Here is a pic of the new 08ktm exc 450. This bike looks sweet! Dose anybody know if this bike is coming as a dual sport? If this bike is going to be street legal I think I'm going have to buy it!

 

Very nice! Haven't heard anything yet, maybe you can call the local KTM dealer for us. Hopefully they will bring a 450 dsback into the lineup as it would be well worth the $$$ versus the suzuki 400. Actually, I would like to see Kawi making a 400 or 450 DS. That would be sweet!!!

 

I did Talk to the local dealer and he was the one who told me that the exc450 was all new for 08 but he did not know all the details. Today I decided to do a quicksearch on it and found the pic and some info but nothing on it being a dual sport.I was just wondering if anyone had more info.

 

I believe that all KTM bikes are street legal with some add-ons. Well I'm not sure about the two strokes.

Hmmmmm Something is happening to KTM from 07 to 08, check it out. This first link is what's available in the 07 models

http://www.procaliberlongview.com/ne...amp;DispType=0

And this is the 08 lineup, it doesn't look good.

http://www.procaliberlongview.com/ne...amp;DispType=0

 

Hmmmm.... You might be onto something.

 

I'm pretty sure they are all street legal, that is not changing from the '07. But it's got a totally new engine which has several new features. The one I like the most is seperate engine and transmission oil. Lots of advantages to that. It also purportedly makes valve checks and adjustments easier, but I don't know how much easier they can get over the current RFS engine which is already very easy. Another big change on the 450 is that it is going from a long-stroke to a short-stroke and bigger bore. This will affect the power-curve but I'm not sure how. Lots of folks take the KTM 400 and overbore it to a 453 and the new '08 450 with the shorter stroke is purported to feel more like the overbored 400.

KTM Talk had a good thread with some good information on the '08s, but it is down now. They've been plagued with server problems the last few weeks. I thought they got them straightened out, but they're down again. Bummer.

But U.S. street legality is not supposed to change. I think the '08 KTMs will be kick ***. I've been extremely happy with mine which is the '07 - more fun than humans should be allowed to have. Do it!

Here's a couple of '08 KTM pr0rn vids of the '08 for ya, scroll to the bottom:

http://www.motorevue.com/site/les-vi...rac-23702.html

 

Brian, if ya had to do it over again, do you think youmight have gotten a 525exc instead? I'm just day dreaming and planning my future stable. I got theklxand a ktm 640 adv so far. I think a 450 or 525would round out my stable just about right. I think there willbe some good deals on lightly used ones by next spring.

Here's what I was thinking,
KLX 250 for easy going fun stuff, also a good forgiving bike to let a friend ride so I have a riding partner.
KTM 640 Adv for long excursions, camping and exploring. Also my street cruiser.
KTM 450 or 525 for pure adrenalin, rooster throwing fun.

 

No, I think the 450 is perfect for me. I was originally looking at the 525, but decided for the 450 instead after doing some research as to the feel of the two. They weigh the same, but the 525 feels heavier in tight singletrack due to the higher rotating mass of the larger piston creating a greater gyroscopic effect and requires greater throttle control which makes it a little less forgiving. I've talked to several folks who have ridden both, and they say moving from the 525 to the 450 is like taking ankle weights off.

Both that their place, though. Some folks prefer the 525, but I've been plenty happy with my 450. Lack of torque is not a problem for it, at least for me. The 525 does have more, though.

The good thing is that with either one, you can turn it into the other by simply replacing the piston and cylinder, similar to 300 kit for the KLX. The 450 and 525 share all the same parts, just different pistons and cylinders. So if you do feel like you want to try the other, it's a few hundred bucks to make the switch.

Your bike line-up sounds just about perfect to me. No one bike can do it all. I'd also consider a TE610 vs the 640 Adv, not sure which way I'd go between those two, both are very nice.

 

You're right it was a tough choice between the two, they each have their pros and cons, but it's too late now. I got a real good dealon an 01 640 adv last weekend with only 4k miles with farkles. Here's what she looked like when I drove her home. One more bike to go. [sm=icon_rock.gif]

 

Sweet! You got side luggage too, that's awesome!