Why I chose the 2024 KTM 500 EXC-F as my next Dual Sport.

In this video I discuss some of my thoughts on why I chose the 2024 KTM 500 EXC-F as my next dual sport motorcycle.
Ultimetely the explanation is simple:
1. I narrowed my choices down the the sub group of high performance dirtbike type dual sports. Of which there are a handful, the KTM is one. Not all dual sports are of the high performance variety.
2. I wanted the KTM. It was just that simple.

[@DevilDog1456]

I felt like I was just reliving my journey listening to you in this video. Just got myself the same bike, look forward to more content from you on this.

[@dustinhoover3157]

Right on!

[@lepaca209]

Headed to the bike shop tomorrow. Same 2 bikes I am torn between with the same goal once I get there! hopefully home tomorrow with a decision made! Thank you for externalizing your thoughts on how you made your decision and sharing it with us. Helpful video that earned a subscription!

[@dustinhoover3157]

Right on thank you! What bike did you pick?

[@milesholland6826]

Good conversation. Relevant to more things than dirt bikes. Sometimes we have too much information and choice these days. Ultimately we just need to get out here and have fun and stop over engineering our choices.

[@dustinhoover3157]

Definitely. Thanks for watching!

[@crush9262]

I appreciate the real talk dustin, helped me a lot. They are all good bikes. I felt similarly just needed someone else to say it with me. I think 450rl is the one for me so were just gonna send that and love every second. Thanks again bro.

[@dustinhoover3157]

Right on, and thank you! I am sure the 450RL will be a great bike. I've had a few Honda's over the years and they were all quality machines.

[@StockIndexFuturesALGO]

Good job, Thanks!

[@dustinhoover3157]

Thanks for watching!

[@ogasi1798]

Explaining the reason for choosing an exc500 can be done in one sentence. 'BECAUSE IT IS THE BEST'

[@nickg2431]

its pretty good,im very happy for price/punch

[@socaladventure2340]

Great video. I agree with everything you said. I own the CRF450l by the way.

[@dustinhoover3157]

Sweet! Looks like you have a Tenere as well. I suppose it is a great time to be a motorcycle rider.

[@socaladventure2340]

@@dustinhoover3157 Yes, so many options now days. The Tenere is an impressive bike, it's super capable.

[@ChrisQuintrall]

Well said man

[@dustinhoover3157]

Thank you for watching and the comment.

[@distilledfreedom1840]

Good choice. The new 500s are pretty tempting, but my 2015 501 is still running like a champ. Maybe in a couple hundred hours.

[@willywinket]

I have an 890 but would really love a 500 excf too!

[@dustinhoover3157]

I hear ya! I would really like to have an 890 as well.

[@brianmartindale2221]

Good talk on the 500. I rode bikes as a kid and young man, but have spent a lifetime on mountain bikes. One of my buddies rides KTM enduros and I've always thought they were pretty well put together. Now it's time and, yeah, it's the bike I'm getting myself on. The others have just been a flirt

[@dustinhoover3157]

Right on and thanks! I think I am just about the opposite. Been on dirtbikes since I was a child, and have been getting into MTB's the past several years.

[@defconsupply3990]

I bought the 2024 Gas gas ES500 linkage and 9800.00 out the door

[@robsnep5447]

great choice ,those 500s are so light ,a 125 compared to anything else adventure

[@dustinhoover3157]

Yeah this thing just mobs around in the dirt. Quite fun!

[@Coaltrain87.]

I just bought the same bike but in the 6 days version

[@GogagogdFeadhdh-or7vi]

My number one dual sport is a 2006 CRF450X that is street legal and has been modded with a TM500 fuel injected electric start fuel injected 2 stroke.....Baja slayer

[@JoshSinnott97]

I like to research for months before buying any vehicle. I try to take into account purchase price and modification price. Ideally im somebody who would prefer to leave it stock but things like larger fuel tanks to adventurise a bike ill no doubt end up doing as ill use the bike to go on day/camping trips There's really a huge gap in the market, im looking to buy my first bike and all of the crf300L owners are upgrading suspension, installing new ecu's and big bore kits etc because they've outgrown the bike. I've seriously been considering a higher performance bike, probably a ktm, beta or husky tbh, but the high service intervals are the only thing really stopping me (and not sure if it's too much power for a new rider) as id hate to need to do an oil change mid trip aha Very interesting that you went from a crf250 to this though. Hopefully the ktm serves you well for many years 🙂

[@dustinhoover3157]

Thanks for the comment! So far I am enjoying the KTM. Choosing the right bike can be a bit of a research project no doubt. When I bought the CRF250L it was based on price and its reputation for reliability, particularly the oil change interval. They are great bikes, but it just wasn't a thrilling riding experience. From my perspective the 250/300L is best suited for someone who will put more emphasis on just cruising around and sight seeing, and those who will go on multi day back country trips and really need those big service intervals. Of course you could mod it out, but I feel that the stock reliability of those engines is the main point of ownership. If you are day tripping or base camping, a rider may find the performance dual sports to be the way to go. With that said, there are plenty of people using the Austrian bikes for longer trips and stretching the services out a bit. You just have to assess your risk tolerance. Out of the box the KTM has been much more exciting to ride. Even stock it has more power, and for my weight the suspension feels quite good as is. In my opinion a new rider could handle these 500's. The power delivery is smooth and easy to manage. If you have a little speed demon in you, then just twist the throttle and it has some smile factor. I would say it is a fair assessment that the 500 gives a new rider a bike to grow into.

[@JoshSinnott97]

@@dustinhoover3157 Thanks for taking the time to reply, I appreciate it The biggest advantage of a dual sport is I can have 1 bike that can do it all, but whether I want a dirt bike as a daily commuter is another story. Once I start test riding some bikes I'll know if I want to ride with knobby tyres on the road mon-fri or have a separate dirt bike for the weekend. I'm In Australia so I have to learn to ride for 6 months before I can get my license. Only 3 months left to wait aha. With 2 bikes, service intervals become less of deal breaker if it's not a daily. The Beta 390 has a 2-3000km service interval schedule which honestly should be more than enough for 99% of the time except for that 1 trip per year when you have time to venture further What you said about engine mods on a Honda, I feel exactly the same way. It makes more sense to just buy the right bike for the job and not have to do any performance mods. From all of the forums I've read, the crf's always just end up being a stepping stone bike that people can learn on. If European bikes aren't intimidating to a new rider than I'm really considering one. Hopefully your KTM does everything you need it to and more

[@nickg2431]

I haveCRF300L(modded suspension skid plate etc) and a KTM 525,The KTM is outstanding in the dirt, rivers,hills,ruts etc etc .Its decent on the road but not as comfortable as the CRF.You can still do some dificult stuff with the CRF and its great for long trips.You can pick it up easily and its solid and reliable. Im not selling either😀

[@dustinhoover3157]

Yeah having both is ideal! I really did like my 250L. The 250/300L's are great machines.

[@eamh2002]

Yeah you dont need alot of power. I beat my friend with my 1991 dt125r and he has a 2002 exc300 😁 The roles reverse when I hop on the KTM though. A very usable surplus of power for doing powerslides and weight shifting quickly. The DT is so damn comfy and I dont really dislike anything other than the power a little bit. Needs an extra 5hp and stiffer front springs.

[@nickg2431]

@@eamh2002 always the rider not the bike

[@eamh2002]

@@nickg2431 Yeah. Trust me the vintage beginner yamaha is all about "send it" full throttle :) A pro would probably blow me out the water on my bike even if I have 20years on it. And yes I bought it when I was 16 in 2003 and kept it since 💀

[@nikhayes3396]

Just want to Echo what he is saying, I have a KLR650 (gen 3) and a CR250R and there is just no way around all the extra weight, even if you could double the HP on a KLR (which with thousands of dollars of engine mods maybe you can get close, not just with a slip on and airbox mod) You can't get around all the extra weight. The only reason I have a KLR650 is to have a bike I can ride on the street that I can also take on gravel and slight off road situations, I have seen some really high level riders that make the big adventure bikes look pretty capable, but you have no idea how good those guys are until you try to ride a Tenere or KLR like that. If you want something that is street legal yet you can really ride way off in the back country (safely) go with something light, I would avoid the KTM's personally, because of all the stories of KTM warranty issues and cam issues and it appears you can get an almost identical Chinese clone for 1/2 the price (because from what I read KTM's are essentially made in china) It's an age old debate though because there are so many different bikes and the slightest change makes a huge difference. People don't realize a bike that weighs just 50 lbs. more is a night and day riding experience. It also kind of depends on what you get used to. For instance go back to Jeremy McGrath in 1997 crapping all over the new aluminum frame Honda, going from the 1996 to the 1997 back then he hated it, but its recency bias and its difficult to get used to what is "different" and again, the slightest change to the bike makes a huge difference.

[@jordanE1451]

I've had my 24' 500 exc-f for about a month and a half and love it. I've put just over 1200 miles on it and haven't had any issues. I occasionally ride it an hour to work on the highway. Best bike I've ever owned.

[@craigr1craig]

What mph would you say it's happy sitting at on highway ?

[@jordanE1451]

@@craigr1craig Stock gearing and stock wheels and tires I cruise it at 62mph on the highway

[@craigr1craig]

@jordanE1451 thanks mate , it's hard to find a proper answer on internet

[@davidderosier6918]

How does the power compare to a 450 mx bike

[@dustinhoover3157]

The motocross bikes are more snappy and have a more aggressive power delivery. The MX bikes have that wheelie out of power in 1st 2nd 3rd, and arm pulling feel. This 2024 500 EXC-F does feel a bit detuned stock, and the aftermarket tells us that it is. Though the power delivery is smooth and consistent. It does still have some balls, and does have a decent pull. It just is not wild or aggressive off the showroom floor. I am making a video of my inital riding impressions of the stock ECU mapping. Comming soon.

[@ktmdays]

I got a ktm 500 6 days love it I think you did great they rip check out what I did to mine

[@dustinhoover3157]

Looks sick!

[@Blocanbentlyyahu]

I want to get this bike as a 18 yr old with no credit or nothing how would I go abt financing it without credit

[@robsonvonbrum1618]

Too much bike for you right now... Start with something older and cheaper... CRF 250L.... Its good to start with a older/cheaper bike, because then you will enjoy every single upgrade

[@dustinhoover3157]

First thing we need to know is have you ever ridden a motorcycle? If not then it would be best to get a used bike that you can learn on. You don’t want to buy an expensive brand new KTM and tear it up. There is actually a lot to go over here. Such as do you actually want a dual sport? Will the bike be used as your primary transportation, and for recreation? Should you be buying a truck and a dirtbike instead? For your credit, you will need to sort that out one way or another. It might be best to just save some money and buy a bike.

[@christopherbassit6896]

Why was the Husqvarna fe 501 not on your list

[@dustinhoover3157]

It was. I ruled out the Husqvarna and GasGas bikes because, 1. I wanted the PDS shock setup. 2. I prefer the KTM aesthetics over the other two. 3. Again, I just wanted the KTM more. With that said, if someone were to be interested in the KTM brands, you could make the case for the GasGas and save a thousand dollars right from the start.

[@dustinhoover3157]

When I made the video I assumed that most people researching this topic are aware that KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas are under the same parent company, and are very similar in design. I do believe that I had mentioned those bikes as being in the high performance dirtbike type sub group. It was basically Honda vs. KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas, Beta, and Sherco.

[@ErzbergAdventures]

I've ridden a fas gas 300 straight after my ktm 300 tpi. Night and day difference! It's 2 very different bikes to ride. Even things like the clutch lever cyclinder piston are different diameter

[@dustinhoover3157]

@ErzbergAdventures Thank for the insight. Were they equivalent models other than displacement?

[@nickfin91]

These bikes are so restricted from the factory its disgusting. Get your credit card ready for an ecu. I have a vortex. I had tons of issues with stalling and flame outs bike was too lean from factory thanks california

[@user-ml4ke8sj1o]

😴

[@dustinhoover3157]

Well, get back to work then.

[@OshoLee]

the Beta has 30 hour oil change interval and seat is lower. Going for Beta

[@dustinhoover3157]

Plus the display unit. The interwebs tells us that the Beta is less choked up than some of it competitors. It seems to have some things going for it. The Sherco 500 SEF might be worth a look as well. I recently watched a review from Dirtbike Magazine and they claimed that it was the most powerful 500cc dual sport they had tested as of late. If that matters to ya.

[@chazman4461]

I have a 2022 Husky FE501S and wish I would have done the build your bike with BETA. It is definitely worth it if you can go that way.