5 Things I HATE About the KTM 500 EXC-F

After 5 years of owning my KTM 500 EXC-F, here is 5 things I hate about it. I use the bike for multiple things, from supermoto to adventure riding. When I give each example I hate about the KTM, I also give simple fixes that could easily be made to put KTM to the top of the market. What are your thoughts?
Watch “5 Things I LOVE About my KTM 500 EXCF” here
• 5 Things I LOVE About ...
My Bikes -
2005 Yamaha YZ250
2019 KTM 500 EXC-F
2023 CRF110
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#motovlog #ktm #dualsport

[@raidenross8463]

I have owned a 500 exc supermoto for 4 years now. It’s been the best bike i’ve ever owned fun and reliability wise… just hit 10k miles and she’s still rippin🤙🏼love the vids bro❤

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

Right on! Thank you and stay safe my guy 👊🏼

[@kennyns21]

Recognized that double decker bridge right away. Never been watching a video and it been my hometown. St. Joe, MO 🤙🏻

[@MileWheelies]

My friend has a 500 too, i pray for you both😢

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

I pray that lil 450 can keep up 😮‍💨

[@wernerxldata]

@@CorkyStuntsTV Easy... switch the cam to the motocross version and have the ecu flashed with the motocross software. Use an mx exhaust. The end result is the motocross engine with the enduro gearbox... It kills the 500 exc in every rpm range.

[@oljimmy7753]

@@wernerxldatayou think that’s more worth it price wise then just buying a 500? Actually curious trying to get a bike, I’ve rode the drz 400 a lot I like it but it doesn’t have the top end, your ringing its little neck around 70-80 so just curious

[@wernerxldata]

@@oljimmy7753 No just buy the 500, it's a great bike stock. Not to be compared with a DRZ in power in any means. That's monster vs puppy. DRZ isn't a bad bike but not as extreme as a EXC. Chassis is way better too. And yeah, conversion to a motocross top end gives you even more power but also a ton more maintenance. Unless you have enough money for maintenance and experience I wouldn't go in that direction. You will love the stock exc 450 or 500

[@uncletom1971]

The oil change intervalls stated in the manual are for offroad or competition, the engine works alot harder under these circumstances. You can check between your changes the color / dilution of your used oil.

[@apancher]

Former KTM salesman here. You're 100% correct. KTM lists all service intervals at an assumed race pace. If ridden on the street, you can go longer. One of my customers checked his valves every 50 hours on his 500. The last I talked to him, he was at 100 hours and they were still dead on

[@uncletom1971]

@@apancher Thank you, though I was refering to oil changes ;) But I'm positive valve check intervalls apply just the same. Using the bike in a calm manner will naturally put less stress on the engine and other mechanical parts. These bikes are designed and built for extreme use such as rough terrain, jumps, landings, revving the engine frequently, crashing in every possible way, and so on. Development of such a vehicle will ofcourse focus on durability and particular properties, adapting every aspect of the vehicle for its purpose. Most obvious being the larger front wheel and hight of suspension. Still, there's nothing that stops us from riding such a bike in a less difficult environment like streets and urban areas. Personally I often ride my 2022 EXCF 350 really anywhere, not only on the enduro trail or the track, (changing oil more often when riding rough ofcourse). It's the freedom of creativity and exploration, in particular urban areas like older towns with twisty roads, stairs, curbs and other obstacles. Also the country side through fields and forests where I can deflect into any dark and ominous turn, not having the slightest clue where it leads. Being confident that anything and everything is possible on your bike is what promotes curiosity in life. A well run-in engine will then let you roll on your adventures without having to count the hours before your next oil change ;)

[@mirandaakaloveloss1589]

It’s so awesome you really know your bikes and how to improve them I’m not familiar with bikes as you know but as always love listening to you talk about your passion❤❤

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

I appreciate you 🙏🏼

[@alphaartisan]

Thank you for posting this video, it was really helpful.

[@grant31781]

My 21 model vibrates a lot too :) The seat vibrations make everything numb unless I use a air cushion on the road.

[@xzszx]

You have to remember that the exc series is comparable with yzf/rm-z/crf. Those are all high maintenance bikes if raced. It is just a street legal version of the sxf with longer gearbox ratio and little bit less power. Great video!

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

Very true and thank you! I guess I would like to see the non plated 500 and the exc a little more separated, ya know? Having a exc subframe that could bolt up to an sxf or vise versa. The end of the day the bike is perfect and it is hard to actually hate it, just selfishly want more lol

[@xzszx]

@@CorkyStuntsTV that would be cool. I hope they made a smcr version of the sx/exc or something that would be made more for the streets. Here in Finland almost everyone rides 2 stroke supermotos on the streets. Not so many 4 stroke supermotos here 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

That is pretty crazy to me that it’s so normal for everyone on two strokes over there. I wish I seen them more often over here

[@eamh2002]

@@xzszx Really, at what part of suomi? All I see is 250excf 350excf 500exc and a few 300's and rest are husqvarna 125's or exc125's Pretty even to me :) Anyways they should make a street/dual sport bike that does it all, not just a racey feel bike with lights added to a motocross bike. I still ride my DT125R, yeah it needs more power but its got everything else: Good lights, good steering angle for high speed ice riding, good enough power to beat my friend on his 300exc in deep snow enduro, easy to find parts, easy to work on, 80's nostalgia looks, reliable when setup right and does 5,5liters per 100km when commuting at 90km/h so less than my car anyways 😁 And did I mention the gearing? Low first for easy technical riding and long 6th (also the fact it has 6 gears) 😉

[@fff-fv6xh]

​@@eamh2002 the 690 is pretty much a dual sport

[@ogasi1798]

i bought my 500 exc after seeing a lot of your videos and in part you really helped my decision so thanks a lot ! Since i bought it about 18mths ago i have done 300 hours and close to 8k miles - what a bike!!! i don't ride like you as mine is always dirty - i live across the water from you and mine is in enduro trim only (much as i do keep considering SM wheels for it) , i do agree with all you said in the video - god damn if they could have given us better peace of mind on oil and longer gears it would have been great BUT i immediately point to my style of riding and how it would have been affected had they made the gearing better for roads/tours, i ride mine often on roads to get to trails - sometimes 50 mile stretches which can seem a hell of a lot at times, i imagine you do a lot more but i run mousse and knobbies so there is that - the subframe is a good point, for those of us who use it in several ways - i am looking at a hard frame that acts as a subframe for luggage that comes from the states and only costs about 200 pounds/dollars. In part I agree the 500 really should be separated from the others for so many obvious reasons and it is kinda cheap of ktm to just use the same damn frame on models designed for different stuff, but a platform is a platform after all i suppose - i am just very happy to own one, yes i would love the edges to be a little less sharp at times but what would it do to the machine as a whole? I would hate for them to alter it and it not be the bike it is. Oh i use a ktm powerparts seat, better by far than the original but nothing on a seat concepts i imagine - soon i will look at dampers on the bars and rods inside the bars to see how much vibing i can remove although on knobbies i will never be rif of too much....My 1st gear is useless to yours in the video and i swear your 4th seems longer too, i wonder if my front sprocket is a tooth more - what are yours set to?

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

Thanks for the points. I am running stock sprockets 14/45 and it’s the best all around for street riding. Not bad in the trails with the torque the bike has either! I love the bike and I get it’s primarily a woods bike and made for that, and the platform shares its parts with other models to cut costs. I selfishly wish for more even though it’s such a solid all around bike and leading the dual sport market. Honestly we’re pretty lucky we have the variety of models that KTM does have, they do what they’re meant for so well. I appreciate you watching the vids bro!

[@corpeningd]

How tall are you? Just curious because the circle wheelie you did at 9:50 looked pretty effortless.

[@dylanlebrun3838]

I have a 2024 500, and the vibration is alot calmer compared to my buddies 2022 500

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

Interesting, I’m glad to know that actually. Hopefully it’s something getting more attention and continues to be improved

[@jarrod1687]

Good to know. Have you ever ridden a crf450L to compare vibration wise?

[@Navaho66]

Footpeg vibration is the reason I don't own one. You can get most of the vibes out of the handlebars but there is no solution for the footpegs. I don't understand why KTM will not balance the crank on this motor. They did it on the 690/701 and on the two stroke models. All my friends have 500's, and I have passed on several good deals on barely used bikes. I'm hanging on to my '07 525 which is super smooth, as is my 690.

[@Mr.WS6]

How often you got to change the oil?

[@marcielindustries9225]

Ive got a 23' 500 exc-f, I agree with most of your gripes like the wierd gear spacing. I still love the bike though.

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

Absolutely! Most versatile bike in the world and does everything very well 💪🏼

[@franknunez7204]

4th is pretty useless on my 22 500 (same as your 23 essentially), I agree. Around 50mph on stock gearing, a common cruising speed, the engine revs too high. My 2014 500 however, which has the EU fuel mapping, feels great, but also has stock gearing too. I'm waiting to see how my 22 feels with a get ecu.

[@gadielhernandez6489]

Bro keep the content coming, great watch.

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

Thank you, and I got you! 🤘🏼

[@StiliyanStoichev]

Do you drive it on highways and so on. I'm new to the channel... Still going to watch :p

[@intrigue175175]

Most people aren't riding that bike around the world or across country. My DR, literally where the name dual sport came from, will and does go everywhere. Not as good off-road as yours or my buddies 500. He also complains about the buzzyness too. But the DR will and has literally gone everywhere. If KTM ever fixes those vibs, subframe, gearing, and low down torque, I'll buy. Till then DR650 all the way.

[@VWmike1996]

23 500 excf ! Main thing for me is that sub frame I almost didn’t purchase the bike because if it

[@LUK_2007]

I’m coming from a Harley and I’m thinking about getting this one. I think I’ll be able to handle a lil vibration 🤣

[@uncletom1971]

What's your current gearing?

[@rahulchawla958]

Ur wheelie vid helped me alot bro.

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

Glad to hear it my guy, stay safe! 🤘🏼

[@glennwr450]

My only complaint is the seat- I need to splash out on a seat concepts

[@funserious2632]

4th gear is the "get the front up gear" and that' it xD clutch up , quickly switch to 5th/6th and just ride the balance point. As for actual riding I agree , 4th is useless :D

[@b8f858]

have you had to rebuild the top end or even bottom end yet? or have you been able to run it for that long without?

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

Nothing but oil changes and adjusted the valves twice, never had any kind of rebuild🤘🏼

[@TheHemiphil81]

I ride a beta 500 rr-s with fmf and vortec ecu and it totally changed the bike .taco moto has aftermarket parts for most bikes..

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

I’ve been considering the vortex ECU, just to see how much difference it really makes

[@TheHemiphil81]

@@CorkyStuntsTV it made a BIG difference for my beta. 120 mph is nothing for it now.

[@nickkill3r454]

try to get a Euro-Spec 500 EXC next, and you compare to XW-F a lot but that version doesnt exist in europe and well thats where these bikes are from so they build the EXC the way they need it for race spec, else you gotta get 690 enduro or some adv bike.

[@nx7925]

Are those stock handle bars?

[@tjlovesrachel]

Me personally I just wish as far as protection goes I wish it came with an aluminum skid plate from the factory

[@vemund671]

gotta think about the weight man, addin all that stuff u mentioned will make the weight skyrocket. Not good for enduro, there is a reason why ktm husky etc is the go to enduro bikes. I have a 530exc-r myself and works as a ktm mechanic

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

I get that. But KTM has always lead the industry in technology and what’s possible, I’m sure there’s something possible that’s light if they went that direction. It is a perfect bike, i just selfishly want more

[@billiardsstar]

No front mirrors to ride on the road?

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

They come factory with mirrors, but not required in my state

[@joesmithjoesmith4284]

Are they still using a cable driven speedometer? That seems so old school! Getting any storms where you live?

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

It reads speed off a magnet on the front wheel, but the unit is powered by the cable moving from the wheel. I believe that’s how it works. No storms really, just windy as hell over here in the flatlands!

[@atmrtnez]

No, they are electronic with a magnetic pickup. Corky, you can get those connectors separately from the dealer. Comes with the two pins and the rubber seal as well.

[@jeffray2869]

Is the 2024 any better with vibration??

[@AJ_supermoto]

I’ve got a 2024 450exc f supermoto and still vibrates a lot.. currently waiting on PHDS bar mounts to get rid of some vibration in the bars

[@Navaho66]

Yes. I rode a 2024, and it still shakes like a paint mixer. The only bikes that vibrate bad in the KTM line-up are the 350, 450 and 500. Come on, KTM. Fix the issue.

[@angelomills2967]

What kinda helmet is this?

[@jamescantlin1072]

Vibrantchion bullshit I have not had any that is really noticeable and gearing is fine if you do like it change it it's easy to do mine is a 23 no issues

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

Check out 5 things I love about my KTM too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIrdaZd3p9NlsLMsi=L8j2VXvd9ybjbWoc

[@ZAYAG1N]

This is a race bike with a plate…. Vrooooom 👁️👄👁️

[@rickydossantos7131]

try a 690?

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

I would like the 690 and it checks boxes for me. But the excf fits my riding and all around style more. Like I said in the video, I just wish the exc platform was more separated from the XCW/XWF 500. I love the bike, but I selfishly want more though the bike does everything

[@glennwr450]

My only complaint is the seat- I need to splash out on a seat concepts

[@CorkyStuntsTV]

I do like the seat concepts, and it is definitely better than stock. I have a video reviewing it in case you haven’t seen it!