I have a 2009 WR450,all the emissions stuff gone,fmf,jetted,stage 1 cams. it has plenty of power and I love the way it runs.it has an explorer kit on it now (let laughter and jokes commence)haha....and yes I will be getting a timbersled this year! I always have favored Yamahas for reliability,durability,ease of maintenance and finding parts,(no KTM dealer anywhere near me) problem is it isn't street legal and I scattered the engine on my roadbike last summer. alaska wont let you register dirtbikes even with a conversion kit. so I am really looking for a street legal bike to commute in the summer to work (10-15 mi) ride on the weekends and bolt the timbersled on in winter. I found a good deal on a 2013 500 KTM EXC. I have never owned a ktm and honestly dont know much about them. are they as reliable as yamaha,have approx the same maintenance shcedule,and longevity? also does anybody have experience on a 500 exc with a timbersled? any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated,thanks in advance
Should I sell WR450 and get 500 EXC?
- Thread starter lokan6.0
- Start date
I don't remember if it was on thumper talk or ssupermoto junkie but their is a post on one of them explaining how to get your bike, any bike, registered and titled in South Dakota. You do not have to be a sd resident to do this, you can do it all over the phone and mail. One. You get that done you just transfer it to your state and your road legal.
T
thejean
Well-known member
EXC is supposedly a good bike. Biggest issue is the tame mapping from what I hear. So ideally you would get a dealer to put the euro map on it but not being near a dealer that might be tough. Could always call around and find a dealer that will do it for you and then mail them the ecu and have them mail it back.
If the South Dakota thing doesn't work get the 500. Probably the best factory street legal bike. So far so good with mine but I don't have too many hours yet. Advrider and supermoto junkie has a lot of info on the bike.
Thanks for the info,I will look into the South Dakota registration and see if it's a possibility.
Looks like you have the Wr set up real well.
It is hard to beat a well set up bike that you know and works for you.
Without having a good dealer near by I would stay with a proofed for you
Machine . Nothing sucks more than having a minor Injection issue or other
problem that becomes a huge problem when it is a 5 to six hour trip to the
next dealer. KTMs are good bikes no issue there but not having dealer
support would sway me toward the proven WR.
By the way I ride a WR on a MH and in the dirt in summer .
In the Yukon we can still get them plated.
It is hard to beat a well set up bike that you know and works for you.
Without having a good dealer near by I would stay with a proofed for you
Machine . Nothing sucks more than having a minor Injection issue or other
problem that becomes a huge problem when it is a 5 to six hour trip to the
next dealer. KTMs are good bikes no issue there but not having dealer
support would sway me toward the proven WR.
By the way I ride a WR on a MH and in the dirt in summer .
In the Yukon we can still get them plated.
D
Dband212
Member
I just picked up a new 14 500 xcw, and it is a beast! The throttle response is extremely crisp and very responsive. From what I understand the exc is slightly detuned from its xcw brother but still has the same feel. I just upgraded from a 2011 KTM 450 xcw and the 500 has way more torque and lug. I don't have very many hours on it yet to attest to the realibility of it but I haven't heard anything other than good reports! The dealer that sold me my 500 told me that the KTM has a lot better feel and is just an overall better bike in his opinion than the WRs I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the KTM, I think you would really enjoy the bike and I think it would be very realible bike for you. My group of ridding buddies has been testing them (KTMs) for a lot of years with 12 or so bikes through the ringer and have had no major problems; just routine maintenance! Hope that helps you with your decision!
Thanks to everyone for your input. I did find the thread about registering in south dakota and It looked promising until I found out it wont work if your local DMV uses the VIN lookup for registering (vin would show up as dirt bike/offroad only) and unfortunately thats what our DMV uses.
I'm going to think on it for the weekend,I am just not sure if I could part with my WR.
I'm going to think on it for the weekend,I am just not sure if I could part with my WR.
Powdermuncher what you said is very true,it is set up well and I know it inside and out and has proven to be extremely reliable. I have never had a fuel inj. bike and worry about electronics failing and being stranded. where as a carbed bike is usually pretty easy to figure out a way to get it running again and get home.
with that being said I am torn because this EXC 500 is already set up pretty nice aswell and Dband212 your input makes me want to go for it and sounds like it is just what i am looking for.
with that being said I am torn because this EXC 500 is already set up pretty nice aswell and Dband212 your input makes me want to go for it and sounds like it is just what i am looking for.
D
Dband212
Member
I think you would really enjoy it. I had a 2005 WR 450 back in the day and prior to the 500 a KTM 450 XCW. While they were both great bikes I wouldn't want to go back to them. If you do go for the 500 I would recommend that you get two things; a filter sock that goes in the tank under the cap and a couple spare fuel filters. When I have heard of a problem it has been a plugged fuel filter. Both will address that and are KTM parts. While I haven't had any carb freeze up issues on anything yet the fuel injection should remedies that too. There is just a lot to gain with these newer fuel injected bikes. It starts cold like it was warm, when you tip over and kill it the motor the bike won't drain any fuel. With that said I do think there is something to be said for a good bike you have set up and love. I still have a old trusty 2006 yz 250 that I don't want to part with. Hasn't failed me yet! Either way you go I think you have a great bike!
If you really like the wr, why not buy a cheap dual sport for your commute? The romance wore off real quick for me riding dirt bikes on pavement. Ruins good tires, puts hours on a high performance engine that detract from value, is uncomfortable, and honestly a 500 with knobbies is flat out dangerous in the curves on pavement if you get just a little too excitable. Plus I reallylike my coffee and music on the way to work. Isnt there a lot of wildlife to look out for as well in AK? In WA I was always worried about smoking a doe or coyote or something.
You have a point about the on road riding -- a old DR 650 or XL with a set up suspension and better street type tires are cheap to get and way better on the road than any of the WR EXC type bikes.
There is however the ability for me to just ride on the Highway across the river to an other great dirt bike area without worrying about the cops .
Or if I run short on fuel to just go down the highway to the nearest gas station.
In town here all bikes need to be registered and insured ( city bylaw ) I just went all the way and did the full street legal registration and Insurance.
There is however the ability for me to just ride on the Highway across the river to an other great dirt bike area without worrying about the cops .
Or if I run short on fuel to just go down the highway to the nearest gas station.
In town here all bikes need to be registered and insured ( city bylaw ) I just went all the way and did the full street legal registration and Insurance.
Thanks again to everyone that responded and gave me input. I have decided im going to go for it!!
Good choice! I'm wanting a 2013+ KTM 500 in the worst way after being on a Husaberg 501 this weekend for a short ride. My current bike is a 2003 KTM 525 EXC. Personally, I love the torque and power down low so I don't have to ride around with it revved so high...unless I want to of course. Much more relaxed and it will pull the gears easily. Having a lower redline than the 450s isn't an issue for me. On a 500+cc bike, I prefer the wider ratio gearing. On my bike, I wouldn't want the gear ratios to be spaced any tighter because I'd have to shift way more. I spend most of my day in 2 and 3. Can pull quite a steep hill in 3. Trails I'm in 3 and 4 in the twisties and in the wide open, 5 and sometimes 6. Don't use 1 much; mostly loading and unloading but is nice for creeping along at walking speed and tight manuevers. Enjoy that 500! Post a pic when you get 'er home.
