KTM 525 MXC Desert Racing reviews

We have had this bike for almost six years now and the only thing that has ever gone wrong with it was a dead battery. I am more of a two-stroke kind of guy, but this bike will run just like one, and almost as fast as a CR 500. It is the best four-stroke I have ever ridden and handles amazingly. We geared it down to run like a two-stroke and I think it helped it a lot in corners and on hills. I have never been not able to make it up a single hill with it. In the right hands it will go anywhere. KTM makes very high quality products and I am very happy and I would never buy any other new bike other than a KTM. Show less

I switched from a 2 stroke motocross to the 450 EXC with no regrets! It is and feels heavier than my 2 stroke but more than makes up for it in rideability. It did take some getting used to the added weight. The engine has a wide usuable power curve that chugs right along when you should have normally down-shifted. The hydraulic clutch and magic button(electric start) round out this awesome machine. My personal advice, buy the bike for the type of riding you do. don't buy this bike for motocross or a motocross for woods riding. Been there and done that. This bike is heavier than a motocross and doesn't have the necessary suspension adjustments for the giant jumps. This bike is a rock-star on close or open trail riding with moderate jumps. Plenty of power and with the 6 speed trans allows for much easier low speed technical trails and hill climbing. Show less

I've had the 06 KTM 450 EXC the last two seasons. It is my first bike and I just love it out here in the mountains. I've added an 11.5L fuel tank, a small rack and a few other KTM add-ons. This is a tall bike. If I was any shorter it would be really scary. The bike will do over 100 mph in stock form down the highway. The bike is jetted lean in stock form. Now that I'm used to the power, I want more. It's definitely not necessary, but I'm getting the JD jet kit, a FMF 4.1 exhaust system and an 11.9 compression piston. I've also tried running C14 114 octane VP racing fuel with different mix ratios. That fuel makes the bike really come alive and feel light. Show less

I have been on many race bikes over the years. Elsinores, YZs, KX - most were very adequate. Some better than others. 1990 Kawasaki KX-500 was awesome in its day. I have never to date been so happy with a bike like I am the 05 KTM 525 EXC. I bought it new and went through the proper break in. This bike has gone on long after I wanted to quit and did well. Never a loss for power, the bike has tons of torque for a large man like me. It may be big on some but it fits me well. It has never let me down mechanically. The battery did go down a couple of times, because I stalled it so often in a race I used it up starting 30 times or so. However, it kicked over (more like pushed over) first kick. Chains, sprockets, bars, fuel efficiency - everything seems good. I'm currently turning down a great deal on a 08 530 XCR-W to run this bike one more year. Total shop bills for two years racing for me are less than $250.00. Anyway, that's my two cents worth. Show less

Had the bike now for about 2 weeks...LOVE IT. Cops HATE IT. Have always ridden big bores. (KX500, CR500R, latest CRF450R) The KTM comes ready to run out of the box. KTM pays excellent attention to detail. Excel rims, fat bars, tires, chain, suspension, down to the grips. My ONLY complaint is changing the oil is a drag...what a mess, that being said the filtration is great. The power is smooth all the way through 6th. Availability says it all...try and find one. Enjoy the ride! Show less

WoW, Great bike! Been riding now for 16 + yrs & I have to say out of all the other bikes, Japan made, I've owned or rode, this one is the BEST. Just do the math & your homework & you'll see... Gobs of power, perfect balance & control. As for the seat being too hard, who sits down! A must have for the serious rider!! Show less

I have had my KTM for about 3 months now and absolutley love it. I have been searching for a dual sport that was mainly for trails and barely street legal and boy have I found it. The best thing I have noticed about this bike is the fact that there is NO stall with the throttle. It doesn't matter what gear you're in. The throttle response is amazing (no lag). Our latest trip was during a thunderstorm with mud up to the swing arm and the KTM was not bothered at all! It simply kept pulling while others were falling or slowing down because the lack of grip! Not to mention that I enjoyed the fact that I covered the poor guys with mud from head to toe when I passed them. The only thing I disliked about the KTM was the tall gear and the hard seat. I resolved the gearing issue by going to a 14 counter sprocket instead of a 15 and so far this has helped out. I replaced the stock seat with the lower seat, which has not softened the seat, but I am sure it will feel better over time. I have also added a skid plate because it does not come stock. I am serious when I say that I had to search long and hard for a negative on this bike. This bike is amazing!!!!! Show less

There's a reason why KTM dominates the off road market. I used to be a Honda guy until I ran into KTM 4 years back and I never see myself looking back. Once I got on this bike and fired it up using the the E-starter and then pulling in the hydraulic clutch, I was off tearing up the trails and noticed that it is literally effortless to ride. It has plenty of power and it is very controllable at the same time. The power never gets away from you like a 2 stroke could. The other thing I noticed right off the bat is you cannot feel the weight of this bike even though it weighs 250lbs. Believe it or not it feels lighter and better balanced than my old 2 stroke. It also corners extremely well. It actually conrners and tracks better than any other bike I have ridden. Long story short, I would recommend this bike to any serious west coast woods rider. Later Honda, Hello KTM! Show less

Just an update to my 11/29/05 review. Still have the bike and everything is just the same...fabulous bike, I have no complaints whatsoever...and for me that is odd! I was going to buy a new '08 just because, but I couldn't bring myself to do it as there is absolutely nothing wrong with this bike! Well, I guess I could complain that it eats tires like crazy...but I could easily remedy that with less twist of the right wrist! Show less

This is the second KTM I have ever owned and I can not believe this bike. It out performs all my others. It is very powerful and user friendly. It is often too much to handle if that is at all possible in a dirt bike. It chews up back tires like nothing at all. I can not think of one bad thing to say about this bike. I say hats off to KTM for building such awesome bikes. Show less