Exc 540 - Horizons Unlimited

**nomiskx** · #1 10 Jun 2008

Hi,
has anybody used an EXC 525 / 540 for overlanding ? Am thinking of using mine for a trip to Cape Town...

Simon

**JonStobbs** · #2 10 Jun 2008

A bit on the highly strung side for long distance travelling.Service intervals are very short.Tyre wear might be an issue on the rear.Bum-achingly uncomfortable seat.Lack of luggage carrying capacity due to alloy rear subframe(not strong enough).I'm not nit-picking.....i have a 525 myself and it's got soooo much go in it i giggle myself silly in my helmet sometimes,a fantastic enduro bike,but i would'nt like to do more than a couple of hundred KM's on it!

**razmataz** · #3 17 Jul 2008

I agree, although riding my EXC 525 every year in some desert Races and Enduro rallyes over 2500 km in 9 days without a major Service, I have to work on it every night and do the necessary checks. Its built for racing, not for travelling. I would downsize with the KTM Military, see the post from Peer.
Thats a good comprimise and will make it.
Cheers
Ras

**tifua** · #4 18 Sep 2008

Reckon you'd want to put in a cush drive & possible see if you could fabricate up a steel rear subframe to replace the aluminium one. If they can handle the punishment of an amateur riding the full dakar (with fuel load) it could make it through africa with regular oil services!

When you get to South Africa you should pop in for a visit - we're staying at the southern tip of the Kruger National Park now... only about 200km to Mozambique coast.

Hutch and I were wondering what you are up to these days just the other weekend.

Cheers,
Nick & Charne