Personal experience with KTM EXCs?

[Yamaguy55]

Anyone have personal experience with the new (2013-2014) KTM 350EXC-F? The same thing in 500cc: 500EXC.
Reliability, demanding maintenance, fuel mileage, range, durability, etc. Looking for a new ride, but not interested in it owning me.
I did the Euro demanding mistress bike thing years ago, went to the Japanese bikes as I became tired of fixing it just to go riding. They ran great when they ran, handled better than Japan's best in those days, but we're very maintenance intensive and ultimately wore me out.

So if anyone has personal war stories, I'm interested to hear. I'm very aware of their performance, I'm more interested in their ease to live with.

 

[MrTwisty]

My 2005 450 EXC has been bullet proof. Gas, tires, chains, sprockets, valve adjustments (easy), wheel bearings and steering stem bearings is all I've ever done to it. Normal wear and tear.

 

[Yamaguy55]

Thanks very much for the info. At some point, I am considering getting one of the new KTM Dual Sports. It needs to be street legal for where I often off road ride in the State Forest. Right now, the WR250R has that duty, but at some point, I may go harder edged in this category. I'm just not interested in being owned by a bike, prefer the other way around. My experience with Euro-bikes is admittedly dated. Those old Huskys, CZs, Ossas and Maicos were tough to love. The OSSAs were the easiest. Ran great when they did, the rest of the time, they beat you into submission.
Again, thank you very much for the reply.

 

[sportrider]

KTMs are pretty good. I've been riding the rfs (pre 07) models and they are as reliable as the jap brands. My friends have the newer ones and like them. Yes reliable with good components. Frequent oil changes due to only holding a quart. Some FI snatchiness reported, others have not complained. I have 2 street legal exc 400s, one in sm trim and one dual sport. I like my older model over the new ones only due to the cost to upgrade to new.

 

[MrTwisty]

A KTM EXC is a tremendous upgrade from a WR and equally reliable. It's lighter, has more power and better suspension. However, as SportRider said, oil changes are more frequent due to low volume. You will also want to put install an aftermarket radiator fan if you plan on riding single-track.

 

[Yamaguy55]

Thanks, greatly appreciate the info. The WR only holds 1.3 qts, so I'm already on board with the oil change thing. Since I use this sort of bike primarily for off-road, it tends to have more hours than miles. High miles usually means lots of road time, I don't see these doing that.

The 350 EXC-F I looked at last week had a fan already. For all I know, the dealer added it.

What are the valve adjustment intervals and do you know the replacement regimen for the piston and such? I know it is single compression ring, so it requires more attention than the WR.

I'll give KTM one thing: I have not only the Off-Road line brochure, but was given the accessory catalog as well. That is one impressive accessory catalog. Yamaha and the other Japanese brands could take a lesson from that one.

 

[sportrider]

My 04 400exc has 6700 miles, 275 hours, races on kart tracks and has not been apart yet. I will replace the top end this winter as I plan to race it again next year. I am happy with that.

 

[snakebitten]

3 of us Tenere old geezers have bought new Dual Sports lately.

Between us, we bought 2 WR450's (plated), and a 500 EXC.
Took em to the desert. (Big Bend)

All are amazing weapons. Leap years beyond just 10 years ago.
But I don't think any of us think the KTM is "over rated".