I've ridden CR250s, 480s and 500s since the 80s, purchased a 2015 250sx about 5 years ago with no compression and rebuilt the top end. It's the fastest 250 I've ever owned. Reworked it to make it enduro/single track friendly. My blood turned orange and now have a 2019 790 and 2024 500excf. It just seems KTM makes their bikes lighter and with more power, now with closed cartridge forks the suspension is catching up.
I have 28000km, 450 hours, 50/50 road to dirt 14/45 sprockets, motoz IT enduro tires @10000km, 10 to 20 hours oil change, chain sprockets and wheel bearings every 10000km and no issues everything stock. 2019 ktm 500 excf
50 hrs on my 2021 and it’s been great along with friends that have 3 other 500’s. All have been solid. The TPI is kinda doggy but is really smooth. Those tpi’s are mountain goats. I had a 18 250xc 2t carbureted and it had more power than the tpi that I rode. The new TBI is supposed to have quite a bit more snort. The 2t’s definitely feel way lighter than the 500s but I absolutely love my 500, can’t see it going anywhere for a long time.
Thanks for this info. My 22 had me wondering how long I could push the reliability for remote, solo riding. So far, at 4k, it's been stunningly reliable and high performance, I love my bike.
Nice video presentation. I've got a 2016 Husky FE501 with 31K on the dial, apart from de-corking it and replacing the end cap, she is stock. It pulls MONSTA shit-your-pants torque wheelies in every gear, I hold it wide open with the throttle hard on the stopper clicking from 5th into 6th at 140 Klms per hour lifting the front end up with no worries at all. it's been absolutely faultless and the BEAST runs like a Swiss watch. I f@cking LOVE IT!
@@sandnapper6796 30,000 Klm. I change the oil and filters about every 1000 klms. My Husky 501 has tonnes of tractor torque down low and runs smooth as an electric motor from mid range to top. I absolutely Love it. I have owned big bore two strokes since the 1980's because I thought there weren't any big bore 4 stroke thumpers that compared. The KTM/HUSKY 500 is a BEAST!
60yrs old and soooooo get what your saying, Im running a fully jacked and uncorked 2018 450EXC, Love these bikes. New Girlfriend thought WTF when I rode it up a flight of steps to her second floor condo..... told her my bike doesnt sleep outside unless Im on an overnight ride camping. Needless to say she now understands a guy whos been riding for over 50yrs
I used to be a big Honda fan but I’m 10x more of a KTM “fan boy” now after buying my last bike(1290SAR) and now owning a 500 and only putting 113 miles on it so far I’m still a huge fan! I wish more people would drink the Cool-Aid 🍊
They are like the best kept secret Honda just had the bigger name but I’ll tell you right now they are the lightest most powerful bikes ever and the valves legit don’t move and everyone is now catching on to how reliable they are and they hold their value! Especially the street legal models Exc-f could go online and find a 2018 for like 4k less than retail if that
my 19 is now at 6.5k miles, it gets a beating and it loves it - superb bike, ktm really really hit the mark with the 500, UK user here so our bikes are a lot more powerful than yours but still a supremely manageable bike - it just works in any terrain and asks for permission before it gets wild, stay on top of oil and filters and these bikes are great - all those out there who read idiotic comments about servicing need education, it takes 15 minutes - that's it
With a 22 with 3k on it who bought it new to camp on bdr's, I was wondering at after how many non-mx or hard enduro miles do I start to loose confidence in it's reliability. You answered with this video, thanks so much, and, uh, Braaaaaaap !!!
Nice bike and review. May I ask how tall you are and how much you weigh? I'm considering getting a 2024 KTM Six Days edition. I'm also 50 years old 6'2" and 245lbs. I hope my body size is ok. I'm completely new to this kind of bike and it will be my first. Thanx in advance for your reply to my question. Cheers from Denver Colorado
I'm 6'9", 265 and had to only change the rear spring, higher bars and risers. Lower footpegs help too. That's it. Very reliable bike. Have a 2012 with 17K kms.
Thank you for sharing, this was very helpful. Q: Have you changed anything else besides the things you mentioned in the review? (Ex: Fuel pump or anything in the engine like the piston)? And did you buy it brand new, first owner or used? If used how many miles did have when you bought it? Thanks in advance. Kind regards.
Fuel pumps in these don't like to run dry. Never run out of fuel (or when you do don't attempt to restart it - that's when it usually gets burned). Otherwise they are very reliable.
Original Piston, just rode hard for 120 miles yesterday, no noticeable oil consumption. It does slightly smoke at start up only now. I'm at 14,500 miles now.
@@sandnapper6796 don't rev it up when it's cold. That's when the piston rings aren't up to their diastolic temperature and consume oil (plus wearing the thing out). I let it idle a couple of minutes with choke on while working the clutch a bit to lubricate the disks. Then gradually up the tempo. That's if you care about longevity.
Nobody is a KTM fan until they own one.
Facts! 99% of the hate comes from people who are too scared to buy one!
So true
I've owned several, as with all bikes they have down sides and up sides, overall there are other brands I prefer.
I’m humbled and inspired. You see I just recently bought a 701. At 59, I hope to get to half of your adventures. Respectfully, JM
That bike has lived dirt bike life.
I have the 2018 FE450, a close relative of your bike. This gives me great confidence that my bike will hold up for a very long time. Thank you!
I've ridden CR250s, 480s and 500s since the 80s, purchased a 2015 250sx about 5 years ago with no compression and rebuilt the top end. It's the fastest 250 I've ever owned. Reworked it to make it enduro/single track friendly. My blood turned orange and now have a 2019 790 and 2024 500excf. It just seems KTM makes their bikes lighter and with more power, now with closed cartridge forks the suspension is catching up.
I have 28000km, 450 hours, 50/50 road to dirt 14/45 sprockets, motoz IT enduro tires @10000km, 10 to 20 hours oil change, chain sprockets and wheel bearings every 10000km and no issues everything stock. 2019 ktm 500 excf
50 hrs on my 2021 and it’s been great along with friends that have 3 other 500’s. All have been solid. The TPI is kinda doggy but is really smooth. Those tpi’s are mountain goats. I had a 18 250xc 2t carbureted and it had more power than the tpi that I rode. The new TBI is supposed to have quite a bit more snort. The 2t’s definitely feel way lighter than the 500s but I absolutely love my 500, can’t see it going anywhere for a long time.
Thanks for this info. My 22 had me wondering how long I could push the reliability for remote, solo riding. So far, at 4k, it's been stunningly reliable and high performance, I love my bike.
Nice video presentation. I've got a 2016 Husky FE501 with 31K on the dial, apart from de-corking it and replacing the end cap, she is stock. It pulls MONSTA shit-your-pants torque wheelies in every gear, I hold it wide open with the throttle hard on the stopper clicking from 5th into 6th at 140 Klms per hour lifting the front end up with no worries at all. it's been absolutely faultless and the BEAST runs like a Swiss watch. I f@cking LOVE IT!
That’s great to hear. 31,000 miles or Km?
@@sandnapper6796 30,000 Klm. I change the oil and filters about every 1000 klms. My Husky 501 has tonnes of tractor torque down low and runs smooth as an electric motor from mid range to top. I absolutely Love it. I have owned big bore two strokes since the 1980's because I thought there weren't any big bore 4 stroke thumpers that compared. The KTM/HUSKY 500 is a BEAST!
What gearing are you running . Mine will not roll on wheelies in 5th or 6th
14/52@@scottc4433
@@sandnapper6796 you can’t go 140 In 5th with 14-52
60yrs old and soooooo get what your saying, Im running a fully jacked and uncorked 2018 450EXC, Love these bikes. New Girlfriend thought WTF when I rode it up a flight of steps to her second floor condo..... told her my bike doesnt sleep outside unless Im on an overnight ride camping. Needless to say she now understands a guy whos been riding for over 50yrs
I used to be a big Honda fan but I’m 10x more of a KTM “fan boy” now after buying my last bike(1290SAR) and now owning a 500 and only putting 113 miles on it so far I’m still a huge fan! I wish more people would drink the Cool-Aid 🍊
They are like the best kept secret Honda just had the bigger name but I’ll tell you right now they are the lightest most powerful bikes ever and the valves legit don’t move and everyone is now catching on to how reliable they are and they hold their value! Especially the street legal models Exc-f could go online and find a 2018 for like 4k less than retail if that
Everyone is a Honda fan until they own a KTM 😂
I literally have the same two bikes and we are the same age at 52 ! LOL I totally agree with your review on both bikes.
my 19 is now at 6.5k miles, it gets a beating and it loves it - superb bike, ktm really really hit the mark with the 500, UK user here so our bikes are a lot more powerful than yours but still a supremely manageable bike - it just works in any terrain and asks for permission before it gets wild, stay on top of oil and filters and these bikes are great - all those out there who read idiotic comments about servicing need education, it takes 15 minutes - that's it
I changed the exhaust on mine, added Vortex ECU, removed reeds in airbox. Probably has 50ish horsepower now. Great bike.
@@sandnapper6796 glad to hear it, keep riding and keep smiling
With a 22 with 3k on it who bought it new to camp on bdr's, I was wondering at after how many non-mx or hard enduro miles do I start to loose confidence in it's reliability. You answered with this video, thanks so much, and, uh, Braaaaaaap !!!
I'm swapping in the steel idler and oil pump gears with the plastic ones that come on 17-22 models..
Hi thanks. Nice video. Can you tell me how many miles you can do with the IMS 3.2 Gallons ? Thanks Francois
Easy dual sport riding, 140 miles, hard dual sport 120 miles
really enjoyed the vid and very informative. May I ask if you have the increased volume oil casing fitted?
Have you have changed the piston and rings?
No, no, and no.
2012s to 2016s 500s had extra oil capacity (1.5L) vs the 1.2L these newer bikes have. I have a 2012 with 17K kms (running great).
Great video! What Mosko bags are you running?
Good review. have you had to replace the fuel pump and if so, how hard was it? I've had my 500 for about a year. No problems, it's just what you read.
Original Fuel Pump
A great review, thank you
Closing in on 15,000 miles
How do you get 13 ooo miles on 2 sets grips? 🤔
I put 120k on a set of grips on my GS1200 😂 they were smooth as glass
Nice bike and review. May I ask how tall you are and how much you weigh? I'm considering getting a 2024 KTM Six Days edition. I'm also 50 years old 6'2" and 245lbs. I hope my body size is ok. I'm completely new to this kind of bike and it will be my first. Thanx in advance for your reply to my question. Cheers from Denver Colorado
53 years old, 6'1", 240 lbs.
@sandnapper6796 thanx for the reply. Do you think I'll need to change out the rear spring under the seat to accommodate my weight?
absolutely @@co4x4
absolutely@@co4x4
I'm 6'9", 265 and had to only change the rear spring, higher bars and risers. Lower footpegs help too. That's it. Very reliable bike. Have a 2012 with 17K kms.
Thank you for sharing, this was very helpful.
Q: Have you changed anything else besides the things you mentioned in the review? (Ex: Fuel pump or anything in the engine like the piston)?
And did you buy it brand new, first owner or used? If used how many miles did have when you bought it?
Thanks in advance. Kind regards.
Original fuel pump, I have changed the fuel filter twice. No work done to engine.
Fuel pumps in these don't like to run dry. Never run out of fuel (or when you do don't attempt to restart it - that's when it usually gets burned). Otherwise they are very reliable.
Did you move the ignition switch? I saw it up by the speedo? My 15 has it on the side and I hate it there
That’s the stock location, but I did a key delete, no key needed anymore
On the side it's where it should be for fast restarting when you eventually stall it on the very hard stuff (unless, ofc, you never go there).
Are you still on the original piston? Any oil consumption at all?
Original Piston, just rode hard for 120 miles yesterday, no noticeable oil consumption. It does slightly smoke at start up only now. I'm at 14,500 miles now.
@@sandnapper6796 that's normal as the oil seal on the valves getting worn over time.
@@sandnapper6796 don't rev it up when it's cold. That's when the piston rings aren't up to their diastolic temperature and consume oil (plus wearing the thing out). I let it idle a couple of minutes with choke on while working the clutch a bit to lubricate the disks. Then gradually up the tempo. That's if you care about longevity.
Original piston, oil consumption good
Road coaches county for 24 years.The Patagonia's the wachucus that you're a goon's Empire.Seanniga it's a wonderful place to ride
Hour many hours ?
currently 14,200 miles, 498 Hours
Great machine…!!!
Your 300 should be about 50 pounds lighter.