6 days onboard the KTM 500 EXC? The wrap-up!
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- Опубликовано: 24 мар 2021
- Finally a LONG ride on the 500! How does the bike and rider hold out?
I discuss the bike setup, gear, and a couple of issues.
Stick around for some ride footage at the end!
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See something on the bike you like? There's probably a video.. Check these playlists:
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All my KTM 500 EXC videos:
• KTM 500 EXC-F 2019
All my Ride Tech and Gear videos:
• Ride Tech and Gear
All my Ride videos:
• Ride videos
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Great channel- I used to ride the 1200 GS and found it was a beast off road. Two years ago made the transition to the 500 and never looked back. Set the bike up very similar to yours. The only time I miss the 1200 is on the days that we ride more than 3 hours of asphalt to the next dint/gravel road, sometimes this is necessary. Other than that the bike is a pure pleasure. It goes anywhere does anything you ask of it plus. The absolute biggest benefit for this 50 year old rider is that the ride is more enjoyable. You are never concerned about picking up the bike when you inevitably go down and you choose your routes for the scenic benefit and not skip beautiful sections because of difficult terrain. On the 500 you enjoy the ride, and remove the constant focus of the" technical aspect" of keeping 600 pounds right side up, on the side of a mountain with baseball size rocks littering the trail and enjoy what you came to do - Ride.
Yes I have done the same trips on both bikes. The 1200 can go there.
Now I get to take the picture of the poor sap that is exhausted, red faced and sitting on the downed bike getting a shot of water before they pick up the beast. Love the videos keep them coming.
Golden comment Tim. 50+ here with similar thoughts, the 500excf is an amazing machine for adv style exploring, the 990A is more for admiring at this stage. Have adventurized the 500 and ridden all over ID/UT/CO on high speed tarmac transitions and slow sketchy single-track. Its overbuilt for what I use it for but a joy to work on, super reliable and always ready to pounce.
Thanks Tim... my sentiments exactly.
I would recommend filter socks as well good for longer trips you can just pull them off. Put a pre oiled new one on.
Considering a 500 but I have a thought...Compared to a 690 there is about 40kg in it. Changing the 690 exhaust saves you about 6kg. Taking off the passenger pegs and will maybe save you another 1kg. Then fitting the light battery the 500 has saves you another few kg. So let’s say 30kg. . You are adding long range tank and high up on the 500. Now on a long ride you need to take 2l oil. So I would say all in all the 690 would be about 28kg heavier all other things being equal. Now in my mind 28kg is still substantial but the 690 carries the fuel low down. Oil change is a minor issue tbh, but does add weight, packing thoughts, and extra planning to trips. I’m more concerned about valve checks at short intervals, even though that is also relatively minor. My real concern with the 500 is the top end rebuild. That compared to the longevity of the 690 engine and “only” 28kg makes the 690 a better steed for distance and all over use. So this means the off-road one intends to do need to justify the compromises. From the clips at the end of the video I don’t think any of that dirt riding NEEDS a 500. A 690 will do fine. So this is what I’m weighing up right now. It’s really difficult to decide! 😅 Excellent video’s btw - really helps one see the pros and cons of the 500.
That was intresting to read, good points on seeing a weight difference in practice .
One factor might also be the person's weight as a factor.
The weight to power ratio on a ktm500 without a person is higher but when a human weight of 150lb gets added the ktm690 is higher. Start adding a taller person being 180-200lb with gear, food, backpacks , the weight can go up to 220lb very fast. At that point the 690 has a much better weight to power ratio then the 500. Considering the 28kg
Me personally I weight 160lb and for a trip plan on taking 40lb(18kg) of gear(20lb of safety gear on my body 20lb on the bike). Boots, helmet, clothing, food, water, tools, armor, equipment can be heavy.
If you add the 28kg plus 91kg human with gear on a 690, then compare it to a 500. I think the 690 might not feel so bad doing dirt roads.
That being said, the 500 is probably alot more fun to ride
Sounds like a lot of caution, hesitation, and overthinking.
Every bike has a compromise, the main thing is you are happy with what you ask of the bike with realistic expectations👍Adventures are different for different people with personal preferences. Thanks for the video
Brown noser much?
Great video! I take my 500 everywhere too and love it. Did 2 weeks solo in Iceland and crossed the interior end-to-end. Like you, I upgraded the tank but also took a fuel bladder as the place is really remote. The fuel bladder is a great solution because I can stow it away when not using it.
Love your radio solution!
Roll safe!
Cheers
Nice video. I found inspiration from your videos. I soloed the trans. American trail this last summer. Changed the oil 4 times. I was able to find motorex oil. Which surprised me. The oil drain back home. No debris. Actually looked good. Over 11,000K. 19 days straight. Vibration was the fatiguing. My mistake was not straightening the front rim. Wish I bought a new rim. The best thing I did was buy large rally pegs. So I could stand for long periods of time. Thanks for all the info. Safe travels.
Awesome! thanks for taking the time to put this together - very informative and useful information.
Great information Keith and can’t wait to get my 500 set up finished!
Best real world review yet. Thank you.
Great video! I did 9 days on my 500 last summer camping off the bike and from my experience your advice is spot on.
Enjoyed the summary, thank you.
Thanks for the video, great stuff, doing a ktm 450 light adventure now.
Brilliant review. Done a couple 2500km + trips on my five hundy now and it's 👌🏻
Good quality content sir. Love my 500! Best do it all bike!
Great video ! so much information in less than 15min.
Very nice video. I have been traveling for many years with 2x20 plus central 16l bags, I am packing with a tent, sleeping bag and camping equipment. I don't carry inner tubes though - just a patch kit.
I have two Exc 500' 2021. One enduro and one supermoto. For enduro i change oil every 2000 kms and supermoto every 3000 kms. No problems.
question is how many miles one each bike by now.
@@arnebzumt4492 supermoto have 31.000 km now and offroad about 15.000 km. Never had problem with anyone. Only oil and filter 🤩
You can do adventure on a pocket bike if you do the right mods and plan your trip right
Great stuff, enjoy your vids Keith. Cardo is IP rated as waterproof - thats what killed Sena from my shopping list for adventure biking.
I have the BRP rubber mounted Scotts and it helps vibrations. If you have a cruise control you can rest your hand as well.
Great info. Thank you.
Great follow up video. When you figure out the dash issue please post a video on how you resolved the Re-set issue. I’m having the same problem.
Tyre choice impacts the vibes Big Time. I've found the Dunlop 606's work well on tar.
I have 606s and can do 115km per HR unbalanced
exc 450 2018
Have tried everything to reduce vibes for high speed transitions. BRP rubber bar mounts, balanced wheels, decent Dunlop 606's, comfortable grips, seat and adv pegs and you'll reduce 80-90% of what's possible to do. 100mph on knobbies is possible, not quite sane, but possible.
Amazing super fun bike with a few mods it will do anything, and easy to service compared to bigger more complex machines even compared to the 690/701 it is about half the time / effort to take apart things.
Great series of videos!
Totally love my 2018 500EXC-F. Have 2 other 2 strokes, & the 500 has its place in my stable! Need the right tool for the job, this fits!
I have a 300XC and an EXCF500 and they cover all the bases.
I appreciate your thoughts and experience. My two pence worth, I have 2 KTM:
1290SAR
500EXC-F.
I use the 1290 for adventure riding with possible luggage and the 500, is for off road, moto park fun and daily commutes.
I really like both bikes and they both serve different functions, although both are adaptable.
Thanks Keith. Useful video. Happy riding!! Craig - (Christchurch New New Zealand) :-)
Can you get a bigger case cover for that bike that'd hold a bit more oil -- that's help, too
Yes there are some options out there... Big Oily and I think Nomad make them. All in the US though so I've never explored the idea much further.
Good review, I run a WR450 adventure bike, set up well , small ADV bikes are capable machines.
Couple other things I have done for vibrations etc.
Cush hub , excellent, much nicer throughout the drive train.
Add Car sway bar rubbers to multiple places on the frame, where you can get them on.
I use Landcruiser rubbers as the ID is bigger than most cars.
Exhaust, I have experimented with many, basically quieter the better, trying not to loose to much power. I now run a modified ADR muffler, but have a cap I made easy to remove for more bush/ getting on it more.
Most of the time I never remove the cap, I have realised & found the power to be perfect running quiet. Long runs on road it’s much nicer.
Get your screen height set up right, angle, distance from rider.
Big difference over 80km/h
Cheers.
Missed something, ear plugs 👌
Hi Ben, can tou tell us more about cmthe car sway bar rubbers? I assume they are the ones rhwt secure the sway bar to the chassis. Do you just zip tie them here and there on the bikes frame as to add a bit of weight to the frame and cut down the vibrations? Or use them between the frame and engine/other body parts to cut down the transmission of vibrations between various components ?
Thank you !
@@AndreiBanciu howdy mate, I use the type of rubbers that wrap around sway bar Front & rear on cars/SUV. I use Carle ties to hold them onto the frame of the bike...Under the tank main frame back.
Both sides of frame down to foot peg mounts.
Both sides of frame at the front of motor mounts.
I also use large rubber mounts that hold my screen to the handlebars.
All just cable tied to parts of the frame etc, if you are running a cross bar on the handlebars, I have a peace of rubber hose wrapped around the cross bar also.
If your running an Alloy bash plate, use low density foam behind it while mounting the plate, stop the plate singing
@@benlondon8467 awesome info, thank you !
It was just a misconception. Or rather mislead by the oil companies that you can't mix mineral oil and fully synthetic oil. You can absolutely mix them and I have done that for decades.
You can also simply ship the oil + filter, etc to one of the places you're going to stay at. Then find any nearby bike/car shop to borrow an oil collecting pan.
yes done that before too. Posted oil, filter, more food, to Birdsville to do an oil change after crossing the Simpson.
Outstanding summary of your setup and experience with the 500 as a lightweight adv bike. I have a 2019 690 that alleviates some of the limitations of the 500 but does sacrifice the off-road capabilities and is 40-45kg heavier.
the 45kg for me was massive, i was so into a 690 after coming from sxf 450 for the last decade and it was to be mine...however i ended up with the 500, 45kg is lot IF YOU GET IN THE SHIT and here in uk you get in the shit fast , it is wet, rocky, sandy, deep mud...if i lived in spain or france i would take 690 no doubt - yeh the 690 meats the road in comparison but my time is not road focus - it is important of course but not the focus
Mako 360 bar mount drastically reduces vibration on my 300 xcw. I’m thinking of a 500 for ADV and I’ll definitely put the Mako on it.
I'll be installing the Mako 360 on my 2017 Husky FE501 this weekend. Hope it works as well at killing the vibes as everyone claims it does! I'm also switching out the ODI Emig grips to ODI Rogues.
Great info as usual.
Though what baffles me, is the 4.3 L/100km in comparison to my Chevy Cruz, which does 5.5 L/100 km - I'll chalk-it up-to fun factor :D
Thanks Keith, very interesting info on your oil changes. I have Husky FE 501 (2015) which has 1.5 litres oil. I have been stretching oil changes out to 20 hours (~600 km). Friends think that's too much, but its good to see that you push your oil changes out even further with no probs. Cheers
Have adventurized my 500EXCF. for extended travel in the west CA/US/MX.
Oil changes every 1500-2500km with easy adv style plodding along riding. Easy to do on the trail if necessary.
The manual probably assumes 50%+ WOT, not applicable to everyone.
Great video
Really appreciate your pragmatic approach to the machine. Let’s admit, if you don’t like maintenance you can reduce your machine: KLR, DR, DRZ, CRF… the list continues. All good and all about what you value: speed/performance, vs. Distance/simplicity. Tortoise vs. hard all day. See you out there. Keep motoring whatever y’all decide is your ideal balance. Cheerio from Canada.
Thats a fair call about oil cruising along won't kill it like racing does, and the excs don't hold much less than a 690 in real terms
Great video Kieth!
Question...
Did you also change the filter and clean the screens?
Intetesting Keith.
So the Husaberg 570 should be similar then, after the appropriate mods. Thats what I'm hoping anyway.
Great vid mate.
Another great video. I have run 1500 to 2000 klms between oil drops. But if I have run a hard ride, hot day, tuff climbs and river crossings I'll drop it after 500klms. You soon know when it's had it. You will start to burn oil. Synthetic oil has no shear stability like mineral oil does. It basically turns into thinner... I also tend over fill my motor just give it more life on a long ride. Also what I found good was goin one colder on the plug, especially if I am in hotter climates 30+ degrees. My std plug is an 8, I go upto 9.. you guys seem to have your shit sorted...
Hi thanks for the inspiration.. I am building my new adventure bike on a Husky 450FE 2020.. IMS 17L tank, wheel with kush drive and a true north motos rack..
I have the TNM racks in my FE501. Work awesome with the Mosko Moto 10 and 40 kits👍🏾
you can drive 5000 miles with no oil change. the 15 hours is for competition use. a normal/recreational driver (even if you are on higher paces) does not use the motor this hard all the time. only if you drvie a lot in sand dust areas you have to clean air filter and change maybe after 2500 miles the oil. if you are making sand races or so then it´s different of course but for normal to higher paces adventure riding not. i have a 22 year old huksy with around 70 000 !! miles without any work to the motor and i change oil 2 a year and i drive mostly daily. motor is still working but it doesn´t like longer distances on street with constant speed. then the motor will die out and i have to restart. don´t knwo what it is, on shorter trips or with changing speeds all the time i don´t have the problem.
Nice video!
Subscribed. Thanks for the video. Currently working through your 500 EXC-F uploads as I am building up my 500 EXC-F for long distance ADV travel for next season - it's winter here in northern states.
Curious as to your total weight with gear and luggage. Did you need to change out the fork and shock springs?
Agree on the oil change of every 15hrs is a bit overkill. Todays synthetic is so good it will be fine for that many hours as a dual sport. If your racing I could understand KTMs rationale.
Nice vid mate...
G'day Keith. Question about the bar raisers, what size raisers did you put in and how tall are you? I'm 6'4 and my old 2007 450exc has 40mm extensions and they still weren't enough for me, especially when standing. And also, the bend of the handlebars, are they a low, medium or high bend? I can't quite tell at a glance.
Cheers for having a good channel too, really enjoying all your vids 👍
Oil filters: With the oil change, did you also change the filters?
Good video. ivé featured you on my channel. I was considering the 500. And i'll be looking for something smaller down the track. The 790 has been awesome but i feel the weight at times.
You would have to be crazy to attempt the single track where I live on that big of a bike. This is the major factor on my choice of a 500
Excellent contents, thanks!
Regarding oil changes, I factor in the strain/heat on the engine per hour. If you cruise at cooling speeds, you can double the oil change interval easily. If you load the engine with maximum power at lower speeds (deep sand, uphills) you're better off sticking to what the manufacturer specifies. If you run out of oil filters, change the oil anyway.
That said, I run a Boyesen high flow water pump, a radiator fan and a Twin Air oil cooler on all my desert bikes.
What are your thoughts on a Rally Tower on your 500?
What did you drain the old oil into?
Where is your tent, cooking unit and food?
I'd much rather ride my 501 that ride a bigger cc adv bike on a trip like this. I just think that they are a safer bike to ride being lighter and with much better handling. No offence meant to the lads that ride them. Whatever floats your boat guys ! cheers...
Ya great bike. When you buy one, you load it in the back of your truck to take it home… and on the way home, you’ve got to pull over, unload it and change the oil. Keep it. It’s useless.
Lol 😂
What front fairing are you using
👌👌
50 tooth rear sprocket is actually pretty low gearing for higher speed travel. 18 exc500 and I run 14/45 on longer distances and 13/48 on harder off rd.
Yeah it is... that's what came with it so I hadn't changed it. I now run a 48 as standard on the rear and swap between 13-14 front depending on the ride. Haven't tried 15/48 yet but it would motor...
Great Vid. Do you have a list uploaded somewhere of all your mods?
Im just doing adv conversion to 22 500 at the mo
Working on it. Stay tuned.
What do you think about the 350 for these kind of rides? One would trade some power for less vibrations
Also did you do any Engine mods to the bike?
👌🏻
The vibrations aren't bothersome?
Thanks for a nice vid.
Would you say the ktm 690 would be to hard to handle, to big or to heavy for your riding?
Personally I prefer the lighter 500.
Love the bike! Just got one myself and am debating an xl80 headlight. Would you do it again or spend the money elsewhere?
Don't know. It's a lot of money, especially better in Aus. If there's even a slight chance of actually needing a good headlight, you need to upgrade the stock one, and the xl80 is brilliant.
Great discussion Keith. I really like the approach you're taking with the KTM and I'm setting mine up similarly for longer trips. Question though, I've heard a few people tell me the KTM500 won't like the tarmac due to lack of a cush drive. If you've mentioned it, I missed it, but do you feel it's an issue for the countershaft or any other components? Thanks and keep up the great work!!
Yes that comes up a lot. What I've read is that the clutch has rubbers in it, effectively doing the same thing to protect the transmission. True? I don't know - this is just what I've read. Search the forums and you'll see the same. Anyway I have never had any issues, nor missed the cush hub. If you're concerned just buy a set of wheels with the cush hub... there's some pretty good looking wheels out there!
@@keithjob yes it’s does have a cushioned clutch... but I don’t see the harm in getting a cushioned hub too... but it’s not as harsh as the “dirt bikes” on the road with just the clutch rubbers
Per KTM it has a cush clutch and is perfectly suitable for the road.
Great stuff! That tires did you used on that trip?
By the looks of it the Dunlop D606 rear and Pirelli Scorpion Rally front.
Oil changes Easy as picking ur nose! If you race every 5 hour if you soft ride easy 20 hour between
What is the engine rebuild interval, and with that is it economically good to take it to such long rides (compared to the generic 650s, T7, etc?) escpecially for easy gravel roads?
Manual says... 135hrs. "Economically good?" It's all relative, and the variables are many. Maybe it's your only bike. Maybe you care more about lightweight ADV. Maybe you factor that into the overall cost of ownership. For true economic benefit, don't ride it at all and you'll never have to rebuild it ;-)
The manual is spec'd for a specific audience that is closer to 50%+ near repetitive WOT. For general adv use you can treat it much more generously. Is it economically good for long gravel rides? Yes - fuel efficiency, laughter, adventure, exploration, freedom. Its economically good for the soul.
Would you consider the mosko 80L to large? Your 40L looks perfect.
Absolutely not! For my gear the 80 is perfect. And 80 is maxxed out, you don't need to run all 80L all the time. Eg. I never bought the lower 4L bags, so I'm at 72L. And if I skipped the top bag then I'm down to 50L. Basically I much prefer the 25L side pockets from the Mosko 80 over the 14L side pockets on the 40. I find them much more usable.
Cush drive?
Shame about the 15 hour service interval as that's a deal breaker for me.
so when have you changed oil usually? not every 15h I guess :-)
I change mine according to manual if I am riding single track and going hard. If I am doing adventure type riding (not going hard) I do about 1500 miles.
Good job, as someone back/forth between the 690 Enduro and the 500 EXC-F very interesting to me. One question, what did you use to catch the old oil? I assume after emptying the new oil from the 1,5l container you could put it in there and carry it if nowhere to dump it is available, but need something to initially catch the old..
I changed it at a roadside stop. Raided the bin for a container which is easy because it's such a small amount of oil. Then poured old oil in to empty container. 👍
@@keithjob cool, I was thinking a 3-4L heavy Ziploc/Glad bag doubled up to catch it, then pour it back into the 1.5L gas/oil storage bottle when done and pack it out.. whatever works!
What have u done with the chain guard/case saver on the front to accept the 15 or just ditched it?
Ah good question! The plastic guard has a ridge on the inside that fits in the middle of the chain. With a 15T that ridge presses on the chain. I simply got a stanley knife and trimmed the ridge down flush with the rest of the guard.
@@keithjob Nice 1 Keith, Thanks for that.
A top idea for a video, thanks! Here it is: ruclips.net/video/HRwuNmN40IY/видео.html
I live in the UK travel there and also Europe usually solo. My main concern wold be bike security, how do you manage it? I both camp official and otherwise and use budget accomodation so at times the bike would be left on the street etc, I also like to wander around sites of interest I may come across through the day. To have to carry a huge lock and chain around would be a pig, small locks, switch's obviously easily sorted, but I just would not be confident .possibly going hardcore wild camping next to the bike and just riding perhaps works or going 5 star and secure parking, the first not really my style and the second not practical. Only ever had one theft of a dry bag in Switzerland so far. Used a GS 12 a lot and a 640A some too. Enough People do go down the Enduro bike way so it is clearly doable, and others have had problems eg Riemann thanks for going to the effort.
Depends on where you are. I use a disc lock to stop opportunistic roll-aways. You will never stop someone who really wants your bike :-(
Same here! I use a disk lock with alarm and sleep next to the bike when comping.
Ahhhh....sophisticated and cultured Europe.. only place in the world you can get robbed at acid point and if you fight back you go to jail
Great vid. Credible content and well produced and presented. Short & sweet. So, in the purchasing dilemma between 690 vs 500, is the 690 service interval the game changer or, the lighter weight of the 500?
Yes they are probably the two biggest factors. You need to decide what is more important. Good luck!
Semi synthetic and Full synthetic does not make sense much any more. Lots of people use this terms, especially in US, but this does have anything common with original meaning. Just use proper API and JASO spec.
Where are your front indicators mounted
LED strip lights across the hand guard braces.
The rear section of the frame is really not suitable for that use. It will fail, its just a matter of time.
The license plate and the under tray also adds to much weight to the rear fender, as its only in place by two miserable screws treaded to plastic. (Easy fix)
I've been to all that. I wish ktm was not so ready to race. And more, ready for offroad use. As we are not all racing pilots.
Love the led lights. What are they?
The headlight is Baja XL80. Brilliant!
Here's my vid on them:
ruclips.net/video/oz0VklGJZwI/видео.html
what are your front indicators ?
they are LED strips.. got them off eBay, pretty cheap.
How's the Montana? Working now? Anything you had to do to it?
It's dead. Been trying to dry it out for days now but the screen is still unresponsive and half the backlighting has died. Garmin have offered me a discount on a new product, so there may be another review coming ;-)
@@keithjob They (Garmin) are good that way. I also repaired the screen on one. You can find them on Ebay. Was it the 650 or 680?
We’re did u get ur tail tidy from. I can’t find one in aus
Hi Luke, assume you're talking about the licence plate holder? I made it. Here's the vid... ruclips.net/video/PXtJw8Qy_Q0/видео.html
The integrated blinkers ? Is that a part of the tail tidy ?
@@lukeharrison8363 No they are cheap $5 units from eBay. But I got the KTM 500 EXC plugs for easy swap-over. Check this vid: ruclips.net/video/U4X2Mkpyty4/видео.html
You can mix semi and full synthetic oil you cant mix mineral oil with them .
Semi-synthetic is just full-synthetic mixed with mineral oil. There is no problem with mixing them all.
What are grip puppies?
Foam grips that go over your normal grips. ruclips.net/video/r49vlBdTuZw/видео.html
My 16 500 had that dash problem keith was just a flat battery
Thanks Sam, I will change the battery.
@@keithjob could be you need to shim the new battery with a washer as well, the little plastic parts that keep the battery in place don't work very good. So a washer against the bottom cap worked for me! (changed battery a couple of times before I realised this)
He’s not racing the bike , so I don’t think even if you didn’t do a oil change would be a big deal , great video tho
Do you ever get Drunk and run over a Roo on that thing ?
Or a wallabee
Sell it as a six days version...
I think it's more important to change your thongs every few days! 🤣
Six days on a non-SixDays bike? How dare you....