Wow, thats some serious low mileage!

Mine goes into the local want ads here in a week or two.

 

Good luck on the sale, I still think the KLX450 is going to be the item to have.

 

The Husky's were very high in the running for me. The decision for me came to down to just a few factors. These are all subjective depending on what suits you better, but for me I like the gear ratios on the KTM better - it has a wider gear box and since I ride both street and trails, that will allow a lower RPM cruising speed, yet still provide a slower speed 1st gear for tight trails. The TE gearbox has little more narrow, which might actually be better for racing, but I don't race so that's not a factor. As for the power, I'm pretty sure I'll never need that extra few horses from the Husky. Also, the KTM has a 11:1 compression ratio engine which is the same as on our milder KLX's. The Husky uses a 12.9:1 which is quite a bit higher compression, and probably where it is getting some of that extra power. While I could be wrong, in my mind that translates to shorter valve life and higher maintenance. That's totally non-scientific, but that's just the impression I have. Not that there's anything wrong with it, and I know people that have great reliability with both bikes, but that tends to steer me more to the KTM. And lastly, there are several KTM dealers within an hour of me while the nearest Husky dealer is 3 hours away, so that was kind've the clencher.

But I'd be very happy with either bike. That Husky sure is a nice looking bike. I agree on the 450 size though. I think it takes a good bit to get the smaller 250's putting out that much power, but the 450's don't have to work nearly as hard. Actually, the 525EXC was my first choice, but after talking to people of have ridden both, the extra mass of the piston / flywheel in the 525 requires greater throttle control and makes it feel bulkier than its weight would imply in the tight trails. But the 450EXC still feels nimble. I'd get the 525 if I rode in wide open areas, but I don't think I'm big enough to wrestle the 525 here in the tight woods and trails of the east.

EDIT: Oh, I forgot to mention, I'm not real tall and the higher seat height of the Husky makes me leary, though I've never actually sat on one. I can tip toe the KTM, it is only slightly taller than the KLX. And when I get my Renazco seat made, I'll have it made to be a little lower than the stock seat so that should put me at just about the right height on the KTM.

 

Guys, I can't resist jumping in here. I've been on and off the forum for awhile and generally appreciate the wisdom, humor and technical trail-breaking you all do. In fact, you've led me to an experiment of my own. I write for "Ride Oklahoma" magazine...you've all seen a post touting the mag here and there.
I am doing a "Project Bike" experiment on the KLX. Here's why.

TheKLX is a better bike than most of us/you give it credit for being. The suspension beats anything we had on our race bikes, not so many years back, and it's not hard to make even better. Frame geometry, thus handling characteristics,is superb. The price isn't bad, considering what we get for our money, those who pay list price notwithstanding.

So. To make us happy, we need more power. Brian seems to have found the sweet spot with his improvements. All he really did, if I read his posts correctly, is to ad a few cc's and some carb work.

Sometimes we trade tractability and longevity for almighty power. It's okay, though. There's plenty of longevity to spare on the KLX. It's bulletproof as long as you give it clean, relatively dry air andits fair shareof maintenance.

So, what about the project, you ask? It's not Earth-shaking. I am in the process of doing the usual 331 bore job, re-coated cylinder and J&E piston. Web Cams is fabricating a new set of Larry Roesler grind cams. The head will be ported, polished and it will get a three-angle valve job. Bill Blue is working his magic on my TM33 8012 carb. When done, I plan to dyno the whole enchilada and see what we've cooked up.

If it works like I'm gambling it will, I should have a very well mannered and fiesty KLX. More dollars will certainly buy us more power, but how many of us are racing? The KLXcould be raced with a few mods if you'd like, but why botherflogginga street oriented motorcycle against thoroughbreads? For those of us who just want a really great, reliable dual-sport ride, maybe a bit of polish on the tiddler will do the trick.

My suggestion for any of you who are becoming disillusioned with the 18 HP of the KLX. Hang in there. I will give you a full report in the pages of "Ride Oklahoma" as soon as I can get the finished product into print. Meanwhile, work on those riding skills, enjoy the bike for what it's intended to be; an honest DP bike that'll get you there and back on the gnarliest roads(or not) between here and wherever you're going.

I'll even try for a little preview, just for the KLX forum folks.

Thanks for the ear, guys.

Bill Dragoo
Ride Oklahoma Magazine
WWW.RideOK.com

 

Bravo! Good post, Bill. Let's ride sometime. I'm just two hours away from OKC.

 

I agree with the "give this bike a chance". I'm just thrilled with mine, and I'm having a ball modifying and fabricating , to fine tune mine into a super-light enduro adventure bike. I was with Bill this evening going over a bunch of mods ( I delivered a bike tonite for him), looking at the STACK of flatslide's he's got! Mine is coming this week. I'll be mating it up with the HMF pipe w/ quiet core. Bill and I had fun talking about the options should that pipe prove to be too loud.
Some of these guys don't understand building a bike. Expecting every change to just "click on perfectly" shows it. It's as much development as modifying.