Patman said i would be back! Help please

[DIRTBUM]

And he was right! although I doubt that he remembers replying to that perticular post. That was when I opted for a DRZ about a year ago and got rid of my 360M. Well, Its time to buy and I will have another KTM.Now is the tough decision. Witch one. I imagine that most readers just left this post (and I dont blame them;) but I will continue. I started out wanting the 520M but my favorite shop(R&S new mexico) does not have a 520. I did manage to find a few within about 4 hours drive. R&S did have a 02' 400M. Now I like my DRZ espeically the low end but I do not like the wieght or the rev limiter at 9700 RPM. I have also ridden my buddies wr400 and liked it ok but I would like smoother power. so is the 400M just a light DRZ? Or will it haul butt in a sand wash without bogging or hitting the rev limiter. I do alot of Dez, but alot of it is very tight and technical also do several very tight enduros every year. People are telling me that the 520 can be a handful in the tight stuff just due to the shear horsepower. How about that 6th gear in the 400M? will it ever really pull that gear? I know I have never sat on a bike as comfortable for this 220lb 6 foot rider as the 400M. very roomy and solid feeling. Heres another kicker....The 400KTM is supposed to be a 450 for 03! should I wait? Will my wife still be hip to the idea?(sorry, that question was for me) . Well, This will be A tough decision but a very fun one. I will ride the 400M on monday and make my decision. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated..Thanks....see-ya

 

[Patman]

I remember and I was right too :p

 

[jeb]

I think if I rode in the desert, I'd go for the 520. All the sand and open running would play out well on a big bore. I know my 400 will pull 6th gear in loose terrain but you don't want to do a lot of short shifting.

 

[Strick]

At probably 210-215 with gear my bike will pull 6th gear on open straights. It will not pull deep sand in 6th. A 520 has more power, but that power can also be tiring. I really like my 400SX. I have 2 friends with '02 520exc, and they feel heavy to me. Combine the little extra weight and the upper end pull of that big bore, and I will stick with my little 400SX.

I will probably be turning my 400 in to a 450 with the next year.

How bad do you want a bike? If now then sounds like a 400. If you are willing to wait you can get a 450.

FYI - I am faster on this bike ('02 400SX) than any other bike I have owned.