Just got my first, new ktm 500 exc 2017 and love it already, light like a bicycle I am planning to do step by step longer trips on it and see how it goes,
because for now I don't feel comfortable too far from home firstly on ktm and secondly on racing bike

Anyway I have never been traveling so light before. Wonder if anybody here used any of ktm EXC models or other enduro bike with short maintenance intervals for bigger excursions? No talking here about bikes like wr250r, crf250l
or klx250.

Wicked light, powerful and nimble bikes, them KTM450-500EXC, got a 450EXC (2016) set up as light ADV bike (not a cargo hauler) with Haan Wheels (Cush Hub Rear) and other modifications like rear rack, Acerbis 3.2gal. tank, Scott steering damper, suspension tuning, etc...etc.... While dual sporting the "race bike" service intervals can be fairly stretched a bit (oil / air filter changes) in my personal and others opinions and experiences....





Quite a few interesting threads over on the ADVrider forums and let's not forget Adam Riemann and his famous Motonomad rides: https://motologyfilms.com

ADV Bike Build KTM EXC
Adventurizing a KTM 500 Exc | Adventure Rider

Extreme Ride 500EXC / 60000+ k's and going further.....
New Zealand to Oregon then Alaska on a KTM 500exc and now..... | Adventure Rider

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Somewhere down the road in China since '89 ~ along the route I've learned the hard way that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing everybody off is a piece of cake....TBR

nice, but what have you done to the seat? because stock is hard as piece of wood... Today after just one hour I had enough.

I am getting some ideas from here: Adventurizing the KTM 500 EXC | The Rolling Hobo to prepare my AJP PR5.

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http://www.wanderclan.com

Comfort - Gripper Seat by http://www.seatconcepts.com installed on the EXC.

Many different KTM seats available from Corbin, KTM Powerparts, Fisher, Renazco, etc.. just to name a few companies.

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Somewhere down the road in China since '89 ~ along the route I've learned the hard way that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing everybody off is a piece of cake....TBR

seating comfort is one thing but vibration on pavement at higher rpm on this bike is quite substantial, I hope good set compensate for this. I would need grip puppies as well to reduce tingling on my hands.

Yes, all that and MORE. I assume you have read the ADV Rider thread from the Kiwi New Zealand guy? I read the whole thread ... very very impressive.

But this guy is good mechanic, knows how to take care of his race bike when in Bolivia!

He somehow was able to carry quite a bit of gear on his bike, and did not seem too bothered by the seat as he did many many LONG riding days. Amazingly, his bike held up incredibly well.

Would ALL KTM's do as well? History of those bikes indicates NO. Two good friends have the 500 and LOVE it. But neither ride them out of the area. Both have several other bikes for travel. (KTM 950SE, BMW GS) According to both guys, the 500
has been pretty good. No serious problems in 1.5 year.

I think the 500 could work, but IMO, you are doing the EXACT right thing by starting out slow with shorter trips to "test out" your bike, fine tune it and prepare for a really long trip.

All the best, please post how things go here! Love to see your seat solution.
absolutely a MUST for me based on my 30 minute test ride on easy single track I rode. WAY TOO TALL for me but I managed on my short ride. What a magic bike it is, rides like a 250!

No worries ~ no dramas with vibrations riding my custom build and extensively modified 450EXC (2016) on paved roads "hooligan style" with 14/52 sprockets. Actually, its a well known fact, the EXC450 (2016) is more snappy & aggressive compared to the EXC500 (2016) and never had interest in the 2017 models in the first place for a few personal reasons (less oil, weaker lighter subframe, ECU lockable remotely by KTM through service computer, missing kickstarter, etc..etc...) and personally prefer the 2016 model year...

The BRP Scott Steering Damper Mount with rubber inserts: https://www.brpmoto.com and specially the brilliant Haan Wheels (rear cush hub): http://www.haanwheels.com installed on my 450EXC contribute to the smooth ride in my personal opinion as less chain chatter (chain slap) and easier on the whole drive train....

Very enjoyable KTM450EXC bike with a "motorised" mountain bike feel. Well ~ what can I say after a year of ownership, absolute wicked riding experience and all my other China bikes are either sold or up for sale as the KTM450EXC is the perfect bike for my needs here in Mainland China for the coming years ~ your opinion and experience might vary ~ not trying to start a never-ending discussion...

2017 EXC500 ADVrider thread: http://advrider.com/index.php?thread...exc-f.1146410/ and lets not forget famous KTMtalk: www.KTMTalk.com

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Somewhere down the road in China since '89 ~ along the route I've learned the hard way that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing everybody off is a piece of cake....TBR

Did Connecticut to Guatemala and back a few years ago on a 450EXC. Not recommended. Was inspired by Austin Vince and the Motonomad guys. Unless you're tackling some serious off road for a majority of your ride with very little pavement, then go with a bike that offers more comfort, even if it's a 640/690 or something of that nature. I crossed the USA doing 300 miles plus a day, stabbing so I could get into Mexico as quick as possible and it was just plain stupid. On a trip you want a bike that doesn't wear you out.

I talked with the rolling hobo guy as he was transitioning into the 500 from his 690 as I had just finished my trip then. For his style of riding, where he's going through some gnarly stuff for a majority of his adventures and not covering the distances I did, then it makes perfect sense, but a 500 dirt bike as a world tourer? Not for me.

Perhaps you mean "lack" of comfort aside"!
Totally agree, although when traveling, you could probably push that oil change interval a bit, since most times you won't be riding at race pace. But point certainly made!
Yep! And my guess is when it comes time for another long range trip ...you go back Suzuki or similar for travel.

Ready To Race not required for long range travel. But I've literally been beating this drum for 20 years ... and I thought for sure by now KTM would have stepped up and built a strong, reliable, easy to maintain dual sport, a sort of "Suzuki Like" Dual Sport/Adventure bike.

In the old days it was a given the KTM would break down in some way.
KTM better now of course ... but still we don't see all that many average, non mechanical types traveling in hordes on KTM's.

I thought sure by now the old Japanese nails would be long dead and buried ... yet they are still relevant. (Honda XR-L, Yamaha XT600/660, Suzuki DR/DRZ, Kawi KLR)

My 450EXC was completely reliable. I did have the head worked with SS valves and added an oil cooler to double the oil capacity. Still, it was a well used and abused motorcross bike from the previous owner. The rear plastic shroud around the subframe was split in two, suggesting that the bike had been in a pretty heavy crash ( I didn't see this until I dismantled the bike in the garage). I had the head off and didn't even touch the bottom end. I split the cam chain, dismantled the top end, and then put it all back together and it was fine for reliability. For comfort...well...that's a whole different story. haha

It's amazing what a good seat can do for a previously unrideable bike!
Like your KTM, my DR650 was impossible to ride (for me) more than about an hour on the stock seat. A true POS torture rack.

I've ridden (and owned) KTM's for years and only my two Dukes ('01 Duke 2 and 2017 690 Duke) had marginally OK seats. Both those seats were tolerable, especially the 690 Duke, which I rode 6 to 8 hour days on.
Not great but doable.

Your 450, if fitted with a nice WIDE custom seat like a Corbin may surprise you.
A real seat made from premium materials by Pros can really make a difference for all day comfort. Using things like Sheep skins or air pads are, IMO, half measures. Something like an Air Hawk can help ... but can you do 10 hour days with it as your only buffer between a crap plank and you? Width and shape, IMO are key to comfort.

I'm quite sure the Corbin on my DR650 is the only reason I could ride back to back long days on that bike. Others make good seats and some, like James Renazco, specialize in making custom seats for KTM.
Renazco Dual Sport Seats

Back to the BMW G310. I'm sure both Corbin and Renazco will be jumping in to build a seat for this new bike.

I put a Seat Concepts wide seat on it. A chainsaw with two wheels still rides like a chainsaw with two wheels.

I am going to get an AirHawk to put on my Benelli down here. I'm hoping that it'll help my bum.

main reason would be the high price of KTM IMO, bikes like DRZ or XR have cheap components. With KTM you get very good suspension, wheels, hydraulic levers, motor out of the box. You don't really have to put more money into it.

This is certainly true. For travel, just add luggage for the most part.