KTM - Easy to live with?

**watermellon** · 27th June 2010, 14:34

Hi.

Still looking for a road legal trail bike and noticed a few 2002 KTM 400s on TradeMe.

Anybody got any idea what they're like to live with? Quirky? Reliable? Expensive for parts? Also, what do you think I could expect the tank range to be?

Many thanks.

**marks** · 27th June 2010, 14:39

while any 8 year old high performance trial bike is most likely going to be a money pit have a look at this

**watermellon** · 27th June 2010, 14:59

That link had expired. What was it? Cheers.

Was looking at this by the way: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-296542584.htm and another like it down south.

**Waihou Thumper** · 27th June 2010, 15:30

Expect a few dollars to maintain....ALL high performance bikes, KTM, Husaberg will need it. They are lovely bikes but at the end of the day, you will be smiling. IF, for some reason it turns to custard.....Take out a second mortgage with KTM...
I am looking but have my reservations.....After an expensive lesson with a Husey....Still, great beasts! Ask Anthrax....

**Waihou Thumper** · 27th June 2010, 15:37

Originally Posted by marks

while any 8 year old high performance trial bike is most likely going to be a money pit have a look at this

I agree with this.....even if they say it has been oil changed every ride (bullshit...lol) and air filter done etc...Only ridden on the odd trail ride....
The bikes are rocket ships, designed to handle the trails and the rough terrain, but at the same time, they do need constant TLC and every nut, bolt and exposed to mud part etc, look after them and they will reward. Maybe miss washing, lubricating or dare I say, oil change....Spells trouble in the future?
I like them, always have, but for the money I would hope to spend a little less.....Maybe a TT600, or XT600, good ole Thumpers.

**marks** · 27th June 2010, 19:18

Originally Posted by watermellon

That link had expired. What was it? Cheers.

Was looking at this by the way: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-296542584.htm and another like it down south.

Hi
It was a tidy looking 03 wr450 - regd and wof for $3.8k ono
the link you posted looks like a nice bike as well.

**warewolf** · 27th June 2010, 19:53

EXCs are no better or worse for reliability or maintenance than similar Jap stuff. In fact you could argue the linkage-less PDS rear means less maintenance. But EXCs are the top end of the market - enduro race bikes not trail bikes. So they they are really no better or worse than a WR-F or CRF-X or whatever, but a step up from the likes of DR/XR/KLX/TT etc as NZKTM has said.

KTM parts can be heaps cheaper or heaps dearer than the Jap stuff; it varies. The bikes are somewhat modular so in my experience parts that fit many bikes tend to be cheaper, too. Plus there's a good after-market for KTMs. One of the issues is that KTM is driven more by the engineers than the accountants, so some parts are unusual because they do the job better - but the downside is that they cost more.

The EXC's are fitted with a variety of tank sizes, plus there are several factory options and lots of after-markets. So tank range is a huge variable. Fuel economy might be a more useful measure. Probably best to ask the seller how big the particular tank actually is - spec sheets are not reliable, either, due to the variety.

The 400 is considered the sweetest 4-stroke EXC. Plenty of stomp for off-road use, and more nimble than the 450 due to less engine inertia.

The most quirky thing about them is the suspension, esp. the PDS rear. For best results it needs to be tuned by a KTM/WP expert, or at least do the preload & clickers per a KTM-specific guide (a few on the interweb if you search). A lot of the generic guidelines for suspension aren't right for PDS. Additionally, said expert will have to know the variances year-on-year: some years have anti-top-out springs, some have progressive-wound springs etc which makes a difference. Linton at DAS Motorcycle Service & Suspension – Christchurch knows his stuff and has been helpful over the phone.

Don't forget the off-road forum, lots more EXC experience there, but perhaps not on-road.

**watermellon** · 27th June 2010, 20:26

Thanks for taking the trouble to write those thoughtful replies. It's virgin territory for me. Years on Japanese and US road bikes but bugger-all off road since the TS185 I had as a kid.

Much appreciated!

**marks** · 28th June 2010, 08:47

Originally Posted by warewolf

The most quirky thing about them is the suspension

My son just has his front and rear suspension rebuilt and modified for his 04 ktm 250sx by (I think) Danger in the kiwibiker off road forum. Seems really good to deal with and his cost was similar to what I paid for just getting the suspension serviced on my wr at the local bike shop. The mods dramatically improved the supposedly already modiied sx suspension. We will both be using him again in the future

**clint640** · 28th June 2010, 08:57

Only going from what I've heard, but my impression is that the 400EXC's are one of the more reliable of the 4-stroke enduro racers, apparently much more solid than the 450's of the same era.

Cheers
Clint