520 exc any good ?

[turbo__]

Hey guys im new to the motard scene. Im lookin at an 02 KTM 520 exc with motard setup. I test rode it and it seems great, but what are they like around the twisties etc? Any info would be appreciated. I was also looking at a 640 lc4 but they are a bit dearer. Is it worth the extra dough ? I wont be racing, just commuting and some mountain work.

Btw I am from Brisbane. Any Brissy people in here?

Thanks in advance. Turbo.

[Wobbly]

The KTM lads here will be able to fill you in with much more detail, but as far as I understand it the 520 should go quite hard and real well through the twisties, but the tradeoff is that its more of a competition machine and requires a lot more regular maintenance than an LC4.

The LC4 you'll find is bigger, heavier, bit softer and probably wont go quite as quick, but has a big sump and is built for reliability. The exc on the other hand will require more frequent oil changes, valve clearance checks, etc etc.

What sort of mileage are you looking at doing on it?

[turbo__]

Not sure on mileage... not much really. Maintenance doesnt bother. Its just that the 520 seems to turn like, well, a motocross bike (funny that) as opposed to an actual road bike that leans better. What I mean is, that riding a gixxer 1000, at 40km'/hr, you still lean to turn, but the 520 felt like I had to turn the wheel rather that lean. (sorry if ive gont off on a tangent). Im just not sure if the motocross turned road bike will be fine when leaned over on power.

Thanks for the info btw. Keep it coming.

p.s. Any Brisbane motard guys around ?

[Flash]

Hi Turbo
I ride an smr450 which again is a motox bike set up for motard, and turns like a cut cat on carpet. You will find a motard is a pisser to ride ask Neil (although he ride an ag bike :lol: ) he has an aprilia which he doesn't use any more!!
leaned on the power is no problem just as long as the revs are up other wise you will get a slide :)
Or as I do, just slide :D

[turbo__]

So far so good.. the way this is going I might go buy myself a 520exc :D
Thx for the heads up boys...

p.s. Any Brisbane guys around?.. Or know of any Brissy based motard sites?

Thx again boys!

[Wobbly]

+1

Fuggin ag bike, watchit you :twisted:

The DRZ I ride is just a joy to throw around the twisties. I easily go down the spur far quicker on the DRZ than I did on the RSV1000, as its so much easier to turn and hold a tight line, change line, make braking corrections while in a corner, etc etc. Don't know what it is, but the motard seems to give you a lot more of a sense of control so you find yourself raising your limits because you fell comfortable doing so.

For example, a couple of months back I went for a ride with a couple of mates from mcnews ... one of which is a pretty handy rider, riding an F4i (he rides a zx6rr on the track and is a pretty competitive club racer). He was coming back from a collar bone and probably wasn't as quick as normal, but he's pretty damn quick at the best of times. On the aprilia he was just off into the distance. Down chump creek I was behind him and could stick with him quite easily. At one of our breathers he looked at me quizically and said "I think I was holding you up back there" ... which coming from him I took as a fairly big compliment.

And I'm pretty crap at riding motorbikes, so just think what you could do if you have a modicum of talent!! :D

p.s. as far as Qld sites go, you can try www.supermotardextreme.com.au but they're basically a race site, for SM racers in Qld. As far as I know VSMR is the only street riders web site in Australia 8) But we're more than happy to take everyone of course, so get your mates in, and if there's enough interest I can set up specific sub-forums for different state based groups :up:

[turbo__]

Very good news... ta again.

[Muzzard]

Ag bike?
Mmmm, Last time I rode with Neil up at Tawonga, where men are men and all wildlife is nervous, his 'ag bike' as you describe it was just that tad quicker across the top and down into Bright from Mt. Beauty...
And that was prior to the big bore kit and cams, so if I was you laddy, I might be a bit reserved in the DRZ slaggin'
That reminds me, he is the ONLY one to have made the journey to Mecca, apart from Antti and Cal who would like to both move there no doubt...

Turbo,
I my man would be opting for the LC4 and go the extra dollar...
They still run hard if you are able to punt it that way, anyone can be fast in a straight line as we all know, and I see nothing wrong with an LC4 in the performance/handling stakes. I have a tender spot for them as I think they are very under-rated as a sport motard. 8)
If you buy a bike with a view to longevity then the LC4 is the bike.
For the bling factor a LC4 can be pretty damn impressive with some aftermarket bits from Europe now like a really sweet underseat titanium exhaust and Hurricane bodywork etc :twisted: ...
Your money mate...

[scozzie]

Turbo,

I sat on an LC4 at Moorooka Yamaha when I was in buying my WR450. Wish I bloody hadn't. It just felt right :D Know what I mean. But I couldn't afford it.
Never mind. Still got a feckin' good ride.

[Wobbly]

Not to run off topic here, but I've been at the airbox on the DRZ with the hole saw that I used to cut the hole in my front door for the deadlock :D

[dicky]

Hardly off topic at all.
There are a couple of essential airbox and carby mods for the LC4.
Nothing quite a crude as the hole saw though.

turbo, join the forums on the KTMTalk website. They have heaps of info about the LC4 and the 525.

dicky.

[wheelz]

Hey Turbo, in same dilema as you tossing up between those 2 bikes. do you plan to use yours for dirt as well? if so go the 525 as its an awesome dirty, I have ridden several 450s ktm and you you dont get much better in the bush and i am going for the 525 as it doesnt weigh any mor than 450 and would make a better motard, the LC4 would still be huge fun on road and wouldnt feel as though your sitting on a pushbike seat but is a bit porky in the scrub. Depends where your pref lies.

[Muzzard]

I reckon your on the mark there Wheelz and welcome to you also...

[Cal]

For example, a couple of months back I went for a ride with a couple of mates from mcnews ... one of which is a pretty handy rider, riding an F4i (he rides a zx6rr on the track and is a pretty competitive club racer). He was coming back from a collar bone and probably wasn't as quick as normal, but he's pretty damn quick at the best of times. On the aprilia he was just off into the distance. Down chump creek I was behind him and could stick with him quite easily. At one of our breathers he looked at me quizically and said "I think I was holding you up back there" ... which coming from him I took as a fairly big compliment.

I can vouch for that. Last time I rode Reefton Neil was leading on the DRZ and I had to go pretty damn hard on the Blade to stay with him.


PS - I just got me one of them ag bikes, so don't diss em too much! :D

[wheelz]

Cheers Muzzard and hope to see you in that part of gods country some day, just wait till i get rid of the old porker(Blackbird) and I'll throw the newy(525) on a trailor and head up, with both sets of wheels and the snowboard!! :shock: That sounds like a weekend. yeah cant wait to do the gap on a moto without knobbies too.
PS- Great site.

[Muzzard]

Good on ya Wheelz, Always welcome here mate...
Thanks regards the site... :)