This is probably the best review I’ve seen for this bike… and I’ve seen a lot. Edit: I also wanted to mention that this bike seems to have been a great purchase for you. You lost weight and learned how to work on a bike…! Plus learning how to ride dirt. That’s awesome.
Hey joe, I got a 2013 exc500 has 300 hrs 8000 miles. Religiously did oil changes and kept air filter clean.valves still in spec. Removed smog.resprung for weight.230 lbs. complete fmf system.running 14-51 sprockets. This bike kicks some serious butt! Reliability so far this bike is bullet proof. I'm extremely pleased with it.anyone thinking about the 500 should know just keep the oil and air filter fresh and you'll have that kick ass bike you always dreamed about.also euro remap on ecu.
Sargon Dirtrider I've had a similar experience with my 2014 500 exc. I have 10000 miles and 250 hours. Valves still in spec. Motorex Oil changes every 15 hrs or 750 miles. I use a Scott's stainless steel oil filter and I change the Air filter as needed. It's been Euro mapped, I run kenda k270(c) front and rear at 16/14 lbs street and dirt. I get about 2500 miles out of a rear tire and I run probably 40 dirt/60 street. I get 50 mpg. I weigh 240 lbs without gear. It's an amazing bike.
Sargon Dirtrider your ktm is still kicking that long? How much road do you ride? I want am battling between the wr450f and this. The only thing this has going for it is the 6th gear as I have zero experience with it. I have naysayers saying ktm is high maintenance and won't last on the road. Looking at it I will be changing oil twice a month if I do it every 20 hrs. What I need is the two side by side to test on the same day.
I don't usually credit KTM with the claim of good reliability, but my 15' 500 exc has been rock-solid in that regard. It's seen 100 hours of pretty hard riding, most of it in SM trim. Valves still in spec. The only thing that has happened is the display is exhibiting some odd behavior. I'm now considering the 660cc big-bore kit for it, but it's a lot of money and it appears that not a single person has this mod because there's no evidence of it on the web. $3200 seems like a lot for an extra 150cc. If it adds 15hp or more I might be down for it.
Has KTM sent you a new bike yet? Because after watching this video, it's the best commercial they have going for them. It made me decide to get it over the other options, Beta, Husqvarna, Yamaha (street legal the wr450f) I'm dead serious man, KTM owes you! Your group type (age, ability, purchasing power, ect.) is about the largest group in it's class and category, your a 5th avenue advertisers dream, and it didn't cost KTM a dime.
I had a 2012 500 EXC, i miss her so much! I sold it with 200 hrs with the original piston, used to change oil every 10 o 15 hrs max. Im considering of getting a new one, i now ride a BMW F800GS, very nice for country roads and travel but no serious off road at all! Loved your review!
The KTM/Husky off road bikes are state of the art. Top quality materials and engineering. Properly cared for they will last as long or longer than the Japanese alternatives with higher performance. The next best option imho would be a Beta. The only place that the Japanese products are competitive performance wise is in the motocross segment. They haven't spent the money on new engineering and racing development in off road that the Europeans have. Expensive yes, but the resale is tops. Recently sold a 2010 KTM 300 with 200 plus hours for 2/3 rds of initial cost. If you want a quality Japanese dual sport for less money take a look at the Yamaha WR250R. Loved mine but in a different league performance wise. Good luck.
Nice video. Agree that the standard skidplates don't cut it. I ride in the east, where we have tons of tight trails and lot of rocks. A real skipplate is critical, as are front and rear brake guards. I also agree with your recommendation to start with some less expensive, less powerful bike. I started on a Honda CRF230F, a good trail bike for plonking in the woods. Then I switched to a KTM 250XCF and next month, I get my KTM 300 XCW
Excellent video. I went with a husqy fe450. I figured I would have eventually wanted more out of a 350 and I figured the 501 would be overkill. I'm at 20 hours so far and love it. These ktm/husqy are amazingly fun machines.
Hey Joe, nice video. My little boy 4 and I love watching your video's. He's always asking to watch another one. I'm just about to put a deposit down on a KTM 450 EXC or 500 Six Days for 2017. Can't wait. Thanks again.
About 3 yrs later. Do you still have this bike? I see this was filmed in an area I know very well. I'm thinking about getting on to fill the void of selling my XR650R. Also have to say this was very informative & covered all the right material. Great Job!
Great review. I agree with you, supermotos don't make much sense to me either because it defeats the purpose of what the bike was designed for and street tires suck when you want to head off-road on a whim, dual-sport riding is so much better than street-only riding. I have just as much fun on my D606 rear tire and MT-21 front dual sport tires on the street. However, I might add a 2017 Yamaha 450 FX to the stable for a proper off-road only bike. Dual sport riding is awesome to have tho, nice for some urban fukery here and there.
This was a really good well thought out review. Many bikes on the wish list and the 500 is one of the top picks. Hard to justify the price though especially when the old DR and XR keep on tickin and get the job done for a fraction of the price.
wow!! first of all CONGRATULATIONS on the review. This is how they should be done. Best damn review on youtube, just what i was looking for. I am exactly in the dilema of getting this bike and this is just what i need. Thanks for posting this very detailed review. 2 questions. 1. I live in san diego california, ride a lot in baja and ocotillo. Will be doing your type of riding except for motocross; more desert stuff like you. I weigh 170 lbs. my dilema is 350 or 500. i was thinking of the 500 since in my opinion i think (and correct me if i am wrong) it would be less stress for the motor when i would travel distances on freeway or highway.initially i wanted the 350. so would it be wise to get the 500 to put less stress on the motor while riding on pavement? 2. i am 57", kinda vertically challenged, would you suggest lowering it. I don't like doing that case it might affect the dynamics? thanks for this review Joe, really appreciate it.
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I was out of town in a race all weekend. 1. Neither bike is going to be good on the highway at speed. If you can avoid the highway you should. If not, I think both bikes will suffer. Unless you can afford to replace tires every month, the road will chew through anything aggressive enough for the rigors of hard off road riding. You can choose to go with a dual sport tire, but you will lose a lot of traction off road. Honestly, this bike is not a good road bike for highway speeds. The 350, would be more than enough, but I am not sure how it will do on pavement. If you absolutely cant truck it or trailer it to your riding spots, the 500 might be the way to go simply for the power at highway speed. It will be wobbly at first above 60 because KTM does not balance the tires. Have the dealer make sure the tires are balanced before delivery. 2. at around 60" I found it difficult to get used to the height of the bike. Both the 350 and 500 are the same height. If you can get it lowered a few inches, I think the confidence you gain from being able to touch the ground at a stand still will outweigh any change in dynamics. Good luck man, and thanks for watching!
Thank you very much for your response I really appreciate it. Think ill go for the 350 then, will lower it and truck it better. Good luck, thanks again and keep the great vids coming.
i think you did a fantastic job of this review. you made my decision alot easier. i just do woods trail east coast. so going to go with a 300 xcw. going to try the 2t!! thx again
awesome review man. You're a great inspiration to anyone looking into riding (congrats on putting in the hard work to lose all that weight). I know working on my bike has always made me nervous and this has really changed my view on that. thanks for the upload
Nice job on the review, I had similar conclusion after starting on the 2012 500 exc dealt with all emision remapping bs rode it for 300 hours and sold it. Bought a 14 500 xcw that now has 400 hours and 12k miles 90%dirt having been heavily abused regularly in baja. Was debating buying yz450fx last mo and decided instead to refreshen my 14 back to new. I have 1 top in rebuild at 280 hr and will likely do another at 600hr or when valves test for it. i change oil every 15-20hr and clean air filter as needed but check every ride.
Your commentary on supermoto wheels tells me you've never ridden on them... An absolute riot :-) You only need to swap wheels and you've still got the dirt bike! Take a notepad out with you on a few rides and start changing suspension settings while keeping notes, as you do it more you'll understand how the bike will respond to changes on damping and find settings that suit you. That said there's no magic do it all setting, you'll need to change settings if you significantly change the type of riding you're doing, or terrain.
I subbed right around the transition between the CRF and this bike. I thought wow that is quite a jump and this should be interesting. And it was. Quite a transformation in less that a year in many ways. Great review. One thing about motorcycles you never know where they will take you. Not just on the trails but in life.
thank for the great review. I know its stupid but when you watch most reviews you never see people fall and that always makes me feal like people are babying the bike or afraid of falling or just not trusting of the bike. you love her and it shows you have been together threw the ups and down. any one can stay in love threw the ups. but to make it threw the downs is really hard. you really show some commitment to her. great video. Subbed for sure.
Those Maxxis tires are incredibly sticky. I got them stock on my 500 and at times I thought they were too sticky. They got torn to shred on the road in no time. Definitely a very soft compound they use. PS: The 2017 model is 4kg lighter not 40lbs lol. Still, that's a nice saving by enduro standards.
Good vid brother, I went with the Husqvarna 450fe, and can't complain. Great power to weight and light to do everything off road. My only gripe would be the restrictive service intervals of 10 hrs. I use it like a dual sport, so I do a solid 50/50. Definitiely agree with the emission junk, take it off! What they say, raising cattle creates more than 600 times the pollution than all the vehicles combined! Delete that DPF on the F350 as well....ha. ha.
As many have said great video great review. It's funny I was going to do a review and watched your review for ideas. After watching yours I decided to tell people just to watch this one.
Oh man, I got to ride a supermoto exc on the track, I can't recommend it enough. With a low top speed it won't keep up on the straights compared with sport bikes, but I think it's much easier to corner fast for normal riders like myself. You need both sets of wheels. This machine should be in the dirt too. Just picked up my 500 yesterday.
Fantastic real life review of the 500 exc bike new generation, I own a 02 520 exc I’ve raced it trail riden it and never been into the engine except for valve adjustments have used Bel Ray EXR and Exs engine oil since new change filters and oil regular , love this bike Thinking of gettin a new 500 XCFW or a new six days 500 but really don’t need the hi way use great video and documentary . Nice bike and upgrades A plus info
Great review. I ride a 2018 KLX250 and its a great bike but it lacks power. I use it as a adventure bike and desert riding. I don't want to get a KTM 690 because its to heavy. So Im opting for a KTM 500 exc or a Husky 501.
My 500 is in good condition & swift but after riding a 570 ya relize 500 output is abit boring & shop said there's not a lot that can be done to enhance it..
Nice review, I actually got a second set of rims with a TKC 70 tire to tool around on when I am not doing a lot of trail riding or going with the big boy 1290's etc on a ride. Easy to switch them back and forth.
Second great vid you put out that I've watched. Kudos on your approach and patience. I honed in on bike selection at the end. Insightful. I ride a few and have the XCW for snow and summer use. No emmisions in my area though.. and I plated it for street... just to avoid hauling a few miles to the dirt. Greta job... How did you lose that much weight though? Really great job there!
Great videos and very informative. Looking to get a 450 EXC and am in a similar boat. Do I lose the weight and go back to a 350 EXC or stick with the 450 EXC. I am 6'5" and 250 pounds currently. Would you say stick with the 450 EXC as losing the weight will hopefully come from enjoying getting back into dirtbiking.
Outstanding review, very thorough. I went with a 2011 KTM 350XC-F, I had no desire to ride this bike on the street and got it primarily with playing around and racing in mind. My only issue is with it's ease of flaming out (stalling) when trying to chug it - this 350 wants to be rev'd, I wonder if that clutch weight would help that issue? But would it hurt it's high reving nature... I'll be racing the WORCS Sand Hollow race in a couple of weeks, this will be a serious test for the 350 power wise. Thanks again for putting this video together.
Here in Norway the stock 500 EXC F has 20 HP... After a removing air intake restriction, mesh at exhaust tip and ECU reprogramming to the European full effect offload only version it has about 60 HP according to dyno tests (I am not sure if you need to mount a reacing exhaust to get the full 58-62 hp).
Since KTM doesn't make the XC-FW anymore (now just the XC-F, I think?) Would you recommend the XC-F, 350 or 450, for a good trail oriented dual sport, once plated? You mentioned things that you might do different so I thought I'd ask, in light of KTM's current offerings. Are the current XC-F's EXACTLY the same as the EXC-Fs outside of the smog junk? Removing the smog stuff will be my first change as well. If having the same bike, minus the smog equipment, then adding the street legal kit would save money, it's definitely a consideration. Thanks!
MrHeepspo well what do you mean trail riding? It's such a broad category. If your gonna want one of these for extended road use, they probably aren't the best choice. The '17 - '18 models had some significant changes, some good (much lighter) some bad. Check message boards for owners to see what they are complaining about.
The XC's have a different ratio closer together with taller first. They also don't have any lighting which is why they don't have the big 195w stator. Suspension is a bit stiffer and the rear is linkage.
MrHeepspo the problem with that is the end user certification...(title) says off road only ... and when going to register it ... not gunna work ... trust me ... I was gunna do that with a 450r ... but got quickly shot down... some people were registering them out of state in states that didn’t require residency... but I’m not sure of the technicality’s of all that.... hope this helps
Great review! I think you covered just about everything that I've considered while thinking about upgrading from my current bike. Unfortunately, it's not making my decision any easier! I already have a deposit down on a 2017 350 EXC-F. I think I'll just wait it out for now. I also just sat on a 2017 Husky FX 350 this morning which is also in line with what you're saying about just going dirt and not worrying about the plate. Decisions decisions...
The thing about the plate is, the difference in price between an EXC and XCF makes it cheaper to just add your own lighting kit. Unless you live in a state where you are concerned about not passing emissions, I see no reason to pay extra for a horrible tail light/plate setup that is sure to break in the first year of hard riding, and then have to deal with disabling or removing the power robbing emissions stuff.
Very nice review. I found it very balanced and useful for riders that have a similar background to your. Also congrats for the weight loss . It must have been as challenging as improving the riding skills !
Excellent video. I'm lovin my 2016 FE501. Lighting kit from Sicass racing and she's 100% street legal. Full FMF 4.1ti system and adjusted tps gives it more than enough power. Great bikes, what ever colour you pick
Best bike review I have watched. Good job! I live in Az and wish I could ride with you after I get my new KTM. One recommendario on tires for your type of riding would be the Dunlop AT81.
What's up , Joe!? New sub here , I've been shopping around for pure dirt bikes , and decided I may want a dual sport instead . First bike : 1983 yamaha DT 100 Then KDX 200, then yz450. I'm 28 now , miss the feel of my KDX , but fell in love with the torque monster that was the YZ . I'm looking to this bike to be both . I live 18 miles from work , planned on riding the 500 to work at least once or twice a week when weather permits . 5 miles of 30mph county roads, rest is 55mph country highway . Have a track at my house i built for my nephews , (he races crf150r small wheel ) 20-30 miles of dirt roads close by starting with my driveway . I also live about an hour and 1/2 from a 35 mile trail loop I could trailer to . I used to tackle in a RZR 570 there , and it ranges from mild to wild . On your experience , anything I described point me away from the 500 exc? I don't really want a big pig .
Forgot to mention , I like you, was tipping the scales hard . I found myself attracted to running starting this year . Weight is starting to melt . I hope to be under 200 in the next year .
Lol. When? Change it depending on the Terrain and other conditions. Like if I'm running inner tubes or tubeless. Currently I ride on tubliss at about 8 to 8.5 psi.
Wow Mr! well done! I'm excited to have a new rider to follow. Who cares what people think about bike size and skill level? My 690 was my first bike and haven't looked back :) it commands a lot of respect and has made me a safer rider IMO. looking forward to following along on your journeys, take care!
Good common sense review, seems like you gained a lot from the purchase. I have 790 duke but the 500 is more fun on the road even with stock TKC80 tires. I purchased mine to make into a ultra light adventure bike for weekend runs like the BDRs or Smoky Mtn 500 which include state hwys and bikes must be road legal. I have a 250XC for sprint enduro and hare scrambles if I start that.
I am having a lot of problems with the 350. I am not sure what you mean about maintenance being bad. Any high performance machine requires extra care. This 350 is temperamental though lol.
Joe Rockstar what’s wrong with the 350? Do you have videos in the issues? I want one but I’m afraid of the cost lol. But I don’t think I’ll be happy with a crf250l. I’m torn. So many options
Love that you lost the weight, but getting the right springs front and rear really isn't that much money (about $250 for rear spring and shock springs.) Granted, getting the fork apart to put the springs in does take a special ($35) tool - or a trip to the shop. The rear spring can be done almost entirely by hand, and I think the stock toolkit has the spline wrench for doing preload...
Oh man the good old days. That was a long time ago. I did end up doing a suspension on that bike. Then later on I got a professional suspension tuning done on my Husqvarna 350. It's a huge improvement. Unfortunately I don't get enough riding time anymore and I put the weight back on...😬
@@JoeRockstar great review, thank you. I just bought a '13 EXC 500 for trail riding, coming off of a 690 Enduro R. I'm imagining someday a 350, but staying EXC...
Cool vid man. Is that near Tucson? I got a XR400 and I love it but I want something lighter. More power would be nice too but mostly just the weight. I was looking at the 350 too. Have you ever ridden it?
The fact that the EXC 4Strokes are even reviewed or rated on the track is all that needs to be said about its performance. It's literally the least motox bike they make and it's still good enough to try a bit of track with
Hey man I'm actually looking up reviews for this specific bike because I'm moving from Philadelphia to Arizona area where you are so I don't know if you want to hook up and go riding when I get out there but I'm going to be looking for people to ride with when I get there I'm buying the bike as a daily driver commute verses bringing my dirtbike my truck and my street bike when I can just mix the two and just bring the truck as well as the daily driver and the wife's car try and get back to me if you can I'd appreciate it looking for fellow riders in a new state
scott bruce I ditched the dual sport 500 and I am now riding a 350 and 300 dirt only. I really didn't enjoy road at all, and really got more into harder trails.
@@JoeRockstar seriously, are the vibrations not a problem. I just sold my 690 enduro r because I couldn't ride it longer than an hour because of numb hands.
KTM530 is a good alrounder as a trail bike and are half the price! I just ordered a 2021 500EXC-F. The mods you have done look interesting. Definitely like the flywheel mod for a bit extra low down tractability.
thanks that was the best review i've ever seen, but my big question is 350 or 500 for a fat person ? i've ridden both and like both with my preference being the 350 because of my lack of skill but all my mates say that i'll outgrow it too quickly and thoughts?
+paul mcphillips ride, and diet. Stay off the highway as much as possible and that 350 will be excellent. I lost 60 lbs riding and maintaining a 1900 calorie diet.
I can’t find any other place to ask. Hope you can clear it up for me. Why choose the 500 over the 450 six days edition. I just love the way the six days looks. But I believe parts will be harder to get for and well as the 450 hitting harder and ride like a motocross bike. Any thoughts ??? Thanks.
The 500 is highly a capable dual sport/ trail bike, it does everything well but not 100% suited for every thing. The 450 is a shorter range (small gas tank) mx bike, with a suspension and gearing setup for motocross.
Medium or large...lol. just kidding. It depends. what type of riding do you want to do? You need to balance performance with skill level, riding style, and terrain.
@@JoeRockstar Thanks .. I used to race motocross for many years but now I just want to ride truck trails and terrain in the mountains to get away on the weekends.
G'day from Australia..i enjoyed your honest comments about the bike. I was just wondering if you've had the opportunity to ride a 350 since getting up to speed on your 500 on the same tracks to get a feel of the characteristics of both bikes. The 500 will shine in super slow single track and gnarly uphills, where it can chug along at low revs and maintain traction. The 350 should be easier to ride and less tiring everywhere else. I have a sneaky suspicion that you'll miss the instant torque of the 500. the 500 is way too much bike for my girly 150lb frame, but love the power.all the best
Brett Bovey the only other bike I have had the chance to ride is the 300 xcfw. it was a pretty big difference being a 2 stroke. the 500 is a lot of work in tight turning single track. but I love it's power. thanks for the comments and thank you for watching!
+Clayton Moorman I sure can. Thanks for watching. There are a few good ones out there already, if you're in a hurry. Rocky Mountain ATV has one for a KTM.
Excellent job great video. Just give yourself some time to get used to the Beast and comfortable. I survived 30 years of that kind of riding by not riding above my ability. Let the speed come to you you obviously have talent. And don't forget to breathe and have fun!!!!🤘😎🤘
Great video - thanks for not going over the top with the non-essentials (just give me good info, lol). I've been riding a 2016 300xc for about a year, and while I really love its power and ability to climb anything, I'm really getting attracted to Dual Sports and the freedom they provide. Looking at a 350 exc-f.
Nice review bro, full of significant info. I own a 4 stroke Honda 450r, but my dream bike is a KTM 300 EXC 2 stroke. I traded for the Honda, so it'll do for now. Actually, I love it, but I'm kinda crazy, lol. It's definitely a handful on the tight trails, but I'm used to it!
Hrmmmm, I rode / raced for many years from age 6 to 34 ! In my last year of racing I had cut my bar length down to 26" that allowed me to be much faster in the forest and on the tracks !! Special note for you, 1 tooth on your front sprocket is the same as 4 on the rear...ie: it's alot cheaper replacing a front , especially for testing purposes !!
+Enduro Riders major differences between the two. The honda bottoms out way easier. The adjustible Suspension, lighter, better handling, more powerful, more durable. . . Basically every metric a serious off-road rider woukd use to measure a bikes capabilites is the gain. If you really dont think there is a serious gain here, I strongly recommend you try them side by side like I have.
I was considering buying one new, but for 10k the bike not running great to begin with is a little bit of a turn off. If I am going to spend the money I would prefer it work great right off the lot.
It is hard to accept that the bike is still a great bike after that disaster. I don't know if it is an issue in 2017. All I can say is the bike is awesome. It has flaws, and should be a little more reasonable in price, or if not; it should at least be fully functioning reliably for many years for that price. So far, I have had no other issues with the bike after over a year.
Joe Rockstar Thanks, I really do appreciate the honesty. I am glad it's not a video where it is the best bike because it is the one you spent money on lol.
7asawi 3beed good if it's 109 miles to the next gad station, bad if it's 111 miles lol. It's really a matter of how long you want to ride. 110 miles on this bike is pretty far off road. but if you're doing longer adventure trips you can buy a larger tank for it.
Like others noted, great review. Very informative!! I'm looking at selling both my DRZ400E and XR650L and getting a KTM. Debating a 450 EXC or 500 EXC. Ride desert, single track, (no MX), and want something to ride around National Park roads that I visit in the Summer and Winter. I'm 6'4" and 185. Any suggestions?
we don't have a 450 exc in the US, but I imagine it would be better suited for single track than the 500. I would even consider the 350. lighter bikes do better on single track.
This is probably the best review I’ve seen for this bike… and I’ve seen a lot.
Edit: I also wanted to mention that this bike seems to have been a great purchase for you. You lost weight and learned how to work on a bike…! Plus learning how to ride dirt. That’s awesome.
Hey joe, I got a 2013 exc500 has 300 hrs 8000 miles. Religiously did oil changes and kept air filter clean.valves still in spec. Removed smog.resprung for weight.230 lbs. complete fmf system.running 14-51 sprockets. This bike kicks some serious butt! Reliability so far this bike is bullet proof. I'm extremely pleased with it.anyone thinking about the 500 should know just keep the oil and air filter fresh and you'll have that kick ass bike you always dreamed about.also euro remap on ecu.
Sargon Dirtrider I've had a similar experience with my 2014 500 exc. I have 10000 miles and 250 hours. Valves still in spec. Motorex Oil changes every 15 hrs or 750 miles. I use a Scott's stainless steel oil filter and I change the Air filter as needed. It's been Euro mapped, I run kenda k270(c) front and rear at 16/14 lbs street and dirt. I get about 2500 miles out of a rear tire and I run probably 40 dirt/60 street. I get 50 mpg. I weigh 240 lbs without gear. It's an amazing bike.
I went with 13-50 and all of the mods from Best Dual Sport Bikes. I love it, I just need something that is not so demanding in the tight stuff.
Sargon Dirtrider your ktm is still kicking that long? How much road do you ride? I want am battling between the wr450f and this. The only thing this has going for it is the 6th gear as I have zero experience with it. I have naysayers saying ktm is high maintenance and won't last on the road. Looking at it I will be changing oil twice a month if I do it every 20 hrs. What I need is the two side by side to test on the same day.
Twisted Mr. really!!? This video and the comments are making me reconsider a 500exc. I have not found comments like this about a wr450f.
I don't usually credit KTM with the claim of good reliability, but my 15' 500 exc has been rock-solid in that regard. It's seen 100 hours of pretty hard riding, most of it in SM trim. Valves still in spec.
The only thing that has happened is the display is exhibiting some odd behavior. I'm now considering the 660cc big-bore kit for it, but it's a lot of money and it appears that not a single person has this mod because there's no evidence of it on the web. $3200 seems like a lot for an extra 150cc. If it adds 15hp or more I might be down for it.
Has KTM sent you a new bike yet? Because after watching this video, it's the best commercial they have going for them. It made me decide to get it over the other options, Beta, Husqvarna, Yamaha (street legal the wr450f) I'm dead serious man, KTM owes you! Your group type (age, ability, purchasing power, ect.) is about the largest group in it's class and category, your a 5th avenue advertisers dream, and it didn't cost KTM a dime.
SoCalExplorer It would be great if KTM agreed lol. unfortunately I'm sure they don't even know I exist.
SoCalExplorer husqvarna is owned by ktm so they wouldnt care which one you buy :D
I had a 2012 500 EXC, i miss her so much! I sold it with 200 hrs with the original piston, used to change oil every 10 o 15 hrs max. Im considering of getting a new one, i now ride a BMW F800GS, very nice for country roads and travel but no serious off road at all! Loved your review!
Definitely the best "regular guy" reviews I have seen...all the relevant information. Thank you!
Enjoyed the overview. Bought used, ariving this week. 450 exc sixdays. Euro version. Clutch weight and increased oil capacity seems must haves.
Rider weight loss and fitness..best mod EVER!!
The KTM/Husky off road bikes are state of the art. Top quality materials and engineering. Properly cared for they will last as long or longer than the Japanese alternatives with higher performance. The next best option imho would be a Beta. The only place that the Japanese products are competitive performance wise is in the motocross segment. They haven't spent the money on new engineering and racing development in off road that the Europeans have. Expensive yes, but the resale is tops. Recently sold a 2010 KTM 300 with 200 plus hours for 2/3 rds of initial cost. If you want a quality Japanese dual sport for less money take a look at the Yamaha WR250R. Loved mine but in a different league performance wise. Good luck.
Nice video. Agree that the standard skidplates don't cut it. I ride in the east, where we have tons of tight trails and lot of rocks. A real skipplate is critical, as are front and rear brake guards. I also agree with your recommendation to start with some less expensive, less powerful bike. I started on a Honda CRF230F, a good trail bike for plonking in the woods. Then I switched to a KTM 250XCF and next month, I get my KTM 300 XCW
One of the best reviews I have seen for a long time on the tube!
Petter Ivarsson thank you sir.
Such an informative video, i have been scourging youtube for a relative newbie on this bike and you nailed it, many thanks!
Excellent video. I went with a husqy fe450. I figured I would have eventually wanted more out of a 350 and I figured the 501 would be overkill. I'm at 20 hours so far and love it. These ktm/husqy are amazingly fun machines.
Hey Joe, nice video. My little boy 4 and I love watching your video's. He's always asking to watch another one. I'm just about to put a deposit down on a KTM 450 EXC or 500 Six Days for 2017. Can't wait. Thanks again.
it's good to know my videos are family friendly! Thanks for watching.
Awesome vid mate just brought a 500 exc. Top vid I like your info on your experience top vid keep them up
About 3 yrs later. Do you still have this bike? I see this was filmed in an area I know very well. I'm thinking about getting on to fill the void of selling my XR650R. Also have to say this was very informative & covered all the right material. Great Job!
No. I sold it last year in order to get a bike that was better suited for racing single track. Check out some of my latest vids. Are you in SV AZ?
@@JoeRockstar okay thanks. I'm in the west valley. I also have my 2 stroke KDX220r.
Not sure where that is. This was filmed in and around Cochise county Arizona.
Great review. I agree with you, supermotos don't make much sense to me either because it defeats the purpose of what the bike was designed for and street tires suck when you want to head off-road on a whim, dual-sport riding is so much better than street-only riding. I have just as much fun on my D606 rear tire and MT-21 front dual sport tires on the street. However, I might add a 2017 Yamaha 450 FX to the stable for a proper off-road only bike. Dual sport riding is awesome to have tho, nice for some urban fukery here and there.
Thanks man. I am probably going with a 100% off-road bike next. I am torn between the KTM 300 XCW and the 350 XCF
CycleCruza won't gain much from going from the 500exc to a 350xsf
CycleCruza lol
This was a really good well thought out review. Many bikes on the wish list and the 500 is one of the top picks. Hard to justify the price though especially when the old DR and XR keep on tickin and get the job done for a fraction of the price.
wow!! first of all CONGRATULATIONS on the review. This is how they should be done. Best damn review on youtube, just what i was looking for. I am exactly in the dilema of getting this bike and this is just what i need. Thanks for posting this very detailed review.
2 questions.
1. I live in san diego california, ride a lot in baja and ocotillo. Will be doing your type of riding except for motocross; more desert stuff like you. I weigh 170 lbs. my dilema is 350 or 500. i was thinking of the 500 since in my opinion i think (and correct me if i am wrong) it would be less stress for the motor when i would travel distances on freeway or highway.initially i wanted the 350. so would it be wise to get the 500 to put less stress on the motor while riding on pavement?
2. i am 57", kinda vertically challenged, would you suggest lowering it. I don't like doing that case it might affect the dynamics?
thanks for this review Joe, really appreciate it.
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I was out of town in a race all weekend.
1. Neither bike is going to be good on the highway at speed. If you can avoid the highway you should. If not, I think both bikes will suffer. Unless you can afford to replace tires every month, the road will chew through anything aggressive enough for the rigors of hard off road riding. You can choose to go with a dual sport tire, but you will lose a lot of traction off road. Honestly, this bike is not a good road bike for highway speeds. The 350, would be more than enough, but I am not sure how it will do on pavement. If you absolutely cant truck it or trailer it to your riding spots, the 500 might be the way to go simply for the power at highway speed. It will be wobbly at first above 60 because KTM does not balance the tires. Have the dealer make sure the tires are balanced before delivery.
2. at around 60" I found it difficult to get used to the height of the bike. Both the 350 and 500 are the same height. If you can get it lowered a few inches, I think the confidence you gain from being able to touch the ground at a stand still will outweigh any change in dynamics.
Good luck man, and thanks for watching!
Thank you very much for your response I really appreciate it. Think ill go for the 350 then, will lower it and truck it better. Good luck, thanks again and keep the great vids coming.
i think you did a fantastic job of this review. you made my decision alot easier. i just do woods trail east coast. so going to go with a 300 xcw. going to try the 2t!! thx again
You won't regret that decision. 300 is the best [non-MX] dirt bike ever.
awesome review man. You're a great inspiration to anyone looking into riding (congrats on putting in the hard work to lose all that weight). I know working on my bike has always made me nervous and this has really changed my view on that. thanks for the upload
Thank you. That is why I do this! I hope more people are encouraged to get out there and find something like this to be passionate about!
Nice job on the review, I had similar conclusion after starting on the 2012 500 exc dealt with all emision remapping bs rode it for 300 hours and sold it. Bought a 14 500 xcw that now has 400 hours and 12k miles 90%dirt having been heavily abused regularly in baja. Was debating buying yz450fx last mo and decided instead to refreshen my 14 back to new. I have 1 top in rebuild at 280 hr and will likely do another at 600hr or when valves test for it. i change oil every 15-20hr and clean air filter as needed but check every ride.
Great review - I'm 200lbs and love desert riding so the 500 is a must.
Your commentary on supermoto wheels tells me you've never ridden on them... An absolute riot :-)
You only need to swap wheels and you've still got the dirt bike!
Take a notepad out with you on a few rides and start changing suspension settings while keeping notes, as you do it more you'll understand how the bike will respond to changes on damping and find settings that suit you. That said there's no magic do it all setting, you'll need to change settings if you significantly change the type of riding you're doing, or terrain.
I subbed right around the transition between the CRF and this bike. I thought wow that is quite a jump and this should be interesting. And it was. Quite a transformation in less that a year in many ways. Great review. One thing about motorcycles you never know where they will take you. Not just on the trails but in life.
+azdesertdog this has been a great adventure and I feel like I have come a long way, from barely able to keep up on a trail ride to leading them.
Excellent review Joe !! very informative and helpful . You put a lot of work in your videos, thanks you very much for sharing it
thank for the great review. I know its stupid but when you watch most reviews you never see people fall and that always makes me feal like people are babying the bike or afraid of falling or just not trusting of the bike. you love her and it shows you have been together threw the ups and down. any one can stay in love threw the ups. but to make it threw the downs is really hard. you really show some commitment to her. great video. Subbed for sure.
Those Maxxis tires are incredibly sticky. I got them stock on my 500 and at times I thought they were too sticky. They got torn to shred on the road in no time. Definitely a very soft compound they use.
PS: The 2017 model is 4kg lighter not 40lbs lol. Still, that's a nice saving by enduro standards.
Good vid brother, I went with the Husqvarna 450fe, and can't complain. Great power to weight and light to do everything off road. My only gripe would be the restrictive service intervals of 10 hrs. I use it like a dual sport, so I do a solid 50/50. Definitiely agree with the emission junk, take it off! What they say, raising cattle creates more than 600 times the pollution than all the vehicles combined! Delete that DPF on the F350 as well....ha. ha.
As many have said great video great review. It's funny I was going to do a review and watched your review for ideas. After watching yours I decided to tell people just to watch this one.
Oh man, I got to ride a supermoto exc on the track, I can't recommend it enough. With a low top speed it won't keep up on the straights compared with sport bikes, but I think it's much easier to corner fast for normal riders like myself.
You need both sets of wheels. This machine should be in the dirt too.
Just picked up my 500 yesterday.
Taylor St. Pierre lol in the dirt too? In the dirt is where it shines!
Fantastic real life review of the 500 exc bike new generation, I own a 02 520 exc I’ve raced it trail riden it and never been into the engine except for valve adjustments have used Bel Ray EXR and Exs engine oil since new change filters and oil regular , love this bike Thinking of gettin a new 500 XCFW or a new six days 500 but really don’t need the hi way use great video and documentary . Nice bike and upgrades A plus info
Great review. I ride a 2018 KLX250 and its a great bike but it lacks power. I use it as a adventure bike and desert riding. I don't want to get a KTM 690 because its to heavy. So Im opting for a KTM 500 exc or a Husky 501.
Thanks for that Joe! I'm heading to a dealer after i have my GSA serviced on tuesday, will report back!
Awesome. Answered a lot of my questions without me even having to ask them. Looks like this ones for me to. Great video
My 500 is in good condition & swift but after riding a 570 ya relize 500 output is abit boring & shop said there's not a lot that can be done to enhance it..
Great video. I'm seriously considering this bike as a replacement for my Honda XR650L
AdventuroUs that's a big change. I think you will be very happy off road.
Same here. Did you ever go with the switch?
Nice review, I actually got a second set of rims with a TKC 70 tire to tool around on when I am not doing a lot of trail riding or going with the big boy 1290's etc on a ride. Easy to switch them back and forth.
Second great vid you put out that I've watched. Kudos on your approach and patience.
I honed in on bike selection at the end. Insightful. I ride a few and have the XCW for snow and summer use. No emmisions in my area though.. and I plated it for street... just to avoid hauling a few miles to the dirt. Greta job... How did you lose that much weight though? Really great job there!
LeadingEdgeTec thank you, I dieted. 1900 calories per day and rode as much as possible or exercised.
Great videos and very informative. Looking to get a 450 EXC and am in a similar boat. Do I lose the weight and go back to a 350 EXC or stick with the 450 EXC. I am 6'5" and 250 pounds currently. Would you say stick with the 450 EXC as losing the weight will hopefully come from enjoying getting back into dirtbiking.
always lose weight for the health reasons. But if 250 is a healthy weight for your height, 450 is a great choice.
You and I are about the same size. My 450 has been one heck of a weight loss tool. Holding on to that crazy thing will definitely give you a work out!
I am down to 165 lbs now as well, thanks to the bike and a loose diet.
Excellent video. Much respect for the weight loss. 👊
Found this researching dual sport bikes.
Thanks. Too bad I put it back on over the last 3 years lol.🤘
Well, that's the struggle. You can do it again! 💪
Still riding the 500?
Outstanding review, very thorough. I went with a 2011 KTM 350XC-F, I had no desire to ride this bike on the street and got it primarily with playing around and racing in mind. My only issue is with it's ease of flaming out (stalling) when trying to chug it - this 350 wants to be rev'd, I wonder if that clutch weight would help that issue? But would it hurt it's high reving nature... I'll be racing the WORCS Sand Hollow race in a couple of weeks, this will be a serious test for the 350 power wise. Thanks again for putting this video together.
Here in Norway the stock 500 EXC F has 20 HP... After a removing air intake restriction, mesh at exhaust tip and ECU reprogramming to the European full effect offload only version it has about 60 HP according to dyno tests (I am not sure if you need to mount a reacing exhaust to get the full 58-62 hp).
Since KTM doesn't make the XC-FW anymore (now just the XC-F, I think?)
Would you recommend the XC-F, 350 or 450, for a good trail oriented dual sport, once plated?
You mentioned things that you might do different so I thought I'd ask, in light of KTM's current offerings.
Are the current XC-F's EXACTLY the same as the EXC-Fs outside of the smog junk?
Removing the smog stuff will be my first change as well.
If having the same bike, minus the smog equipment, then adding the street legal kit would save money, it's definitely a consideration.
Thanks!
MrHeepspo well what do you mean trail riding? It's such a broad category. If your gonna want one of these for extended road use, they probably aren't the best choice. The '17 - '18 models had some significant changes, some good (much lighter) some bad. Check message boards for owners to see what they are complaining about.
The XC's have a different ratio closer together with taller first. They also don't have any lighting which is why they don't have the big 195w stator. Suspension is a bit stiffer and the rear is linkage.
MrHeepspo the problem with that is the end user certification...(title) says off road only ... and when going to register it ... not gunna work ... trust me ... I was gunna do that with a 450r ... but got quickly shot down... some people were registering them out of state in states that didn’t require residency... but I’m not sure of the technicality’s of all that.... hope this helps
Great review! I think you covered just about everything that I've considered while thinking about upgrading from my current bike. Unfortunately, it's not making my decision any easier! I already have a deposit down on a 2017 350 EXC-F. I think I'll just wait it out for now. I also just sat on a 2017 Husky FX 350 this morning which is also in line with what you're saying about just going dirt and not worrying about the plate. Decisions decisions...
The thing about the plate is, the difference in price between an EXC and XCF makes it cheaper to just add your own lighting kit. Unless you live in a state where you are concerned about not passing emissions, I see no reason to pay extra for a horrible tail light/plate setup that is sure to break in the first year of hard riding, and then have to deal with disabling or removing the power robbing emissions stuff.
Very nice review. I found it very balanced and useful for riders that have a similar background to your. Also congrats for the weight loss . It must have been as challenging as improving the riding skills !
I will do a vid on the weight loss soon. Losing weight by riding works! Thanks for watching.
You're right! Keeping yourself on the bike is one heck of a workout!!
still the best 500 review out there
Excellent video. I'm lovin my 2016 FE501. Lighting kit from Sicass racing and she's 100% street legal. Full FMF 4.1ti system and adjusted tps gives it more than enough power. Great bikes, what ever colour you pick
+4506dave enjoy that machine man! Thanks for watching!
+4506dave enjoy that machine man! Thanks for watching!
Is that Mt Lemmon in the background?
Maybe. This was filmed in southeast AZ.
Best bike review I have watched. Good job! I live in Az and wish I could ride with you after I get my new KTM. One recommendario on tires for your type of riding would be the Dunlop AT81.
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. You answered a lot of my questions!
Thanks for letting me know, i am getting one. Great video buddy!
Best review on this bike I've ever seen. Great job!
What's up , Joe!? New sub here , I've been shopping around for pure dirt bikes , and decided I may want a dual sport instead .
First bike : 1983 yamaha DT 100
Then KDX 200, then yz450.
I'm 28 now , miss the feel of my KDX , but fell in love with the torque monster that was the YZ . I'm looking to this bike to be both .
I live 18 miles from work , planned on riding the 500 to work at least once or twice a week when weather permits . 5 miles of 30mph county roads, rest is 55mph country highway . Have a track at my house i built for my nephews , (he races crf150r small wheel ) 20-30 miles of dirt roads close by starting with my driveway . I also live about an hour and 1/2 from a 35 mile trail loop I could trailer to . I used to tackle in a RZR 570 there , and it ranges from mild to wild .
On your experience , anything I described point me away from the 500 exc? I don't really want a big pig .
Forgot to mention , I like you, was tipping the scales hard . I found myself attracted to running starting this year . Weight is starting to melt . I hope to be under 200 in the next year .
Joe Rockstar, how much air is in your tires?
Lol. When? Change it depending on the Terrain and other conditions. Like if I'm running inner tubes or tubeless. Currently I ride on tubliss at about 8 to 8.5 psi.
@@JoeRockstar ok
Wow Mr! well done! I'm excited to have a new rider to follow. Who cares what people think about bike size and skill level? My 690 was my first bike and haven't looked back :) it commands a lot of respect and has made me a safer rider IMO. looking forward to following along on your journeys, take care!
Alexander Gammill thanks for the kind words!
Good common sense review, seems like you gained a lot from the purchase. I have 790 duke but the 500 is more fun on the road even with stock TKC80 tires. I purchased mine to make into a ultra light adventure bike for weekend runs like the BDRs or Smoky Mtn 500 which include state hwys and bikes must be road legal. I have a 250XC for sprint enduro and hare scrambles if I start that.
Thanks for the great review. What music did you use in the background?
This is just stock TH-cam provided music.
Subscribed. Excellent video! You can tell a lot of work went into it, and it shows. Great job 👍
I know you have a 350 now! Do you still love the 350? Are you doing the maintenance? Is the maintenance as bad as everyone says? Any issues?
I am having a lot of problems with the 350. I am not sure what you mean about maintenance being bad. Any high performance machine requires extra care. This 350 is temperamental though lol.
Joe Rockstar what’s wrong with the 350? Do you have videos in the issues? I want one but I’m afraid of the cost lol. But I don’t think I’ll be happy with a crf250l. I’m torn. So many options
Love that you lost the weight, but getting the right springs front and rear really isn't that much money (about $250 for rear spring and shock springs.) Granted, getting the fork apart to put the springs in does take a special ($35) tool - or a trip to the shop. The rear spring can be done almost entirely by hand, and I think the stock toolkit has the spline wrench for doing preload...
Oh man the good old days. That was a long time ago. I did end up doing a suspension on that bike. Then later on I got a professional suspension tuning done on my Husqvarna 350. It's a huge improvement. Unfortunately I don't get enough riding time anymore and I put the weight back on...😬
@@JoeRockstar great review, thank you. I just bought a '13 EXC 500 for trail riding, coming off of a 690 Enduro R. I'm imagining someday a 350, but staying EXC...
Cool vid man. Is that near Tucson? I got a XR400 and I love it but I want something lighter. More power would be nice too but mostly just the weight. I was looking at the 350 too. Have you ever ridden it?
+packinwood2009 Sierra Vista us about 90 min south of Tucson. I have not ridden the 350. Onlybthe 300 2 strokes.
The fact that the EXC 4Strokes are even reviewed or rated on the track is all that needs to be said about its performance. It's literally the least motox bike they make and it's still good enough to try a bit of track with
Of course by "least motoX" bike I mean among there actual dirtbikes.
Hey man I'm actually looking up reviews for this specific bike because I'm moving from Philadelphia to Arizona area where you are so I don't know if you want to hook up and go riding when I get out there but I'm going to be looking for people to ride with when I get there I'm buying the bike as a daily driver commute verses bringing my dirtbike my truck and my street bike when I can just mix the two and just bring the truck as well as the daily driver and the wife's car try and get back to me if you can I'd appreciate it looking for fellow riders in a new state
scott bruce I ditched the dual sport 500 and I am now riding a 350 and 300 dirt only. I really didn't enjoy road at all, and really got more into harder trails.
Joe Rockstar, Any chance you might know of anyone with a 400-525 KTM 2 or 4 stroke to trade for a jeep wrangler 4x4 ?
Sorry man. I don't.
Thnx bro
How's the vibes on long rides. My hands seem to go tingly on a vibey bike.
What vibes?
@@JoeRockstar seriously, are the vibrations not a problem. I just sold my 690 enduro r because I couldn't ride it longer than an hour because of numb hands.
KTM530 is a good alrounder as a trail bike and are half the price! I just ordered a 2021 500EXC-F. The mods you have done look interesting. Definitely like the flywheel mod for a bit extra low down tractability.
The best months I did was changing the sprockets too 14/50, and putting on 120 rear tire. Eventually I did end up getting a 350.
thanks that was the best review i've ever seen, but my big question is 350 or 500 for a fat person ? i've ridden both and like both with my preference being the 350 because of my lack of skill but all my mates say that i'll outgrow it too quickly and thoughts?
+paul mcphillips ride, and diet. Stay off the highway as much as possible and that 350 will be excellent. I lost 60 lbs riding and maintaining a 1900 calorie diet.
I can’t find any other place to ask. Hope you can clear it up for me. Why choose the 500 over the 450 six days edition. I just love the way the six days looks. But I believe parts will be harder to get for and well as the 450 hitting harder and ride like a motocross bike. Any thoughts ??? Thanks.
The 500 is highly a capable dual sport/ trail bike, it does everything well but not 100% suited for every thing. The 450 is a shorter range (small gas tank) mx bike, with a suspension and gearing setup for motocross.
thanx for your really good vid..its informative..you are kind mate..adventure soul..
So what would be the ideal size of a dual sport for a rider that is 6-0 218lbs?
Medium or large...lol. just kidding. It depends. what type of riding do you want to do? You need to balance performance with skill level, riding style, and terrain.
@@JoeRockstar Thanks .. I used to race motocross for many years but now I just want to ride truck trails and terrain in the mountains to get away on the weekends.
G'day from Australia..i enjoyed your honest comments about the bike. I was just wondering if you've had the opportunity to ride a 350 since getting up to speed on your 500 on the same tracks to get a feel of the characteristics of both bikes. The 500 will shine in super slow single track and gnarly uphills, where it can chug along at low revs and maintain traction. The 350 should be easier to ride and less tiring everywhere else. I have a sneaky suspicion that you'll miss the instant torque of the 500. the 500 is way too much bike for my girly 150lb frame, but love the power.all the best
Brett Bovey the only other bike I have had the chance to ride is the 300 xcfw. it was a pretty big difference being a 2 stroke. the 500 is a lot of work in tight turning single track. but I love it's power. thanks for the comments and thank you for watching!
Great video! Could you do a valve check video for 500 EXC
+Clayton Moorman I sure can. Thanks for watching.
There are a few good ones out there already, if you're in a hurry. Rocky Mountain ATV has one for a KTM.
Excellent job great video. Just give yourself some time to get used to the Beast and comfortable. I survived 30 years of that kind of riding by not riding above my ability. Let the speed come to you you obviously have talent. And don't forget to breathe and have fun!!!!🤘😎🤘
Great video - thanks for not going over the top with the non-essentials (just give me good info, lol).
I've been riding a 2016 300xc for about a year, and while I really love its power and ability to climb anything, I'm really getting attracted to Dual Sports and the freedom they provide. Looking at a 350 exc-f.
Nice review bro, full of significant info. I own a 4 stroke Honda 450r, but my dream bike is a KTM 300 EXC 2 stroke. I traded for the Honda, so it'll do for now. Actually, I love it, but I'm kinda crazy, lol. It's definitely a handful on the tight trails, but I'm used to it!
Hey thanks for the comment, and thanks for watching!
i noticed you got rid of the probend hand guards....... why? i haven't had a problem with them. is there something i should look out for?
+arthur booth m.th-cam.com/video/IxX5gE9qDdA/w-d-xo.html
They broke during this race. Completely snapped one off. The fastway v3 are way better!
+arthur booth m.th-cam.com/video/IxX5gE9qDdA/w-d-xo.html
They broke during this race. Completely snapped one off. The fastway v3 are way better!
what is the name of the song at 1:30
It is available as free music on youtube's creator audio library: "Let her in" by Silent Partner.
Great review! And congrats on the weight loss
Thanks! And thanks again for watching! Don't forget to subscribe!
ha - going through the same scenario now (today) - WR250R to EXC-F 450 Six Days.
How wide are your handle bars ??
Standard lol. Stock...don't know, never measured.
Hrmmmm, I rode / raced for many years from age 6 to 34 ! In my last year of racing I had cut my bar length down to 26" that allowed me to be much faster in the forest and on the tracks !! Special note for you, 1 tooth on your front sprocket is the same as 4 on the rear...ie: it's alot cheaper replacing a front , especially for testing purposes !!
so you're bottoming out crf250l and you still are bottoming out ktm500exc. What is the gain though? just the more power?
+Enduro Riders major differences between the two. The honda bottoms out way easier. The adjustible Suspension, lighter, better handling, more powerful, more durable. . . Basically every metric a serious off-road rider woukd use to measure a bikes capabilites is the gain. If you really dont think there is a serious gain here, I strongly recommend you try them side by side like I have.
How far can i go with it 1km or?? Plz answer
7asawi 3beed I have ridden it in a race well over 30 miles with more than half a tank left. Stock I say it's go about 110 miles on a tank.
thank you for the review, one of the best ones ever!
did you have any problems with your right turn signal melting from the exhaust?
Eric no. but I put on an aftermarket set after about 4 months.
17 came 11 pounds lighter and they got rid of the kickstart which is take over a little less weight
Sic! Great feed back, thank you
Damn you, i had a -08 450 exc couple of years ago, after seeing this i have to spend money on a new bike again! Great review tho!
+Riku Heinonen get a 2017. Its much lighter!
Very nice review. I really enjoyed it and found it informative.
nice video! I hope you keep them coming
I was considering buying one new, but for 10k the bike not running great to begin with is a little bit of a turn off. If I am going to spend the money I would prefer it work great right off the lot.
It is hard to accept that the bike is still a great bike after that disaster. I don't know if it is an issue in 2017. All I can say is the bike is awesome. It has flaws, and should be a little more reasonable in price, or if not; it should at least be fully functioning reliably for many years for that price. So far, I have had no other issues with the bike after over a year.
Joe Rockstar Thanks, I really do appreciate the honesty. I am glad it's not a video where it is the best bike because it is the one you spent money on lol.
Really great review, thank you for making the video.
Is 110 miles good or a bad ?
7asawi 3beed good if it's 109 miles to the next gad station, bad if it's 111 miles lol. It's really a matter of how long you want to ride. 110 miles on this bike is pretty far off road. but if you're doing longer adventure trips you can buy a larger tank for it.
Joe Rockstar thanks and keep doing what you do you are awesome
Love your awesome shirts throughout the video🤘😂
Great review. Got yourself another subscriber.
+TommyNitro thanks for watching and subscribing! I got a new video coming tomorrow with a message for my new subscribers.
Wen do u need to change you're piston?
The manual says 75 hours, my wallet says later.
Joe Rockstar 100h it's recommended..offcource it depend on how you ride..and preventive maintenance..
Great review I love my 500 exc too it's a great bike 👍👍👍
+gary finlayson thanks. And thanks for watching!
Like others noted, great review. Very informative!! I'm looking at selling both my DRZ400E and XR650L and getting a KTM. Debating a 450 EXC or 500 EXC. Ride desert, single track, (no MX), and want something to ride around National Park roads that I visit in the Summer and Winter. I'm 6'4" and 185. Any suggestions?
we don't have a 450 exc in the US, but I imagine it would be better suited for single track than the 500. I would even consider the 350. lighter bikes do better on single track.
Too much for a beginner?
No. It could be if you don't respect it. But I learned on it.
@@JoeRockstar thanks, but I'm assuming it's way too much for a teenager?
A useful real life review!!
You're bottoming out because you're not clearing the jumps. Go faster and catch the downhill part of the jump and things get a lot easier..