Newb here help a FNG please

[byeatts]

Good to know thanks. That's very svelt. If I could find one at auction with two broke wheels cheap I'd make a dedicated snow bike. That's unlikely though lol

How many have tried 500exc for snow bikes? Timbersleds seems to offer a kilt for them.

I was just saying the new MX bikes can be 40 lbs lighter than the other options, That's huge on the snow

 

[Seeds]

KTM 500 for snowbiking

I am running a 2014 Ktm 500 xc-w for my Tri-sport. It is the exc without turn signals and emissions. I've added the DOT approved tires, mirror, and light/plate kit from sicass racing to plate it in Wyoming. Came in cheaper that way for me. I put the heaviest fork springs I could get from race tech in because of my weight (325 lb) I am not an aggressive dirt rider and the bike handles dirt and snow (16 timbersled lt)extremely well for me. The stiffer spring made the seams in the highway more noticeable but not worrisome.

Last summer was my first for owning a dirt bike, and this is my first winter owning a winter toy. I have felt the forks bottom a couple times in aggressive whoops in the snow trail. lighter guys haven't noticed any bottoming. My setup is much more stable on snowpack compared to my riding buddy's 525 Ktm with stock springs and 2012 lt kit.

If Oregon requires a CARB bike I think the exc would work great for you. If not the sicass kits are simple to install and can open up your options in the 450 and 500 class.

Hope this little bit of information helps

 

[Norma Stitz]

Yes Oregon requires the federal title of MC not off road. So, all mx bikes is off limits if I want to ride it on the street, and I'd really like that option.

If 40 lbs isn't a deal breaker for the snow, then I'm probably going to have to pony up for a 500exc.

I'm planning on getting a ST track for it most likely, sounds like they are better all around, but the long track maybe better for beginner?

The snow we get here is wet and heavy, we don't get much champagne so my thought was the ST would suit me best?

Thanks seeds, snowfro and bainen that was very helpful.

Other option is not worry about tri sport and pick up a cheap 500 two stroke Honda or Yamaha and run that dedicated to the snow.

 

[Norma Stitz]

Does the 500exc tell you how warm it is to monitor it from cold running/ overheat?

 

[Seeds]

500 temps

I don't know if they put a different display on the exc or not. The xc-w computer only displayed engine hours with wheel spinning, speed, odometer, trip time, and I'm sure some other race time things I can't remember. I installed a trail tech voyager with radiator fin temp sensor so I can monitor the RPM, engine hours, gps trails and temperature year round and use the gps speed when the front wheel is off.

I believe the thermostat and fan temperature switch is the same for both. The highest temperature ive seen was about 225f when I was doing some heavy lugging in the timber with ambient temperature in the mid 40s. I usually let the bike idle while I suit up and it stays between 150 and 225 all day. 180 to 215 running at a mid to high range rpm with good flow to the radiator.

 

[M5-]

I have an EXC. I ran it for 2 seasons on the snow before building a dedicated CR500 snow bike. The EXC is a compromise bike IMO. It's OK on single track but it's heavy and wears you out but you can do it. It excels on fast fire road riding or open trails. It has more than enough top end for highway riding being the wide ratio 6 speed but after about 65 or 70 MPH it gets a little squirrely. You can run it as a snow bike but the tranny just isn't right. First is virtually useless and the second to third gap is always there so you are always winding the crap out of it in second because it won't pull third. My CR500 blows through third into 4th where my EXC would have been in second. Don't get me wrong, its a great bike but it has its strengths and weaknesses one of which is a snow bike. The EXC would be a good choice for the following IMO:

Single track 10%
Fire roads and high speed open trails 40%
Streets and highways 20%
Snow bike 30%


I'm thinking seriously of making mine a dedicated SM bike and getting a 300 for off road.


M5

 

[Norma Stitz]

I have an EXC. I ran it for 2 seasons on the snow before building a dedicated CR500 snow bike. The EXC is a compromise bike IMO. It's OK on single track but it's heavy and wears you out but you can do it. It excels on fast fire road riding or open trails. It has more than enough top end for highway riding being the wide ratio 6 speed but after about 65 or 70 MPH it gets a little squirrely. You can run it as a snow bike but the tranny just isn't right. First is virtually useless and the second to third gap is always there so you are always winding the crap out of it in second because it won't pull third. My CR500 blows through third into 4th where my EXC would have been in second. Don't get me wrong, its a great bike but it has its strengths and weaknesses one of which is a snow bike. The EXC would be a good choice for the following IMO:

Single track 10%
Fire roads and high speed open trails 40%
Streets and highways 20%
Snow bike 30%


I'm thinking seriously of making mine a dedicated SM bike and getting a 300 for off road.


M5

Yeah it get that. Maybe i should just build a dedicated snow bike instead. I just love riding dirt bikes on the street but honestly really the larger dual sports that are worthless off road are better for street use. I'm not really into dirt use so that is almost irrelevant.

Can I ask what your final gearing was on the exc? Is it possible that gearing it differently would have helped the 3rd gear bog? Also, what altitude was it at giving you trouble? My use will be mainly 4500-8500 I'm guessing.

 

[byeatts]

Yeah it get that. Maybe i should just build a dedicated snow bike instead. I just love riding dirt bikes on the street but honestly really the larger dual sports that are worthless off road are better for street use. I'm not really into dirt use so that is almost irrelevant.

Can I ask what your final gearing was on the exc? Is it possible that gearing it differently would have helped the 3rd gear bog? Also, what altitude was it at giving you trouble? My use will be mainly 4500-8500 I'm guessing.

I really think building for duel use is a big step backwards. get the power , light weight and gearing needed to rock the mountains, I could care less about fast trail riding.

 

[M5-]

I tried all kinds of gearing combos. Its just the wrong bike for snow biking. That's why the manufacturers make different kinds of bikes in the first place. Guys told me I needed an MX tranny but I was determined to make the EXC work, I was wrong, they were right.

M5

 

[Norma Stitz]

I tried all kinds of gearing combos. Its just the wrong bike for snow biking. That's why the manufacturers make different kinds of bikes in the first place. Guys told me I needed an MX tranny but I was determined to make the EXC work, I was wrong, they were right.

M5

Problem is they really don't make the bike i need apparently. Need a 450 barely dual sport with a close ratio trans.

What about an older 300 two stroke dual sport? Did any of them have tight gearing?

 

[Norma Stitz]

I really think building for duel use is a big step backwards. get the power , light weight and gearing needed to rock the mountains, I could care less about fast trail riding.

Totally agree and ya fast trail riding isn't on my priority list, however having a bike like this in the garage that "could" be terrorizing my neighborhood and also used to make runs around when camping is very appealing.

I'm reading about Husky te510? Apparently they check some of the boxes with FI, elec start, close ratio tranny, and good power, not too chubby.

Thoughts?

 

[byeatts]

Totally agree and ya fast trail riding isn't on my priority list, however having a bike like this in the garage that "could" be terrorizing my neighborhood and also used to make runs around when camping is very appealing.

I'm reading about Husky te510? Apparently they check some of the boxes with FI, elec start, close ratio tranny, and good power, not too chubby.

Thoughts?

I looked into the 501 as well. They rev considerably lower than the race 450,s, its all about track speed for a mountain riper. someone who owns 500,s will tell you they rock, then talk to someone who owns a 450 mx and youll hear the same,side by side the 450,s rule. I have heard the 500,s bounce off the rev limiter and its pretty annoying.I wood listen to someone who owns both bikes.

 

[M5-]

A buddy of mine runs a WR450, its always screaming and between second and third, basically the same problem as the EXC. He just bought a YZ close ratio tranny for it. He is going to split the cases and run the YZ 1,2,3,4 and the OD WR 5th. I think that's going to help that bike a lot. It should be the best of both worlds.

M5

 

[dooman92]

Totally agree and ya fast trail riding isn't on my priority list, however having a bike like this in the garage that "could" be terrorizing my neighborhood and also used to make runs around when camping is very appealing.

I'm reading about Husky te510? Apparently they check some of the boxes with FI, elec start, close ratio tranny, and good power, not too chubby.

Thoughts?

I have the te510. I am not an authority on bikes but I sure like my husky. Had all the options, fi,es, and kick, strong stator, close 6 speed. It tractors really well and enough power that I frequently want an additional gear on the trail. Fwiw.

 

[Norma Stitz]

A buddy of mine runs a WR450, its always screaming and between second and third, basically the same problem as the EXC. He just bought a YZ close ratio tranny for it. He is going to split the cases and run the YZ 1,2,3,4 and the OD WR 5th. I think that's going to help that bike a lot. It should be the best of both worlds.

M5

Great idea and I was wondering the feasibility of this for the Ktm. Does the xcw500 have different ratios?
I imagine the changeout would be a little expensive.

 

[Norma Stitz]

I have the te510. I am not an authority on bikes but I sure like my husky. Had all the options, fi,es, and kick, strong stator, close 6 speed. It tractors really well and enough power that I frequently want an additional gear on the trail. Fwiw.

Can you tell me more about your setup? What track kit and how many hours and any problems?

I read some allusions to certain model or year being harder to adapt to a track kit but it wasn't real clear to me what was wrong. Maybe it was you?

 

[dooman92]

Can you tell me more about your setup? What track kit and how many hours and any problems?

I read some allusions to certain model or year being harder to adapt to a track kit but it wasn't real clear to me what was wrong. Maybe it was you?

Not me. I have a 2010 and have had a 2013 and 2016 ts st kits on it. No problems adapting with ts fit kit. I think it is the later years that had fit issues? With all lights, hand warmers, fan and gps on still puts out 14 volts at idle. I have thermobob also. Two partial and one full season so probably 200 plus hours. No major issues with bike. Biggest issue is loose bolts and a few chaffed wires both due to vibration which is my biggest complaint with bike. That pos chain on the 16 ts kit cost me two days of riding which was my biggest headache this year. Oh yeah, I've replaced two intake boots over the three seasons.

 

[Norma Stitz]

Not me. I have a 2010 and have had a 2013 and 2016 ts st kits on it. No problems adapting with ts fit kit. I think it is the later years that had fit issues? With all lights, hand warmers, fan and gps on still puts out 14 volts at idle. I have thermobob also. Two partial and one full season so probably 200 plus hours. No major issues with bike. Biggest issue is loose bolts and a few chaffed wires both due to vibration which is my biggest complaint with bike. That pos chain on the 16 ts kit cost me two days of riding which was my biggest headache this year. Oh yeah, I've replaced two intake boots over the three seasons.

Two intake boots in two Years? That seems very strange. I thought those normally lasted at least a decade. But sounds like a positive review. With 200 hours have you done any engine parts replacement?

 

[dooman92]

Two intake boots in two Years? That seems very strange. I thought those normally lasted at least a decade. But sounds like a positive review. With 200 hours have you done any engine parts replacement?

The rubber to aluminum flange in the boot doesn't like cold and known issue. Doesn't tolerate vibration well. Have not touched the engine. Checked valves twice, all ok.

 

[M5-]

I haven't given much thought to the tranny since I dumped the KTM as a snow bike but I think you would be after the tranny from an XC not the XCW which if I'm not mistaken shares the same tranny as the EXC. Someone on here will know for sure. In the Yamaha world trannys are a dime a dozen because the MX top ends always blow up before the trans lets go.

M5