First build complete 2016 KTM 500

[Apiaguy]

Just completed last night... tested in the couple inches of snow around the house.. ready to hit it his weekend...
2016 KTM 500 exc 6 days
2016 Timbersled 137 LT TSS
Stock motor
Emissions removed
Arapovick slip on Muffler
Boondocker ecu upgrade (rev limiter raised)
Adventure pegs
Bar riser
Running 100LL (avgas)


I wanna add the Iceage Nitrous now..
and the heated bars

 

[john heston]

Looks good and getting excited to ride mine in some good deep snow

 

[AKdragon700]

Boondocker Rev Limiter

Awesome looking build!

Please explain the boondocker rev limiter?

 

[capulin overdrive]

Nice! Get some real bark busters, those stock one hurt worse than nothing, if and when you hit something.

 

[Apiaguy]

Awesome looking build!

Please explain the boondocker rev limiter?

The boondockers ecu upgrade for the ktm 500 is basically a 450 sx ecu with custom fuel mapping for the 500. So you get the 450 higher rev limit setting and more aggressive timing

 

[Excalibur]

Looks Good!! Where did you ride??? Have a KTM 450/ST120 almost ready to go. Blue Mountains, Elk River and McCall.

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

500 field trip

first ride of the year in a falling snow and wind all day, when we hit bottomless fluff, my short track 500 with 2.5 track would make the same progress as the two wooped 450's 120 and 136 with same track, got to where walking speed was all we could do on an old two track with 10% grade, we timed out, better snow later...........save the motors.

 

[RMK935VA]

Why avgas? Engine is stock right? Higher compression would warrant higher octane fuel. Running higher octane than required doesn't result in more power. It can and usually does result in less power. I don't think the ecu mod alone would justify the higher octane of avgas.

 

[Apiaguy]

avgas

correct.. the stock motor doesn't need the higher octane... especially at altitude. While the ecu upgrade alone doesn't necessitate it either, my intention is to run nitrous. The variability of pump gas and my availability of cheap avgas makes it an easier more reliable solution when tuning and modifying.

 

[Popik]

Sweet build looks like fun. Now i have to look into that ECU for mine haha

 

[Dam Dave]

Avgas is costing you horse power on a stock motor

 

[MountainRider05]

Ya this ecu upgrade is intresting! Would like to know ride reports for those who hav done it!!

 

[Dam Dave]

any KTM dealer can install any map you want

 

[Apiaguy]

any KTM dealer can install any map you want

Not true... anyone with the tool can adjust the parameters set in an individual ecu... but you aren't given much latitude. And you can't adjust the rev limiter set in the ecu.

Care to give some data on why you think power is lost with avgas use?
Also.. maybe you missed the nitrous plan? And define stock. Lots of nay sayers for the avgas... lets see some data or your reasoning?
My reasoning for use (beyond the nitrous) is its consistent blend, octane advantage during high rev loaded snow abuse and 'cold' burn that while may not create peak horsepower is a great protection from engine damage.

 

[Dam Dave]

Not true... anyone with the tool can adjust the parameters set in an individual ecu... but you aren't given much latitude. And you can't adjust the rev limiter set in the ecu.

Care to give some data on why you think power is lost with avgas use?
Also.. maybe you missed the nitrous plan? And define stock. Lots of nay sayers for the avgas... lets see some data or your reasoning?
My reasoning for use (beyond the nitrous) is its consistent blend, octane advantage during high rev loaded snow abuse and 'cold' burn that while may not create peak horsepower is a great protection from engine damage.

That data is all over the internet, and by "stock" I mean stock compression, if you dont build around the avgas it is a waste of money, that high octane is a waste

and yes a dealer can install a EUR 450 map and that would raise your rpm

 

[Apiaguy]

Well, I won't claim to know it all about the 450/500 ecu differences... but there is enough difference that you must order a 450 ecu from KTM to do this upgrade.
As to avgas... when you start running advanced timing settings, aftermarket exhaust, no air filter and higher than intended rpm out of the engine you certainly could run into issues with pump gas... hit the nitrous....and I'm not sure why we are disagreeing here. I'll let you know how it does.

 

[Dam Dave]

Well, I won't claim to know it all about the 450/500 ecu differences... but there is enough difference that you must order a 450 ecu from KTM to do this upgrade.
As to avgas... when you start running advanced timing settings, aftermarket exhaust, no air filter and higher than intended rpm out of the engine you certainly could run into issues with pump gas... hit the nitrous....and I'm not sure why we are disagreeing here. I'll let you know how it does.

Just saying you will make more horsepower with quality 87 with stock compression, good luck

 

[Apiaguy]

Update 1st ride

Headed to the Blues today... about two feet of snow.. riding was good til I hit a big stump as we were darting thru the trees.. It was a pretty good hit and while I didn't go over the bars it stopped me and cracked the mount where the bolt goes thru the spindle to ski attach point. We were able to keep riding and enjoyed the snow even though the early conditions were a bit sketchy.
The bike ran great and had great power everywhere. I swapped with my friend who is on a 2017 ktm 450sx with mototrax 137 and power seemed equal. The 450 is a bit smoother on the high rpm range but I felt the timbersled hooked up better and pulled thru the powder a bit faster.
I'll even show the stump that got me... as I came around the tree in 3rd gear is was right there.. no room to turn.
First photo is my line choice to left of tree.. stump hiding behind