KTM 520 EXC 2002 anybody ride one ?

[TgaAdv]

Just wondering if anybody does dual purpose riding on a KTM 520 EXC and what they are like on the road. Got an XT400 93 at the moment which is really reliable but want a bit more power. It sounds like they are pretty sweet on the trails. Any input would be appreciated.

[CBobR]

I've found they're acceptable on the road. The seat will be more 'focused' than your XT.

The main problem with using them on the road is the relatively close service intervals. Look into the number of hours between oil changes.

Nice bike.

[Crisis management]

If you want KTM and dual purpose I would suggest the 640, the LC4 motor is less highly strung and there are some good buys out there at the mo.

[426crasher]

I do adventure riding on a WR426. Great bike off the seal, so so on the seal. I tested a few KTMs including an 02 520 before i bought the Yam. The 520 is very similar to the Wr on the road, seats like a plank of wood and the "ride" a bit thrashy and harsh. They are enduro bikes that can be ridden on the road and as long as you can accept it........ If you want dual purpose the 640 lc4 is a great bike. Give them both a test. My 426 has done 7500kms, heaps of trail rides and the only thing i have put into the motor is the best oil i can buy,filters and on a regular basis. They only take around 1.5 litres of oil so an expensive 4 litre can of oil gets you near on 3 changes. I change mine every 750kms. If you want a good dual purpose at a budget price the DR650 is very hard to beat. I would buy WR over EXC just because the reliability record for the blue babys seems so good.

[TgaAdv]

Thanks heaps for all the info. Now im more confused but also more informed. It sounds like the KTMs require too much maintenance for me. So higher performance = higher maintenance which makes sense. Kinda want something light so I can can get it up steeper trails and through some muddy puddles - the XT400 tends to be a bit heavy and just get stuck in the mud - probably need some chunkier tyres too though!. Does the WR426 have pillion pegs? as would do the odd 2 up adventure ride but not very often.

[CBobR]

It sounds like the KTMs require too much maintenance for me. So higher performance = higher maintenance which makes sense.
You might be suprised how much maintenance goes into a modern japanese competition style dirt bike.

I was going to say look at a 650 like a DR650 or KTM640, but based on this:


the XT400 tends to be a bit heavy and just get stuck in the mud
how about a non-"race" 400 like a DRZ400 or XR400 (or even TTR250 etc?)

[FlangMasterJ]

Yeah a DRZ400SM would be a good choice. Easy to mod, great reliability and you can swap out the 17" motard wheels for offroad wheels when you want to tackle the dirt.

[TgaAdv]

OK. So youre saying something like a WR426 requires quite a lot of maintenance also or anything racy for that matter. What is the performance like on the DR400? The XT400 seems pretty tame for a 400 - some 250s would be faster but no good for 2up. I had my eye on an XR400 but it had electrical problems - something like flasher units not working on the indicators.

[TgaAdv]

so thats new oil every 2250kms - that sounds not too bad

[clint640]

Sorry mate, We'd all like a bike lighter than an XT400 for the muddy stuff & also grunty & comfortable on the road & 2 up capable, but there's no such thing.

The DRZ400 has a bit more poke than your XT & has a less maintenance intensive motor than the MX/Enduro 450's, but it probably weighs about the same as your XT & isn't any good 2 up.

A good 97-on XR400 would also give you a bit of an update on the XT400, otherwise get down to your KTM dealer & slap a deposit on a 690 Enduro 'cos that'll be the closest thing to what you want when they arrive in a month or so, but they won't be cheap.

Cheers
Clint

[CBobR]

We'd all like a bike lighter than an XT400 for the muddy stuff & also grunty & comfortable on the road & 2 up capable, but there's no such thing.


Turbo charged DRZ400 motor, custom aluminium tube frame, custom seat (narrow at the front for 'froadin', wide at the back for the pillion).

But what tyres to run on it?.... I'll show myself out

[Squiggles]

PM Macstar, he's got one, and i believe hes looking to sell it, he's supermotarded it but still has the offroad gear :cool:

[The Pastor]

I think macstar has a 520 or was it a 525?

[deanohit]

Turbo charged DRZ400 motor, custom aluminium tube frame, custom seat (narrow at the front for 'froadin', wide at the back for the pillion).

But what tyres to run on it?.... I'll show myself out

Dude, do you have any more details of that bike? Pm them to me if you do! :clap:

Edit: Dont worry, found it on SupermotoJunkie.com

[Macstar]

T'is true. Mine is for sale at Wild West Honda in Akl and is mechnically sound thanks to a brand new engine rebuild ($3k worth). 8 litre tank is a bitch for long journeys (160ish kms) but you can get larger ones and seat aint too comfy (most I did was 9 hours in one day). But the 520 is a light bike at 112kgs and maintenance ain't too bad i.e. oil 10-15 hours (only 1.3 litres), and valve clearances etc.

[deanohit]

All too much in the end Macstar?
How much is it going for?

[Macstar]

All too much in the end Macstar?
How much is it going for?

I guess it's a question of: how much of my crappy salary do I want to spend on bikes? At the moment it's about 40%!! (bought a brand spanking Hornet). So yeah, KTM is not the cheapest bike to own...

[TgaAdv]

Yeah i took my first test ride on a KTM 525 exc 05 today and it was wicked ! I dont think i even went past half throttle but that was fast enough for my me. All that power would take a bit of getting used too. But it was really quite light and maneouverable ( is that how you spell that ? ). I think it would be pretty uncomfortable on the road but wicked once you reach the rough stuff and is definitely more trail suited. Pretty thrashy and harsh , but cool as. Im thinking i'll probably sell the XT soon and get bit of cash together for the KTM - pretty keen on that power !!.

[pampa]

Yeah i took my first test ride on a KTM 525 exc 05 today and it was wicked ! I dont think i even went past half throttle but that was fast enough for my me. All that power would take a bit of getting used too. But it was really quite light and maneouverable ( is that how you spell that ? ). I think it would be pretty uncomfortable on the road but wicked once you reach the rough stuff and is definitely more trail suited. Pretty thrashy and harsh , but cool as. Im thinking i'll probably sell the XT soon and get bit of cash together for the KTM - pretty keen on that power !!.

It would be:

maneuverable
adj : capable of maneuvering or changing position; "a highly
maneuverable ship" [syn: manoeuvrable]

according to the dictionary:shutup:

[TgaAdv]

Having second thoughts on the 525 now. It is a nice bike but been reading a lot and it appears that riding these bikes on road is bad for their health ( is that true ? ). Also all the reports of breaking parts are quite worrying - so i guess like Clint640 was saying there is no such thing as a do-everything bike. Ive been thinking about going back to a 250 because my XT400 is a handful on a trail and struggles to do 110kph anyway - i think some of those 250s would eat it . Something lower maintenance than the KTM525 though. What are CRM250R like ? Id like something in the weight range of maybe under 130kgs .

[CBobR]

You'd need a hardy pillion for a CRM250.
What's your approx budget? I reckon you'll have more luck searching for 2 cheaper bikes to cover your needs. Say DR750 and KDX200 for example.

Welcome to multi-bike ownership... a sickness.

[TgaAdv]

yeah i wouldn't be putting a pillion on the back of a 250 - i think i will have to join the multi bike club. Is it possible/financially practical to make A KDX200 road legal - they are a nice trail bike. My budget is about 4k. I was gonna sell my current bike and go halves with the bank on the balance for the KTM $7500.
But yeah a KDX200 and a XR600 would probably be the sort of combo I could work towards. Heard heaps of good reviews on the CRM250 though - decisions decisions.

[warewolf]

Is it possible/financially practical to make A KDX200 road legalThey are (or were) road legal off the showroom floor. Costs would depend on how much of the missing road gear you had to buy. Plus it's about $500-ish to get the bike certified for road use (VIN, WOF, rego).

[TgaAdv]

Thanks that helps heaps - I usually ride about 30km to the trails i like to ride - would that be ok an a CRM in terms of overheating engine ? im not to worried about comfort - i usually go about 90km on the highway.

[clint640]

Thanks that helps heaps - I usually ride about 30km to the trails i like to ride - would that be ok an a CRM in terms of overheating engine ? im not to worried about comfort - i usually go about 90km on the highway.

I don't think you'd have any problems doing 30km to the track on a CRM, they are designed for a bit of road work, no reason why they'd overheat.

Cheers
Clint

[TgaAdv]

Would a DT175 2 stroke have enough power for a 75kgs rider on the trails ?

[TgaAdv]

Has anyone ridden the new Honda CRF450X enduros - they look pretty cool.

[CBobR]

Would a DT175 2 stroke have enough power for a 75kgs rider on the trails ?

'Morning.

think nobody answered because "enough" is an extremely subjective thing.

Can you finagle a few bikes for a ride?
(for the CRF, I think Honda sometimes put on demo bikes at some organised trail rides?)

[twotyred]

Has anyone ridden the new Honda CRF450X enduros - they look pretty cool.

can they be road registered in NZ?... Oz is the only country I have heard of them being street legal...

[CRM]

Thanks that helps heaps - I usually ride about 30km to the trails i like to ride - would that be ok an a CRM in terms of overheating engine ? im not to worried about comfort - i usually go about 90km on the highway.

A GasGas Pampera is the closest thing I've found to what you are wanting... road legal, 250cc two stroke, 98kg, probably about the same height as your 400. Will climb anything (engine is from their trials bike) but has enough power to have a heap of fun at speed off road or (if you change the knobblies) a great fun backroads bike that you can cruise at 100k. People do complain about the shorter suspension, but only when they have been coming from a tall MX or Enduro. Mine even has pillion pegs and I did take my wife on it once so it's possible but I wouldn't recommend long-distance touring two up! I went from a DRZ400 to the Pampera and the all round fun value is way superior.

[TgaAdv]

Yeah its just getting one is the hard bit - not too many of those around ( GasGas) - do you know of any for sale ?

[CRM]

Yeah its just getting one is the hard bit - not too many of those around ( GasGas) - do you know of any for sale ?

There's one on trademe at the moment that looks good. They want $4500 which is reasonable - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-144983948.htm?key=25170. There's another one in the South Island on Trademe for $3995 but it's not road registered. That one has been there for months - not sure what's wrong with it.

[TgaAdv]

just spotted a road legal 2001 XR400 at a dealer for 5995 - is that a good price - pretty low kms ? do these have the button ?

[clint640]

No button on the XR400 sorry. $6K seems a bit steep, you'd get a similar age good cond DR650 for that.

Cheers
Clint

[TgaAdv]

OK. are the KTM640s more off road capable then the DR650s ? which model 640 have you got - enduro ? is there an enduro and a supermoto ?

Thanks

[clint640]

The KTM 640 comes in 3 flavours: Supermoto, Adventure (windscreen & huge tank) & the Enduro that I have. There is also the similar but lighter & more dirt focussed 625SXC which has the same motor with a flatslide carb, & smaller tank & taller suspension.

The Enduro is a little lighter than a DR650 & has way better suspension which makes it heaps nicer off road. It also has more power but is otherwise built to do much the same stuff as a DR650.

It is still pretty heavy compared to the likes of a CRF450/520EXC, but the flipside of that is motor maintenance at 50000 km intervals instead of 50 hr intervals & the ability to go touring for 500km per day with all your camping gear on the back without suffering arse or subframe failure.

Cheers
Clint

[Crisis management]

Man, this thread is back at it's beginning now.....

As Clint said, the 640 is a far superior bike to the DR and given the choice I would replace my DR with a 640; more power, better handling and free vibrations, what more could you want?

[twotyred]

... and given the choice I would replace my DR with a 640; more power, better handling and free vibrations, what more could you want?

What?..you don't have to pay extra for the vibrations!?? nice!:niceone:

[TgaAdv]

Just ordered some Kenda K760 trackmaster tyres for the XT400e so looking forward to seeing what theyre like ( do i need new tubes as well ? ) - pretty mean looking tread for a rd legal. So guess ill have to just take it easier on the seal and keep the speed down a bit - that will keep me happy while im trying to sort out which bike i want to get and how to pay for it .

In saying that though the Xt is really growing on me. Im starting to fang it quite a bit on gravel roads and getting the back out a bit which is really cool fun! ( finding myself having to regrip with throttle hand so i can open it up more ). Kinda have your heart in your mouth going around those tight corners waiting for a subaru to appear though - lol - guess it comes with the territory.
And i know its gonna start after ive stopped for a break. Reliability is a good thing.
But I still wince when i see a mud puddle up ahead and wonder if im gonna get through or if that top heaviness is gonna send me and the bike toppling over. I hope the extra front end traction with the K760s will help with that. Previously with the bridgestone trailwings it was like driving a supermarket trolley through the mud - the front would slide around and the back would just spin up bigtime. But maybe i just need more practice as only been douing this sort of riding about 3 months. (previous bike TDR250 way cool fun). Any tips on riding through boggy mud patches ?? 4wd tracks can be a b%*ch to ride through.

Still think about the KTM525 03 a lot !

Man the old friday night drunken rant never written so much - !! better go have another beer.

[NordieBoy]

JBut maybe i just need more practice as only been douing this sort of riding about 3 months. (previous bike TDR250 way cool fun).

Now that's an adventure bike :D

[Motu]

The K760's are a good tyre,definitely on the aggressive side street legal knobs.You can get some good lean angles with them,but need to be gentle,any brake or throttle action will get them loose.I find they tend to ''walk'' out when on those big lean angles,going from one knob to the next.

The XT400/600 is on the heavy side,and that's what's causing it to slither around in the mud,especially when you come into those mud puddles the 4x4's leave.The 400 has the disadvantage of not having enough power for weight transfer.But they are excellent in gravel,I rode my 400 faster and harder than I can the 600 - the lack of wheelspin means you can keep the power on longer and just keep the road speed up.Point to point I'd say the 400 was faster,and I rode harder and faster too.The 600 is all about controlling wheelspin and slowing down for corners.....remove that part and you can really start to move.I love underpowered bikes on gravel.

[marks]

I love underpowered bikes on gravel.

would you count the DT230 as underpowered? (BTW have you got yours back together yet?)

[Motu]

Oh yeah...well I like riding over powered bikes on gravel too!! Just bit by bit - today I fitted the piston,barrel and head....maybe I'll fit it into the frame next week or so.

The DT230 was skittery on seal with the K760's....I don't think it had enough weight to make them bite,it just felt greasy all the time,opposite to the XT600.I don't think they worked that well on gravel either....I've had more bite out of less aggressive tyres on the DT230.But of course they make up for it off road.

[TgaAdv]

yep TDR250 one of a kind - good for getting tickets on - who me ? - i think the japanese go off roading on them. Wouldnt mind getting one of those again one day before 2 strokes get outlawed.
I remember my first test ride on one from a bike shop - the guy said "have you ridden a two stroke before" and i said yep (but that one only had one piston - KDX 200) - i thought the thing was dying a slow death , just didnt have any power , farting and coughing along - so i found a straight bit of road and thought right somethings gotta give here so i wound the throttle and watched the tacho go past 6 grand and then my head just flipped back and the front wheel came off the ground - man i was so close to dropping it . The rush of power just made me smile from ear to ear and within 2 months i had one in my garage.

Anyway back to the topic at hand. Wanted to try out the K760s to open up my options a bit and there are a few trails ive spotted which are pretty much down to the clay and you wouldnt really want to go down them unless you had an agressive tyre on. Agree the 400cc seems to be the perfect size for fanging on gravel without too much effort.

Looking forward to getting out there and testing the K760s on the 4wd tracks and muddy single track on the 400. I think a lighter bike would be necessary for getting through those 4wd tracks though or trying to ride around them on the tiny walking tracks which would probably end in disaster anyway - might fit a winch (not!)

[TgaAdv]

anyone close to tauranga got a KTM640 theyd let me try out ??? or a DR650 dealers arent too keen because i havent got my full yet but will have in a months time.

[clint640]

Have you had a look at the one at Patterson O'connor in Rotorua? I think it's still there, they've had it on the floor for ages so would probably be willing to talk turkey on it. Wait til you've got yer licence then go & hit them up.

When riding on loose/slippery surfaces, if you want to go straight, stand up & put your weight back. Keeping a bit of power on helps too. You'll find that your new tyres will give you more confidence at that sort of stuff.

Cheers
Clint

[TgaAdv]

Just had a look at patterson oconnor site and cant see any 640s there but will ring them and check. Have seen a couple of others on trade me though - what do you reckon about these ones? - are the prices ok ? ;

1 : 03 640 , 23000 kms , $7495 ( Wanganui )
2 : 03 640 , 13689 kms , $8500 , pack rack ( Christchurch )
3 : 02 640 , 5556 kms , $8495 , pack rack ( Auckland )

Ive seen a couple of super duke IIs as well but they like like more of a street bike.
Also wondring if you ever venture up 4wd tracks on yours or is it too heavy - probably answering my own question as my 400 even seems a handful on those sort of tracks but that was with trailwings on. Appreciate your input.
Cheers
Shane

[CBobR]

Also wondring if you ever venture up 4wd tracks on yours or is it too heavy

A 640 is about as close as you are going to get to a dirtbike in an adventure bike (suspension travel, flat long seat, dropability). It will go almost anywhere a 4wd will short of deep water crossings and rocky steps if you have the tyres... luckily the 21 an 18" wheels mean you can go as dirt biased as you are willing to accept onroad.

The weight is obviously harder work than a true dirtbike though.

[NordieBoy]

The weight is obviously harder work than a true dirtbike though.

Weight? What weight?

[xr-rider]

Would a DT175 2 stroke have enough power for a 75kgs rider on the trails ?

Try the DT230. its got electric start and looks cool. lightweight and they go fast.

[CBobR]

Weight? What weight?

It's all relative :)

[NordieBoy]

It's all relative :)

But a trials bike isn't a dirt bike either :jerry:

[clint640]

The one at Patterson's belonged to Gavin who works there's uncle, who still has it, so enquire.

The 03 on 640's have a few upgrades over the earlier models, but a lot of 02s have the 18L tank std which is a big plus for some, so you really have to go on condition.

I looked at the one in Chch when I was browsing the bike shops down there a couple of weeks back, it belonged to lemans on here IIRC & was pretty tidy, but if the Wanganui one has been looked after it'd be a good buy I reckon. 8.5 for an 02 is a bit hopeful I think, but at those k's it's barely run in.

No such thing as a Super Duke II, but the Duke II's are indeed a road bike.

I'll quite happily point my 640 up a 4x4 track, & with decent knobs on I've done a few trail rides on it & had fun, but I wouldn't go pointing it up the expert loop on a wet day or turn up for anything with 'hardman' or 'pussy pounder' in the title! It depends a bit on how fit & strong you are & how good a rider you are.

Cheers
Clint



Just had a look at patterson oconnor site and cant see any 640s there but will ring them and check. Have seen a couple of others on trade me though - what do you reckon about these ones? - are the prices ok ? ;

1 : 03 640 , 23000 kms , $7495 ( Wanganui )
2 : 03 640 , 13689 kms , $8500 , pack rack ( Christchurch )
3 : 02 640 , 5556 kms , $8495 , pack rack ( Auckland )

Ive seen a couple of super duke IIs as well but they like like more of a street bike.
Also wondring if you ever venture up 4wd tracks on yours or is it too heavy - probably answering my own question as my 400 even seems a handful on those sort of tracks but that was with trailwings on. Appreciate your input.
Cheers
Shane

[TgaAdv]

Thanks for the feedback. i just enquired about the 640 in rotorua and sounds ok with 11000kms on it but theyre talking 9k ish - sounds a bit too steep i reckon ?

[clint640]

Thanks for the feedback. i just enquired about the 640 in rotorua and sounds ok with 11000kms on it but theyre talking 9k ish - sounds a bit too steep i reckon ?

Yep, way too much considering the last brand new runout 05's were being advertised at $11.5K by AMPS a year or 2 back. The 04-on had bigger footpegs than the 03, but that's about the only difference you'd notice.

Cheers
Clint

[TgaAdv]

Yay ! Just bought an XR400 97 for $3900 in better than average condition. Havent regod it yet but should be done in the next couple weeks. Goes really well 110kph with 48T sprocket on and still had some left so that shold improve with a 44 or something smaller on.

[CBobR]

Nice one, good luck with her.

Plenty of fun and unlikely many headaches with an XR400 I'm sure.

[TgaAdv]

Cheers mate - i might try and put up some photos soon

[Atmonauti]

Hey there, Sorry to butt in on the thread here. :(

I am looking for TgaAdv but cant seem to get any contact info for him.

If anyone knows him or knows how to contact him. (hasnt read or been online to read his PM's in a while) could you let me know!

Thanks so much!

[TgaAdv]

Hi sorry about not replying - the bike is still for sale - 027 599 5543 or 07 5789831