KTM 525 EXC on for sale - what do you think?

[omamari]

Gidday guys,

I went to check out a 525 for sale recently. Didn't get a chance to ride it as he had no chain. Started it, runs smooth.
2005
Dirt wheels
Road legal
Hasn't been regularly maintained, needs new rear disk, been kept outside. Bored to 540 - does this have significant knock on maintenance effects?

He wants 5g for it. It's been up on trade me twice now, but no sale. What do you guys think of the price?

This will be my first bike to motard/dual - I've had RMs off road, and a bandit 250 on road.

Will need to put in new decent oil, oil filter, air filter, check valves, new rear disk, road tyres (are these easy to come by on dirt tye size wheels?), key ignition, disk locker etc after I have bought it.

I'll use the bike most days to commute (16km total), and try and go to as many track and bucket days as possible. As well as taking it off road when I get the chance.

As an aside, he had a 05 WR450 for sale also, took it for it ride but it was so stiff, hard and loud compared to the KTM. Too loud for town.

Opinions?

Cheers,
Daniel

[Big Dog]

If you ain't a mechanic get one to take a look. Keep Throwing Money is a good brand etc but that doesn't mean shot if not looked after. Sometimes the best bargains just need a little money sunk into bringing maintenance up to date. Others are a nightmare waiting for a wallet to happen by.
It seems dodgy to me that the chain is off unless he broke it.


Your going to spend another 2k to catch up the maintenance. Maybe more. You want to be sure what you are buying first.

Wr450, firmer suspension is excellent for road use. Muffler may need re packing or a new slip on, might just need a DB killer. Can't say without seeing it. If that is your only issues this might be the better buy based purely on your description


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

Tyres easy and cheap. I found 20+ kms are realistic from a $200 pair on my dr350. As opposed to 10,000 rear and 18,000 front on $7-800 pairs on my last 3 litre bikes.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[FlangMasterJ]

My 2005 660SMC is at TSS Red Baron in Lower Hutt at the moment in mint condition. Should be able to get it for a good price.

[cynna]

Tyres easy and cheap. I found 20+ kms are realistic from a $200 pair on my dr350. As opposed to 10,000 rear and 18,000 front on $7-800 pairs on my last 3 litre bikes.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

more like 2-3000km on a $200 knobbly.....

edit
ooops just seen he will be using the bike for the road

[Ocean1]

I paid $3500 for my 2004 525, but it was fairly well neglected. I spent a couple of months stripping it right down and rebuilding it, and it's since had a completely new top end because I missed a slight coolant leak. It's now in what I would call "good" condition, and probably worth well less than $5k.

Anyone who is selling a bike and can't get his shit together so far as to simply put a chain on it isn't the type to have done the necessary, keep looking.

[SVboy]

I paid $3500 for my 2004 525, but it was fairly well neglected. I spent a couple of months stripping it right down and rebuilding it, and it's since had a completely new top end because I missed a slight coolant leak. It's now in what I would call "good" condition, and probably worth well less than $5k.

Anyone who is selling a bike and can't get his shit together so far as to simply put a chain on it isn't the type to have done the necessary, keep looking.

This is good advice.

[gjm]

I was going to start with 'sounds expensive...'

It's all been said. Nice bikes on the whole, but you'll likely find a better example.

[omamari]

Reason he had no chain was because be had motard wheels on it, which he sold with his last bike. He put back on some dirtwheels for the mean time. This is all good advice, thanks guys

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[omamari]

And why around 2k to get it up to scratch?

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[omamari]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/744367633

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[Ocean1]

And why around 2k to get it up to scratch?

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The side stand is a given, they all come pre-broken from the factory. The overbore job needs references, what cylinder and which pro workshop did the job. Need to check rear suspension joints, rear shock, swingarm bushes, stearing head bearings, radiators for damage, sprockets for wear, water pump for leaks, (little hole on upper left of engine weeping), clutch slave cylinder, both brake discs... This is all stuff overdue at those hrs, if he can't show receipts walk away.

Seriously dude, 3 out of 4 2nd hand dirt bikes for sale are fucked, not worth anywhere near the asking price. Most owners think they're mechanics and they're all wrong, learn to spot the lemons or you'll regret ever laying eyes on your new pride and joy. The 525 is a great machine, but I'm not sure I'd own one as a road option unless it was for limited and probably illegal work, if you expect decent life, reasonable maintenance schedules and a bit of abuse resistence you'd be better tracking down a good tidy DRZ/KLX400, 90% of the performance at 10% of the hassle.

[Big Dog]

And why around 2k to get it up to scratch?

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Unless your buying rubbish (and why would you for a KTM?) the first thousand will go on oil, filter, tyres, chain and sprockets. Without labour.
Rear rotor another 200+
Ignition switch 60-300 depending exactly how much is required.
Does that mean you need to get inficators? Cheap setup about 200.
Edit: just looked at the ad, saw there are indicators. Although they look a little unhealthy. One is missing. He states they are on off. Probably faulty or waterlogged. Either way account for a full replacement system if you don't want to be disappointed.
Also going to need to reattach the plate closer to vertical if you don't wish to draw attention from her majesty's finest.
Why is there so much thick oil around front sprocket? Does he have discharge onto his chain? Has he been over oiling and never cleaning? My DR was cleaner than that when it got its first bath at 44,000 kms. That is a damn sight more than 170 hours.
Unless your a mechanic, I get the feeling there is much better buying out there. End edit.


If you have a few smarts you'll get a full service done on something that has been mistreated as you describe. $$$$$$

Out of curiosity, have you costed up the parts you say it needs?

Add a factor of 200% for the unknown.



Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[omamari]

Before I start, I agree. You've convinced me of my doubts. I had done a cost up. I'm handy and could of welded up kickstand, he has a new indicator, just going for a simple key ignition, he has a new plate, and yes there was too much oil crud around front sprocket which I queried him on.

Anyway, not important. It's out.

I don't want a slow drz or klx. preferably a WR, which look like great bikes. Maybe a TE450 or FSE 450, like those on trade me at the moment, but I don't know much about them and they are too far away to test ride.

If anyway sees any road legal nimble bikes, that aren't slouches, please let me know! I've been looking for far too long, and an getting ancy.

Thanks heaps for your advice ocean and big dog

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[omamari]

My 2005 660SMC is at TSS Red Baron in Lower Hutt at the moment in mint condition. Should be able to get it for a good price.

Hey mate, couldn't see find your bike online. It's a long way away from me in Auckland, but how much where you looking at? Cheers, Daniel

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