Problems with my new 08 530 exc-r

[shoobear]

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Hey, i got the 07 last year and had to mess with it ALOT. They choke up the bike to meet the DOT standards. Butturns a new ktm into a SLUG!

I know that the 08 has a different motor but all the basics are still the same for the DOT version.

Ditch the catch can and emissions.

Uncork the pipe.

Seal all the exhaust flanges.

Re gear, 15-45 is real TALL. U can run a 13 front tilll that set wears out.Teh 13 tooth willwear yourslider down faster.A 13-45 will be close to a 14-50.

JD jet kit.

185 sounds real FAT for the main. Is that what JD recommended?



My dealer didnt know much about jetting or any other mods to make the bike wake up.

 

[Wopper]

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Ok, So here's what I found after 2 days, 160 km a day rides on the bike.

First day, didn't start too good cold, needed plenty of kicking and coaxing to start ( did not want to kill the battery ) I think the pilot I put in was too big.....Still didn't get the JD kit, hopefully this week!

Bike ran fine once warmed up, stillfinicky to start even hot. I messed with the fuel mixture screw ( went from 3T to 2T ) seemed better at 3T..... but I think all that will change with jetting kit.

Second day, warming up bike on center stand, bike started smoking like a 57 Buick with 200,000 miles.......What the heck is going on here? So, checked oil level, was above window ( now warmed up) looked down airbox into intake, could see oil inside air boot. ( I had not disconnected PCV hose and Transmission vent when I desmogged, I guess I need to do that!) I decided to do an oil change, and did the change, seemed fine, refilled with 0.7 l, this is currently a hot topic on KTM Talk.......

So, I rode it second day, at one stop, I left it idling for 3-4 minutes, when I got on the bike to go, it boiled over........it was about 10 degrees, we were at 3900 ft, at about 5 deg C. This did not make me happy.I will order the fan kit for it.....

Other than that, the suspension is very softly sprung, ( I think I will need heavier springs) but still rides quite nicely.

So, still needs a bit of work to get it dialled in to get it to where it needs to be for my liking, but after 320 K and 8 hrs riding, it worked pretty well, I'm reasonably happy with it.

The trip was awesome, great weather, cool mornings, warm up to 9-10 deg during the day, no rain, nice!

Cheers, Ray

 

[Wopper]

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Ok, So here's what I found after 2 days, 160 km a day rides on the bike.

First day, didn't start too good cold, needed plenty of kicking and coaxing to start ( did not want to kill the battery ) I think the pilot I put in was too big.....Still didn't get the JD kit, hopefully this week!

Bike ran fine once warmed up, stillfinicky to start even hot. I messed with the fuel mixture screw ( went from 3T to 2T ) seemed better at 3T..... but I think all that will change with jetting kit.

Second day, warming up bike on center stand, bike started smoking like a 57 Buick with 200,000 miles.......What the heck is going on here? So, checked oil level, was above window ( now warmed up) looked down airbox into intake, could see oil inside air boot. ( I had not disconnected PCV hose and Transmission vent when I desmogged, I guess I need to do that!) I decided to do an oil change, and did the change, seemed fine, refilled with 0.7 l, this is currently a hot topic on KTM Talk.......

So, I rode it second day, at one stop, I left it idling for 3-4 minutes, when I got on the bike to go, it boiled over........it was about 10 degrees, we were at 3900 ft, at about 5 deg C. This did not make me happy.I will order the fan kit for it.....

Other than that, the suspension is very softly sprung, ( I think I will need heavier springs) but still rides quite nicely.

So, still needs a bit of work to get it dialled in to get it to where it needs to be for my liking, but after 320 K and 8 hrs riding, it worked pretty well, I'm reasonably happy with it.

The trip was awesome, great weather, cool mornings, warm up to 9-10 deg during the day, no rain, nice!

Cheers, Ray

 

[North]

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Just an up date on my bike.

I have the 14 / 50 sprockets on the bike now.

The bike is running great and so sweet to ride. I was going up a really steep, rocky, over-grown goat path, and the bike just kept on going.It hasendless power, I love it.:clap:

I also put on ScorpionRacing skid plate.:tup:



I think that my next Mod will be the 13L tank.


After going on sites like KTM Talk. Ihave since found out, that the problemsI first had with my bike were caused bythe stuff thatKTM has to do to make the Bike street legal in the USA. Every-one takes all that crap off.

And the Dealerhas beengreat in looking after me.

All I need now, is more time to ride it.

 

[Wopper]

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Hi North;

I have just installed a few more goodies on my bike too, 15.5L tank ( Aqualine from Justgastanks.com) Enduro Engineering Tall SOFT Seat, cooling fan kit, JD Jetting (0-3000 ft setup.)

I have only ridden the bike around the block a couple of times since doing the mods, seems like it is running much stronger, and I LOVE the seat !

I purchased an Aqualine tank online from Justgastanks.com, the tank fits perfect, and looks great! It holds exactly 15.5 liters of fuel, I fugure that should be good for about 250- 270 km.

I still need a 14 T front sprocket, then I will see how it goes, may change to a 48 T rear.........what's your top end like with your gearing? What is comfy cruising speeed?

I am looking forward to a couple of weeks getting out and riding it for a real ride!

 

[North]

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Hi Wopper,

That 15.5L tank sounds nice, I am going to have a look at that.

Any pictures of your bike with your new tank on?



I have had the bike up to 130 km with the new sprockets, there was more to give.

I don't ride much hi-way, but 100 km does not seem to be over working it at all.


North

 

[Wopper]

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Hi North;

No pix of the bike with the big tank yet, check out justgastanks.com, Safari tank 15 L, there is a photo there... I will get some pix of the bike and post them soon.

I am looking for fuel economy at least 50 MPG doing dualsport so I want to keep gearing on the taller side, I can hardly imagine needing much more low end power than it has now! Stock gearing, 6th gear won't pull until over 100Kmh..... too tall.... I don't ride much pavement / hiway either, but some of those logging roads are pretty much highway!

Cheers, Ray

 

[North]

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Hi Ray,

I was wondering if you haverad guards. I have seen guys post were some after market tanks will notfit will some makesof rad guards. I have Scorpionracing rad guards.

I was think of getting the KTM 13 L tank, but having the extra two Lthat the Safari tank has would be better.

Thanks

Rick

 

[Wopper]

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Hi North;

No, I did not put rad guards on, I won't need them for the dualsport stuff I intend on riding, (famous last words)the tank has double wall shrouds for fuel (same as KTM 13L tank) so it is very stiff, should prevent rad damage on tipovers, the only thing to worry is branches or sticks from front.

It does appear as if there would be room for rad guards with this tank.

I do run beefed up rad guards on all my other bikes.

I like the idea of the (Aqualine Safari Tank) extra fuel capacity too, it is 15.5L exactly, I measured it when I filled itand marked the tank (it's Orange and see thru) 2 L intervals so you can see approximate mileage......

Cheers, Ray

 

[North]

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Hi Ray,

Thanks,

Rick

 

[Wopper]

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News Flash on latest problem with 2008530EXC R

I was out riding a week ago, and noticed I had almost no rear brakes.

This was a result of the Hydraulic Cam chain tensioner plug falling out, and losing the entire sump of oil all over the rear of the bike, tire, brakes, everywhere!

Needless to say, this has been a major disaster, I had to ride home very slowly ( no tools, nothing) and once I got home I had to clean all the oil from the rear of the bike. Bike still seemed to run fine, and I did not know that the entire (.7L) sump had been drained....

I notified Holeshot of the problem, and ordered the parts from them, last weekend I installed the plug back on the bike, changed oil filter, added oil, the bike fired right up and seemed fine.

Once I rode the bike however, I realized the motor had been hurt, about 1/2 power output........cam chain skipped a tooth? ( Oil pump possible damage) I rode the bike about 160 K and then this week called Holeshot to give them the bad news.

They were great, they said bring it right in, we will tear it down and look at it right away.

I dropped it off Tuesday after work, when I got there, there was already a work order open for the bike, Perfect.....so I do not yet know the outcome or extent of the damage.....

But, anyone with one of these, 530, or 450 should make sure that the cam tensioner plug is tight!!!! ( it resides right behind the fuel petcock on the cylinder and is a double hex plug with a copper washer )

I have pix of the bike with the Safari Tank but I cant get the pix loaded on the site.

Need help with photo uploads....

North, should be lots of room for your rad guards.

Cheers, Wopper

 

[North]

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Sorry to here about your bike, that sucks big time.

I will check my cam tensioner plug.

Thanks

North

 

[Wopper]

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Hi North;

Just a quick update on my scooter, all is well, sent the bike to Holeshot, they checked everything out, apparently the power loss was from the carb coming loose in the intake manifold.....probably my doing while I was rejetting and reinstalling the carb.....

Bike runs fine now, I was out last weekend, put on about 400K, all is well, except I lost the rear exhaust bung again, melted the turn signal, and lost the signal lens....

Oh well, time to get the Sicass racing setup with the flush mount LED tail section.

Cheers, Ray

 

[gordbull]

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Wopper wrote:

Hi North;

I have just installed a few more goodies on my bike too, 15.5L tank ( Aqualine from Justgastanks.com) Enduro Engineering Tall SOFT Seat, cooling fan kit, JD Jetting (0-3000 ft setup.)

I have only ridden the bike around the block a couple of times since doing the mods, seems like it is running much stronger, and I LOVE the seat !

I purchased an Aqualine tank online from Justgastanks.com, the tank fits perfect, and looks great! It holds exactly 15.5 liters of fuel, I fugure that should be good for about 250- 270 km.

I still need a 14 T front sprocket, then I will see how it goes, may change to a 48 T rear.........what's your top end like with your gearing? What is comfy cruising speeed?

I am looking forward to a couple of weeks getting out and riding it for a real ride!

Hey there Wopper,

My 525 EXC will do about 160 km/h before it feels like it's near the end of it's legs. On stock gearing.

I also did all the mods right away on my bike as soon as I got it. The stock EXC's are not fun to ride at all. Won't start, no power, overheat when you do get 'em running.

I had it re-jetted

all the polution crap off

Jardine exhaust

Acerbis 14 litre tank

Steering dampner. This is the first thing I will do to all future bikes.

Corbin seat, The stock seat is like 2x4 to sit on.

Cheers,

Gord

 

[Wopper]

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Hi There Gord;

Yeah, Changed to the 14T front sprocket, now it will still pull to over 150K, thats as fast as I will ever dare to go!

I am wondering about the dampers, what one did you get, GPR, or Scotts?

The famous KTM headshake is no fun, and the bigger bike is a handful when they shake their head on ya. Gets a bit Scary!

Just melted the rear turn signal after the aluminum donut nut fell oy of my exhaust for the 3rd time.....need to do some silencer mods to fix it.

Have you done anything with rear tail setion and signals?, My stock rear tailight lens has cracked already as well, I am thinking about the Sicass racing rear tailight and signals, LED setup looks nice.

Cheers, Wopper

 

[North]

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Hi,

I guess that I have been lucky with my rear turn signal, it has notmelted yet. You would think it would by seeing were it is. I also have the little screen removed rather than waiting for it to fall out.

 

[gordbull]

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Wopper wrote:

Hi There Gord;

Yeah, Changed to the 14T front sprocket, now it will still pull to over 150K, thats as fast as I will ever dare to go!

I am wondering about the dampers, what one did you get, GPR, or Scotts?

The famous KTM headshake is no fun, and the bigger bike is a handful when they shake their head on ya. Gets a bit Scary!

Just melted the rear turn signal after the aluminum donut nut fell oy of my exhaust for the 3rd time.....need to do some silencer mods to fix it.

Have you done anything with rear tail setion and signals?, My stock rear tailight lens has cracked already as well, I am thinking about the Sicass racing rear tailight and signals, LED setup looks nice.

Cheers, Wopper

Hey Wopper,

I took the rear signals off!

The GPR under bar dampner is the one recomended and I love it. As I said it will be the first mod I do on all future dirt bikes. Go down to the store and get one today. It will double the amount of time you are able to spend in the saddle. And... you will feel much safer at over 100 mp/h on the dirt roads. The stock rear tire is crap too. I put a MITAS dirt tire on and it's better on the pavement, believe it or not.

Cheers,

Gord

 

[Wopper]

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Hi Gord;

Yeah I am thinking the GPR looks best too!, Nice anodized Orange!

I changed the rear tire right away to a Dunlop Rally Raid, seems to work well, except mud and snow.....good on pavement, and hardpack gravel, awesome wear, no knobs tearing off.

Cheers, Ray

 

[gordbull]

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Get used to putting new tires on that monster!

 

[Wopper]

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Yeah, I love it, even at 90 K, hit the throttle, instant wheelspin on the gravel!

The cost of tires is nothing compared to the fun I'm having! How does the Visa thing go, Priceless!

Peels off 30 years every time I'm on it!