2020 KTM 500 EXC Six Days | 500 Mile Update

[@BigRockMoto]

Order your parts and riding gear using this link to support Big Rock Moto. Please bookmark it! While there is zero cost to you and nothing will be visible on your end, my channel receives a small commission from each sale which I invest back into content creation. www.rockymountainatvmc.com/?ref=1053&BigRockMoto&

[@whiskeythrottleracing]

Excellent review. I have 30 hours on a 2020 FE 501. Mods are done including ECU and suspension, 3.9gallon tank. It's the strongest running, best handling, most versatile thumper I've ever had the pleasure swinging a leg over. Zero issues other than flats from nail punctures...

[@BigRockMoto]

Thanks for sharing

[@hagestad]

5:04 never had issues with KTM before? And you believe that?

[@whiskeythrottleracing]

@@hagestad what are you talking about?

[@hagestad]

@@whiskeythrottleracing there are lots of issues but this kind off tops them all kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6PHiZiYbtp-iLM

[@DS-gv5fs]

Love the way you do videos. No bullcrap or blasting music. Facts with some dry humor (my style ha!) to keep things moving. One of the best review channels out there! 👍👍👍

[@BigRockMoto]

thanks

[@paulsouthgate8954]

Beautiful part of the world u live in.Seems like a bikers paradise

[@vondrz1391]

400 miles on mine, issue free. Have had a few flameouts from blipping the throttle at red lights but increasing idle def helped and has never flamed out in technical sections off-road. It rides so smooth and good. Glad to hear the problem was just a loose plug.

[@tkwood]

I also have a 2020 Six Days 500 and the only “power” mod I have done is to remove the end cap which has a very restrictive spark arrestor and replaced it with a Pro Moto Billet End Cap with less restrictive spark arrestor. It has a little bit more pleasing sound but the engine runs so much smoother with no flame outs and it feels like it has a little more smoother torque at lower RPMs. The KTM Technician cleared the ECU so it would “reset” itself and I think that combo was perfect and all I plan power wise! Love the vids!

[@BigRockMoto]

thanks I did the end cap too, but did not do the ecu thing yet.

[@tkwood]

@@BigRockMoto not sure if the ECU wipe helped or not to be honest. I still am very pleased with the end cap. Thinking only other real thing I plan to do is just take the bike to a suspension guy to tune professionally. 812 Suspension is near where I live and they have a stellar reputation. I enjoy your videos. Thanks!

[@michaelfraley4901]

Replacing the stock end cap with the Pro Moto End Cap is exactly what I will do. And "clearing" the stock ECU so it will reset to modified mixture makes sense. Where is your KTM Technician located and have you done some plug readings with this change? Does it pop at all?

[@tkwood]

Michael Fraley Only occasional pops on deceleration. The sound is better and the bike has more power that is noticeable. I used my local KTM dealer, TJ's in Austin. Tyler is my technician.

[@mattbillenstein]

Re power mods - keep it stock - plenty of power and they’re more or less tuned from the factory the right way now.

[@100868ful]

I have the 2020 350 exc. Heads up you don’t have to purchase the programmer to adjust your fuel on the 2020 exc models. You can De -smog them by just removing the reed cage and installing the new intake tube and remove the existing end cap on the muffler. Best dual sport says to by the programmer to adjust your fuel but if you watch the video from Jeffslavenracing he says you don’t need it. The 2020 models have a O2 sensor that adjust the fuel automatically. You can just buy the intake tube from best dual sports then by the new end cap on the exhaust from Jeff slavers racing. The one that best dual sport sells is Not approved By the forestry division. One concern I have is leaving the reed cage in the bike. Reed cages are known to eventually crack and fall apart. With the bike being fuel injected that can mess up the injector or even get into the valves. Also it helps the bike to run cooler.

[@BigRockMoto]

Very interesting info thank you!

[@steffenmichler5204]

Hey, nice EXC and video!!! Have you already done the valve clearance? If yes, a video would be really nice :) best regards

[@jonathanrosenesq202]

Great build-up, valuable experience learned from your hassle with the loose plug. Good tip to go on a "check-list" when setting up a new dual sport. Very interested in your Moto-z tire review. Has the low psi trial tire fad passed nowadays? , as they really worked well in rocky conditions.

[@BigRockMoto]

There are some new "hybrid" style tires that are better than the mt43. I almost went with one, will do it when this tire wears out. thanks Doctor J!

[@RobboRobinson]

Good work! I’m looking forward to owning one myself very soon 👍🏻

[@ray8328]

Enjoyed your update thanks. I am looking forward to your review on the 790 adv.

[@tyrelthibault5264]

Cutting the back screen out doesn’t do anything You have to pull the end cap off and cut out the bullet (spark arrestor, sound dampening filter)

[@ThePHOENIX1286]

Interesting about the problem you had with the electrical connector. I just had the same issue with my 2020 KTM500EXC-F and the turn signal & rego plate light came loose inside the air box. Great review and awesome bike. Thanks. Ride safe. From Sydney, Australia.

[@BigRockMoto]

Thanks for sharing

[@powayimports4175]

I just got my Scott stabilizer with the complete mount kit. It’s awesome. Wish i did it on day one. Makes riding in the road so much better as well

[@mcskeeto]

Did you get the over or under bar? If the underbar, how much did it raise the stock bar height?

[@BigRockMoto]

man... my wallet is getting light

[@powayimports4175]

I got the whole kit raises 1 inch. Was about 700. Also the kit comes with two sets of bushings for vibration. But was worth it. Have so much more confidence in every situation. Wallet is on fire lol

[@TheTedbull]

Time to do a valve clearance check video.

[@BigRockMoto]

Great suggestion!

[@AJourneyOfYourSoul]

Keep the fueling stock and spend the $600 on a steering stabilizer.

[@JohnDoe-xm9ql]

Great video.. Thank you

[@uncletom1971]

I'd like to ask your opinion about a key switch ignition, instead, or along with, the engine-start button. These KTMs come with only the button but if I want to leave the bike outside a shop or diner for a while, I'd feel alot safed if I had a key to start the bike with. I've seen a few key systems on Amazon and ebay. Have you ever thought about it?

[@ianferrier235]

Nice review ian

[@BigRockMoto]

Thanks 👍

[@eugenelane3291]

I think you did a valve adjustment video but I cant find it. Any chance you can post the link? I like your vids And I see alot of good questions going unanswered…

[@timmoore6656]

My starter button seems to have a delay maybe due to dust? 2000miles now, otherwise runs awesome.

[@SteelHorseman]

Great stuff

[@michaelfraley4901]

Good to know that it runs just fine when you removed the screen in the muffler, without having make ECU changes. Have you done a number of plug readings to check your mixture burn? Any popping?

[@BigRockMoto]

No popping runs well.

[@WALKERGUITAR]

hey i ride in so cal too.. would love a day on your trails if you ever need a partner to ride with ..i am fairly sure i could keep up.. love the bike..

[@voodochi]

Have you taken any big hits to the skid plate? If so how's it holding up. I'm using your vids to make some decisions on the 500 vs 501 for a future purchase.

[@chucklesthefireguy5356]

maybe you covered this already in that other 500 flick, but why 500 vs 690? 690 fuel capacity sucks, but it's geared tall too for line slab trips. Thinking of sell 1200GS & getting more dirt oriented lighter bike...

[@reddymon]

Chuckles The fire guy It’s pretty easy. The 500 is better in the dirt. The 690 is better on the street. They are both adequate everywhere. You decide which is more important.

[@BigRockMoto]

Get a 790 and thank me later, if you are coming from a GS

[@mattbillenstein]

I saw another guy doing i think the idaho bdr who had a similar electrical issue with the fuel pump wiring - those plugs look kinda cheap and crappy...

[@BigRockMoto]

ktm doesn't have the best wiring

[@mattbillenstein]

Did you consider the fe 501? Currently pondering upgrading my ktm 530 to a newer 500 exc, but i’m wondering if the linkage suspension on the fe 501 is desirable to me - i don’t jump logs so not so concerned about the bits under the swingarm. Afaict the bikes are otherwise nearly identical.

[@BigRockMoto]

Yes I did but I am just more familiar with KTM and PDS susp. having had two EXC's before.

[@MarkSpencerAZ]

So did you sell this already? Why? I just put a deposit on a 2022, them watched you video on the KLX300. Do you really like it better? I just purchased a 2022 KLX300 but sort of unimpressed with its power. I'm leaving a 2004 XR400R. Your input very much desired!

[@BigRockMoto]

I did sell it, and I should not have. Huge mistake. I replaced it now with a Beta 500, which is pretty good. The KLX300 is just a bit lacking for me

[@MarkSpencerAZ]

@@BigRockMoto I'm on my way home with my 2022 KTM 500exc f I only got to drive it around the parking lot by the dealer, but oh my gosh it is so smooth. I'll certainly have to get used to the power, although it's not completely different than my xr400r. Keep up the Great videos!

[@denniscauley4602]

Hello, on your MOTOZ tire selection, specifically the rear, did you go with the stock size or did you bump out on the width? Stock = 120x90x18 vs 130/140x90x18?

[@michaelfraley4901]

Now that you've been riding it awhile, are you still running the stock exhaust with just screen removed without any problems?

[@brucekendall52]

Thanks.JHB-SA.

[@garyo4456]

What was your maintenance schedule like on this particular bike? (Oil changes and valve checks?)

[@BigRockMoto]

oil every 500 miles. valves, don't know yet

[@jeffmcirvin8079]

How did you secure your levers when you removed the stock handguard mount/lever dustcover which had the lever fastener nut integrated into the bottom side?

[@TUNINGDONERIGHTMX5]

would appreciate your comments at Hwy speeds. How does it ride at sustain 80mph? Thanks

[@michaelandnyx]

how does this bike handle with the front wheel up, is it easy to do or does it take a lot of work

[@mattbillenstein]

How does that tank bag work out with the tank hump? Do you lose space in the bag?

[@BigRockMoto]

yes, some.

[@jadoune340]

hello where did you get the ignition key, is it an option from KTM.

[@zach_____9266]

the ignition comes on the street legal versions of the ktm bikes

[@jadoune340]

@@zach_____9266 hello not it europe

[@zach_____9266]

jadoune340 the ktm exc , the “e” literally stands for Europe. So idk what to tell you

[@ashmyrmidonsminions9271]

@@jadoune340 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Endurance_Engineer]

Did you get rid of this bike for the 790?

[@BigRockMoto]

Nope! Have both!

[@samking4179]

2:56 ... starbucks? ... random.

[@johnnyturbo8460]

What's Starbucks have anything to do with the bike?

[@BartoszBanachewicz]

It's an adventure bike meme.

[@Tread505]

How tall are you?

[@BigRockMoto]

5 11

[@axellness]

This is why I'm afraid of ktm bikes

[@pierrekawa76]

450 500 🤔différence

[@ThrillaPark]

I seem to hear so many stories about KTM issues.

[@paul.vanhout57]

Alex Trajano - Loose connector is pretty minor though inconvenient when out and about. My KTMs have held up well.

[@terramoto215]

Huge and ever increasing market share, nearly every other dirt bike is a KTM (+husky / and soon gas gas). No real surprise you hear a few more stories

[@knicklicht7945]

Skrrt

[@daringries]

Tusk 🤮

[@leioalpers1485]

eee

[@BigRockMoto]

valuable comments thanks