KTM 450 or 500?

[griffin86]

Hey,

I'm going to be selling my Husaberg 650 ST soon and was looking at getting a KTM. Not sure which one I would like to get. I am considering a KMS turbo kit for it at some point. O I was going to get a timbersled LT for it.

Which would you pick, KTM 450 or 500? Why?

 

[Rush44]

I've rode both and greatly prefer the 450 sxf for winter. Quick revs, higher rev limiter, great power, lighter weight. The downsides are a less desirable summer bike (unless you only ride the MX track), less features like built in lights or increased stock stator wattage for grips and other accessories. I buy my bikes first for winter use and second for summer. I will not sacrifice and ounce of winter performance for summer comfort. Maybe not the best policy financially since now I'm considering a 2nd bike for the summer woods.

In the end both bikes still work great as snowbikes but you just need to examine your personal priorities at purchase time. I also feel the 450 would be a better turbo platform because of the rev profile... just my opinion.

 

[griffin86]

I've rode both and greatly prefer the 450 sxf for winter. Quick revs, higher rev limiter, great power, lighter weight. The downsides are a less desirable summer bike (unless you only ride the MX track), less features like built in lights or increased stock stator wattage for grips and other accessories. I buy my bikes first for winter use and second for summer. I will not sacrifice and ounce of winter performance for summer comfort. Maybe not the best policy financially since now I'm considering a 2nd bike for the summer woods.

In the end both bikes still work great as snowbikes but you just need to examine your personal priorities at purchase time. I also feel the 450 would be a better turbo platform because of the rev profile... just my opinion.

Thank you for your input! I'm leaning more towards the 450. This bike will be for the winter. I just want to put some heated grips and the cyclops light on it.

Just have to put a bigger stator on it.

 

[Dband212]

Here's another 450 to 500 comparison thread to look at

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=367885

 

[griffin86]

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=367885

Thanks! I searched but I missed that one.