Goodbye Husky- Hello KTM?

[Steve ScottMember]

OK – the TE449 has finally given me the shits – no more mods to get it to run properly. I will take it out the back and shoot it.

Next bike KTM 500?

My gripes with the TE 449 – awful at low revs + flame outs + rattles like it is about to throw at piston + stalls + etc. Don’t convince me to keep it – we are not in love anymore.

Sooooooooo………………………..

Will the KTM 500 disappoint me?

Me – ride slow, putt along, the odd squirt (both the bike and me), some commuting to work, odd overnight trip. May be a week long trip once a year. Fat – 100kgs (me not the bike) 6 foot. Will put on larger tank (extra 5 kgs) + always have a bag or two on the back (approx. 10 to 20 kgs).

Want to leave the bike stock, except for a few farkles.

Now I know common sense says a DR400 or DR650 (already have a KLR650) for an old fart plodding along the trails, but I have a KTM lust. If I am wrong and the KTM 500 is going to disappoint an old plodder, then I am happy to reconsider my KTM fettish.

If someone has also ridden both the TE 449 and the KTM 500 – feedback on your experience would be appreciated.

I have not taken any KTM for a ride, so going in blind.

Cheers

Steve

[drewMember]

Welcome to team orange… Oh oh I mean OBT!

What a delemer …. I’ve not had any exprience with the bikes you’ve mentioned.

Few members have or had DRZ’s. They seem like a great all round bike, but lack the grin factor of a bit more nimble KTM like the 350.

If you already have the KLR I’d be tempted to go something more fun factor, that way you have best of both worlds.

Best advise everyone here will give is see if you can test 2 or 3 bikes and pick the one you feel most comfortable on. Then get the suspension set up for you.

Unfortunately most of us aren’t the rider weight they leave the factory set up for.

[Jeffrey SmithMember]

Hi Skotti and welcome to OBT

Do you do much single trail riding? The reason I ask is that from what you have said so far maybe a 690 would be the go for you.

I just did the high country ride on my (new to me) 690 and it was great. I have also ridden some harder core stuff on it and it handled that pretty good as well though I wouldn’t want to be doing hard core singles on it all day. The suspension has been lowered (by the previous owner) and still had the standard springs but it carried my weight of 110kg plus gear ok and never bottomed out though it never got any air time.

There was also a guy on the high country ride with a KTM500, he had a larger fuel tank, a different seat fitted and an external oil tank/cooler to increase oil change intervals. Not sure what other mods he had.

The short service intervals make the external oil tank thingy important on the 500 unless you want to cart oil and filters on your long rides.

[JoeMember]

The 500 won’t disappoint. Can put around easily ,low speed response is great .fit the 14tooth front sprocket as the 13 tooth that is standard is to slow for transport sections.will still lug up any hill you point it at. A good slip on exhaust also helps but not a necessity.
The 690 is not as nice down low,great adventure bike or even a commuter bike as I now use mine but for sheer fun can’t beat the 500. Did I say how I love mine

[Steve ScottMember]

Thanks for the feedback.

Yep. Have been thinking about the KTM 690.

Along with the KLR 650 I have a TE310, so the KTM 350 would be too close in specs, hence the KTM 500 idea. Guess I should drop by Suttos and see if they have a 690 to take for a run.

Are both the 500 and 690 close ratio gearboxes and is one better than the other?

Also, based on me being Dr Plod, would the 690 be a better option?

My aim is to retire the KLR to the shed for a rebuild (so it could be off the road for years) and have the TE 310 as the wee one and then something larger.

Cheers

Steve

[DeanMember]

Sounds to me like you need the 690 Ive seen them punted in the bush pretty damn quick as well. tight single trail weapon they are not,then again you have the 310 for that.

Ollie

[ChrisMember]

Hi Skotti

I own a te449 also but thankfully do not share the same problems..
Not trying to convince you to keep yours :laugh: but have you seen the free mods on cafehusky .com regarding the efi ?
Apparently a fare few have fixed the flame out issue by taking the second butterfly because it doesn’t run in harmony with the cable controlled butterfly. Some other good mods on there too.

I’ve owned the 690 to, great bike smooth operator down low with plenty of mumbo from the middle geared more for the open stuff, heavy wait in the tight singles. Opposite from your 310 so suppose would make it a good second bike. Had a go on the 500 to that’s a different weapon again, quicker than 690 in every way maybe apart from top speed.

Good luck with it.

Cheers
Chris

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