KTM 500 EXC Suspension set-up

Upshift gives you the how-to on suspension set-up for your KTM EXC
Our previous KTM how to videos: bit.ly/2N5Y8Ho
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[@TalAmir]

I've seen many MANY video tutorials on suspension setup.. this is BY FAR the best one that made the most sense to me.. kudos :)

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

So glad it was helpful. Thank you for watching and for the comment.

[@RG-rt7fp]

Well done. Nicely explained. I just bought a '17 250 EXC-F and this video is an excellent aid vs just reading the owner's manual.

[@NorthwoodsNomad]

Thank you for sharing your tech tips , you always simplify things and your videos are very informative.

[@Toekneepowers]

Thx for the video I was having trouble with directions in the owners manual. It’s always helpful to make a mark on the adjusting ring to count each full turn before adjusting.

[@spedrillholypaladin1147]

Great Video, I've always wondered how my suspension worked. I'm buying a new 500 exc very soon!! I can't wait. I'm upgrading from a 2000 525 SX. Definitely subscribing

[@johnhurney6495]

Thank you for the detailed explanation!

[@Howling-Mad-Murdock]

Interesting, I’ve never seen anyone say you can set how high in the travel a bike sits with high-speed compression. My understanding is that high-speed compression is used to adjust bottoming resistance from big hits.

[@Spine929]

Thanks for the info, well done.

[@jdhart111]

excellent clear directions!thanks!

[@suppajulio]

Nice explanation. I find it really helpful.... Thanks!

[@strikefishingman]

Thanks so much for these videos! Super useful.

[@TransylvaniaEnduro]

Awsome, very useful video!

[@todtc]

Wonderful video. Thank you for this.

[@doublex632]

Very well laid out, excellent , thanks

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Thanks for watching.

[@jackking5567]

Awesome explanation - I have a CCM 404 and have no manual that explains this. I've been getting some horrible dive when braking..

[@SwannyD32]

Great videos mate especially for the average Joe like myself keep em coming 👍

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Thanks, will do! Appreciate you watching.

[@dane7115]

awesome! much appreciated

[@wildone2163]

fantastic!

[@JH-hu5oz]

It finally makes sense ty

[@cowboysechs]

Please! This guy is lost.... Find someone who can explain it to you properly he doesn't even know the difference between high speed compression damping and preload

[@dirtbagmoto]

What a great tutorial, thank you!

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

You're very welcome! Thank you for watching.

[@carlosdias1940]

Its a great video!

[@yettibeh]

great vid, ty!

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Thank you for watching.

[@UTPP]

Very informative video, thank you.

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

You are very welcome @KTM73

[@Ridingpower_com]

nice and easy.. thanks a lot sir.. :D

[@eyemanm6045]

Great video

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful.

[@IgWannA2]

Best explanation on youtube

[@brandonglanville2991]

Thank you!

[@nicknicky873]

Brandon Glanville hey bro my step dad moved the spring for me before messing with the sag so do you know what stock height for the spring, since he loosened it for me cause I weigh about 107, ktm 150 xc w

[@TheBarnz91]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Glad you found it useful. Thank you for watching.

[@Georgia4Low]

great video guys...

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Thanks Guys

[@LETSG0WVU]

Thank you for putting this out there clearly and in easy to understand talk! More than my dealer sales guys knew that’s for sure. Any chance you have a link for the rear fender cleanup on that bike? Looking to lose the assembly and mount the plate clean and high like that.

[@brandonglanville2991]

Call the guys at 3 Brothers Racing. They make a really nice one. But it's not something they sell online. 3brosktm.com/

[@skavoovie555]

Hello there. For the rebound, the manual said if you turn clockwise, there will be more rebound. If you turn it anti-clockwise, it will have less rebound. In your video its the other way around. Any comment about this?

[@yellowfinendurance]

didn't really address static sag and the need to change springs if needed

[@damianperalta3389]

Very nice video.. You should do the settings for the ktm 1290 super adventure r.. Thanks

[@sagarthapa3765]

So Six Days has pre load adjustability as well, do you think it is something one should look for if building a EXC 500 for multi country trips?

[@daboys_journy]

thanks bro

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Yo are welcome!

[@dannuthals7045]

Great f’ing video! Now I feel confident making the necessary adjustments and understand what it is doing. I’ve read the manual, but didn’t feel comfortable making the adjustments. I didn’t grow up riding MX, so this is all new to me. Thanks much Upshift.

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

You can always go back to where it was from the factory easily enough if you keep track. So make some changes and figure out what works for you.

[@HumbertoRosero]

when you guys will do a video about how to set up the front suspension for the 1090 adventure R 2017

[@ThisTall]

Looking for exactly that myself. You find one yet?

[@Abstract180]

Do you have a video on valve adjustments for this bike? This should be of interest in anybody that wants to buy one. It has the shortest valve checks of any street legal bike being sold. Great bike, but painful maintenance intervals.

[@feelingmoodie576]

Thanks so much for this video as I am 240 fully geared and feel like my front suspension is diving.

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Is your suspension stock? 240 is well outside the intended range from the factory. Adjusting your suspension is key, but you probably need to be resprung first.

[@feelingmoodie576]

@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE It is stock.

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

We encourage you to get your suspension tuned for you specifically. Correct springs, valving and fluids will make a world of difference.

[@feelingmoodie576]

Let looking at springs tonight. 😆

[@UTPP]

Great video, thank you. I ride a 2019 KTM 450 EXC. I'm about 93kg with riding gear. I've been told to replace the rear spring to a srsp-6023p60. Is this the correct spring? Thanks

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Highly recommend that you call a suspension specialist like Race Tech of similar.

[@UTPP]

@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE cheers, I got one off Race Tech.

[@C_Scalese]

Very informative, thanks!

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Thank you for watching.

[@cameroncardoza9715]

Ok I'm kinda confused on the front fork adjustment. The white knob controls the compression for both sides and the red controls the rebound for both sides?

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Well the forks on newer KTMs are single function. Meaning the left leg handles compression and the right leg handles rebound instead on both legs having both rebound and compression. It makes for a simpler more cost effective system to produce. Many aftermarket suspension tuners do offer the ability to go back a dual function fork setup if you need higher performance.

[@FanOWater]

Great info . Thanks. Question - you don't set sag on the front fork?

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

No, sag is only set on the rear shock.

[@FanOWater]

@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE Thanks!

[@alexlau7115]

so how about front preload adjustment?

[@rodolfocastillo6030]

Hi. I have a Ktm enduro 2013. Is it possible that I can put a set of plastics 2017 ??

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Not likely. The front fender might bolt up without too much modification.

[@Raulmay67]

What’s your opinion on settings for big heavy riders?

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

You need to re-spring and re-valve your suspension. Unfortunately, clickers aren't going to get you there.

[@regdavenport3715]

Um that is not how you adjust sag. That is how you set static sag. If the rider sag is too much then you need a higher rate spring.

[@rosselliott7375]

What about if your bike is lowered? do you measure the sag the same but - the mm the bike is lowered?

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

We would recommend contacting whoever lowered it for you. If you used a lowering link, there should have been a chart in the package or on their website.

[@MrAdrian852]

Does the amount of clicks go for a ktm 500 2015 aswell do you know?

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

We couldn't tell you for certain. Your manual should outline it. If you don't have a paper manual, KTM has them available online.

[@chiptaxfree]

Does all of this also apply the the 2018 500 EXC-F?

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Yes

[@jimmyandersson5135]

i tried everything in this video but its still soft as hell... feels like nothing happens, could they be broken?

[@brandonglanville2991]

Hey Jimmy, if the adjustment available within the range of the clickers is not giving you the desired stiffness, you may need to look into getting your suspension re-valved and sprung for your weight and riding style. At the end of the day, the clicker adjustments are really meant to be a "fine tune" from a strong baseline. Stock suspension settings, unfortunately, are not ideal for everybody. We work with Konflict and Racetech for most of our suspension needs. Let us know what you find.

[@harrytapley1872]

Thank you for the vid, it's now 2022 , the suspension is the same but the world has changed... we're living in a semi- apocalyptic world where KTM no longer offers printed service manuals 😭😂😭

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

You can find the manuals online and if need be print what you need. It bugged us at first, but now we prefer it.

[@russssh]

Why isn’t there compression and rebound on both sides? I don’t understand how rebound can be on just one fork and compression on one fork.

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

One fork leg handles compression and one fork leg handles the rebound.

[@Raulmay67]

I’m an average rider w 17’500excf. Trails enduro hills, I’m around 245-250

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Hopefully you are seeing the response to the other comment.

[@kristoffergaard8648]

4:40 Pretty sure you got it backwards. If you increase rebound (+) then it will come back faster. Please confirm. Thanks!

[@lbeck119]

That's exactly what ping said!

[@jacobcall1699]

It's rebound dampening. So adding dampening makes it come back slower.

[@dirtbikekid6413]

On my 500 its super hard to turn the spring

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

It’s not easy… there is a lot of tension there.

[@dennislindkvist5359]

hey is it working the same way on the exc 500 sixdays 2019?

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

No, this is a very different bike.

[@dennislindkvist5359]

@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE okey thanks, great video by the way, would be great if u guys can do one on the 2019 bike perhaps? :)

[@kirstyharris2215]

Same

[@pabloray2562]

He looks like that little fast boy from the incredibles 😩😂😂

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

That's funny.

[@pabloray2562]

@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE 😂😂 I’m messing with you bro

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Seriously... we think that's pretty funny.

[@pabloray2562]

@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE phaaahahahaha🤣i can tell being tho i said this 11 days ago 🤣lol i you should change your name to dash🏃‍♂️💨

[@miker7851]

Got my bike new and it was setup with 20 clicks on comp and 2 on rebound. Lol.

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Never take a bike off the showroom floor and assume the setting are right. Or that all the bolts are tight. We always tear our bikes down and get them prepped thoroughly. Lessons learned the hard way. ;)

[@phantomenhans4066]

Is it the same on a Ktm exc 125

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Yes sir!

[@cowboysechs]

WTF!!

[@UPSHIFT_ONLINE]

Can you be more specific?

[@goodboyringo9716]

If you can't read you can't afford that bike ,ggg

[@tkpower350sxf3]

Great video