96' KTM MXC 550 A.K.A. THOR'S HAMMER. BIG BORE 2 STROKE POWER
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
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Kaplan Cycles LLC
200 West Main St. STE 4
Vernon, CT 06066
The Most Powerful Production KTM 2 Stroke Ever Built
Extremely Rare & Mint Low Hour Original
Limited Production Big Bore 550CC
A 2 Stroke Power House Museum Piece
An Investment Quality Classic
The 550MXC is "The Big Block Chevelle Of Motorcycles"
Super Tuned By The Wizard & Then Frame Up Detailed
Looks & Runs Better Than It Did When New
Showroom Mint Condition
Just Invested Over $5,000.00 in New Parts and Labor
PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO FOR DETAILS
Dismantled To The Frame & Professionally Rebuilt
Mint Original Lower Frame Rails & Swing Arm
VPT2 Fuel
New Fuel Petcock
New Fuel Lines
New Air Filter
New Keihin Air Striker Carb
New Carb Vent Hoses
New Crank Seals
New Clutch Cover Gasket
New KTM Clutch
New MTL Gear Oil
New Spark Plug
New SunStar Gold 520 Drive Chain
New M5B Monster IRC 70M Rear Tire & Tube
New IRC 51M Front Tire & Tube
New Renthal 7/8 Black Handlebars
New Odi Ruffian Half Waffle Hand Grips
New Clutch Lever
New Brake Lever
Tire Pressures Set at 15psi
New KTM Seat Cover
New Hardware
New Front Fender
New Front Number Plate
New Side Number Plates
New Radiator Shrouds
New Staiger Designs Limited Edition Graphics Set
Full Rotisserie Frame Up Detailed
Steam Cleaned, Hand Washed & Degreased
Cleaned And Polished All Cycle Parts
Polished Swing Arm, Exhaust, etc.
Test Ride, Technician’s Note: Amazingly Fast !!
This Beauty is Ready to Show, Ride or Race Today
PLEASE CALL US WITH ANY QUESTIONS
AT 860-454-7024 M-F 9-5
_________________________________________
Sold on Q1 bill of sale, no title is available.
We now offer financing through Freedom Road.
Call 860-454-7024 and speak to Ken Kaplan Jr to get approved.
Message us your ZIP for a shipping quote! - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
Boy, you can tell this man has started way more 500s then probably anybody in the world he made it look like he was kicking a YZ 80🤷🏽♂️💯facts
He is welcome to proof his kick starting skills with my BMW airhead, with leaned down carbs and a lightweight flyweel.
Zooi ist van de booyyen bende , make my own power bike ,as I (god) did wth the ROTTEN powerless RG REES GEKS from janeeleepanneSET. Tijd voor hunne volgende HAHAHAHAGA sjheek down. DIE rotten poep ogen, in oost DEE hebben ze zich de ZIE kte gelachen om die berekenings schweins met foeke rommelpot gedachten.,hunne vUUrwerk tuning leidde tot grote gezichts verliezen ,zelfs bij de allerfoolste,foelkykers. Accus paraat om zich WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR WÉÉR op te laden voor den volgende rONde foelligheid.Overwegen nog steeds de inZET van raceFOEKEN zodat hunne verborgen schweinerij/race misdaden niet ter oplichting worden aangeboden . Zo en nauw for something completely differance de BB s ,BRITSE BENDES. ?.................?....................................................................................the rotten islanden I hate SO much. My hate shallll ze vernietigen. Tis RAAR maar..............WARWAAR. ZE denken nog dat ze de dANs ONtspringen kennen ,door hiunne ROTTERIGE KENNIS den 2 hakt. Doris DAY leipen .KUT gedachten der niederlandische SCWEINErij.tiel,deebiel,meteenveensausje.💀
Bring it on Frankie
In the 70's I raced flat track on a "Bultaco"Racing Team- years later went to Motocross had a Yamaha YZ-250 and got into another class Suzuki RM- 400 that was a total Beast back then..Got a Kawasaki 750 cc 2-stroke street bike, I remember going 60-MPH pulling wheelies on the interstate..Then went to a Harley-Davidson 1200 cc lowrider..Loved Racing Flat-Track to me that was the ultimate adrenaline rush wide open during the whole race you never touch your brakes.Beautiful Bike-Now at 77 years old I would love to take that out in the woods and make it scream so everybody could hear it..Sounds Great-2..🏍💨💥🇺🇸👍
You know the song I got 5 0n it
This guy and his operation is highly underrated
My family has been in the motorcycle business for 50 years and Kaplan is legit OG, bro. Nobody does big bore 2 strokes better. I hope to get to see the museum someday. These are good folks and it's great to see these bikes from the past get some love massaged into them to bring them back to their glory!
Yea" he comes across some pretty cool bikes
Just gorgeous!
It should stay in the museum. The condition & rarity makes it a draw.
This.
It's a 96 it's still new I'd rather break my Thema on it.
That's what I said too! Very rare machine. 💯
@@skyhawk409 Thema? They recondition the bikes to like new cond.
No. It’s made to be driven
Kaplan America never let's us down 👌👌💯
He sure doesn't. He found me my dream streetbike, that I bought from him...a restored from the frame up 1985 Yamaha 2 stroke RZ 350 Kenny Roberts Signature Streetbike, with low mileage.. Bike runs like a striped ass ape!
One of the most gorgeous big bore 500's I've ever seen. Love the colors of the seats, plastics, and graphics!
It's friggin beautiful! I'm in love 💕
I 💯 agree. Might even be the best I've ever seen.👍
I had a 96 550 MXC about 13 years ago. Same bike as this. I bought a new Mahle piston and had the cylinder re-nikasiled. I remember the new piston being about $500. It had so much compression when I put it together that the kickstarter would sloooowly go down with my 220lbs on it. It was on/off power, and when it was on you better hold on! It would carry the front wheel AND spin the rear tire in all gears and conditions. It kept bucking me, wish I’d have kept it now, it was a very nice bike. Great conversation piece.
That first wheelie coming up the hill when the front wheel came up, then was down about to hit pavement but then came back up without much throttle or anywhere near powerband shows just how much torque that beast has. Wow truly a forever bike
I have to admit Kaplan, that's one of the Best looking Motorcycles I've Ever Seen! Humbling for this Kawasaki Guy. Seriously, that I know where that KTM 550 came from- Motorcycle Heaven!
if you never smelled belray, you'll never know true motocross
Yesssssss!!!!!! I had one. This beast was so incredibly insane it’s not even funny. So glad it’s getting a proper spotlight!
When that 550cc belches smoke at 70hp it ain't no joke! Insane 😉 no bud light drinkers need apply.
Love the commentary you never miss a thing, amazing machine thanks for showing us this rare beauti'
That thing exudes torque. Sounds really muscular. And looks beautiful. Good catch, Junior!
This shop is the place to buy big 2 strokes. I cant believe the bikes they find......amazing
Man that purple just looks the business. So much better looking than the boring colours of the new bikes! I've had 2 1997 ktms, one in this honey orange and one in white. These retro style graphics look amazing as usual too kap. Awesome guys keep it up👍💪
I've got one of these, low hour, in Australia. Absolute animal, low to mid range RRrrip your house off the foundations.😆
I had a '96 300MXC... let me tell you it was what, it was serious business. I had Letco weight the flywheel and replace the gearbox to 5 speed close ratio... FmF fatboy. One gear up on countershaft sprocket... I started every GNCC I entered in second gear... It pulled torque like a four stroke. I could race in 3rd to 5th and shifting was minimal.. It just pulled and pulled.
I cant imagine that beast. Wow.
Captain Americe! The Legend on a Legendary Ride.
Honestly guys, I’ve got three of these series motorcycles, the 500 550 and 440 I’ve never seen one that crisp - the Wizard nailed it! It doesn’t even smoke at all. Looks like an absolute gem of a bike you will never regret owning one of these. I’m not gonna bash the Kawasaki KX 500s I’ve got one myself I just finished rebuilding but the quality on these is absolutely mind blowing - a cut above!
If you read the test from the 1990s, the KTM 550 would pull away from the CR 500 and KX 500…. A true legendary bike!! Let’s see the shootout!!!!
The only two stroke with more compression than that would be a Maico 700. Absolutely superb 👌
I have one in my garage it was my race bike from 96 to 2000 . I love your video's they make me smile
I AM 68 Y.O. I AGREE W/ KEN HONDA CR 480/500 WERE AND ARE THE KINGS I OWNED 4 BIG HONDAS BUT POSSIBLY MY FAVORITE BIG 2 STROKE WAS A 1986 KTM 500 MXC ! EVEN W/ BAD BRAKES THE MOTOR WAS SO SMOOTH AND STRONG SO RELIABLE--LOW VIBRATION I WANTED A 550 KTM ! THE BIG CRS WERE FASTER NO DOUBT BUT THE KTMS WERE THE BETTER DESERT BIKES AND I OWNED ALL THE BIG HUSKIES WHICH VIBRATED LIKE SIN CAN-AMS RMS ETC. LOVED MY CRF 450 AND RMZ 450 AND MY INCREDIBLE 2010 HUSKY 300 WMX----AS YOU CAN TELL I LOVED BIG BORE MX BIKES ! GREAT JOB ALWAYS FROM KEN KAPLAN
Looks like a brand new bike! Since you've ridden so many big bore two strokes and are particularly accustomed to the CR500, it would be really interesting to hear your impressions of it compared to others. Things like power delivery, handling, etc would all be very interesting to compare. I hope we still get to see it in your shootouts!
Def excited for that one
We wait with baited breath 👍👍
Absolutely stunning! That may be on my top five list of any/all bikes that I have watched on this channel. And that is saying a lot because I've watched them all. With that being said, I was up at the museum two weeks ago and saw the bike and also saw what they had going on for construction and stuff. I know that they need to sell bikes and raise money, but please keep this one. Stick it in the museum Ken. Again, I saw what you have going on up there and I know the goal is to raise as much money to put back into the business… But let this one be. Keep it! Absolutely gorgeous!!!
In Australia KTM made a 550 EXC which was road registered .. you could legaly ride it on the road... A local company also made a limited run of CR 500's which were road compliant and registered...
Such a sick bike. Sounds like it has loads of bottom end. Wish they still made 500s man.
Now that's a beautiful beautiful bike!!!
Coming back to this again because I just can't get enough. Still one of my favorite top five bikes I think that I have watched on this channel… In all honesty, it's hard to pick but let's just say I absolutely adore this machine!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅
Owned a 86' MXC 500
86' CR 500 and 81 YZ490
Loved every minute!
KTM had quite the lineup big bores in 1996. You had a choice of 300 , 360 , 440 and the 550. And you could get most of these bikes in anything from the enduro EXC .
, Crosscountry/Motocross MXC or the most aggressive SX.
I think I remember the 440 being the fastest out of them......lots of top end
i had the 300 and it scared me more then my 94 Fireblade.. powerband was insane!
The 525 SX is a fun bike. Lots of pull.
I was able to ride the 360 in 2004, trading bikes with a buddy who just bought it. It scared me! The front end just kept coming up in every gear. I was on my 97 cr250 and after getting back on it, my 250 no longer felt intimidating in any way.
I was alowed ride my frend 440, in 200?and I still remember this, its scarre me a lott, Exactly First few Minute on
In high school a buddies dad bought one of those and let me enter the hillclimb series on it. I don't think the bike knew I was on it! All of around 110-120lbs at the time, she barked outta the gate n we won our first one!!!
I had one of these in a series of KTMs..440, 500, 550. All of them are awesome. The 550 is a stump puller. 440 was unbeatable in any drag race, 500 is a like a mix of the 440 and 550.
Sir, you have the most amazing dirt bike I have ever seen. ALL RESPECT IS GIVIN
Crackling of a big bore never gets old it's so satisfying!!!! Late 80's to the lat 90's will always be the Golden Era of dirt bikes, she is absolutely gorgeous bike!!!!
So envious of how effortless he makes riding look, and if you keep this in your bachelor pad you don’t need a mirror to shave in, just use the swingarm.
APTLY NAMED "THORS HAMMER 🔨" . Geez. Talk about a brute bike! The torque must feel like you could rip out sequoia trees from the ground with a chain 🤣 Ken, there's probably only a real handful of people on Earth who have sat on as many different bikes as you have- I hope someday you plan on writing a BOOK because I would love to hear your story from the beginning to the present, in detail, highlighting all of the magical moments and bikes people and places and things you've come across through these years. It sure has been a pleasure since I found your channel a few years ago getting to know you and your family and your adventures. Much love, True from Detroits Eastside, Michigan, USA.
One of my buddies fathers bought one of those brand new back then and it was the sharpest looking bike in the trails. Just that engine sound. Brings back memories. I was riding a 1982 Honda XR80 at the time.
A classic on classic just screams freedom and Kaplan is a true American through and through and is a legend in the motorcycle industry. Let's go Kaplan keep on keeping on because life's like a garden you got to dig it 😂
Owned a 86' MXC 500
86' CR 500 and 81 YZ490
Loved every minute!
Every once in a while I don't know how you guys could ever part with the bikes you sell. This is that once in a while. Everything about that bike is incredible!
Love it! Always wanted one!
Best bike I've ever seen on this channel by far! Can't get enough of that color!
Hi Ken, I'm from the UK, Nottinghamshire, but I feel like you're just around the corner. Love your videos. That KTM is definitely a keeper, so on point. Those right side up forks look so cool.
I'm in Leicestershire not far. Love these videos. Hopefully visit the museum next year on my bucket list. I'm now obsessed with 500's
Bike looks perfect. I happen to own the exact same model for already quite some years (since 2005 if I remember correctly) they are very rare and I have never come across another one in all these years. After having ridden the KTM for some time I bought a 2000 CR500 which I found easier/better handlling and the big KTM is still sitting in my shed. Your video gives me the inspiration to resurrect the old beast again. Thanks!
yeah dont let it rot. someone out there would give it a good home
I think it’s wild how the KTM has everything on the reverse side 💯🤷🏽♂️ crazy
What a monster man you can hear and almost feel the power through my screen
Wow! Now that’s a saweet bike. Super crisp throttle response. On this channel I’ve seen a lot of sweet bikes but this thing in my opinion is top notch. Like you said, “ I think it would take quite a while to get bored with this bike.”
Quite impressive. First time in a while I saw the Kaptain kick start an Open Class Bike.
Kaplan, man you rock! Thanks for all your vidoes showing the love of big bore 2 strokes, Bike week vid and so much more...and all the great memories! Some guys in my class would tip 'er over to start 'em, but I never used to tip my 500's to fill the bowl, I got the jetting pretty good and even my '84 air cooled and '85 water cooled cr 500 fired right up. Key is to get that piston JUST past TDC. My '92 KX 500 was even better at starting and easier to ride in both the fast sections and the tight palmetto sections here in Florida. I remember when my competitor showed up with a new KTM 550 and I was hoping it was too much for him "cause all I had was my little CR500! Love remembering the good ole days and can't wait to come visit Kaplan!!
I love it how the auto subtitle generator thing classifies the engine noise as [music] it certainly is to my ears 😁
That motor sounds crisp... Running great!
Wish I had known that lay over trick with my Yamaha IT-465. I would pull the plug and the fuel line and “prime” the cylinder for a cold start! Couldn’t pull start it or any other trick but started fine after it was warmed up! Rode the good off this bike through the woods of north east Connecticut in the eighties. I recently googled that area and one of my favorite trails would now be through a Walmart parking lot!
What a awesome sounding two stroke. Might be the best I've ever heard . I just love that crackling 🎉🎉🎉
Ive never seen one of those, thats definitely a museum piece... very appealing color scheme
My uncle had one one. I fell in love with KTM and still ride a 400exc and a 1290r super adventure to this day.
I had one of these, set up for desert racing. Bought it in California in the Marines. Boyseen reeds, FMF good series pipe some carb mods and I’m telling you people do not understand. Absolutely would flatten your eyeballs. I shook everytime I got off of it. Also had a 91 KTM 540 I brought back from California. Sold them both for too cheap.
Just incredible! You guys have the nicest examples in the country.
WOW! how did I miss this one? You can SEE the torque plain as day on this monster.
I'm going to set that exhaust note as an alarm on my phone to get me up for work in the morning! Sounds amazing
My friend Myron White collects these in San Bernardino ca.
Has 12. 2 have titanium frames!! Guys 68 & still Rips 💪
I once rode a 1980 KTM 420. Air cooled bike, knew it was powerful so gently got moving in first I double upshifted from first to third and it just ripped. Could have bought it for $400 in 1987 but passed on it. Ended up buying a used 1986 CR 250 which I had many good rides on, great motor. Will never forget that 420. CR 500s never impressed me, rode two. Also a ride on a YZ 490 engine not hot and it was flying.
One of the biggest reason I own and repair vintage motorcycle at my shop in MN. I get to repair/restore vintage bikes and then I get to ride them!!
Came across one of these about 2 years ago. They are sweet!!
I'm bringing back the '80s...that is badass!!! I usually like your videos, but this one is special and one can never go wrong giving props to Gary Nixon! Now you are reminding me to pull out the TIG get on with it and fix my 495s frame rails. Previous owner bashed 'em to shreds.
Just wish this operation was in my neck of the woods. I’d probably would be sleeping at the front door every day. What a job working with such motorcycles everyday.
I raced one of these like 16 years ago. It was a dog on top, but had enough torque to tear a house down. it was actually a pleasant ride engine wise, it wasn't trying to kill you like a cr500 or kx500
Pulled through the gears in a wheelie! Good content! Nice bike!
Thank you that noise brought back a lot of memories. I would bet the AMA wouldn't even let it race against the new bikes because of the noise level. But those were fun times, before the nanner nanners stepped in and made the tracks for 4 strokes. Don't believe me talk to ChatGPS. It will confirm that tracks can be setup to favor heavier bikes over lighter weight bikes. And that is how factory bikes get an edge.
Omg how did this pop up old school ktm fan had the pleasure of buying a brand new exc300 back in the day the first year they went all orange and boy was that a killer bike l raced against all the 250s as that was the ruling and absolutely anhialated them. This bike is like a wet dream come true. Damn
The 550 is like a beautiful diamond ring, one of a kind! The only 550 I ever watched race was in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and it was white!
Prob a 1994 or 1995
I think it was 1994
I think it was 1994
Anybody with weekend riding style would appreciate that jewel❤love it
Great video, I miss mine, I had a 96 KTM 550 mxc out here in West Texas,I owned many CR500 and a couple kx500, this was the best bike I ever owned awesome in the Sandhills
In the magazines if you can find some shootouts from 1992 (Dirt Bike - Desert Stormers test) they stated that the 550 started to pull away from all the bikes in the desert pretty easily including the XR 600 and blew past the CR 500 and the KX 500. However, they said the power is so smooth. They didn’t realize they were actually moving past the KX and CR because it felt like they weren’t going that fast when in fact they were. It’s also was discussed in the 1994 and 1993 shootouts that it was always faster because it would hook up better because of the torque and the smooth power band. Wide open it beat them in drag races. The only challenge at times is the shifting as they don’t shift under power as well as some of the Japanese bikes. However, let’s see what happens with Ken shoot out because here we are 30 years later.
Owned a 86' MXC 500
86' CR 500 and 81 YZ490
Loved every minute!
I remember riding one when they were new, I worked for a Ktm dealer at the time. It’s a lot of engine !
I love your videos! Really starting to appreciate classic motorcycles
Glad you like them!
Sounds crisp like to hear it in powerband.the best looking ktm
I own a 95 550 super fun bike forsure!
I owned a 540 1991 for 11 years
What a fun bike
Had the same year in a 360 , best suspension that I have ever had on a KTM
Thumbnail makes that bike look massive! Living up to its name
...that sound is beautyfull! optics are perfect anyway. man i can feel a lil envy...
Those things are and absolute beast, we raced one of those in the BITD series for a couple seasons. Nice find..
What a gem! I rode one when they came out and have wanted one ever since. An absolute beast 🤘🏻
i hope someone who gets it uses it but looks after it at the same time. no point just looking at it in a museum. it needs to be enjoyed. this is a beautiful machine
Iv always found ktms to be so dreamy 😍
That's a beautiful bike! I've never seen a 550 what a beast, can definitely hear it in the exhaust
My god the sound from this bike is like no other.
I spent many hours dreaming of that bike in high school.
Awesome, love that sound, nothing else like it 👍
U don't have to nail 100 foot jumps to be bad ass with that thing , wow , sounds great 👌
Kap always has the baddest 2 strokes of them all
You can tell he had way too much fun on that beast😂
I used to own the 360 2 strokes 1997 and it was strong as hell 😊 such good memories ❤
Still got mine. Im never sellin it
Pane Kaplan vy jste proste trida jak ma bejt. A to se mi prave na vas moc libi.
Best bike that I've seen on your channel, absolutely gorgeous machine
2 STROKE EVERYTIME [Except the Honda XR400] I part-Exd for an 2016 New WR 250F worst Mistake in Bikes i have ever made. You cannot beat that 2STROKE Smell/Sound/Pull. Beautiful Bike Bud.
Passion driven guy right here, at its finest
All you gotta do is find top dead center and keep a small amount of pressure until you feel it ease past top dead denter( the trick is ease it past tdc until you feel move 1mm past tdc….let the kick starter return to the top of the stroke and the kick with follow through.
Keep that thing in the museum.. Absolute eye candy!
What a beauty thats a once in a lifetime gem right there
Owned a 86' MXC 500
86' CR 500 and 81 YZ490
Loved every minute! 4:04
Man thats a cool tough lookin bike, looks brand new , great job 👍