Well i’ve been looking hi and low for a more durable bike for odd commuting and some green lane fun,ideally i’d rather have a Honda xr or something,but a ktm has come up and i’m going to take a looksie.
Thing is i know how highly strung these things can be and i’m not 100% sure i want to take on another money pit again,having owned a ktm 2 stroke and it seemed to like eating away at my overdraft regulary:pinch:
the bike in question is a 53 plate ktm 450 exc with approx 6000 miles on it ,looks clean and price is a bit lower than normal as it needs a couple of bit’s sorted.
i’d be after any info on these from previous owners and anything i should look for i.e know faults :hehe:
53 plate ktm 450 exc will have good old RFS engine, that means 6000 miles if serviced regularly ( oils , filters, valves adjustment… ) engine should still be fine.
ADZ ( http://www.admoto-care.co.uk/ ) used to have similar ( SX ), might be good idea to ask him to do first full service and to listen/look at it properly.
As most ktm’s they need to keep a check over. but the rfs engine is a good lump that has been about for a long while so parts are easy to get and cheap enough.
See how often oil and filters are done and any paper work parts or services.
Don’t forget some moto wheels aswell…
thanks drb i’ve got a local bike mechanic who’s good in that department (old school friend and ktm rider)…he mentioned the ‘rfs’ engine and it means naff all to me :laugh:
my last ktm 7 years ago was a 1999 380sx which i planned to moto and road reg…after some serious cash i got so far and it got sold one came up recently on ebay not much less than i sold mine for :blink:
edit-old bike was older…looked spankers when i’d finished tho
Racing Four Stroke
the model after the RFS was not a great hit & run a short time compared the RFS, the latest version is based more on the older engine drb knows how good they are cos keeps wanting another… mostly my exc lol
My 520 will need a rebuild soon (roller bearing bits in the last oil change), and that’s after less than 1000 miles since the last “alleged” rebuild (I trust it was I the bike’s history is known, but you can never really be sure what was done).
The RFS my be a good engine, but it’s still high maintenance compared to non-competition engines, and possibly a money pit.
I love riding the bike though
I would buy one again, but I would always price in the possibility of needing an engine rebuild
thats my thoughts exactly and depending what shiny new fancy parts go back in it can push a old bike not far from buying a new bike prices :laugh:
the fella’s not advertised this bike for sale yet and i heard down the grapevine it would be soon,so i’m getting my offer in early if i do go for it.the parts needed are fork seals and rebuild rear caliper/pads i looked online and the bike still has around 6mnth’s tax and test.
service history is most important to me right now…i’ll be looking at the condition of the oil and usual checks for smoke and leaks un due rattles i’ll find what i can to barter the price :Whistling:
i ended up swerving the ktm (i’m sure it would have been a beast and great fun) and took the safe option then maybe later i’ll get something a bit more demanding.
one came up recently on ebay not much less than i sold mine for :blink:
drb knows how good they are cos keeps wanting another… mostly my exc lol
