KTM 500 EXC

[KTMphil]

After spending a few days with one of the new KTM 500 EXC's on and off-road, i'm highly impressed & think it's as close to the ultimate production adventure bike as you're going to get (power/ weight/ performance/ reliability).


Reviews:



So this is finally the buy it and ride it anyplace you want to ride in the dirt, dual-purpose bike. It is excellent. Expensive, but well worth it once you ride it.



2012 KTM 500 EXC - Dirt Rider Magazine



[video=youtube_share;_N-Hrol7dp8]http://youtu.be/_N-Hrol7dp8[/video]

 

[KTMphil]

Contacted KTM Cambodia regarding purchasing a Cambodian registered KTM 500 EXC, looks like they're having problems replacing their stock

 

[bill]

Contacted KTM Cambodia regarding purchasing a Cambodian registered KTM 500 EXC, looks like they're having problems replacing their stock

Phil
Probably more a case of the 500's not being a big seller for the Cambodian market, so they just order on request.
I think their bikes come thru the Malaysian distributor. If there's one in stock there it shouldn't take long to get to Cambodia.
Actually, if you order one in, then it might pay to ask about the 6 days version if they're still available.

 

[MastaMax]

Definitely THE bike of choice if you do a long mostly-offroad trip! I've been following Adam Riemann (from motology) through Turkey (and now Egypt) on a KTM 500

 

[KTMphil]

Bloody expensive here ......even in Cambodia

 

[crs]

That'll be a 2014 model... What about the 450? They had 1 or 2 '13s in stock when I was there and sure you'll be able to get 25% discount on a '13 if you push. Is there much difference between the 450 and the 500?

The price for a '13 450 with 25% discount is on a thread here somewhere... If you do want the 500 then a US import would be cheapest, I'd guess - but difficult to get it plated in your name as you need to be there in person for registering in most states it seems.


EDIT: They had the '13 450 in the sales at $9844.

 

[bill]

Bloody expensive here ......even in Cambodia

View attachment 21277

The last price I heard was ~$13600 for a 2013 500 exc, obviously sold a while ago

$16k is a huge increase, almost sounds like they cant be bothered.

 

[crs]

Exchange rates won't have helped - and maybe cos they're not importing in bulk. When i was there, Seila said they were importing direct from Europe...

Just had a quick look at TBMs 2014 KTM run-down. Couple of screengrabs of the little said on the 450 and 500 (not trying to be neg' on the idea - but thought you might as well see it):

 

[KTMphil]

Concerned the 450 on long trips will pull your arms off.

 

[crs]

Why would the 450 do that and not the 500? If it's tuned different, just get one of them 3 remap switches.

 

[KTMphil]

Its an option & the 450's are good value

 

[crs]

If they've got a '13 450 they'll sell for $9844 - or $16100 and you have to wait months - know what I'd do. Saying that, I'd go for a 350 or 350 6day, if they have for discount... Think I got the last bargain 250. :G

 

[KTMphil]

If they've got a '13 450 they'll sell for $9844 - or $16100 and you have to wait months - know what I'd do. Saying that, I'd go for a 350 or 350 6day, if they have for discount... Think I got the last bargain 250. :G

With the big numbers & the 450 at a 39% discount, pretty interesting.

 

[crs]

Maybe chat to a KTM dealer in the UK and ask them about the difference between the 450 and 500, if you can't find any reviews that offer a comparison or other riders that have tried both.

 

[KTMphil]

 

[crs]

Just tell them you'll buy it, if they can match the price they offered in the 25% sale - $9844. Say you know me, if you like - and are looking for the same discount I got. Push nicely a bit.

When I was there, they had 2x 350s and 1x 350 6day. Looks like they sold the 6day. If they are '13s then can't see why they won't offer the same discount - as they will still be trying to clear old stock. When I asked him, Seila told me he should be able to offer the same discount again, if the customer was serious. If you want it, make the offer, say you can do the transfer in x days time, see what he says. You can read how he sorted the reg for me ($100) so I just had to go pick it up...

Sale prices: #8

 

[Pounce]

Concerned the 450 on long trips will pull your arms off.

Not the way you ride :RE
But seriously folks, they don't do that unless you ride them that way.
We did around 180klm's last Saturday, all trails, single track, main roads & the only arm pump/soreness was early in the day getting warmed up.
They are a comfortable bike to be on all day.
There were a couple of older 450's, a 500 6 Days & a 350 6 Days & we all kept up with each other.
Like Justin said somewhere, he chose the 500 for the oil reservoir amount for the longer rides. You can get after market oil coolers which expand the amount of oil the hold if you're that way inclined anyway. There's a lot of info out there on them.


See, they're fuuuuunnnnnnnnnn.

 

[bill]

In the US, interesting prices being asked for the '14 500.
Up to 14K otd in CA

Price for new 500EXC - 250-530 EXC/MXC/SXC/XC-W/XCR-W (4-Strokes) - ThumperTalk

 

[KTMphil]

In the US, interesting prices being asked for the '14 500.
Up to 14K otd in CA

Price for new 500EXC - 250-530 EXC/MXC/SXC/XC-W/XCR-W (4-Strokes) - ThumperTalk

Yep, its suddenly got very expensive

 

[bill]

The last price I heard was ~$13600 for a 2013 500 exc, obviously sold a while ago

$16k is a huge increase, almost sounds like they cant be bothered.

As suspected, they cant be bothered

I contacted Seila, the KTM Cambodia Shop Manager and got the following info today.

From now on they wont be stocking offroad bikes.
If you want one, you have to order it.
The price he gave me for the 2014 500EXC is $16,679.99......if I want to order one.

My own speculation is they've discovered that offroad bikes are more likely to break under warranty than road bikes.

 

[KTMphil]

As suspected, they cant be bothered

I contacted Seila, the KTM Cambodia Shop Manager and got the following info today.

From now on they wont be stocking offroad bikes.
If you want one, you have to order it.
The price he gave me for the 2014 500EXC is $16,679.99......if I want to order one.

My own speculation is they've discovered that offroad bikes are more likely to break under warranty than road bikes.

Sounds like they ve had some headaches with the offroad customers.

 

[crs]

Not too surprised... Only what they've got left in stock that might be had for cheap then.

 

[LivinLOS]

My own speculation is they've discovered that offroad bikes are more likely to break under warranty than road bikes.

Considering they were trying to sell a smr with all the track type maintenance needs, as a road registered daily rider, that's not exactly a shock.

Was it you that posted the response that they didn't have fork oil as the only had road bikes for sale ?? Makes you wonder.


Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

 

[Bombdefuzer]

In the US, interesting prices being asked for the '14 500.
Up to 14K otd in CA

Price for new 500EXC - 250-530 EXC/MXC/SXC/XC-W/XCR-W (4-Strokes) - ThumperTalk

One of the main reasons they are so pricey in CA is because the CARB (CA Air Resources Board) strict requirements for vehicle emissions. KTM has the market cornered on dirt / street capable bikes being able to pass CARB requirements and get a license plate in CA. Dealer will mark the bikes up due to this exclusive niche. I lived there and owned nearly the entire KTM off road range of bikes there. KTM is my bike of choice regardless of the ability to get a plate. They are superior in many ways to the Japanese bikes. Go to the desert any weekend. Nothing but a sea of orange.

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