You gotta take those with a grain of salt. The specs say my EXC seat height is 36.5 inches but I can't really tell that it is any taller than the KLX was. It's about the same. I couldn't flat foot my KLX and I can't flat foot my KTM - I tippy toe it. But it's going to be that way with any full size dirt bike. I just figure if Ricky Carmicael can do what he does on his and he's only 5'3" I won't complain about being 5'7".

 

I went to look at the new KTM08exc 450 and it is a sweet bike! The salesman gave me apriceof $8100 plus tax. But now here's my problem I sat on the bike and being only 5'6 I cant reach the ground [:@]. So I told the dealer if you can find a way to lower the bike call me and I will buy it. I went home and started to do some research on thumper talk and Nobrakes directed me to a thread on lowering ktm's. What I found out is that you can lower the bike. I would have to send out theforks and rear shock to have them modified. With the price of the bike and sending out the suspension, the bike is going to cost too much. If KTM used a linkage system in the rear I would have bought the bike on the spot. A set of Kouba links and I would have been done.

 

+1

 

I'm no Ricky Carmichael, I need my feet on the ground from time-to-time.

You've commented before that you really don't notice the KTM being any taller. But I've noticed in the pictures since you've acquired the KTM, you seem to be "one-cheeking" when stopped more than when you had the KLX (not that I'm looking at your butt). Since you had said that before, I went to "try one on for size". I could definitely tell the difference. The dealer said it was too tall for me (50-year old, out-of-shape, recreational rider). My son said; "get it". He then said; "after you snap your hip getting on or off, can I have it?". It's too bad...I really want a 450...if only I were younger...

 

I wasn't trying to talk you into anything, just that I was surprised it wasn't taller when I tried one myself given the approx 2 inch taller seat height measurement than the KLX. But if you've sat on one and have first hand experience, then you know for sure how well one will fit you. But I'm perfectly comfortable on it now. I won't say I have never tipped over awkwardly on it when I went to put a foot down and found just air instead. But after riding it for most of a year, when I go down now, it's rarely because I couldn't get a foot down.

 

hahaha, to me that is hilarious since I am creeping towards that stage. My oldest daughter says that she is going to kick my **** on the track next year as well. haha, will pick her off of the track a few times before the old man stage kicks in.

 

KTM does just fine with the linkless suspension. Just think of the Husaberg as a deluxe KTM..kind of like getting an Acura instead of a Honda. They`re awesome bikes and parent company KTM benefits from their innovation.

 

Add this to the DROOOOOOL list!
http://www.husqvarnausa.com/2008/EN_TE250.html
It is DOT legal per there website.

 

I don't mean this in a negative way but, what is the fascination with Husqvarna?

They seem to be really good motorcycles but, how different are they from a KTM? Is exclusivity part of it (the "forbidden fruit" sort of thing)?

I see KTM being technically in the same class for performance and technology other then some small stuff. I can get parts for KTM in just about any major market. For Husqvarna's in Arizona, they list TWO dealers with one in Phoenix and the other in California outside of LA. []

Or, considering the family genealogy, would KTM parts and aftermarket accessories work?

If I were to upgrade from the KLX-250S, I'm really looking at the KTM's over the Honda and Kawsaki options.

 

This is where Japan is dropping the ball, IMO. My KLX was the first Kawasaki I'd ever owned and with my good experience with it, I was inclined to stay with green. But the KLX450R was off-road only. In North Carolina, you can't tag it. Same with Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda offerings - basically all are mirror images of each other. No performance enduro bikes that you can plate. And the plate is very important for me.

So the KTM EXC and Husky TE lines were the only practical options. I went with the KTM for a number of reasons. But now that I've owned a KTM and absolutely love it, I'm not sure I'd go back even if Kawasaki does come out with a KLX450"S" in the future. I can't be the only one. I think this is one of the reasons we are seeing so much orange around these days.

People like me still probably make up only a small niche market that is big for smaller mfgs like KTM but just a blip on the radar for Japanese mfgs. But I can't help but think that with riding areas being split up and scattered the plate is rapidly becoming more and more important and over time, Japan is going to start have to play catch up. KTM already nearly completely dominates the woods market and is already making pretty deep inroads into MX which recently has been the exclusive domain of Japanese mfgs.

I'll keep my EXC for the indefinite future - I don't see myself ever wanting more bike than this. IMO, it's perfect w/regard to power and handling and the next upgrade will be because I get that bug for something new. When it comes time to change, I'm sure the technology will be even better, though. I'm really liking that Husaberg FE450 - the EFI, fuel tank location, air intake location, etc, etc. I hope that is a trend that continues. I wonder what they'll have in 2011'ish?