KTM; advice on buying

[SJBFJR]

I am looking into buying a 2003 KTM 450 EXC dual-sport to keep the FJR company. It looks very clean with 3300 miles on it, but I know nothing about KTM. So I was wondering if anyone has any input for me on thing to consider about this brand. I would be replacing my aging 84 XL350. The seller told me the oil changes are cumbersome, although I’m not too worried about that. I do wonder what else to consider.

Also, does anyone know if there would be a problem transferring the street title? He has a green sticker as well as the on-road title. I have heard from others in the past that with the rule changes in CA in 2005 that it could be a problem.

Thank you for any advice,

Steve

 

[03HiYoSilver]

This link may give you some ideas:

https://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=317527

 

[dcarver]

Really wish I had something to offer - I too am looking at KTM..

 

[mab864]

I've had 5 or 6 KTM's. Overall, they are very nice bikes and have excellent components like hydraulic clutches, Brembro brakes, Braking wave rotors, etc. The 450 you're looking at is a Racing Four Stroke (RFS) motor. It was famous for durability and reliability. I've had two RSF's. A 2003 525 SX and a 2005 450 EXC. Both were great bikes. The 450 EXC is the same motor as the bike you're looking at has. Lots of torque, low end grunt, and a little slow revving. Kind of tractor like and an old school thumper feel. Much different than current motocross 450's that rev quickly and have a big hit in the middle of the power band. Regarding the mileage, I'm not sure on that. I put 3500 miles on my 450 EXC before I sold it and they were absolutely trouble free miles. The nice thing about the RFS is that you can adjust the valves yourself. They have the valves that you adjust by loosening a jamb nut and adjusting with a feeler gauge instead of the shim set-up on more modern four strokes. I also dual sported my EXC. That's not possible in Oregon anymore. It started life as a dirt bike and I put a Baja Designs dual sport kit on it and got an inspection at DMV and got the license plate. We've had a change in state law that prevents that now in Oregon. The DMV office looks at the VIN and if it's identified as a dirt bike by the VIN then they won't allow you to plate it even if it have all the necessary equipment. They've cracked down on that. It has to be a dual sport from the factory now. Not sure how that works in California. One thing I never found a good solution for was the seat on the KTM. As you have undoubtedly noticed, KTM's have super skinny very hard seats. It is the worst seat I have ever ridden on for street riding. Super uncomfortable. Maybe a custom seat shop could help. I never found a good solution for that one. Streets were bad, but the KTM (especially the EXC's) are excellent offroad bikes. You will love it on the trails if that's the kind of riding you intend to do. They really are good dirt bikes, but not for the road. I would say they are about 90% dirt, and about 10% street. Oil changes are not too bad. RFS's have two oil filters. One's short and the other is longer. They are replaced ever oil change. There are also two additional filters under that motor that can be cleaned ever other oil change or so. So and oil change is a little bit involved but once you've done it a couple times, maybe 30 minutes tops. Hope that helps Steve. pm me if you have any other questions. KTM's are a little bit in my blood. My last one was a 300 XC-W which was an electric start 2-stroke. What a great bike. I sold it after I bought the FJR. Here's the biggest forum on the web for KTM's. Most info will be on the more current models, but click on the "RFS-Racing 4 Strokes" section about half way down the page. That's all about the bike you're considering. https://www.ktmtalk.com/ Great folks and lots of KTM knowledge there. The KTM would be a good companion for the FJR. Blue and Orange looks good together. I say you go for it!

 

[Mike-H]

I've got a 530 EXCR & love it.....the only disparaging thing about owning it is the bikes relish at chewing up rear tires, otherwise it has been trouble free & totally reliable.

 

[yamafitter]

For those that drink the Austrian Orange Coloured Kool-Aid:

KTM = Kick Till Monday

Thank You, Thank You

I'll be appearing here all week.

I drink the Yamaha Blue Coloured Kool-Aid...

 

[MojaveFJR]

For transferring the bike I'd just straight up call your local DMV.

As for the KTM, you will probably experience the same as I do with my 690R and what as already been noted in another post on this thread, tires. Just can't seem to keep this think shoe'd past 1000 mile marker without replacing the rear tire.

Grin factor is off the charts.

 

[UberKul]

Also, does anyone know if there would be a problem transferring the street title? He has a green sticker as well as the on-road title. I have heard from others in the past that with the rule changes in CA in 2005 that it could be a problem.

If it started life with a plate in California you should be fine. If you have to have it signed off by CHP or law enforcement make sure all the indicators/horn works and it at least looks legal. If it was brought in by a previous owner and titled maybe not. If it is an out of state bike with under 7000 miles, doubtful. You might want to make an agreement with the owner that if the plate cannot be transferred you can undo the deal. Otherwise, you just bought a dirt bike with lights.

I would buy a KTM 450 today if I had not bought the Husky for $1,000 less.

 

[Bungie]

I drink the Yamaha Blue Coloured Kool-Aid...

Ya know, I've seen the pics, know your background, read the ride reports.. but I still have trouble imagining you and your gimped up knees riding that roto-tiller from hell.

I'm still shopping up here. I'm not in the market, but I found a 2010 KLR (12Km) with a full Jessie hard bag kit on it for $5800! I even suspect the guy selling it as an old ex-BMW riding coworker. If you come across a decent WR250R in your travels, let me know!

As for the KTM's (gotta keep on topic here), my buddy at work bought 450 x-crosser over the winter. A few weeks back he bought some knee gaurds. Well he bought a new house and when moving his bike he decided to take it for a quick blast up the pole-line near his house - without his kneepads. You know what happens next. His new nickname is hop-a-long.

 

[CATCH ME IF UCAN]

Try Thumpertalk.com This will give you info on that ktm and any other dirt bike in mind.

As for the ktm seats. BROADS ARE FOR FENCES.

 

[huron52]

I drink the Yamaha Blue Coloured Kool-Aid...

Some day I want to be just like Bill :yahoo:

 

[huron52]

Like Steve, to stay on topic ... Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance.

 

[mab864]

For those that drink the Austrian Orange Coloured Kool-Aid:

KTM = Kick Till Monday

Thank You, Thank You

I'll be appearing here all week.

I drink the Yamaha Blue Coloured Kool-Aid...

We have some of the same taste in dirtbike farkles. I aways ran Uni rad guards, cycra handguards, and a Rekluse clutch. Also, I like your rack... I mean the one on the fender of your bike!

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I am looking into buying a 2003 KTM 450 EXC dual-sport...The seller told me the oil changes are cumbersome

...Oil changes are not too bad. RFS's have two oil filters. One's short and the other is longer. They are replaced every oil change. There are also two additional filters under that motor that can be cleaned every other oil change or so. So an oil change is a little bit involved...

4 (four) oil filters...?

 

[SacramentoMike]

[advice] To the OP: If you do buy it, don't let Big B take it for a test ride. [\advice]

Hope this helps.

 

[mab864]

I am looking into buying a 2003 KTM 450 EXC dual-sport...The seller told me the oil changes are cumbersome

...Oil changes are not too bad. RFS's have two oil filters. One's short and the other is longer. They are replaced every oil change. There are also two additional filters under that motor that can be cleaned every other oil change or so. So an oil change is a little bit involved...

4 (four) oil filters...?

Yup... 4. Two are paper filters that are disposable and two are reusable (more like fine plastic screens) that need to be cleaned with brake or contact cleaner every few oil changes and then can be replaced. Weird I know but true. Must be the Austrian engineering.

 

[frito1]

[advice] To the OP: If you do buy it, don't let Big B take it for a test ride. [\advice]

Hope this helps.

:thumbsup:

 

[SJBFJR]

Thanks for all the help!

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I am looking into buying a 2003 KTM 450 EXC dual-sport...The seller told me the oil changes are cumbersome

4 (four) oil filters...?

Yup... 4. Two are paper filters that are disposable and two are reusable (more like fine plastic screens) that need to be cleaned with brake or contact cleaner every few oil changes and then can be replaced. Weird I know but true. Must be the Austrian engineering.

Austrian engineering...?

Just for the heck of it, I checked a 'net site for KTM parts:

oil filter kit -- $47.99 (then there's oil...)

I have renewed respect for my KTM riding friends...