KTM 500 EXC

500 EXC Issues

• cold clutch doesn't fully disengage.
  • This is normal for the KTM, the oil needs to warm up.
• "shimmy" starting around 50mph which gets a little worse w/ more speed and settles into a cyclic on/off shimmy.
  • Balance the wheels, 3oz in front and 3.75 in rear.

Repair Kit

• spare front tube
• duct tape
• bailing wire
• tools
• spare levers
• spare shifter/brake
• tow line (1" webbing)
• ...

Parts

• All KTM Parts: Rocky Mountain carries.
• HEATED GRIPS:
  • Look into KTM options.
• HANDGUARDS PLUS... damper, bar lift, blinkers, fairing, lights...? heated grips, heated vest plug, GPS/Phone charging, computer mount, GPS/Phone mount, ?
  • HDB: black handguards and black ano supports.
  • Highway Dirtbikes has some nice hand guards, windshield, possibly light mounts and blinkers... nice button switches as well... may want to do a fully integrated unit w/ a Scotts Damper.ADVRIDER01 at checkout to get 10% off purchase.
  • Pic of HDB's setup w/ a GPR damper.
• DAMPER:
  • GPR steering damper $495 (KTM EXC 13-14 Fat Bar: 9001-0078) $450@SBM.
  • Scotts Damper for KTM... may trim this package down depending on what happens w/ HDB stuff.
• FUELING:
  • Fuel filter sock, put in tank cap area as a pre-filter.
• RECLUSE:
  • Recluse Core EXP: $900 retail, SBM? + about 90min to install. Do at an oil change.
• SKID PLATE:
  • RTE Skid Plate $140 made of carbon/fiber/epoxy. It is also apparently so tight to the covers that dirt gets between the plate and moto parts and wears on the moto... bike inner-tube between those points prevents the wear.
  • TM Designs skid plate at $105. Plastic but sounds solid. Not quite as much coverage as the RTE tho.
• Golan Fuel Filter $60 for filter and clamps. Use this to replace the small stock inline filters which tend to clog and stall the bike.
• RIM LOCKS:
  • LiteLock Rim Locks Cheap and lighter than stock, light enuf that you shouldn't need to balance the wheels according to some folks. 1.6 front and 2.15 rear.
• MIRRORS:
  • DoubleTake Mirrors around $93 for a pair. I've also seen mirrors which fold into the hand guards, would like to compare the pros/cons of the Double Takes w/ those. ...may just use integrated flip-outs into handguards.
• MISC:
  • DirtTricks Cone Washer and rear sprockets and front sprockets $37: apparently these last long and are the way to go.
• TANK:
  • KTM 5gallon Tank Fits: 2014 KTM 500 EXC Part# 1433310005 price: $359.99
  • Acerbis Tanks
• AP Racing PRF Brake Fluid: Apparently the best for not boiling.
• TIRES:
  • MT21 10/90 tires: recommended by Chris at SBM. $82F/$93R at BikeBandit
  • Dunlop D606 tires: recommended by some at ADVRider. $88F/$90R at BikeBandit.
  • Adrian suggested running Trials Tires Dunlop D803
  • Chris at SBM recommends the Dunlop Desert AT81 for pure dirt riding.
• WHEELS:
  • Rad Racing in Utah has nice stuff and some good prices...
  • Woody's Wheels... ends up around $1900 for a "best" supermoto set of wheels... and may not include a rotor or sprocket.
  • Warp9 around $1K for a full setup including rotors and caliper spacer. These sound like they're a good bang/buck but might not hold up to extreme abuse.
  • DNA Wheels, similar to the Warp9's.
• TUBLESS:
  • Mousse/Bibs for going "airless", need to research pros/cons of this more. Sounds like they're heavier, do wear out, can generate heat...

Forums and Info

• Thread on a thorough go-thru of a new KTM bike by some dewd.
• ADVRider forum thread: 500 EXC as a lightweight adventurer. Lots of good info in this thread.
• ADVRider forum thread: on LED Lights.
• ADVRider Forum thread: 500 EXC Less is more? started by neduro
• ADVRider Forum thread: EXC 500 Supermoto
• ADVRider Forum thread: 2012 500 EXC long thread w/ lots of info.

• SuperMoto Threads Goin Both Ways and Project Agent Orange.
• BestDualSportBikes and his YouTube Channel