2012 KTM 500 EXC

If you're not on the gas going off the jump you will nose dive as well. I think that jump was just too small so his suspension kinda soaked it up and kicked the back end up.

 

Yeah that makes sense, cool, Ill find this spot when I get my Wr450 and let you all know if it snaps in half or not

 

BTW, if this will be your first dirt bike, maybe buy a 250 instead of a 500. Unless of course you're looking for the license plate.

 

KTMs are not weak, they have OWNED off-road for years, and now are starting to make a better name for themselves in the motocross/Supercross scene.

 

Im looking for it to be a daily too so I need that little extra brap to get around the horrible drivers in this town. Im good with controlling my throttle(dont mind the avatar pic), I've had 2 600s so not worried about the size of the motor but I know being good on pavement doesn't mean much on dirt.

 

I just bought a 12 500 exc and its the most incredible bike I have ever ridden!!! And ive been riding for 20+ years Its my favorite thing ever. sad to say but it makes my taco sit in the garage a lot. I have been getting 58 mpg riding it to work and back, and that is riding hard cuz there is an offroad trail that goes most of the way there about 8 miles then prob 4 on pavement. getting supermoto setup tonight so i dont eat the knobby on the pavement Got about five hundred miles on it and it is performing flawlessly. Checked valve clearances at 1 and 30 hours so far and right in spec. Hope you get one if you love to ride as much as I do you will absolutely love that bike. Sorry i am all over the place with this but I get excited talking about it Hope I helped

 

Heres some pics of my new sumo setup (Dont get me wrong I"m a dirt guy but had to try it. So sick!!!

 

That looks pretty cool!

I just put the Euro tail kit on my 530. Then added a Twist-a-Plate to it so I can rotate the plate to keep it from catching on stuff. Used some slim LED turn signals too.

 

Ya I have been looking at some smaller turn signals and a fold down mirror.

I just took it around spirit lake this morning with the sumo setup and it is a kick in the ass!!! It's your basic windy around a lake road and good God does it corner So much fun!!! Now it's back to dirt tires for camping this weekend took me 38 minutes to switch. Not too bad and i'm sure it will get faster now that I figured out all the little tricks to get those super wide tires in the swingarm

 

I have these on my 530.

 

KTMs are good bikes, but my Husaberg makes them quake with fear!

 

When it's running

 

that was one fucked up crash.

but on a lighter note, i do have one of the KTM's you were talking about sitting in my garage at the moment as well as the 2011 450 version. I personally haven't ridden either of the bikes enough to say how great they are but my dad takes them out all the time. he says that the 500 has some serious balls compared to last years model and he has a blast every time he rides either one. i'll let you know what i think of them when i get my motorcycle license.

 

Only thing I have had to change on it was a battery, and its a 1998.

 

Speaking of running...my 950SM left me stranded today. Never had that happen before. Charging circuit doesn't seem to be charging the battery.

 

I was just teasing you.

We don't see many Husaberg's or Husqvarna's in this neck of the woods which is too bad. I think both brands have really upped their game-especially now that BMW owns Husqvarna.

 

I heard those KTM 500s are pretty nice, KTMs are now a great bike, still using a steel frame but they tent to absorb the bumps pretty well.

I have 4 off road bikes, currently no KTM,s but Hondas and Yamahas, I have 2 CRF450s (one street legal 05' and one is my race bike) and I am currently building a Yamaha 250 2 stroke into a 300cc wide ratio Desert monster.

I have ridden plenty of KTMs, they tend to have more linear power as compared to most Japanese bikes. Parts will cost you a bit more, but they arent unreliable like they used to be and parts are readily available (trying to get parts for them years ago was a mission!)

They also tend to have nice things on them like black wheels, hydraulic clutches, electric start, etc....so they come pretty well equipped, sometimes slightly on the heavier side, but not by a huge margin.

If you get it have fun!! I am going riding in Johnson valley in the morning, gonna be a blast!

 

No worries. There are 4 dealers near my house. Plus several online sources with a great selection. Never really had a problem with one exception-one of the now defunct dealers that never carried a lot of parts consumables or otherwise. Otherwise, I can get pretty much whatever I want pretty quickly.
Plus, I have a local shop right around the corner who carry non-OEM stuff for KTMs (including plastics).

With internet ordering, almost any part is easily available. So long as you know what you need.

 

I have a 2012 500 EXC and I love it.


I had a 2007 525 EXC . I always said the only way I would get rid of my 525 was if they made a EFI bike.

 

The 500's are awesome bikes. I have a friend who just bought one and i get to throw a leg over it every now and then (i have a 12 ktm 250xcf). Its a very mellow but very strong at the same time and feels much lighter than the 530 and 525 before it. Quality concerns and parts being hard to get are things of the past and the Jap guys just cant seem to let go of it.