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Posted by: reconranger
Interested....but I am so happy with my Honda 450R that it would have to be a magic carpet before I would consider a change! So, I am sitting tight for a year or even two, to see how they prove themselves....
I think it is a big mistake for manufacturers to try and do this "race ready" right out of the box stuff. By "race ready" what they really mean is "MX read", and all that does is make the quad less well adapted for cross-country. Very very few riders ever MX, so the majority of the market is trail and cross-country riders. Better to market an all-around machine, and leave it to the scant few MX'ers out here to mod their machines for the track.
Posted by: Scooter86
I don't know, it seems like everyone I ride with that has a race quad/450 model around here all hit up an mx track from time to time. Maybe it is just because the trail riding scene is non-existant in NY unless you own or have a buddy that owns land. I usually ask when I meet new riders where they ride. It is probably about a 60/40 split with 60% giving me at least one mx facility. If you just take the 450 class riders, the split is more like 80/20(and a large part of the 20 bought 450Rs for xc.) I like seeing quads more race capable like the bikes are, and KTM is really just staying with the racing heritage/philosophy they have with their bikes. I am sticking with my Yammie for now though, I just can't justify a new quad when mine does everything I want it to.
Posted by: ss97
I would consider one.... I like the idea of the 525, but I can't see spending close to 10K for something..... I'm having a tough enough time justifying a new Raptor 700 when my z400 only cost $5199 and provides me just as much fun........
Posted by: Boosh71
The up front cost is higher, but you really get a whole lot more for the price difference compared to the other 450s. The fully adjustable a-arms and Ohlins suspension alone would cost at least $1500 to add to another 450. Then you've got the anti vibe steering stem, hydralic clutch, adjustable axle, high capacity gas tank, braided lines, high flow airbox, high flow exhaust, dampener mount, maxxis tires, douglas rims, really soft seat, REVERSE gear, TONS of power, and it's lighter than the Yamaha. 351lbs with fluids minus gas. I'll take one for my next quad. The question is will this KTM be enough to get the other companies to step it up. I'm not saying they're lacking, but you are getting a lot of quad for the price with the KTM.
Posted by: DesertViper
KTM is much more into XC racing than they are MX. Go to an AMA National Hare & Hound desert race and half the field is going to be on KTMs. Go to an AMA National outdoor motocross race and you might see two or three KTMs. I have read several places (including KTMs web site) that the KTM quads are specifically marketed for XC racing.
DV
Posted by: DesertViper
In keeping with KTM's "Ready to Race" slogan, KTM has already won a championship with their 450 XC ATV.
KTM and Tim Farr win championship
Posted by: bigned1904
im with recon...will wait a year or so to let them get any of the bugs it might have out. once i get my raptor 700 paid will be looking at them. i also want to see what yamaha is going to do with the yfz450 next year.
Posted by: SilverBomb
Originally posted by: nekkidbik
No mistake on their part. Winning races sells ATV's and they sure are doing that. They can always change them later for trail riding, but winning races is the best cheap advertising they can get.
I gaurantee that throughout the US and Canada most people that buy 450's ride xc or sand dunes. And any rider that is serious into racing is going to change a-arms, shocks, engine mods etc., no matter what the quads come with from the factory, unless they want to get beat. Even the DS450 race quads have these things done to them and they are supposed to race ready from the factory.
Posted by: Rocker_Ace
is a pretty rad lookin bike, but i'm still aimed on a ds 650, not necessarily new
Posted by: Scrammy_02
Just wondering if anybody will trying to get a hold of one of the new KTM quads....they look insane..wish i had 9 grand just laying around lol
Posted by: Scrammy_02
They've been saying that it's race ready for xc not mx which is quite suprissing but...i would wait a year or two to see if any problems with them..I heard their chainging some visual stuff on the yfz 450 for 09 and i think it will be fuel injected which would be extremely awesome
Posted by: outlawrider
Close to 10K, thats f*%@ all. Up here in canada thats what all the toys are about. Buddy bought his raptor 700r early spring for $10500, another buddy got his LTR450 for $9500 and I got my 525 Outlaw for $9200. To spend that much on a toy that could last you forever almost, it's worth it. I guess close to 10K is alot for some. You should be glad you pay what you do for everthing down there, super cheap compared to us I just bought a $400,000 house and I'll tell you it ain't that special. That same house probably only cost you less than $200,000. Crazy up here in Alberta the past couple years. Can't see why you could complain about what you have to pay.
Posted by: outlawrider
I don't know but the new KTM's are pretty race ready if you ask me, adjustable rear axle length, upper control arms with replacable joints that offer complete camber adjustability, 4 piston magura disc brakes, snorkle type air box, first manufacturer to offer a safety kill switch, 11 inches of wheel travel only to mention a few of the details, all on a stock quad. And did I mention the engines "Holy S#@t" the power definately race ready. Doug Eichner on the KTM powered outlaw was smoking all these bored, stroked and super modded 450's when all he has is air filter and after market exhaust. Can you explain that? Must be a wicked engine! I have the same KTM 525 powered outlaw and is just awesome stock even, can't wait till I get a couple aftermarket things( JD jet kit, exhaust, Air filter) I guess thats about all I'll ever need.
Posted by: outlawrider
I have never read that they are for specific races only. Of course every quad is going to be built better for certain things but thats not to say it going to suck in certain aspects of other races. Like the LTR450 for example, it's not like you can't take it trail riding, but yeah certain quads will smoke it on certain terrain, but on the other hand it will smoke others on other terrain.
Posted by: nekkidbik
No mistake on their part. Winning races sells ATV's and they sure are doing that. They can always change them later for trail riding, but winning races is the best cheap advertising they can get.
Posted by: Bigartt
I bought this Quad (KTM 525 XC) for $9000.00 a couple of weeks ago and it is the best production quad built. I have owned stock & mortified quads both in the past and present and the KTM 525 XC rocks! It has been the best money that I have spent next to my Harley!!!!! Just waiting on after market parts and still dialing it in. I would put this bike up against any other stock bike out there (ATV Production Bike) and it will beat them hands down.....even a slightly modified ATV. Trust me my buddies have some of the fastest wacked out YFZ 450's and they are impressed and can not believe the power. Kudos to KTM they have built a monster!
Cheers Bigartt
