Somebody Stop Me!!!!

[Rocky G]

Help, I spent last night looking at the Yamaha web site, thinking of the WR450.

It all started when I was at my local riding spot, a buddy suddenly handed me his stock YZ426f. I jumped on, tried hard to understand the starting drill?????? and took off. Mannnnnnn, that thing is a rocket, it lunges like an angry dog. I'm too old (40+) and too big (fat) to be a MX star, but it made my beloved KTM seem like a slug. Too slow, way too heavy, harsh suspension, etc. Now I know that my bike (2000 SXC 400 LC4) is NOT up to the level of the new KTM's, but I don't have a buddy with one I can try. So.........this is where I need advice. Can somebody compare the 03 450/525 EXC models to my bike or the YZ? I ride for fun only on open fast trails and the local sand pit MX track. I need to get back on the orange track here.

Thanks

 

[Person8]

Where the yzf is like a brute -'lunging like an angry dog' - the KTM is more like a bike with a really big electric motor. It's power comes on from the crack of the throttle and keeps pulling to the rev limiter. I think you would find the KTM to be less physically demanding and won't tire you out as quickly as the yz.

Larry

 

[2smoke]

Rocky if ya gotta be a fourbanger man ride a KTM520/525 (bold new stickers is the improvement to capacity) bulk power easy to ride wont kill you half as much as a 426. And a little tip my fat arsed mate switched from XR600 to KTM520 couldn't handle the ironing board they fit for a seat. Bought his own foam and some black vinyl gripper and created a XR600 fat arse supa comfy seat fgor the 520. Looks a bit funny but it works good for him.

 

[Anssi]

At least the 426 had nothing on my 520 SX. It had wimpy little power.

 

[tigerowner]

Rocky, the WR450 has me drooling as well. Something about that 5 valve hit that makes it so intoxicating. Sorry guys but the 520 was just like any other 4-stroke tractor I ever rode. I hope the 525 has a bit more excitement in it.

 

[jeb]

The 450SX is the most likely of the KTM 03 stable to excite the monster hit crowd. Time will tell, though. The 525 is almost the exact same bike as last year's 520, motor wise. No displacement difference at all.

 

[Rocky G]

Not to worry gang, a new 02 520 EXC resides in the garage tonight.

All is well, as I read the manual in my KTM racing t-shirt. Aaaaaa......

 

[ktm033]

Most excellent Rocky....cuz my '02 450 kitted MXC makes one of my riding buddies 02 WR 426 feel like a big lethargic, overweight dog, not at all lunging like a wild dog...

 

[knobbiethrower]

Orange makes all others "green" with envy !

 

[Tony Eeds]

Well said knobbiethrower - With 26+ off road bikes in the marketplace KTM is bound to have the right bike for most any application. I love my 400, although I thought about a 520, I figured at 160+/- the 400 would be enough.