Switching to KTM - opinions??

[LI Racer]

I race MX and have never raced anything but a YFZ. I recently had mechanical issues at a race and had to do the 2nd moto on my friends almost stock '09 KTM450sx. Now I want one. I felt it was much lighter, easier to maneuver, more comfortable and had at least as much power as my fully worked '10 YFZ450R. Two things I'm curious about.

-Why don't they hold their value? You can get a worked KTM for as much as 2,000 less than a comparable Yami or Honda, even though they cost much more brand new.

-Why does anyone switch from a KTM to anything else? It seems with the extreme loss of value coupled with the fact that this is the nicest race quad I've ever ridden, it makes me wonder if I'm missing a serious flaw in these bikes. I know all about the more expensive/harder to find parts but I don't buy it. This is an extremely expensive sport. Paying $10 for an oil filter instead of $5 wouldn't keep me from racing what I want to race.

Before I go get one, anyone have any insight on this???

[chronicsmoke]

frequent top end rebuilds.. I think they reccomend 20 hrs..

My buddy has the 505SX and rode the piss out of it until it blew.. He bought it under warrenty so they replaced it, but the bill was +2000..

He paid ~12000 up here for it brand new

[andrew75]

I have had mine for 3years and I have really enjoy everything about the ktm quads ,no worst matainance than any other quad that is MX racing .

[IdahoMX]

I went with the xc. A few mods and it over 50 hp and added the sx arms to it. The motor is pretty bullit proof compared to the sx version.

[chronicsmoke]

^^ I think if I were to ride a KTM that's what I would do too.

I think the XC is a SOHC IIRC, I've always liked the XC to SX conversions.

[MX MaNiAc 06]

Originally posted by LI Racer

-Why does anyone switch from a KTM to anything else? It seems with the extreme loss of value coupled with the fact that this is the nicest race quad I've ever ridden, it makes me wonder if I'm missing a serious flaw in these bikes.

I own one and still wonder these things. Lol I've had my 505sx since 09 and I've had one top end rebuild. Besides that only broken parts that were my fault.

[chronicsmoke]

Originally posted by MX MaNiAc 06
I own one and still wonder these things. Lol I've had my 505sx since 09 and I've had one top end rebuild. Besides that only broken parts that were my fault.

My buddy could only blame himself for blowing it up.. he pounded that thing and never maintained it. I drove it a few times and was impressed by the 505. He never even adjusted his shocks whatsoever.. talk about a waste.

He was leading this moto, went from first place to DNF pretty quick haha

[MxRider52]

ive owned both a stock ktm 450sx and a built one and loved both and parts for them arent hard to find but they are expensive especially oem ones

[LI Racer]

Originally posted by MxRider52
ive owned both a stock ktm 450sx and a built one and loved both and parts for them arent hard to find but they are expensive especially oem ones

Where do you order your parts from?

[andrew75]

the places i receive most of my parts from are www.ktmamerica.com
www.ktm-parts.com

[5lblmbn2009]

for Parts check out motosport.com.. oem and some aftermarket. tops ends stock last 40 hours easy. stock really is all you need on these machines unless your an A rider or more, and even then it is all you my need. the stock rod isnt the best, guys are putting in the pro x rod. check out ktmatvhq.com for some more information. if i had to chose between sx and xc i would get the sx and leave it stock over xc. the snappy rev power is sweet.

[shadd_27]

quality is bar none but like these guys said they are pricey copared to honda yamaha but if you maintain them you will have them last just as long and get more power than anything else out there with ease i actually have a full race baldwin ktm and built honda; 450's power is not comparable between them ktm will blow the wheels off my honda and handle better but im a honda guy at heart so i have to keep it unless i can get a good trade for another ktm LOL

[recore 64]

I had a yfz before my 09 ktm 450sx and I liked it but nothing compares to the ktm for me tons of power handles well and I had the motor built by dasa thing rips. I raced it for the last 2 yrs without touching the motor besides oil changes it has over 50 races on it not counting practice its been a real good machine. the only thing is the parts are a little more money.