I have both. The KTM is for offroad and dualsport. DR is a great lightweight adv bike. My wife and I ride 2 up all day for multiple days on the DR. We love it. If we do mostly road or go camping we take the KTM 790 Adventure.
I used to own a DR650. I sold it a long time ago. I bought a 2013 KTM500EXC with 19,000 miles on it. Yes, very high miles as the guy that I bought it from was using it as a supermoto bike. I road it hard and fast after I bought it. Eventually around 21,000 miles It started chugging and I pulled the motor apart. The lower con-rod bearing finally went and it had up and down play. KTM ended up changing that particular bearing on the 2014 and 2015 motors. If you look at the parts fiche for the 2013 motor you will see the changed part number. I rebuilt the motor with an oem 2014/2015 KTM crank with the newer bearing. I just went over 23,000 miles on a our Black Friday ride yesterday and she runs amazing. People love to hate on KTM's but my 500EXC is hands-down the best bike I've ever owned. I have had quite a few bikes. It's light and very powerful. Hope you have fun on yours!
500EXC as a supermoto (without a cush drive rear hub) means wear in the axle spindles of the front sprocket and high revs usage. Thankfully KTM has a system in the front axle to take away the 1:1 forces of the rear wheel to the engine axle, with some rubber inserts that need checking, that is if you ride the thing a lot on the road and like to back the rear wheel up with aggressive downshifting, engine braking (supermoto, sliding the rear into corners, style). I got my 2012 with 180hs and I'm at 350+ now with no problems whatsoever. It was (and is) an enduro bike though, ridden almost exclusively on dirt. It's been great and now has 13500K kms or about 8K miles.
I agree it is one of the best bikes I’ve ever owned and the only bike I own that’s better than me. I can outride every bike I have currently and every one I’ve owned previously. I have a KLR and getting to and from on the highway or just regular old commuting the KLR is my favorite bike I currently own. I suspect folks with the DR could probably say the same.
But as an adventure bike?? I got my 2021 DR with 5000 miles, took off in March living full time off the bike and 9 months later added 33,000 miles on all kinds of terrain, crossed the country and back to Florida wandering twice and rode the Dempster Highway to Tuktoyaktuk all with my dog and a more than full load as it's home. To me anyway, that's an adventure bike profile and with 38,000 miles now it's never missed a beat. I just hear - from your excellent review that the ktm is a better offroad bike which is no shock. I guess it's all about mission. Thanks for the great review. If we ever downgrade to Van life with a ride along bike then that might be the one.
That's the thing with KTM, People hate on them and say they are unreliable who don't have them. As long as you replace the parts with OEM or higher quality and do the service the manual says before or on time but not a min later then it will last forever. I have a 250XC-F I rode the piss out of. It's got 600 hours of HARD riding on it and the only thing that has been done is shimming the valves at 300 hours. The bike starts and runs great. Been jumped and swamped. I have 7 KTM bikes 250 to 890, none of which I have been disappointed in.
I kept going back and forth between the DR and a 500 exc as a lightweight adv bike. Ended up with the DR and have loved every second of it, but I’m still KTM curious and I know some day I’ll make the same transition. Glad to hear it’s a step in the right direction for having more fun!
I still have a DR, but also got an 890R, which is a real eye opener. The extra 100lbs of the 890 over the DR makes a real difference, better on road, very big off road, fine on most any dirt road...but at near 500lbs gotta go the pace it likes.
The expense is gut wrenching, but once you own and ride one, its easy to forget how much you spent. I just dropped about $17k into a 2024 500exc and felt sick to my stomach for a week or so. I only spent like $13k on my 2007 R1 when it was new, which seems like a lot more bike. But, once all my parts were in and I was riding a built 500exc that I can woods and supermoto, I don't care about the money anymore. The bike is very awesome and I am not stuck wondering what "more" would be like for the next 6-7 years, if I had just paid for it.
I bought a 2008 KTM 450 EXC-R with only 200 miles on it this summer. I've been riding heavier dual sports my entire life and I also own a 690. The 450 has taken me places I NEVER thought Id dare to go on a bike. I know its an old bike but its amazingly nimble and I love it!
I recently sold my dr 650 and bought a ktm 990. Loved your video. Totally agree there is a world of bikes out there to try. Why settle? Not all who wander are lost.
well done fella , cool video loved it :-) as for the EXC, well , people just want to hate the 500 because KTM, mine is 6k miles in one year - lots of terrain, mud , English winter, loads of rain, sand, rocks, roads, rivers, mountains - amazing bikes - you made a good move - kush are easy to buy, phds for the bars too if people can't handle the vibes which really arent so bad as the bikes lug at such low revs at 60mph on road anyway - stay on top of oil and air filter and they are fine, i know nobody who has serious trouble with theirs and i must know about 15 x 500 owners who i ride with in different parts of the country - DR etc are on my eyeline as a 2nd bike for doing the stuff the 500 finds boring, but the problem is the 500 is just so much fun and each time you think you want a relaxed bike to partner up, all i have to do is start it up - get on the pegs and twist the throttle, a nanosecond later and i forget everything except the smiles.... #exc life
I own both a '00 dr650 and a '14 500 exc. Both are great bikes and have their place. If my dr was worth more than it shadow it would probably have been moved for some twin cylinder bike but it got lots of miles, the frame has been broken and welded, and the motor is tired. All that said it puts a smile on my face.
My DR runs great, looks great, its all set up and ready to go. But like you say they have no value used. I would have to part it out on ebay to get any money out of it. I did get an 890R, a very different animal.
I too have purchased a 2013 ktm 500 EXC. I have it on the road and love taking it to work, then trail riding home at the end of the day. It has only 5500 kilometres and I assume it will continue to be trouble free for a long time to come. It’s amazing how it crawls through tough single track, then rockets upwards of 125 km/h on the roads home (if I feel like pushing it). What an incredible bike. Hope you have many more trouble free miles.
That was a fun looking ride. I ride a 2014 KTM 450xcw and it is a blast for everything. The 6 speed transmission is a major reason why I chose it. And I bought a 450 because they absolutely terrorize all off road terrains.
Nah, a 500 is better - unless you race it of course! More oomph everywhere less the power peak, the linearness of the 500's engine does indeed allow one to ride absolutely anywhere ..... which one will then do too, and therefore one will enjoy it more (and infinitely more than a pig like the DR650, come on now, that's an antique behemoth in comparison!).
I have owned my Honda XL600R for 20 years and have ridden every rideable peak in Colorado and New Mexico and thought I'd never want or need another bike...until the electrical system died on me four days before I had planned to go on a dual sport rally. I really wanted to go but knew the troubleshooting and fixing the XL was going to take longer than I had so I searched for an inexpensive used bike. I found a KTM 400exc for a decent price. It already had the Enduro Engineering setup installed so it was street legal, as that was #1 in my decision-making. I test rode it, and was sold (literally). You are correct, these bikes have a crap ton of power, either on a wheelie or roosting through the first 3 almost 4 gears and really haven't ever needed the 6th gear yet. It has gotten me out of many situations I thought I'd eat it for sure. The one thing I need to change (or get used to) is it's got too much throttle for tight single track - I barely touch it and it rips.
Maintenance is the reason i dont switch from dr to exc500 or kove 450. Good luck with your racing and race bike. One day when someone builds a modern 400-500cc dual sport thats at least 40 lbs lighter than the dr, ill get one!
I replaced my very brilliant and well spec’d DR650 with a very brilliant CRF450L. The DR is the better lightweight Adv bike as I can ride it longer than the 450 but the 450 is obviously the better dirt bike. The real beauty of the 450 is the weight. If I’m going down, a leg can hold it up. With the DR which was raised to a 36 inch seat heat, if it was going, it was going. I miss my DR650 so darn much but I replaced it with a 2013 R1200GS which is in itself an excellent bike.
I have a 2012 500 EXC with about 40,000 km and almost 800 hours. I ride it hard off-road, and occasionally on-road with my supermoto setup. I also ride it on the lake in the winter with ice screws/studded tires. The only mechanical issue I have had is one exhaust valve was off a bit and needed a different size shim. Regular valve checks, oil and filter changes, and air filter cleanings have kept it running like a top. It still has tons of power too.
Same basic story for me, traded my Harley for a Suzuki DR and it got me wildly into adventure riding and off road. I went to the 690 and still own it, just can’t sell it, but looking for a 350 or 500 now to compliment the other bikes. Good video.
I'm at the same spot you're at except I have my crf300L and my Ktm 690 and looking for a 450L or 500 exc. Going to see which is the one I'm going to keep. 3 enter, 1 remains.
Started doing allroad on en Triumph Tiger 900 mk1. That bike introduced me to allroad riding; just like your DR did. Than i bought a KTM 520 EXC.... In the beginning the power scared me and the agility was almost unbelievable! Especially when i put on more offroad oriented knobbied. The 520 gives so much confidence in everything I do with it. Really loved your video and I can admit that the EXC is so much fun!!! Keep up the great work!! Greatings form Holland!
You made the correct choice. I had 3 DRs, the last one with everything including a Procycle 790 kit.The 500 runs rings around a DR or anything else in the dirt, plus it is more powerful, has good suspension and is 45 kg lighter. As for reliability, lots of owners are getting 50,000 km+ with routine maintenance and they are capable of rtw trips. One New Zealander rode his 140,000 km around the world. Don’t believe any of the ill informed garbage about servicing intervals. You will never regret owing the 500.
That New Zealander did a complete rebuild on his 500 KTM engine at about 20,000 miles. I couldnt see why he wanted a 12" travel dirtbike with a plate to ride places my DR would do easily. Why did he do it? It attracted attention to him and his internet presence. A tall buzzy 500 single going down the hiway, its not for everybody.
Fun video! Nice to see the bike in action up north and glad you are happy with the new wheels! Thanks for the rides along with the XR and looking forward to more Trail riding and Gravel Road adventures next Spring!!
You cant go wrong with the DR for the price. Powerful, solid, reliable, cheap. The ONLY thing bad about the 500exc IS the price! They charge you a lot for the advantages. I bought a 2021 DRZ400 to break into the enduro world after being stuck on the road, or dirt exclusively for the last 40 years and have come to love and appreciate the bike, but after buying it, then dumping $ into it, it just didn't have the power delivery to excite. Still have the DRZ, but just bought a 2024 500exc and invested about 17k in the bike. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about that, but it is literally the most fun I have ever had riding any bike, anywhere. It lugs, it rips and is still so light, it feels like you are riding a BMX bike compared to the DRZ400. If you are tired of being disappointed and you know that you want to check all the boxes on your next bike purchase to avoid similar disappointment, spend the money and ride something that impresses you every single time you ride it!
Doesnt the DRZ lack like 10-15hp at most compared to the KTM? I know I know its also heavier by alot which makes a bike alot chunkier. I like my friends 2004 KX250 2-stroke more in the woods than my other friends 2002 ktm exc300. The kawasaki feels more nimble, more stable front end, alot snappier and rev happier and it really makes you lust for a good stretch of road to hit the powerband and fly 🤤 Damn I fell in love when I tried it with enduro spikes on the snow. KTM vibrates alot more aswell, almost like it doesnt want to rev and accelerate but lug like a tractor 😛 My DT125 feels like a middle ground, heavier than both bikes but feels lighter than the KTM, is alot softer and comfier in tight woods but lacks the fun power. Does better MPG though and spares are found everywhere.
@@eamh2002 It feels like 100hp difference when you ride it. The weight is noticeable, when you are controlling the bike, but not a huge deal. The lack of power on tap was the biggest deal for me. I bought the DRZ in 2021 thinking it was a semi-modern 400 and that a pipe and jet kit would wake it up. Didn't really notice a big difference after upgrading intake, exhaust and jetting, other than noise. My stock KTM 500exc would smoke my modified DRZ. No competition at all. I put a Fastway end cap, power commander, desmogged and pulled the reeds out of the airbox on the 500 and it will now clutch up easy in 4th gear at 60mph and ride a wheelie foreverrrrr. On the DRZ, I have to crush clutch and pull on the handlebars in 2nd gear at 15-20mph to get the front wheel up. No comparison at all on power, but I do like the DRZ for its simplicity and reliability. Im keeping it for those reasons specifically. KTM does vibrate, but man does it lug. When I am on the road riding, Im in 5th a lot and don't realize it until I downshift a few times because it still lugs at 35mph and increases RPMs like its in 3rd or 4th.
I had a fully set up DR - blew up the gearbox at 28000 kilometers. Thought it was a fantastic bike. Got a KTM790 and well, I have awoken from my DR induced coma and occasionally have awful PTSD moments when I think about the DR (shudder).
I got a high mileage fe501 as well, 26k on it and it still rips hard. My dr650 was a fun bike but around the same mileage it smoked and needed a rebuild. 5 years ago when you could find a used dr650 for 2000 cad they made a lot of sense. Now everyone wants 4500 for that or a drz400 it makes more sense to spend a bit more for a ktm 500.
Congrats on the new to you bike, Ktm 500 is one of the best bikes ever produced, you won’t be disappointed! just found your channel and subbed. Ride on 🤙
Great video brother!!... I concur, life is a ride and if you ♥ motorcycles get out there and ride as many as you can!! I have enjoyed all the bikes and scooter that you have had on your channel.... Keep growing & learning and when you can make time even if it is for an afternoon..... get yourself some " throttle therapy"!!!... Congrats on the new addition to your Family( motorcycle & baby😀👍👍)... truly enjoy your channel and content.
Dang it, I bought a DR partly because of your vids...don't really like it. That 500 looks fun, I think I want a street legal xr600 or a mega scooter :) love ya too bud
I can relate. I had a XR650R for a few years. After my KLR i thought I was in heaven and would never sell the XR, it was so good and I was so happy with it. However fate intervened and I ended up with a 2018 500exc. This bike is amazing, it does everything i want it to, it is so forgiving and allows me to attempt routes I would never have tried on the XR. Obviously the XR was better on open stuff and paved roads, but for everything else there is just no comparison.
I have a 21 500 excf and a 22 890 adv. The 500 is definitely more fun off pavement. I added a steering dampener to it and it really makes it handle a lot better especially in deep sand and mud. I change oil around every 35 hours and its fine. Just changed the oem clutch rubbers at 97 hours. they needed replacing.
Had the same thing when I sold the KLR for an Africa twin. People will hate on you because they know they can’t handle the bigger bike. The KLR does most everything you want to do but it’s not exciting. The AT does it all better.
Yeah I don’t really understand why some people seem to get offended if you want to try a different bike. If they are still riding a dr650 or a klr and always have been how are they going to know if I will regret it 🤔. I love motorcycles as a whole and I am going to keep trying different bikes! Thanks for watching
As for vibration and maintenance, just balance the wheels and put a cush hub on . As for maintenance focus on keeping the air filter clean and oiled , change oil often and it will out last cheaper Japanese bikes. Tires go tublis low pressure and softer rubber tires for about 3 times the traction of a 606.
@@rangeroadmoto i did run a cush drive on a older 525 exc , between balancing the wheels and using the cush hub it was night and day smoother on the road.
Great video, I'm going on 4 years since I bought my dr650, trail riding, sand and Cali and AZ baby-heads. I not riding my 07 1200gs or 17 Africa twin in the trails anymore. I'm 62 this summer been thinking about going smaller displacement and lighter weight....have a nice day.
Valve checks at that frequency are only needed if you are stacking big miles on the bike annually. Rarely do you hear of anyone having valves out of spec and in need of adjustment. Swap the oil every 800-1500 miles depending on how and where you ride or at least annually if it sits most of the year. Oil is cheap and it takes very little time to do, not an issue except for lazy/incompetent or those that want something to nitpick about the bike. The 500 is the best Swiss Army dual sport out there, the power to weight ratio is amazing, especially when unlocked with an ECU and exhaust. The suspension is top rate and the aftermarket is huge. I love mine and I will be hanging onto it for many years to be used as a dual sport weapon and annual BDR steed. Congrats on your 500, you will love it and while the DR is a legend in it's own right, I doubt you'll miss it much going forward.
Great honest video. If u listen to Bro on Internet, he will always tell you that the best Dual Sport is always the lightest, most powerful with best suspension...no matter what. That would be a YZ450F with a headlight and plate. I think a better classification for the KTM groups of 350/500's would be plated Enduro, not Dual Sport. What they excel at is offroad riding, but lacking the comfort and durability to put on 10k miles. Where the Japan Dual Sports can handle light enduro, but are best for just cruising/exploring trails and putting on tons of hassle free miles. People need to be realistic in their riding terrain instead of listening to others telling them whats best for them. If u ride in groups of riders who all have 1 type of bike, or course the other type will "suck" as its out of its comfort zone. U are doing exactly what I did years ago. After years of Dual Sport I finally went to Enduro riding, then proceeded to Offroad Only cuz the Enduro was still too street orientated. Went all over Baja, mnt's and desert and glad I went that route cuz the other bikes would not have gotten me there AND Id have never learned the real skill I did on a heavier bikes not intended for it. But after years of that I just missed actual exploring and just riding around. And after having the skill I do now, riding the Dual Sport became a lot easier offroad and I could tackle anything on it. So now I have the best of both worlds, cuz I went and tried 11 different bikes since '16 and know from experience, not Bro on Internet. U definitely wont regret trying other bikes, and for your riding currently its a great choice to open up new riding. But I really like what u said at the end, bout not writing off the DR. Cuz at some point in your riding career, its going to feel like coming back home jumping on one again.
I love a Suzuki. I’ve had a Dr650 and 3 drz400’s. They’re fantastic bikes and I’d recommend them to anyone asking. But my KTM’s are more capable bikes. In my family we have two 300’s, a 1998 and a 2018 and they’re hard to beat. They’re also very expensive. We have a 250 four stroke my son rides and my trusty 450. My 450 is the most capable “dual sport “ I’ve owned. It’s also much closer to a dirt bike than a dual sport. The reduced weight, extra power and modern tech on the Ktm bikes just put them in a different category. That being said if I had to get back on a Dr650 I wouldn’t feel terrible.
I did the exact same thing, DR650 to 2017 KTM500 Exe. Like you very fond of the DR deliberated for months on the change n d finally did it, that was 5 years ago. Never looked back, over 200 hrs on the 500 and all I’ve done except oils and filters is a new battery.
I have a KLR 650 and considered trading it in for a KTM 500. I didn’t do it. I now have both and currently have a half dozen bikes in the garage. I love the ktm 500 but if I can have only 1 bike it would be the KLR or a DR650.
In 2006 I did 17 rims from the DR400SM for my 04 DR650, used the 400 speedo drive with handmade spacer for street riding. Was never happy with the front fork. Got an 08 450EXCR, put Behr 17s on it, then RaceTech springs f/r !! Let's Rock !! Put a bunch more stuff on the KTM for street riding cause it was so much fun !! Had I been able to make the forks better on the DR, I would have kept it- THAT WAS A STUMP PULLER !!
I’ve only owned Japanese bikes, but I’m finally considering a KTM, the 2024 790 Adventure. KTM just announced the USA price is $10,990 and that is just too damn tempting.
The 790 is made in India, hence the tempting price. I would go for the 890R (or the 690R) instead which is, I believe, Made in Austria. The 690 is a thumper.
I’ve had 2 xr650’s,3 klr650’s,1 ktm adv1190r, and now have a ktm 690 enduro. That’s not including many sport bikes of 1000cc. Hands down, I enjoy the 690 the most........so far. I tried getting the 500 you have,but here in Colorado, they’re made of gold.
I've ridden thousands of KM on a DR650, and I now own a Husqvarna 450 which is a close relative of the 500 EXC. Both the DR and the KTM are fantastic bikes. If I'm riding challenging single track I want the KTM. If I'm riding around the world I would pick the DR. Different tools for different jobs.
☺nice video!! i have a 2020 500excf and i love it!!! i did 8 869km last summer, on and off road... i also use the d606 and their pretty good for the trail we have(im in New-Brunswick)
I’m planning the same, I have DesertX and thinking of trading it in with Beta 500 RRS. Falling is okay, but lifting a 220kgs will drain your energy. - Or keep the DesertX and get a Honda CRF250F 😂
Previous to my Norden 901 I have had 5-6 Japanese dual sports. I was hesitant given KTMs reputation but after shopping for a new bike I ALMOST pulled the trigger on an FE501 or a KTM 500 EXC. The reason I didnt is more so maintenance than the reliability. I think some folks bought used KTMs and either the previous owner, or the new one didnt follow maintenance like new pistons and valve adjustments as prescribed and they blew up. All my buddies have had great luck with theirs if they stick to the manuals schedule. But I didnt want to wrench on my bike that much since I ride 12,000 miles a year and chose a larger bike with more spread out service intervals. The Norden matches or beats the Africa Twin in that regard. If you are using one the way you are I think the 500 EXC is a perfect bike. But its not like the DR650 where you can ride it across the country, beat on it, and ride it home too often without a major teardown and some money spent.
The only bike I've ever ridden is my 2015 Husqvarna 501. I really can't imagine having less power, and the weight! They actually make bikes heavier? That just doesn't make sense to me. I love it. Even for a first moto it was a pleasure to learn on. 2 months in I was doing wheelies, ripping up fire roads at 50mph. Just too good. The fuel pump did go out, but replaced with a taco moto 3k hr, no problems since. However, I am interested in the 701.
I sure would buy another bike but I truly couldn’t see myself selling any bike I’ve got right now I’ve got a few bikes 3 in all two Yamaha and a Suzuki GSXR 1000 03 just finished a valve inspection on it , a 2001 yz 250 two stroke and a WR 250F 2023 , I’ll rebuild them all when they need to be . I want the 2024 yz450fx
If you'll replace your clutch dampers, you will get rid of a lot of the vibrations. they wear out, but still continue to work. super easy to do as well. Nice video.
I do miss my 500 and will likely buy another at some point to make it into the DS and desert bike. Sold mine with 17,000 km of 95% off road with all original motor. I adjusted the valves twice as they never moved. I wonder what suspension your bike has, was it modified by the previous owner for Baja? The 450 on the SxS - priceless lol. Sub'd as I can appreciate the time it take to make videos.
Sick video I got to Meet and ride with Darrin in the spring of 2023 dudes wild lol Great guy tho personally I’d love to see something like a 300 or 250 smoker and maybe some more single track or the odd xc or enduro ps u should come to the corduroy enduro in Ontario just look it up Trust me
Thanks for your report on the 500. I have a 2017 DR650 and love it but it is just to heavy. I crashed this year in sand and got my leg twisted order the bike it has taken its toll on my leg 7 months and it is just about better. The DR is just not a great bike in sand.
Sorry to hear that, I have also tried the Dr650 in the sand with very little success. I’m a sure a better rider than I could manage but it’s not for me. The 500 did amazing in the sand
I just swapped from a CCM 644 (which has the DR650 engine and WP suspension) to a KTM 350 and I don't regret it at all and I'm enjoying riding way more now I don't feel like I'm fighting the weight of the bike constantly.
Hi, well, i did exactly the same, traded my dr650 for a 2014 ktm 500 xcw, same gas tank, fully equiped from a baja rider, and i also have to change clutch Maybe you are my lost twin😂 No regrets at all, well, saludos from guadalajara mexico
I have a 2008 DR650. 30000 miles. I just got a 500 EXC after riding one for a day in Utah. There is no comparison off road. The DR650 is NOT fun to ride on technical trails. Can it do it? Sure. Can I do it? No. You aren't gonna learn how to ride a DR650 in nasty crap by starting out on a DR650. That said, I still have my DR and I love it for what it is. I won't be selling it, and I'm running the 500 on the more technical trails with road mixed in to connect. I love my DR650, but there are a lot of cultish followers of the bike for some reason.
I have a '15 500. Barkbuster bar-end weights do a great job of quelling the vibration through the bars. I add Pivot Pegz to all my dirt bikes and was pleasantly surprised to find that they also reduced the foot peg vibrations on the 500.
Those are good tips! I know some people running the FastWay Flex bars, those have different softness of bushings you can run to help get rid of some vibrations and supposed to help with arm pump a bit. But I haven’t tried them myself. I’ll check out the Pivot Pegs!
@@rangeroadmoto I was thinking about the flex bars and other options but figured I’d try the bar-end weights first as they’re only about $40. Saved a few hundred bucks there. They’d probably fit your guards as well.
An Obvious statement I know but if it’s used as an ADV bike it won’t be pushed no where near as hard as a pinned out race so it makes sense you can push the service intervals out. The service recommendations are for the intended use of racing I would suspect.
100% agree with you on that one. I don’t think ktm states 500miles of racing for the oil change intervals, but it’s safe to assume it’s 500 miles of violence.
Congratulations on getting a true DS bike and giving up the mini budget adv bike . All bikes are a compromise and you really can't compare a dr to a 500 exc , maybe a 690 but still really not on the same field.
ha ha I still have my 92 DR650 and love it, IF I could only have one bike IT MIGHT come out of the container again but I have three active bikes beta 390, Kove 450 and Tiger 800. Enjoy the new bike buddy.
That’s awesome, it’ll probably outlast all your other bikes just out sheer stubbornness haha. How you like the Kove? I filmed a video on it but still gotta edit the video about it
@rangeroadmoto I am loving it. I ride Dualsport aggressively and do Rally stuff down south so it suits me well. The poor Beta 390 (I love it still) will likely only see single track use now and the Tiger just rides with my wife as pillion. The kove fills everything in between quite nicely
Sold an '11 DR several years back after riding and still owning a plated It-490. The engine pulled really strong but stiff springs overwhelmed the suspension and it just wasn't fun. Wanted to two up with my wife but the pass. pegs were uselessly high. Still searching but I'm allergic to radiators, always have been!
Honestly the 690 Enduro was what I was looking for, then this came up for a good deal. I still think I might grab one of those. I have ridden a couple of them and always had a blast.
@@rangeroadmoto Awesome. I haven't tried one yet, but I think that's what I'm after. I have a dream of doing stuff like the Boreal Royale. Are you in Edmonton?
That bike is unbreakable- trust me !! 😉. Great video Blake, glad the 5 hundo is working great for you !! Keep rippin and recording
Thank you Darrin for selling me the bike! I hope you’ve changed your underwear since, I think about it every time I sit on the seat ❤️
Truly, the best thing is to have both a DR650 and a 500. I have both and use them for different types of riding.
You’re a smart man
@@rangeroadmoto are those blue bikes Yamaha WR450s
I have both. The KTM is for offroad and dualsport. DR is a great lightweight adv bike. My wife and I ride 2 up all day for multiple days on the DR. We love it. If we do mostly road or go camping we take the KTM 790 Adventure.
I used to own a DR650. I sold it a long time ago. I bought a 2013 KTM500EXC with 19,000 miles on it. Yes, very high miles as the guy that I bought it from was using it as a supermoto bike. I road it hard and fast after I bought it. Eventually around 21,000 miles It started chugging and I pulled the motor apart. The lower con-rod bearing finally went and it had up and down play. KTM ended up changing that particular bearing on the 2014 and 2015 motors. If you look at the parts fiche for the 2013 motor you will see the changed part number. I rebuilt the motor with an oem 2014/2015 KTM crank with the newer bearing. I just went over 23,000 miles on a our Black Friday ride yesterday and she runs amazing. People love to hate on KTM's but my 500EXC is hands-down the best bike I've ever owned. I have had quite a few bikes. It's light and very powerful. Hope you have fun on yours!
Thats awesome!
That’s good to know about the pre 2014’s, and good to know I can swap the updates parts in there.
500EXC as a supermoto (without a cush drive rear hub) means wear in the axle spindles of the front sprocket and high revs usage. Thankfully KTM has a system in the front axle to take away the 1:1 forces of the rear wheel to the engine axle, with some rubber inserts that need checking, that is if you ride the thing a lot on the road and like to back the rear wheel up with aggressive downshifting, engine braking (supermoto, sliding the rear into corners, style).
I got my 2012 with 180hs and I'm at 350+ now with no problems whatsoever. It was (and is) an enduro bike though, ridden almost exclusively on dirt. It's been great and now has 13500K kms or about 8K miles.
I agree it is one of the best bikes I’ve ever owned and the only bike I own that’s better than me. I can outride every bike I have currently and every one I’ve owned previously. I have a KLR and getting to and from on the highway or just regular old commuting the KLR is my favorite bike I currently own. I suspect folks with the DR could probably say the same.
64 year old 701 rider who is now subscribed.
Great video
The dealer I worked at couldn't keep KTMs in stock. Sold the jap "Big 4" too !!
But as an adventure bike?? I got my 2021 DR with 5000 miles, took off in March living full time off the bike and 9 months later added 33,000 miles on all kinds of terrain, crossed the country and back to Florida wandering twice and rode the Dempster Highway to Tuktoyaktuk all with my dog and a more than full load as it's home. To me anyway, that's an adventure bike profile and with 38,000 miles now it's never missed a beat. I just hear - from your excellent review that the ktm is a better offroad bike which is no shock. I guess it's all about mission. Thanks for the great review. If we ever downgrade to Van life with a ride along bike then that might be the one.
That's the thing with KTM, People hate on them and say they are unreliable who don't have them. As long as you replace the parts with OEM or higher quality and do the service the manual says before or on time but not a min later then it will last forever. I have a 250XC-F I rode the piss out of. It's got 600 hours of HARD riding on it and the only thing that has been done is shimming the valves at 300 hours. The bike starts and runs great. Been jumped and swamped. I have 7 KTM bikes 250 to 890, none of which I have been disappointed in.
I kept going back and forth between the DR and a 500 exc as a lightweight adv bike. Ended up with the DR and have loved every second of it, but I’m still KTM curious and I know some day I’ll make the same transition. Glad to hear it’s a step in the right direction for having more fun!
I’m KTM curious too. Are we allowed to say that?
I still have a DR, but also got an 890R, which is a real eye opener. The extra 100lbs of the 890 over the DR makes a real difference, better on road, very big off road, fine on most any dirt road...but at near 500lbs gotta go the pace it likes.
The expense is gut wrenching, but once you own and ride one, its easy to forget how much you spent. I just dropped about $17k into a 2024 500exc and felt sick to my stomach for a week or so. I only spent like $13k on my 2007 R1 when it was new, which seems like a lot more bike. But, once all my parts were in and I was riding a built 500exc that I can woods and supermoto, I don't care about the money anymore. The bike is very awesome and I am not stuck wondering what "more" would be like for the next 6-7 years, if I had just paid for it.
Keep DR and get an light 300 ktm. Win.
Ride a DR and then ride a KTM then make your decision. Anything can be ridden off road, how fun was it?
I bought a 2008 KTM 450 EXC-R with only 200 miles on it this summer. I've been riding heavier dual sports my entire life and I also own a 690. The 450 has taken me places I NEVER thought Id dare to go on a bike. I know its an old bike but its amazingly nimble and I love it!
I recently sold my dr 650 and bought a ktm 990. Loved your video.
Totally agree there is a world of bikes out there to try. Why settle? Not all who wander are lost.
I have ridden the 990 a couple times, what an awesome bike! I love the sound of that motor
A new bike every year or two sounds great. That's what I've been doing so far, but I might settle on my T7... to be continued haha
well done fella , cool video loved it :-) as for the EXC, well , people just want to hate the 500 because KTM, mine is 6k miles in one year - lots of terrain, mud , English winter, loads of rain, sand, rocks, roads, rivers, mountains - amazing bikes - you made a good move - kush are easy to buy, phds for the bars too if people can't handle the vibes which really arent so bad as the bikes lug at such low revs at 60mph on road anyway - stay on top of oil and air filter and they are fine, i know nobody who has serious trouble with theirs and i must know about 15 x 500 owners who i ride with in different parts of the country - DR etc are on my eyeline as a 2nd bike for doing the stuff the 500 finds boring, but the problem is the 500 is just so much fun and each time you think you want a relaxed bike to partner up, all i have to do is start it up - get on the pegs and twist the throttle, a nanosecond later and i forget everything except the smiles.... #exc life
I own both a '00 dr650 and a '14 500 exc. Both are great bikes and have their place. If my dr was worth more than it shadow it would probably have been moved for some twin cylinder bike but it got lots of miles, the frame has been broken and welded, and the motor is tired. All that said it puts a smile on my face.
My DR runs great, looks great, its all set up and ready to go. But like you say they have no value used. I would have to part it out on ebay to get any money out of it. I did get an 890R, a very different animal.
I too have purchased a 2013 ktm 500 EXC. I have it on the road and love taking it to work, then trail riding home at the end of the day. It has only 5500 kilometres and I assume it will continue to be trouble free for a long time to come. It’s amazing how it crawls through tough single track, then rockets upwards of 125 km/h on the roads home (if I feel like pushing it). What an incredible bike. Hope you have many more trouble free miles.
That was a fun looking ride. I ride a 2014 KTM 450xcw and it is a blast for everything. The 6 speed transmission is a major reason why I chose it. And I bought a 450 because they absolutely terrorize all off road terrains.
Nah, a 500 is better - unless you race it of course! More oomph everywhere less the power peak, the linearness of the 500's engine does indeed allow one to ride absolutely anywhere ..... which one will then do too, and therefore one will enjoy it more (and infinitely more than a pig like the DR650, come on now, that's an antique behemoth in comparison!).
I have owned my Honda XL600R for 20 years and have ridden every rideable peak in Colorado and New Mexico and thought I'd never want or need another bike...until the electrical system died on me four days before I had planned to go on a dual sport rally. I really wanted to go but knew the troubleshooting and fixing the XL was going to take longer than I had so I searched for an inexpensive used bike. I found a KTM 400exc for a decent price. It already had the Enduro Engineering setup installed so it was street legal, as that was #1 in my decision-making. I test rode it, and was sold (literally). You are correct, these bikes have a crap ton of power, either on a wheelie or roosting through the first 3 almost 4 gears and really haven't ever needed the 6th gear yet. It has gotten me out of many situations I thought I'd eat it for sure. The one thing I need to change (or get used to) is it's got too much throttle for tight single track - I barely touch it and it rips.
Maintenance is the reason i dont switch from dr to exc500 or kove 450. Good luck with your racing and race bike. One day when someone builds a modern 400-500cc dual sport thats at least 40 lbs lighter than the dr, ill get one!
I replaced my very brilliant and well spec’d DR650 with a very brilliant CRF450L. The DR is the better lightweight Adv bike as I can ride it longer than the 450 but the 450 is obviously the better dirt bike. The real beauty of the 450 is the weight. If I’m going down, a leg can hold it up. With the DR which was raised to a 36 inch seat heat, if it was going, it was going. I miss my DR650 so darn much but I replaced it with a 2013 R1200GS which is in itself an excellent bike.
I have a 2012 500 EXC with about 40,000 km and almost 800 hours. I ride it hard off-road, and occasionally on-road with my supermoto setup. I also ride it on the lake in the winter with ice screws/studded tires. The only mechanical issue I have had is one exhaust valve was off a bit and needed a different size shim. Regular valve checks, oil and filter changes, and air filter cleanings have kept it running like a top. It still has tons of power too.
I love to hear that kinda thing, I love the 500!
Same basic story for me, traded my Harley for a Suzuki DR and it got me wildly into adventure riding and off road. I went to the 690 and still own it, just can’t sell it, but looking for a 350 or 500 now to compliment the other bikes.
Good video.
I'm at the same spot you're at except I have my crf300L and my Ktm 690 and looking for a 450L or 500 exc. Going to see which is the one I'm going to keep. 3 enter, 1 remains.
Started doing allroad on en Triumph Tiger 900 mk1. That bike introduced me to allroad riding; just like your DR did. Than i bought a KTM 520 EXC.... In the beginning the power scared me and the agility was almost unbelievable! Especially when i put on more offroad oriented knobbied. The 520 gives so much confidence in everything I do with it. Really loved your video and I can admit that the EXC is so much fun!!! Keep up the great work!! Greatings form Holland!
Definitely a fun bike off road. Congrats. I've still got my DR650, I'm keeping it for the long run.
Thanks man!
Also Dude your video is doing amazingly well! So awesome to see.
Thanks dude. Good to see you making new videos too. @@rangeroadmoto
I went from a drz400 to the exc350. Never looked back. 300+lbs vs 250 lbs. You made a good choice.
You made the correct choice. I had 3 DRs, the last one with everything including a Procycle 790 kit.The 500 runs rings around a DR or anything else in the dirt, plus it is more powerful, has good suspension and is 45 kg lighter.
As for reliability, lots of owners are getting 50,000 km+ with routine maintenance and they are capable of rtw trips. One New Zealander rode his 140,000 km around the world. Don’t believe any of the ill informed garbage about servicing intervals. You will never regret owing the 500.
That New Zealander did a complete rebuild on his 500 KTM engine at about 20,000 miles.
I couldnt see why he wanted a 12" travel dirtbike with a plate to ride places my DR would do easily. Why did he do it? It attracted attention to him and his internet presence.
A tall buzzy 500 single going down the hiway, its not for everybody.
Fun video! Nice to see the bike in action up north and glad you are happy with the new wheels!
Thanks for the rides along with the XR and looking forward to more Trail riding and Gravel Road adventures next Spring!!
You cant go wrong with the DR for the price. Powerful, solid, reliable, cheap. The ONLY thing bad about the 500exc IS the price! They charge you a lot for the advantages. I bought a 2021 DRZ400 to break into the enduro world after being stuck on the road, or dirt exclusively for the last 40 years and have come to love and appreciate the bike, but after buying it, then dumping $ into it, it just didn't have the power delivery to excite. Still have the DRZ, but just bought a 2024 500exc and invested about 17k in the bike. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about that, but it is literally the most fun I have ever had riding any bike, anywhere. It lugs, it rips and is still so light, it feels like you are riding a BMX bike compared to the DRZ400. If you are tired of being disappointed and you know that you want to check all the boxes on your next bike purchase to avoid similar disappointment, spend the money and ride something that impresses you every single time you ride it!
Doesnt the DRZ lack like 10-15hp at most compared to the KTM? I know I know its also heavier by alot which makes a bike alot chunkier.
I like my friends 2004 KX250 2-stroke more in the woods than my other friends 2002 ktm exc300. The kawasaki feels more nimble, more stable front end, alot snappier and rev happier and it really makes you lust for a good stretch of road to hit the powerband and fly 🤤 Damn I fell in love when I tried it with enduro spikes on the snow. KTM vibrates alot more aswell, almost like it doesnt want to rev and accelerate but lug like a tractor 😛
My DT125 feels like a middle ground, heavier than both bikes but feels lighter than the KTM, is alot softer and comfier in tight woods but lacks the fun power.
Does better MPG though and spares are found everywhere.
@@eamh2002 It feels like 100hp difference when you ride it. The weight is noticeable, when you are controlling the bike, but not a huge deal. The lack of power on tap was the biggest deal for me. I bought the DRZ in 2021 thinking it was a semi-modern 400 and that a pipe and jet kit would wake it up. Didn't really notice a big difference after upgrading intake, exhaust and jetting, other than noise. My stock KTM 500exc would smoke my modified DRZ. No competition at all. I put a Fastway end cap, power commander, desmogged and pulled the reeds out of the airbox on the 500 and it will now clutch up easy in 4th gear at 60mph and ride a wheelie foreverrrrr. On the DRZ, I have to crush clutch and pull on the handlebars in 2nd gear at 15-20mph to get the front wheel up. No comparison at all on power, but I do like the DRZ for its simplicity and reliability. Im keeping it for those reasons specifically. KTM does vibrate, but man does it lug. When I am on the road riding, Im in 5th a lot and don't realize it until I downshift a few times because it still lugs at 35mph and increases RPMs like its in 3rd or 4th.
Luckily I own both! Got my DR set up for adv riding and the Husky is for dirt. Been riding alberta for years and never heard of that event!
Great vid!
I had a fully set up DR - blew up the gearbox at 28000 kilometers. Thought it was a fantastic bike.
Got a KTM790 and well, I have awoken from my DR induced coma and occasionally have awful PTSD moments when I think about the DR (shudder).
Awesome revue! Thanks for the great editing.... first class and very entertaining.
I got a high mileage fe501 as well, 26k on it and it still rips hard. My dr650 was a fun bike but around the same mileage it smoked and needed a rebuild. 5 years ago when you could find a used dr650 for 2000 cad they made a lot of sense. Now everyone wants 4500 for that or a drz400 it makes more sense to spend a bit more for a ktm 500.
Congrats on the new to you bike, Ktm 500 is one of the best bikes ever produced, you won’t be disappointed! just found your channel and subbed. Ride on 🤙
Thanks man!
Great video brother!!... I concur, life is a ride and if you ♥ motorcycles get out there and ride as many as you can!! I have enjoyed all the bikes and scooter that you have had on your channel.... Keep growing & learning and when you can make time even if it is for an afternoon..... get yourself some " throttle therapy"!!!... Congrats on the new addition to your Family( motorcycle & baby😀👍👍)... truly enjoy your channel and content.
Dang it, I bought a DR partly because of your vids...don't really like it. That 500 looks fun, I think I want a street legal xr600 or a mega scooter :) love ya too bud
I’m a KLR guy but this was a great video! Entertaining hearing your thoughts on the bikes with lots of great footage. Looked sloppy AF!
Just upgrade from a 88‘ 650 to a 12’ 350 EXC-F. Similar story with the good deal. Haven‘t ridden it yet except for in the garage… 😂
Great video! I went from a DR to CRF450L. Unreal machine compared to the DR. Totally agree, DR is a gateway bike.
I can relate. I had a XR650R for a few years. After my KLR i thought I was in heaven and would never sell the XR, it was so good and I was so happy with it. However fate intervened and I ended up with a 2018 500exc. This bike is amazing, it does everything i want it to, it is so forgiving and allows me to attempt routes I would never have tried on the XR. Obviously the XR was better on open stuff and paved roads, but for everything else there is just no comparison.
I have a 21 500 excf and a 22 890 adv. The 500 is definitely more fun off pavement. I added a steering dampener to it and it really makes it handle a lot better especially in deep sand and mud. I change oil around every 35 hours and its fine. Just changed the oem clutch rubbers at 97 hours. they needed replacing.
Great video, looking for an upgrade from the 250L and this helps!
I’m currently editing a video on the Crf300L!
Had the same thing when I sold the KLR for an Africa twin. People will hate on you because they know they can’t handle the bigger bike. The KLR does most everything you want to do but it’s not exciting. The AT does it all better.
Yeah I don’t really understand why some people seem to get offended if you want to try a different bike. If they are still riding a dr650 or a klr and always have been how are they going to know if I will regret it 🤔.
I love motorcycles as a whole and I am going to keep trying different bikes!
Thanks for watching
As for vibration and maintenance, just balance the wheels and put a cush hub on . As for maintenance focus on keeping the air filter clean and oiled , change oil often and it will out last cheaper Japanese bikes. Tires go tublis low pressure and softer rubber tires for about 3 times the traction of a 606.
Did you throw a cush in yours?
@@rangeroadmoto i did run a cush drive on a older 525 exc , between balancing the wheels and using the cush hub it was night and day smoother on the road.
Great video, I'm going on 4 years since I bought my dr650, trail riding, sand and Cali and AZ baby-heads. I not riding my 07 1200gs or 17 Africa twin in the trails anymore. I'm 62 this summer been thinking about going smaller displacement and lighter weight....have a nice day.
Valve checks at that frequency are only needed if you are stacking big miles on the bike annually. Rarely do you hear of anyone having valves out of spec and in need of adjustment. Swap the oil every 800-1500 miles depending on how and where you ride or at least annually if it sits most of the year. Oil is cheap and it takes very little time to do, not an issue except for lazy/incompetent or those that want something to nitpick about the bike.
The 500 is the best Swiss Army dual sport out there, the power to weight ratio is amazing, especially when unlocked with an ECU and exhaust. The suspension is top rate and the aftermarket is huge. I love mine and I will be hanging onto it for many years to be used as a dual sport weapon and annual BDR steed. Congrats on your 500, you will love it and while the DR is a legend in it's own right, I doubt you'll miss it much going forward.
Great honest video. If u listen to Bro on Internet, he will always tell you that the best Dual Sport is always the lightest, most powerful with best suspension...no matter what. That would be a YZ450F with a headlight and plate. I think a better classification for the KTM groups of 350/500's would be plated Enduro, not Dual Sport. What they excel at is offroad riding, but lacking the comfort and durability to put on 10k miles. Where the Japan Dual Sports can handle light enduro, but are best for just cruising/exploring trails and putting on tons of hassle free miles. People need to be realistic in their riding terrain instead of listening to others telling them whats best for them. If u ride in groups of riders who all have 1 type of bike, or course the other type will "suck" as its out of its comfort zone. U are doing exactly what I did years ago. After years of Dual Sport I finally went to Enduro riding, then proceeded to Offroad Only cuz the Enduro was still too street orientated. Went all over Baja, mnt's and desert and glad I went that route cuz the other bikes would not have gotten me there AND Id have never learned the real skill I did on a heavier bikes not intended for it. But after years of that I just missed actual exploring and just riding around. And after having the skill I do now, riding the Dual Sport became a lot easier offroad and I could tackle anything on it. So now I have the best of both worlds, cuz I went and tried 11 different bikes since '16 and know from experience, not Bro on Internet. U definitely wont regret trying other bikes, and for your riding currently its a great choice to open up new riding. But I really like what u said at the end, bout not writing off the DR. Cuz at some point in your riding career, its going to feel like coming back home jumping on one again.
No Weak Sauce!! Subscribed👍.
Love this channel man. One of my favorites. Keep making videos!!
I love a Suzuki. I’ve had a Dr650 and 3 drz400’s. They’re fantastic bikes and I’d recommend them to anyone asking. But my KTM’s are more capable bikes. In my family we have two 300’s, a 1998 and a 2018 and they’re hard to beat. They’re also very expensive. We have a 250 four stroke my son rides and my trusty 450. My 450 is the most capable “dual sport “ I’ve owned. It’s also much closer to a dirt bike than a dual sport. The reduced weight, extra power and modern tech on the Ktm bikes just put them in a different category. That being said if I had to get back on a Dr650 I wouldn’t feel terrible.
What an awesome video. Well done. So nice to watch, it just blew past in an instant. Awesome!🎉
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it
I did the exact same thing, DR650 to 2017 KTM500 Exe. Like you very fond of the DR deliberated for months on the change n d finally did it, that was 5 years ago. Never looked back, over 200 hrs on the 500 and all I’ve done except oils and filters is a new battery.
I have a KLR 650 and considered trading it in for a KTM 500. I didn’t do it. I now have both and currently have a half dozen bikes in the garage. I love the ktm 500 but if I can have only 1 bike it would be the KLR or a DR650.
Those are both great bikes, there was a Klr that came with us on the event in the video. He was having a blast
In 2006 I did 17 rims from the DR400SM for my 04 DR650, used the 400 speedo drive with handmade spacer for street riding. Was never happy with the front fork. Got an 08 450EXCR, put Behr 17s on it, then RaceTech springs f/r !! Let's Rock !! Put a bunch more stuff on the KTM for street riding cause it was so much fun !! Had I been able to make the forks better on the DR, I would have kept it- THAT WAS A STUMP PULLER !!
Just stumbled across this channel, super impressed dude! Great camera work and editing, super interesting topics, keep it up!
Really appreciate that Nathan! I’m editing as we speak 🙏
You actually upgraded. The DR650 is a mule/tractor of a bike that is jack of all trades but master of none.. the KTM 500 is a master of dirt.
This video was brilliantly put together - I really enjoyed it thank you
Thank you so much Sophie! Glad you liked it
Once you are on a KTM nothing else matters! Had a 525 but have to say the 450 is so much easier to ride fast and less tiring !
I’ve only owned Japanese bikes, but I’m finally considering a KTM, the 2024 790 Adventure. KTM just announced the USA price is $10,990 and that is just too damn tempting.
The 790 is made in India, hence the tempting price. I would go for the 890R (or the 690R) instead which is, I believe, Made in Austria. The 690 is a thumper.
Drz400s guy here, always dreaming of lighter and faster. Good video.
I’ve had 2 xr650’s,3 klr650’s,1 ktm adv1190r, and now have a ktm 690 enduro. That’s not including many sport bikes of 1000cc. Hands down, I enjoy the 690 the most........so far. I tried getting the 500 you have,but here in Colorado, they’re made of gold.
I've ridden thousands of KM on a DR650, and I now own a Husqvarna 450 which is a close relative of the 500 EXC. Both the DR and the KTM are fantastic bikes. If I'm riding challenging single track I want the KTM. If I'm riding around the world I would pick the DR. Different tools for different jobs.
Yeah that’s a really good point! I would probably take the Dr as well for that mission
Stoked to have found your channel. My first video was Amazing. Keep up the good work.
I had a KTM 525 at 60 years old I loved it.
That’s awesome,l!
☺nice video!! i have a 2020 500excf and i love it!!! i did 8 869km last summer, on and off road... i also use the d606 and their pretty good for the trail we have(im in New-Brunswick)
When KTMs are working, they’re great. Have a good time!
I’m planning the same, I have DesertX and thinking of trading it in with Beta 500 RRS. Falling is okay, but lifting a 220kgs will drain your energy. - Or keep the DesertX and get a Honda CRF250F 😂
Incredible video Blake!! I’ve also actually gone from a DR650 to a KTM 500 and don’t miss the ole DR one bit!
Thank you friend 😬 I always forget you had a dr650!
Beautiful weekend adv bike, so much fun to ride. Man that looked greasy, drunk driving simulator is a good description.
Hahahah amazing intro. (I didn’t take my finger off and there will be more…)
…
Finished it. Fantastic. Can’t wait to ride our 500s together.
Another great video! Watched your rally one too -- consistently punching above your weight class, keep it up :)
Great video! Thanks for sharing! 👍🏻🍻🇺🇸🇨🇦🏍
Previous to my Norden 901 I have had 5-6 Japanese dual sports. I was hesitant given KTMs reputation but after shopping for a new bike I ALMOST pulled the trigger on an FE501 or a KTM 500 EXC. The reason I didnt is more so maintenance than the reliability. I think some folks bought used KTMs and either the previous owner, or the new one didnt follow maintenance like new pistons and valve adjustments as prescribed and they blew up. All my buddies have had great luck with theirs if they stick to the manuals schedule. But I didnt want to wrench on my bike that much since I ride 12,000 miles a year and chose a larger bike with more spread out service intervals. The Norden matches or beats the Africa Twin in that regard. If you are using one the way you are I think the 500 EXC is a perfect bike. But its not like the DR650 where you can ride it across the country, beat on it, and ride it home too often without a major teardown and some money spent.
The only bike I've ever ridden is my 2015 Husqvarna 501. I really can't imagine having less power, and the weight! They actually make bikes heavier? That just doesn't make sense to me. I love it. Even for a first moto it was a pleasure to learn on. 2 months in I was doing wheelies, ripping up fire roads at 50mph. Just too good. The fuel pump did go out, but replaced with a taco moto 3k hr, no problems since. However, I am interested in the 701.
The oil change and valves is a deal breaker for me. That's way too much maintenance.
I sure would buy another bike but I truly couldn’t see myself selling any bike I’ve got right now I’ve got a few bikes 3 in all two Yamaha and a Suzuki GSXR 1000 03 just finished a valve inspection on it , a 2001 yz 250 two stroke and a WR 250F 2023 , I’ll rebuild them all when they need to be . I want the 2024 yz450fx
Thinking of getting a KLR, just consuming as many videos as possible, Great job!
I know many ppl who love KLR’s!
If you'll replace your clutch dampers, you will get rid of a lot of the vibrations. they wear out, but still continue to work. super easy to do as well. Nice video.
Woah that’s a tip I haven’t heard! Thanks! I’ll look into that.
I do miss my 500 and will likely buy another at some point to make it into the DS and desert bike. Sold mine with 17,000 km of 95% off road with all original motor. I adjusted the valves twice as they never moved. I wonder what suspension your bike has, was it modified by the previous owner for Baja? The 450 on the SxS - priceless lol. Sub'd as I can appreciate the time it take to make videos.
Enjoyed it very much . Thank you . !!
Sick video I got to
Meet and ride with Darrin in the spring of 2023 dudes wild lol Great guy tho personally I’d love to see something like a 300 or 250 smoker and maybe some more single track or the odd xc or enduro ps u should come to the corduroy enduro in Ontario just look it up Trust me
That’s when I met Darrin too! I’ve heard
Multiple ppl tell me about the Corduroy enduro! It sounds rad.
Thanks for your report on the 500. I have a 2017 DR650 and love it but it is just to heavy. I crashed this year in sand and got my leg twisted order the bike it has taken its toll on my leg 7 months and it is just about better. The DR is just not a great bike in sand.
Sorry to hear that, I have also tried the Dr650 in the sand with very little success. I’m a sure a better rider than I could manage but it’s not for me. The 500 did amazing in the sand
I just swapped from a CCM 644 (which has the DR650 engine and WP suspension) to a KTM 350 and I don't regret it at all and I'm enjoying riding way more now I don't feel like I'm fighting the weight of the bike constantly.
Congrats! Killer machine
Livin' the dream! 🧡
Exc500 is the ultimate lightweight dualsport,I have left plenty of bikes in the dust on and offroad on my ktm 525
Also you can get a motomox rear cush drive sproket that fits stock ktm rear wheel.
Very nice job. Appreciate the content and your perspective
Thanks a million! Appreciate you watching
Hi, well, i did exactly the same, traded my dr650 for a 2014 ktm 500 xcw, same gas tank, fully equiped from a baja rider, and i also have to change clutch
Maybe you are my lost twin😂
No regrets at all, well, saludos from guadalajara mexico
Congrats on the 500! Its a great bike. It was between this and the T7 for me, I went with the later though and sometimes itching for a lighter bike
I just got a 2023 T7! Just trying to learn sand better lol I haven't tried anything tighter than quad trails.
I have a 2008 DR650. 30000 miles. I just got a 500 EXC after riding one for a day in Utah. There is no comparison off road. The DR650 is NOT fun to ride on technical trails. Can it do it? Sure. Can I do it? No. You aren't gonna learn how to ride a DR650 in nasty crap by starting out on a DR650. That said, I still have my DR and I love it for what it is. I won't be selling it, and I'm running the 500 on the more technical trails with road mixed in to connect. I love my DR650, but there are a lot of cultish followers of the bike for some reason.
i go back and forth about selling my tw200 for a dr650
Great job on the video! Now you got me looking at a KTM 👍🏽
Not everyone likes em, and I’ve only had one for 6 months but so far it’s been good
Beautiful video
Thank you so much!
I have a '15 500. Barkbuster bar-end weights do a great job of quelling the vibration through the bars. I add Pivot Pegz to all my dirt bikes and was pleasantly surprised to find that they also reduced the foot peg vibrations on the 500.
Those are good tips! I know some people running the FastWay Flex bars, those have different softness of bushings you can run to help get rid of some vibrations and supposed to help with arm pump a bit. But I haven’t tried them myself.
I’ll check out the Pivot Pegs!
@@rangeroadmoto I was thinking about the flex bars and other options but figured I’d try the bar-end weights first as they’re only about $40. Saved a few hundred bucks there. They’d probably fit your guards as well.
An Obvious statement I know but if it’s used as an ADV bike it won’t be pushed no where near as hard as a pinned out race so it makes sense you can push the service intervals out. The service recommendations are for the intended use of racing I would suspect.
100% agree with you on that one. I don’t think ktm states 500miles of racing for the oil change intervals, but it’s safe to assume it’s 500 miles of violence.
awesome Vid, man! cheers! -Nick
Congratulations on getting a true DS bike and giving up the mini budget adv bike . All bikes are a compromise and you really can't compare a dr to a 500 exc , maybe a 690 but still really not on the same field.
Thanks Adam! I’m still super stoked on the 500. Originally I was actually looking at a 690, tbh I still might end up with one.
You had me at big headlight
Hahah I am a sucker for big headlight life.
Get the Highway dirtbike mirror!!!
You already have the hand guards
ha ha I still have my 92 DR650 and love it, IF I could only have one bike IT MIGHT come out of the container again but I have three active bikes beta 390, Kove 450 and Tiger 800. Enjoy the new bike buddy.
That’s awesome, it’ll probably outlast all your other bikes just out sheer stubbornness haha.
How you like the Kove? I filmed a video on it but still gotta edit the video about it
@rangeroadmoto I am loving it. I ride Dualsport aggressively and do Rally stuff down south so it suits me well. The poor Beta 390 (I love it still) will likely only see single track use now and the Tiger just rides with my wife as pillion. The kove fills everything in between quite nicely
Great video, I appreciate everything you put into it. We share the same moto passion.
Thanks man! Appreciate that
Great stuff, thanks!
Sold an '11 DR several years back after riding and still owning a plated It-490. The engine pulled really strong but stiff springs overwhelmed the suspension and it just wasn't fun. Wanted to two up with my wife but the pass. pegs were uselessly high. Still searching but I'm allergic to radiators, always have been!
Great journey!!
Thank you!!
Dw I did my 06 DR650 for a 07 ktm 525EXC, I love it. Monster bike compared to the DR
Glad to hear it's working out. Did you consider or try the 690 enduro? I'm thinking about getting one.
Honestly the 690 Enduro was what I was looking for, then this came up for a good deal.
I still think I might grab one of those. I have ridden a couple of them and always had a blast.
@@rangeroadmoto Awesome. I haven't tried one yet, but I think that's what I'm after. I have a dream of doing stuff like the Boreal Royale. Are you in Edmonton?
moving from the DR family to the KTM family was my recent decision and a good one