KTM 450 exc

[diggermanbob]

KTM 450 exc pre 2010 , how good are these bikes , are they reliable, I know they have short service intervals , do they make a good long distance trail bike ? I would fit an Acerbis tank to give me better fuel range , Your thoughts ??

[ScottHeyden]

I have a 2003 450 exc-r, the RFS engines are pretty bomb proof, my bike has over 20000 miles/800hrs on it and has been no bother at all. 1 piston, water pump seal and bearings. It gets a service every 30 hours of use. The large tank gives a range of 120 mile before it hits the reserve.

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

1) Very

2) Yes if looked after

3) Depends what you mean by long distance

4) You can get a long-range KTM tank and seat off the XC model

[redbikejohn]

Up to 2007 (?) it was the rfs engine. After that it changed and these had a rep for not being quite so good.

[berin]

On the other hand.....


https://advrider.com/f/threads/new-zeal ... c.1181912/

I know it’s a 500 but the later engines are excellent. I’ve had 350exc’s that have done 250 hours and never needed the valves doing, fit a bigger clutch cover for a bit more oil if you want to extend service intervals a bit but they all want regular oil changes

IMHO the 450’s are horrible trail bikes, the power is brutal and they are tiring to ride. 500’s are better.

400 EXC’s are nice - I had 2 - but not as good as the 350’s.


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[diggermanbob]

On the other hand.....


https://advrider.com/f/threads/new-zeal ... c.1181912/

I know it’s a 500 but the later engines are excellent. I’ve had 350exc’s that have done 250 hours and never needed the valves doing, fit a bigger clutch cover for a bit more oil if you want to extend service intervals a bit but they all want regular oil changes

IMHO the 450’s are horrible trail bikes, the power is brutal and they are tiring to ride. 500’s are better.

400 EXC’s are nice - I had 2 - but not as good as the 350’s.

Thanks for that and great trip on adv , what year was your 500 ?
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[chunky butt]

On the other hand.....


https://advrider.com/f/threads/new-zeal ... c.1181912/

I know it’s a 500 but the later engines are excellent. I’ve had 350exc’s that have done 250 hours and never needed the valves doing, fit a bigger clutch cover for a bit more oil if you want to extend service intervals a bit but they all want regular oil changes

IMHO the 450’s are horrible trail bikes, the power is brutal and they are tiring to ride. 500’s are better.

400 EXC’s are nice - I had 2 - but not as good as the 350’s.

Thanks for that and great trip on adv , what year was your 500 ?
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Phil's your man for the info Bob he's had both.....rfs engines apparently bullet proof. Check out the sub frames as we know you like to take a lot of gear

[daveuprite]

Hiya Bob. As Steve says, Phil has owned them all and he's thrashed and crashed a lot of RFS bikes in recent years. The 450 is the one that's most likely to have been used as an actual enduro bike, competitively, so bear that in mind. It's the raciest and most brutal of the range. The 400 is an all-rounder. The later non-RFS 500 and 350 are the powerful lugger and nimble handler respectively. I've ridden all of them during bike swaps within our group, but never owned long-term. Shan has just finished making a 500exc into a long distance machine (it looks great) so ask him too.

Another thing to remember. The pre-2010 Beta range also used the KTM RFS engines. So you get one in an early 400RR, 450RR and 498RR.

[Tonibe63]

On the other hand.....


https://advrider.com/f/threads/new-zeal ... c.1181912/

I know it’s a 500 but the later engines are excellent. I’ve had 350exc’s that have done 250 hours and never needed the valves doing, fit a bigger clutch cover for a bit more oil if you want to extend service intervals a bit but they all want regular oil changes

IMHO the 450’s are horrible trail bikes, the power is brutal and they are tiring to ride. 500’s are better.

400 EXC’s are nice - I had 2 - but not as good as the 350’s.


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I agree.
In my experience:-
the 250/350 rfs are great woods bikes but the gearbox ratios are too narrow for an open trails/gravel roads bike.
the 450rfs is too powerful for technical stuff unless you have the ability and fitness to be 'on it' all day.
the 400rfs is a great alrounder with good traction in tight technical stuff.
the 500rfs is a great open trail/gravel bike which could be a good travel bike if you add an oil cooler, fit the MXC tank+seat+sheepskin and don't want it to do endless motorway miles ... beware overheating which knackers the nicoseal coating on the cylinder.
Horses for courses and depends what you want to do with it.

[diggermanbob]

Ok thanks guys , I'm thinking maybe 400 rfs will be the way to go , it's really to replace my XT660r for TET in U.K. And Europe, will be travelling light as I don't like camping , Mosko moto bags and maybe tank pockets , I still have my trusty TTR but fancy something with bit more grunt and better suspension for the longer trips ,