Geared Tall In Stock Configuration

I succumbed to the KTM hype and bought the 09 450exc. Dealership won't allow test ride, so the first thing I noticed when I was able to ride it was it was geared way too tall for trail riding. After three rear sprocket purchases, I settled on a 14/54t configuration, and even that is just a hair to...o tall, but I'll live with it. Stock sprocket configuration is 15/45. The other item I noticed was the wobble. I was told the wheels needed balanced to eliminate this. Lastly, the oil reservior is way too small, .64L, which requires you to change oil often. The engineer I talked to said the low capacity was designed to shave off weight. To avoid the rear blinkers from melting mentioned in the other post, I had the dealership install little mini lights. The bike has power, and the deep growl emitted from the exhuast pipe makes you want open the throttle and rip up the trail. The stock tire lasted 900 miles. The bike handles on the dirt trails like a superb motocross machine. I rarely ride it on the street now because of the sprocket configuration. Read Full Review

2009 KTM 450 EXC REVIEW

Dualsport bikes are new to me,I ride 450 motocross bikes. Just bought a 2009 KTM 450exc, only have 3 hours on bike, (breaking motor in) The bike feels good on the road, only using 50 percent of it power, at high speeds on the road 60+ it will wobble, needs a stabilizer. Great power for a motor th...at has been smog. Read Full Review

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Yep, its agreat bike, however it is no better than any other 450. I am not impressed with the engineering though. Chain guard was eaten in 15 hrs. the headgasket leaked in 20 hrs. the turn signals melted off. the rear license holder was tore off. One must question who these engineers are.

But the ...R is the only street legal machine where I live otherwise I would have got a CRF, or YZF. Just as good but more reliable an $2500 less. Read Full Review