525XC in the sand?

[Porkchop]

Well my trx450r's getting pretty worn out and i think its time to update. After adding up the cost of rebuilding my 450 im thinking it will pay in the long run to trade it in on a new bike with all the bells and whistles. So i've really been looking into the 525 for ridin the oregon dunes and trails around here where i live. So for the guys that have them and have had them in the sand how do you like them so far? would you change anything? any info would help please.. thanks!

[realbadlarry]

I would soften up the shocks, for the little chop. Other than that, not much would change. Get some straight cut paddles, the V cuts just seem to spin. If you do the night stuff, some better lights, light lazer star bar mount HIDs.

[pinoy525]

Do everything that RBL said and get a filter skin like divice to keep sand out of your air filter. Locktight your rear axle nuts and shift lever bolt. I wouldn't even think about changing the front sproket to a 13t unless your dunes are slow speed and steep.

[bferg911]

I agree with all that has been said. You'll find any info you want at ktmatvhq.com I don't like the bar mound lights though. I found an hid replacement for the stock bulb, ballast and all that is needed. 150.00 plug and play. If you buy right now you get a 1500.00 race kit. comes with steering dampner and fmf slip on and a bunch of other stuff. You can't go wrong man.

[KTM RIDAA]

ktmatvhq.com is where u need to go man everything and anything ktm!!:D

[megacab]

Just got back from winchester bay ride in the sand. I have a 2008 525 and just bought a 2008 450. Both run great in the sand. I have a FMF slip on pipe and 22x11x10 extremes, 13t front sproket, nerfs. The 450 is stock and will probably stay that way for now. If does well. I would recommend either.

Rich

[Porkchop]

thanks guys! them bikes sure do look great set up for the sand.

hey megacab how'd you do against other quads down there? if you had a chance to drag anyone. i was planning on coming down to winchester this weekend but plans changed.

[megacab]

I added the 4" extended swing arm this last week. I ran out to sand lake for a couple of house of playing on the hills. I personally liked the 4" addition. It did just what I needed keeping my front tires on the ground on the med hills. I still got to get up on the tank on the striaght up ones.

My sand set up is:

22" Scat trak extremes with wide stance
Mohocks with offset rims for width
4" extended swing by SLC Quad Customs
carb rejetted- twice
FMF 4.1 slip on exhaust

Next thing is the Baldwin Racing head job

[voodoo-rider365]

I didn't know where to post this, but here will work. I was wondering if the 525 hits like a DOHC. I currently own an outlaw 500 and am looking for something with more snap like my bros. 450. I have rode a honda 450 and its SOHC and hits like a DOHC so that threw me off. I have rode an outlaw 525 in the sand with no paddles. Hard to tell. I didn't even know the guys name.
Thanks,
Jarrett

[quad97]

there is way more power there than your current 500 preditor. you don't want to rev them to the moon like a DOHC motor unless you get the SX version which has a DOHC. The 525 pulls like a tractor right off of idle up until you shift. They are by no means slow. I don't have too much trouble pulling holeshots against built 450s with my stock 525 with a bored carb.

[voodoo-rider365]

That is what i've heard and is why i want one. My question is while your in mid-gear on the trails if you nail it will it need a second to gain power or will it yank you like a 450? Also is the stock suspension really stiff like i've heard? Thanks

[bferg911]

Yep you can pin it mid gear and just control the slide from there. Low through mid is where it totally excells. It's a short shifter. Grunt power like nothing else. As for the suspension it depends on your weight and riding style. I'm 250 and it's pretty good for me. I know my buddies like it too and they are under 200. There is always room for improvement, but the KTM just needs less of it.

[voodoo-rider365]

i just went to the doctor and im 208.:( About 4 months ago i was 180. I rode my bros. kawi 450 and it is fun and light, but the gearing is DUMB! 1ST is way to tall and the others are short till 5th then it bogs. It feel super fast and thats cool til you drag someone. Plus the front suspension isnt too great (8.5 inches of travel). Outlaw has 10. When you get into it real hard out of a corner it gets real crazy real fast(rear end goes everywhere.) thats with new GNCC ITP's too. Stocks were horrible. (to the Kawi's credit it's prob. the funnest bike i've ridden.):D
(has nothing to do with the KTM just thought you should know.)::p

Question::eek2 How does the KTM do on uphill drags vs. 450's? Most quads that don't rev crazy high lose to the 450's, because the 450's can shift into second mid-hill and start mid-high rpm immediatly. Mine can't shift into second... it bogs.(also have horrible paddles and short 1st and tall 2nd)

[realbadlarry]

If you are really serious I would jump on it now. I was told that the baldwin racing head upgrade is still in play for the 450xc....With that , the cam and and some guts the ktm 450 will hold it's own against all the other 450s and walk away from them in the bumps.

[voodoo-rider365]

I wish i could buy one now, but it will be a while.:( I just wanted to get a feel for how it is. It sounds awesome. I will be flying to australia next summer for some adventure thing my dad wants me to do. It's kind of a school thing, but it's mainly hiking and fun stuff. Maybe i'll see if i can check out the KTM main plant or whatever. WOULDN"T THAT BE SWEET!!!

[rudys1989lt500r]

One day ill get one of those KTM's once i sell this for the down payment.

[rudys1989lt500r]

Other picture

[voodoo-rider365]

Yeah thats nice. I'll bet it sh**s 'n gits.

[Evman]

Ya man the 450's are gonna have to be pretty modified if your a good dragger to catch u up a hill. My 525 has been rejetted butt plug pulled out and end cap removed and the 2 times i have been to glamis the closest a 450 got to me up Oldsmobile hill was a 07 yfz with a full exhaust re-jetting modded airbox and hot cams and he was still about 2 lengths behind me we raced several times that was the closest he ever got. My bike pulls pretty hard in fourth gear up any steep sand hill u throw at it. The basic 3 mod 450 cant get out of third unless they have engine mods done.