First KTM Post!!!!!! 2008 KTM530EXC-R

[Mick DMember]

Well here goes!!! Fancy getting the opportunity to have the first post on a brand new forum!!!!
Thought I would post the 2008 KTM530 we have and tell any prospective KTM converts about our experience with it.
Bought it in September last year,first one sold to the public I believe.
It now has 70 hours on it and had a bit of a thrashing and it has stood up well apart from a few minor problems which I will list.
First thing that went wrong was at the first service the stipulated amount of engine oil (710ml)wouldn’t fit in the engine.WTF? As it turns out the owners manual is wrong and the engine only takes 600ml.I notified KTM and they put out an update for the owners manual.
2: The stupid looking number plate and indicator arrangement that is fitted to it to meet ADR’s snapped off on the first ride and was lost in the wilderness.
3: All the chain slider bolts fell out.
4: The kick starter fell off, not that I use it as you require super human strength to kick it.I also own an XR600 so I am no stranger to kickstarters.
5:It developed a tick in the engine at around the 40 hour mark which sounded like the timing chain,so I undid the adjuster nut and there was a “click” as the ratchet gizmo in there reset itself and the tick has now gone.The 09 model is going to have larger teeth on the ratchet to fix the problem so it won’t jump teeth.
6: The graphics on the Radiator cowling delaminated and now looks like crap and I am still trying to get it fixed through warranty,don’t like my chances though.
Considering the flogging it has had it has stood up well.
On the plus side this bike absolutely ripps!!!!!
I have checked the valves and at 70hrs are still within spec so haven’t had to touch them.Cant get that from a CRF!!!
Mods we have done are as follows;
1.Akrapovic slip on muffler that has opened it up a bit and made it sound awesome.Didn’t need to rejet or anything
2.KTM hand guards by Barkbuster that have paid for themselves over and over,as she has thrown me a few times.
3. El cheapo rear XR rear blinkers that have stood up to the test.
4.Run Bridgestone ED12 knobbies on the rear which I get about 1000km out off.
5.B&B sump guard,you would think a $13700 bike would come with a sump guard standard.
Any thing any one needs to know,just ask.
Cheers
Mick
Here she is in all her glory……….

[GregMember]

Nice bike Mick, very nice

[Mick DMember]

Trailboss wrote:

Quote:

Nice bike Mick, very nice

It had 10hrs on it then, it still had no scratches, she don’t look so pretty now, !!! It still is a great bike though.

[ChrisMember]

Nice post and nice pic, what do you think of the reliability now after having the bits fall off at the start, you would think for a bike at that price they could at least afford some loctite..

Cheers

Chris.

[Mick DMember]

The dealer actually managed to get all 710ml of oil into the engine by laying the bike on it’s side and pouring it in, needless to say it came out the breather on the first ride after the service. As far as bolts falling out, the ironic thing is the replacement bolts are that covered in loctite,they are hard to screw in.
Although it could be a KTM thing as the subframe bolts on the 990 ADV fell out as well and I have had to replace several missing bolts on my daughters Pro senior.
As far as reliability of the 530 goes I can’t really fault it,like I said before the thing absolutely ripps and sounds awesome. A few guys in the States are having hell’s own problems with cams as well as oil transfereing from the engine to the gearbox.
Another problem they are having is the standard battery hasn’t the power to start the bike in cold weather, I haven’t had any starting issues but I haven’t tried to start it in winter yet.

[GregMember]

How do you find the 990, I ask because chicken and I recently went throught the whole look at buying 640 adventures thing. I loved the 990’s but they didnt have the fuel range where a 640 did, the 990 I rode was fat on a dirt road and great on the tar but I just felt it would be limited in the some of the riding you could do and then riding partners could be an problem

[Mick DMember]

The 990 is a mean machine and turns heads where ever you take it. To be honest I haven’t ridden it that much and when I do, one of my kids is usually hanging off the back. I have ridden it up the Oxley highway to Gingers Creek a few times on my own and it handled the mountain well. It has a Leo Vince system on it and it sounds really good, so much so the first time I rode it to Gingers, a group of guys there heard it coming and said it sounded sweet as and they were surprised that it was an Adventure making a such a sweet note coming up the Valley. It is good to have such a great road at our doorstep!!
As far as riding it on the dirt, it takes a bit of getting used to throwing a 199kg bike into a slide without high siding it and the ABS can give you a fright if you are not on your game.
My younger brother rode one through Mexico and bits of south America and he can ride the thing like a demon and will surprise you where he can take it on single trail with out dropping it.

[ChrisMember]

Hey Mick,

I managed to snare a ride on northys ktm 450, what a buzz, it felt rock solid and the power was amazing, Loved the instant power and the torque, I can see orange in my future… The only downside is the $$$

Chris.

[Mick DMember]

One thing I will say in defence of the cost of KTM’s is, that you get what you pay for.
Like Brembo brakes, Magura hydraulic clutch and several other goodies that come standard, that you would pay through the nose to fit to other brands.So to a degree, it is all relevant.
That 530EXC-R in my shed is just a joy to ride.:woohoo:

[GPMember]

Here an EXC 530 would cost you A$17.748 :blink:

[NestyMember]

Nice bikes Mick!

[Mick DMember]

You’d know.

[Mick DMember]

You’re joking?? That much?? Austria is not that far from Hungary?? How much is fuel now in Hungary??

[NestyMember]

Do your family ever get any time with you? See if you can put a post up for a great trailer design to pull behind the Lib. I dont want a full enclosed but I like the idea of the bins at the front with lockable lids. Maybe a 10ft footprint rather than 8 with the extra 2 foot to be bins.

See what you can do.

[Mick DMember]

Mad macs !!! Help me on this one bro. Ant needs a trailer.

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