Ken S 164 Posted January 30, 2018 Finally got my Christmas present to me. 2018 500exc. Got a whole list of mods to do real soon. De Smog. Best dual sports end cap to open exhaust. TPS sensor adjustment. Remove reed valves. Scott’s underbar rubber mount steering stabilizer. Clutch cover to add .8 quarts oil capacity. Folding mirrors and figure out a way to mount the license plate so it doesn’t fall off. Tall soft Guts racing seat. Lowered foot pegs. Full wrap handguards with turn signals built in. Radiator guards. And ovcourse a trip to Suspension101 for some love by George. Any other recommendations by you KTM gurus? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
garage07 0 Posted January 30, 2018 Congratulations! That's a great bike. Things on my list of mods would be: Baja Designs squadron LED headlight skid plate Large capacity fuel tank Replace the stock DOT tires with some good off road knobbys New front and/or rear sprockets to change gearing I think the 2018's don't have a kick start but you can add one as an option. Nice to have a back up just in case. Get out there and ride. Enjoy your new moto. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 887 Posted January 30, 2018 Needs a Kug sticker, then it's done. Congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkug 146 Posted January 30, 2018 KUG says JD tuner ! Make shure you have a solid ground and a spare fuel pump in a year or two. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ptkatoomer 114 Posted January 30, 2018 Depends on how you like your power. I added the Best Dualsports bolt on weight to the clutch. Really smoothed out the power and made it really good for the technical stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ptkatoomer 114 Posted January 30, 2018 I'm with you on the suspension. Trouble is, I'm trying to decide between getting that done, or a Recluse on the 300. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dylan 0 Posted January 30, 2018 Nice ride Ken! Keep me updated on what you like about the 500 vs the WR! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey777 44 Posted January 30, 2018 Nice bike! I would do garage07s list first. Worry about taking off all the smog/tuning as you have time. You can have a hell of a lot of fun with the stock suspension and tuning, but running low on gas and bashing up you engine casing sucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Van 35 Posted January 30, 2018 I have a TPS Tool from my 2017 500 EXC that I'll let go for a very reasonable price of $10.00. Check for fit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagstr 287 Posted January 30, 2018 Rumor has it That frame for has telepathic feel. Who makes those high capacity clutch covers? All these mods are about Safety, don't scrimp on safety. That's what I tell her. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken S 164 Posted January 30, 2018 53 minutes ago, Van said: I have a TPS Tool from my 2017 500 EXC that I'll let go for a very reasonable price of $10.00. Check for fit. I’ll take it. Call me. 619-922-4554 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken S 164 Posted January 30, 2018 51 minutes ago, Bagstr said: Rumor has it That frame for has telepathic feel. Who makes those high capacity clutch covers? All these mods are about Safety, don't scrimp on safety. That's what I tell her. Best dual sports Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken S 164 Posted January 30, 2018 1 hour ago, Ptkatoomer said: I'm with you on the suspension. Trouble is, I'm trying to decide between getting that done, or a Recluse on the 300. Do your suspension. You have awesome clutching skills I felt I lost precision control of the bike when I reclused my WR. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulmbowers 236 Posted January 30, 2018 Here's your best tail light solution- do it one time and you're done: https://www.ebay.com/itm/KTM-2017-2018-EXC-XC-500-450-350-250-STD-LED-Taillight-combo-with-EE-22-700/192398596638?hash=item2ccbd99a1e:g:sWAAAOSwicZZwSrJ Plug and play. Unless you loop it, like I did. Then you have to do it twice. I'd put in a Rekluse before I even ride it. But I'm a fanboy. And they sell a case cover that slightly increases the capacity. Rear disc shark fin, replace the headlight, I'd get the Seat Concepts gripper seat- all unnecessary but good. Reviews on those DualSport endcaps are VERY mixed. I stayed stock and am more than happy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ptkatoomer 114 Posted January 30, 2018 2 hours ago, paulmbowers said: Reviews on those DualSport endcaps are VERY mixed. I stayed stock and am more than happy. I've got the end cap and the jd tuner. That opened up end cap really helped the bike from running hot(er) then it does. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulmbowers 236 Posted January 30, 2018 Just now, Ptkatoomer said: I've got the end cap and the jd tuner. That opened up end cap really helped the bike from running hot(er) then it does. Understood. The controversy (not my experience) is the durability of the product. Maybe they have it figured out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CVRick 42 Posted January 30, 2018 I added the recluse and am glad I did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken S 164 Posted January 31, 2018 First sunset ride. Ready for 1st oil change. Tires suck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
garage07 0 Posted January 31, 2018 Reguarding tires: I've been happy with the Maxxis Desert IT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robertaccio 405 Posted January 31, 2018 good choice, it go from here to cabo san Lucas, race a national H&H, run down to the local 7/11 and get and win an Enduro. It really is the ultimate do all machine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken S 164 Posted January 31, 2018 28 minutes ago, garage07 said: Reguarding tires: I've been happy with the Maxxis Desert IT The Maxxis is ok but once you go Golden Tyre its hard to go back. Try the GT333 rear. DOT legal Best desert tire I've been on . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
garage07 0 Posted January 31, 2018 I've heard many good comments about golden tyre. I guess i'll have to give them a shot when the desert IT wears out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robertaccio 405 Posted January 31, 2018 PS don't overthink it with all the mountains of info and disinfo on the intertube. my 2 cents. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobATK94 1 Posted February 6, 2018 Nice!!! Still have the WR? if you do, its probably going to collect a whole lot of dust now. going to be running people down and honking at any of the D38 races this year with this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 887 Posted February 6, 2018 Be sure to do the first maintenance, I've heard of the valves needing adjustment on the first check but they stabilize after that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites