I'm in...now it is time to build / setup

[DOM]

I bought a 13 Ktm 500 xc-w / timbersled this week and am excited to start in on it.

A few questions to get started...

Does the hour meter in the bikes display work off actual run time or wheel movement? The bike has under 150 miles and shows like 5 hours which I don't doubt on wheels, but seems a little light given the age. The seller was the second owner and didn't have much info.

What have you guys found works best for air intakes on the ktm?

Thanks

 

[M5-]

Neither the hour meter nor the speedo work when a KTM is in snow bike mode. The speedo sensor on the front wheel brings the gauge pod to life when the front wheel spins otherwise it stays turned off.

M5

 

[DOM]

Neither the hour meter nor the speedo work when a KTM is in snow bike mode. The speedo sensor on the front wheel brings the gauge pod to life when the front wheel spins otherwise it stays turned off.

M5

This was my guess, so there is no way to tell actual engine hours at this stage?

 

[Grr]

Is that the one that's been on craigslist for like 6-8 months?

 

[DOM]

Is that the one that's been on craigslist for like 6-8 months?

No, that one is out of Bismarck. Basically the same setup, but this was out of the Minneapolis area. The guy from Bismarck seeemed to be a good guy also. I talked to him quite a bit a month or two ago. I would guess it is still available as the add just expired.

 

[RMK935VA]

I have an hour meter on my 15 KTM 450 SXF. It monitors engine run time. I thought that it was stock but maybe it was an add on. It is under the seat by the ECU. I check it periodically and it is definitely tracking run time.

 

[heliwrench]

What have you guys found works best for air intakes on the ktm?

Last season on my 14 500 EXC I just used the filterskin that came with the timbersled kit over a stock dry air filter and it seemed to work fine. Didn't have any issues.

 

[DOM]

Last season on my 14 500 EXC I just used the filterskin that came with the timbersled kit over a stock dry air filter and it seemed to work fine. Didn't have any issues.

Thanks for the reply. In a variety of mountain snow conditons (powder, foggy wet days, etc)?

 

[M5-]

This was my guess, so there is no way to tell actual engine hours at this stage?

Nope, not unless it has an aftermarket hour meter.

M5

 

[heliwrench]

Thanks for the reply. In a variety of mountain snow conditons (powder, foggy wet days, etc)?

Pretty much a mix of everything other than crazy bar-deep fluff, which definitely has potential to cause problems with that setup, but time will tell.

 

[n16ht5]

that 500 airbox is just a snowbox in pow. you will need a pod if you ever hit the fluffy stuff.

 

[DOM]

that 500 airbox is just a snowbox in pow. you will need a pod if you ever hit the fluffy stuff.

Any recommendations on setups that work?

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

13 xcw 500

I have a `13 500 with TS 120 kit.

In deep powder early season, I used stock air box with bottom cut out of it. My two pals with KTM 450s ran the TS snorkle, they plugged up when mine didn't. I built a way bigger snorkle and 3 or 4 times as much filter as the TS setup and it plugged, back to stock air box with bottom cutout.......never did plug.........was packed up with snow several times when I looked, but no engine performance loss.

End of season last year I went to heat exchanger, other wise deep snow Thermo bob was always good as long as I have my engine covered, no engine covers, early season deep snow not good, you will have gasssy oil and headed for engine rebuild.

Get a seat.........stock hard on a hard azz.

Forks need big help, air forks worked really good.

Make sure and setup your ski with good trail , its not a sx, so not the same for ski setup......see threads on see setup.

SX and wooped sx always thought they should out run my 500.........hmmmm, not so. With the same TS setup, very little deeep snow performance difference between the 500 and 450.

You have to gear the 500 so you make good use of 3rd gear, I don't remember where I ended up last winter, but the 500 like a little taller gearing than most run on their 450s.

 

[DOM]

I have a `13 500 with TS 120 kit.

In deep powder early season, I used stock air box with bottom cut out of it. My two pals with KTM 450s ran the TS snorkle, they plugged up when mine didn't. I built a way bigger snorkle and 3 or 4 times as much filter as the TS setup and it plugged, back to stock air box with bottom cutout.......never did plug.........was packed up with snow several times when I looked, but no engine performance loss.

End of season last year I went to heat exchanger, other wise deep snow Thermo bob was always good as long as I have my engine covered, no engine covers, early season deep snow not good, you will have gasssy oil and headed for engine rebuild.

Get a seat.........stock hard on a hard azz.

Forks need big help, air forks worked really good.

Make sure and setup your ski with good trail , its not a sx, so not the same for ski setup......see threads on see setup.

SX and wooped sx always thought they should out run my 500.........hmmmm, not so. With the same TS setup, very little deeep snow performance difference between the 500 and 450.

You have to gear the 500 so you make good use of 3rd gear, I don't remember where I ended up last winter, but the 500 like a little taller gearing than most run on their 450s.

Would you happen to have or be willing to snap a few pictures of your airbox setup? Sounds like a solid option.

Thanks!

 

[DOM]

I found a number of pictures searching tonight...thanks again for the info.

 

[J&L Snowhawk]

Complete kit

Any recommendations on setups that work?

I can set you up with pod filter and skid plates with engine shroud for that bike. Done many ktms. Good bike

 

[DOM]

I can set you up with pod filter and skid plates with engine shroud for that bike. Done many ktms. Good bike

Interested in hearing your recommendations / what you may have.

Shoot me a pm

 

[madmax]

First thing you need to do is the forks, pretty much unridable with the stock setup. You'll bottom out all the time. There are a ton of other options to add, some are more important than others. Keeping snow from clogging the airbox is a simple must do and very inexpensive. After the forks and airbox, your budget will dictate where you go. Keeping engine temps in check for optimal running would be next on my list. Can start with the thermo bob and go all the way to the PR3 ECU for the absolute best performance in summer and winter in all conditions.