520MXC vs EXC transmition diference?

[KevinB4stk]

Hopefuly in the not so distant future I will be getting a 02 520MXC or EXC.
I am wondering how much difference there is in the wide ratio EXC vs. the close ratio MXC transmitions on the 520's?
I will be doing quite a bit of harescramble racing, mostly tighter woods stuff, not alot of open areas. Even the trail riding we will be doing will be tight to moderatly open trails.

Kevin

 

[Strick]

Ratios

I will post the ratios below, and tell you now that I have an SX (same ratio as the MXC), I would get the exc for tight stuff. 1st gear is way too tall with the stock sprockets for anything tight - for very long! For the riding I do, I think with 2 extra teeth in the rear will be just about right!
Here is the '02 ratios:
EXC: 14:34, 17:31, 19:28, 22:26, 24:23, 26:21
MXC: 16:32, 18:30, 20:28, 22:26, 24:24, 21:18

 

[Wild Hare]

I've got the 520 MXC. I'm about 5 hours south of Strick in the desert. I guess the EXC would be the ticket in eastern woods but the 520 seems to have plenty of juice to be lugged around in first in the tight stuff-IMHO. I ride some pretty tight rock gardens and it's not an issue. This is one area that I believe the 520 differs from the 400, the extra displacement helps if you need to lug it a bit. It reminds me of riding my CR500 around "off" the pipe...great thing about the KTM is there is never a hit when you twist it, just power that keeps on coming!:eek:

Both are WONDERFUL bikes, I'm sure you could make either work :)

 

[quadrunner]

The MXC is about 20% taller in first gear than EXC. Not saying you can't make that work. But where I ride, that would mean lots of clutching. Everything I ride is tight, steep rocky single track, or gnarly. My EXC is geared low, 13/52T. This combo lets me stand on the pegs, bounce the bike up and down, and hop up ledges and steps at a speed low enough to have a choice of lines, with enough torque to not need much clutching. Just my riding style of course. I see lots of people make tall gearing work on other bikes, but they often are off the bike, walking it up, fanning the clutch, digging holes, working hard.