, yes an mx bike may be better for snow biking but for his summer riding he likes the W I assume. So does a fi 500 W have much more power than a 450 W that is carbed? Is it worth the $ toupgrade? Or is it better to keep the 450 W for summer and find a used mx 450 for dedicated snowbike? I think that's what he's asking....

 

[WASnowBiker]

Run an MX setup

Sorry, I'm posting lots cause I'm totally bored, no snow in WA to ride!!

Go with the MX setup, definitely, too many reasons to explain here. See my other posts on this topic. I owned an '08 450XCW, went back to 300XCW, ran Tsled kit on it briefly, currently on Berg 570. Even with its massive torque, the upshifts into 4th and 5th are often too wide. Faster revving, close ratio trannys are in fact better on Tsled even though I prefer wide ratio on dirt. MX suspension is WAY superior to all XCW sponges I've now paid hundreds $$ to fix. I'm switching to SX-F or XC-F, Kawi 450 is great too - you're smiling either way. Do not sell one XCW hoping 50 more cc's of another XCW will improve your life - it will not.
And to those who haven't yet ridden the NEW (2013 +) KTM 450s…well you haven't ridden a KTM lately, massive improvement in handling.

just my opinion.

 

[dhdey]

How do you figure? the 14' 500 XC-W is actually 3lbs lighter than the 14' KX450.
245lbs vs 248lbs
KTM Spec Sheet
Kawi Spec Sheet

alot of company lie on their spec sheets. the 500 is a noticably heavier then the 450 mx's

 

[DieselTwitch]

alot of company lie on their spec sheets. the 500 is a noticably heavier then the 450 mx's

I disagree. I feel my 500 is lighter and more nimble than my CRF450 was.

 

[2wheelfun]

My 2cents KTM450 vs 500 & XCW vs SX models

I seen a lot of people commenting on KTM SX MX bikes, I am new to the TS MH and I love it, I have it on a 2009 KTM 450xcw with a ST. I would not ever consider a bike without a kick starter and want electric start. the SX and some of the other bikes out there don't have kick start. What do you do when your battery poops because of your heated grips, can't bump start?

 

[Motogeek33]

I seen a lot of people commenting on KTM SX MX bikes, I am new to the TS MH and I love it, I have it on a 2009 KTM 450xcw with a ST. I would not ever consider a bike without a kick starter and want electric start. the SX and some of the other bikes out there don't have kick start. What do you do when your battery poops because of your heated grips, can't bump start?

That's the exact reason I bought one of these:
http://antigravitybatteries.com/microstart/

Pretty amazing little gadget that's ultra-portable.