Ktm 525 Xc

[CV860L]

Anyone ridden one of these or better still bought one?

I'm interested in a comparison to what's already out there.

http://www.ktm.com.au/bike.php?bike=108&PHPSESSID=00bb73b34700ddc60632787e6153ab60

[Deanss-v]

Ya i have ridden one before, my mate owns it. Very nice as nearly all KTM's are, just don't break anything $$$$$$$$

[Blown 540]

Yep Mate rode for KTM for several years (on 2 wheels) same engine, very strong,you can push em to 540 or 570.we were also sponsering Jason Hill at the time(he has won finke) never killed one,Glory days mmmmmmmmmmmm:)

[CV860L]

I'm more interested in handling and power to weight.
I ride a YFZ-450 with bigger jets and a full Bill's pipe system.
Does anyone know the weight or handling characteristics?
Cheers......

[chrism697]

I'm more interested in handling and power to weight.
I ride a YFZ-450 with bigger jets and a full Bill's pipe system.
Does anyone know the weight or handling characteristics?
Cheers......
what sort of riding do you do?

the handling is ok, it wont be as good as your YZ, they handle like typical Euro bikes.....thet tend to feel more like they "stand up" in corners, and push a bit.

The suspension can be difficult to set up, the shock in particular.

the engine is great they pull forever, they have a super smooth power curve, much smoother than your YZ, you will be able to chug that thing around the whole track in 3rd

and dont worry too much about the cost of parts, they used to be really expensive but they are fine now, just a touch more than the japanese bikes

hope that is of some help!

[MitchyVYSS]

My brother in law owns a 450XC. It's a weapon. At almost anywhere in the rev range when you stab the throttle, The front wheels lift, and it almost feels like it torque steers to the left. So if the 450 does that I'd imagine the 525 might be a bit more agressive considering KTM claim the exact same weight for both models.

[DaveHAT]

Jake,

I had a 520EXC and the grunt it had even with my big arse on it was scarey.

The 525 is the big kahuna and only topped by TM for the title of king shit of the 4 stroke Motorcross/Enduro heap.

Assloads of torque, braided (Brembo I think) brakes ... basically all the bells and whistles from the factory. A price tag to suit as well.

Jap bikes by comparison will have rubber brake lines and not quite as well specced as the KTMs and other Euro bikes. That's not to say the Jap bikes are inferior by comparison but to get a Jap bike to the same spec as a KTM (new) you'd need to spend some extra coin to do so.

I'm no expert on it and can only comment based on my experience with Jap Enduro bikes and the KTM. KTM was leaps ahead for quality but I felt twitchy in the front end when ridden hard over rough terrain. Hopefully they may have eliminated that in the new 525s.

Go check one out for yourself and decide, only way to do it but I'd certain recommend KTM ... afterall, a real dirt bike is ORANGE ! :D

:lol:

[SPJ]

I currently ride a 525 EXC.

What an engine!
Power everywhere, VERY linear in delivery.

I was worried coming off my YZ that i would go backwards in power, as the 5 valve YZ make great power, but this has it, and twice as much down low! (read just off idle)

Able to tractor up hills in second/third where as with the YZ you would have to go back to first and keep the revs up, Especially with the long MX first gear (the cams in there are no good for low end at all, so i rode a WR and it just felt lazy IMHO). The 525 just pulls, and with a crack of the throttle wheel up everytime, even in third at low RPM.

Mine has now done 4500kms and still runs like a dream. I am hearing as far as 8500kms without a topend rebuild! Just the normal valve adjustments every 1000kms (if even needed) and good oil at 500, should not have any problems at all. And i ride mine very hard.

Just for reference, mine has a Pro Circuit T4 pipe, jetting, and a 50tooth rear sproket.

IMHO they just need a couple of extra teeth on the rear sprocket just to wake it up and you have a weapon for any terrain.

Enjoy!

[Blown 540]

Jake,

I had a 520EXC and the grunt it had even with my big arse on it was scarey.

The 525 is the big kahuna and only topped by TM for the title of king shit of the 4 stroke Motorcross/Enduro heap.

Assloads of torque, braided (Brembo I think) brakes ... basically all the bells and whistles from the factory. A price tag to suit as well.

Jap bikes by comparison will have rubber brake lines and not quite as well specced as the KTMs and other Euro bikes. That's not to say the Jap bikes are inferior by comparison but to get a Jap bike to the same spec as a KTM (new) you'd need to spend some extra coin to do so.

I'm no expert on it and can only comment based on my experience with Jap Enduro bikes and the KTM. KTM was leaps ahead for quality but I felt twitchy in the front end when ridden hard over rough terrain. Hopefully they may have eliminated that in the new 525s.

Go check one out for yourself and decide, only way to do it but I'd certain recommend KTM ... afterall, a real dirt bike is ORANGE ! :D

:lol:
Davehat,
love your replys ,you have a way with words that is unique,keep up the good work"

[timbo99]

KTM's are great I've got a 300EXC (love 2 strokes).

The finish on it will be tops as with all euros, and it should share all the standard equip from other KTM line which will be a good thing.

I wonder about the engine? is it shared with the new 530? as the new engine's run separate gear and engine oils... I've heard that the new engines can 'pop' the seal between the gear and engine sumps and cause some trouble. This shouldn't effect this engine as on the spec sheet it says dry sump... the '525' was bullet proof, just heard couple complaints about this years '530' engine...

On a side note friend has 505sx which he uses for enduro, it stalls up pretty easy in tight stuff and when hot is hard to start, this results in battery going dead very easily, being kick only he then has to roll start. wonder what the battery in this thing is like, as I wouldn't what to be trying to push start it in the bush :)


afterall, a real dirt bike is ORANGE ! :D

:lol:

If it ain't orange its a lemon :rofl:

[zoom]

Jake,

I had a 520EXC and the grunt it had even with my big arse on it was scarey.

The 525 is the big kahuna and only topped by TM for the title of king shit of the 4 stroke Motorcross/Enduro heap.

Assloads of torque, braided (Brembo I think) brakes ... basically all the bells and whistles from the factory. A price tag to suit as well.

Jap bikes by comparison will have rubber brake lines and not quite as well specced as the KTMs and other Euro bikes. That's not to say the Jap bikes are inferior by comparison but to get a Jap bike to the same spec as a KTM (new) you'd need to spend some extra coin to do so.

I'm no expert on it and can only comment based on my experience with Jap Enduro bikes and the KTM. KTM was leaps ahead for quality but I felt twitchy in the front end when ridden hard over rough terrain. Hopefully they may have eliminated that in the new 525s.

Go check one out for yourself and decide, only way to do it but I'd certain recommend KTM ... afterall, a real dirt bike is ORANGE ! :D

:lol:

Sorry bud, {re the 525 power stuff} I was on a 520 for 3 or so years, now on a 2007 650 Husaberg, still ride many 525,530 KTM's, WR 450, CRF 450, many with after market exhaust systems etc, when the owners of these bikes give me back the 650 they know there bikes are a long way off the POWER and TORQUE of the Husaberg, I can assure you If you got to ride one you would understand where Im comming from...............

[chrism697]

im sorry but i dont completely agree
(and yes I have ridden the husaberg) the husaberg has LOADS of torque, so its pretty easy to ride fast, it has very linear power and puts the power down……you can lug the bike everywhere in 3rd gear

But as for the "long way off"….. Not at all, and again it all depends on what sort of riding you do, for example on a motocross track the berg is a long way of the japanese 450's, they hit harder, have an epic mid range, and rev a whole lot harder than the berg. And then as far as
Its horses for coarses, I'm not saying the Husaberg is a bad bike by any means……but it depends what sort of riding the bike is intended for, and I don’t think the rest of the pack are "a long way off" if that were the case they would be winning races left right and centre.

[zoom]

im sorry but i dont completely agree
(and yes I have ridden the husaberg) the husaberg has LOADS of torque, so its pretty easy to ride fast, it has very linear power and puts the power down……you can lug the bike everywhere in 3rd gear

But as for the "long way off"….. Not at all, and again it all depends on what sort of riding you do, for example on a motocross track the berg is a long way of the japanese 450's, they hit harder, have an epic mid range, and rev a whole lot harder than the berg. And then as far as
Its horses for coarses, I'm not saying the Husaberg is a bad bike by any means……but it depends what sort of riding the bike is intended for, and I don’t think the rest of the pack are "a long way off" if that were the case they would be winning races left right and centre.

Well put mate,

I feel the reason the Husaberg brand struggles to win races is that they don’t have the money to obtain the better riders, in Europe the berger is winning some events, but it’s the Jap brands that wheel the big money. The new 09 model due to land soon, should go well and it will be interesting to see how this revolutionary new bike go’s.
Don’t know how many miles you have done on the Husaberg, but the riders that have ridden my 07 650 and a mates 07 550 say that the can really feel a differences in both power and torque, suspension, ergonomics etc to there rides, but owing one, I’m biased, but I must add that due to the fact that I’m on the 650 all day and then jumping on to a different bike for an hour or so, the machines are very different, and I do get that from the other riders who are on my bike. But at the end of the day no matter what color it is, the age of it, or the size of the motor, as long as your riding best of luck to you………….VB