6500KM around Mzanzi on a 500EXC

[cocky]

TS super RR and a great read, thank for sharing :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:

 

[Straatkat]

Yeah there are a few routes that I ride around there as I stay quite close to Magaliesburg and there are  a stack of dirt roads around where I stay too. maybe we should ride them someday.

 

[Andy K]

Yeah there are a few routes that I ride around there as I stay quite close to Magaliesburg and there are  a stack of dirt roads around where I stay too. maybe we should ride them someday.

That would be awesome, I’m off to Knysna on another adventure, when I’m back I will get in contact


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[Carrots]

Very enjoyable read. Thanks for taking the time to share.  :thumleft: :3some:

 

[DikZol]

Very enjoyable read. Thanks for taking the time to share.  :thumleft: :3some:

Absolute agree!  Really enjoyed it!

 

[mtr89]

Fantastic read!!
Oh and that bike... :drif: :drif: :drif:

 

[MonkeyNot]

For all the 500 lovers out there and the 690 riders sitting on the fence, below are my views and experience on the trip as well as sub-sequential upgrades.

I believe this is the ultimate travel bike especially if traveling alone. I fortunately managed to stay upright the whole way except for one little drop in the dunes, where the bike was naturally very easy to pick up. I was able to travel at comfortably high speeds in sandy and rocky terrain and with the few sharp bends that caught me out I was mostly able to stop in time or maneuver out of tricky situations. The bike has more than enough power to have load of fun and thrills.

The rally screen is a must if traveling long distance, It sheltered me from the wind and allowed me to travel faster more comfortably. The 17L long range tank seemed to do the job between fuel stops but where it was sketchy I filled my 3L Desert Fox as a backup. On 17L I mostly managed around 300-320KM of range except for one sandy stretch I only got 260KM where I believe it was due to poor quality fuel as this was the only time it didn't make 300KM.

I ran 14-48 gearing which was great for all situations including Road to Hell. I have now changed to 15-48 in order to keep my revs down at highway speeds, the bike now sits easily at 140KM/H without working too hard.

I sent the suspension into Justin at Shok Logic where it was re-valved back and front. I also replaced the fork valves with aftermarket as the KTM ones are really crap. It's now a different bike soaking up anything in its path.

I replaced the tyres and had both rims balanced. They had to use a lot of weights to counter act the weight of the Tubeliss rim-lock but now the bike runs super smooth on the tarmac and makes it much more stable when hanging cable.

On 93Hrs / 7200KM I checked the valve clearance and they were all perfectly in spec, with the tappet cover off every thing was clean and still looked brand new inside. I replaced the chain guide which was shot and spark plug as a precaution.

After inspecting oil quality on all of my services I have decided to to push the interval to 3000-4000km which for Rally/Adventure riding I feel is more than sufficient.

The Giant loop coyote saddle bag worked a treat and was big enough to cater for all my luggage.

Awesome report [member=6145]Tank Slap[/member]
Really enjoying my 500, currently got 14-50 gearing, won't advise it for a trip like this. 14-48 seems to be the common "middle-ground" 

 

[Straatkat]

I am also running 14/50 but constantly looking for another gear. Used 13/50 in Lesotho, that is just stupidly low. Thinking of going taller, especially with Kaokoland coming up.

 

[MonkeyNot]

I am also running 14/50 but constantly looking for another gear. Used 13/50 in Lesotho, that is just stupidly low. Thinking of going taller, especially with Kaokoland coming up.

Kan seker power wheelie in 6de met daai gearing  :imaposer:

 

[Andy K]

For all the 500 lovers out there and the 690 riders sitting on the fence, below are my views and experience on the trip as well as sub-sequential upgrades.

I believe this is the ultimate travel bike especially if traveling alone. I fortunately managed to stay upright the whole way except for one little drop in the dunes, where the bike was naturally very easy to pick up. I was able to travel at comfortably high speeds in sandy and rocky terrain and with the few sharp bends that caught me out I was mostly able to stop in time or maneuver out of tricky situations. The bike has more than enough power to have load of fun and thrills.

The rally screen is a must if traveling long distance, It sheltered me from the wind and allowed me to travel faster more comfortably. The 17L long range tank seemed to do the job between fuel stops but where it was sketchy I filled my 3L Desert Fox as a backup. On 17L I mostly managed around 300-320KM of range except for one sandy stretch I only got 260KM where I believe it was due to poor quality fuel as this was the only time it didn't make 300KM.

I ran 14-48 gearing which was great for all situations including Road to Hell. I have now changed to 15-48 in order to keep my revs down at highway speeds, the bike now sits easily at 140KM/H without working too hard.

I sent the suspension into Justin at Shok Logic where it was re-valved back and front. I also replaced the fork valves with aftermarket as the KTM ones are really crap. It's now a different bike soaking up anything in its path.

I replaced the tyres and had both rims balanced. They had to use a lot of weights to counter act the weight of the Tubeliss rim-lock but now the bike runs super smooth on the tarmac and makes it much more stable when hanging cable.

On 93Hrs / 7200KM I checked the valve clearance and they were all perfectly in spec, with the tappet cover off every thing was clean and still looked brand new inside. I replaced the chain guide which was shot and spark plug as a precaution.

After inspecting oil quality on all of my services I have decided to to push the interval to 3000-4000km which for Rally/Adventure riding I feel is more than sufficient.

The Giant loop coyote saddle bag worked a treat and was big enough to cater for all my luggage.

Awesome report [member=6145]Tank Slap[/member]
Really enjoying my 500, currently got 14-50 gearing, won't advise it for a trip like this. 14-48 seems to be the common "middle-ground"

Yes 14-48 is great all round, I find with the 15-48 the bike loses a bit of grunt in 6th but still goes well. Do you have any issues with your top chain guide melting? Mine is not lasting but I’m not sure if it’s the lube or friction at high speed. I will look for Teflon aftermarket or try make one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MonkeyNot]

For all the 500 lovers out there and the 690 riders sitting on the fence, below are my views and experience on the trip as well as sub-sequential upgrades.

I believe this is the ultimate travel bike especially if traveling alone. I fortunately managed to stay upright the whole way except for one little drop in the dunes, where the bike was naturally very easy to pick up. I was able to travel at comfortably high speeds in sandy and rocky terrain and with the few sharp bends that caught me out I was mostly able to stop in time or maneuver out of tricky situations. The bike has more than enough power to have load of fun and thrills.

The rally screen is a must if traveling long distance, It sheltered me from the wind and allowed me to travel faster more comfortably. The 17L long range tank seemed to do the job between fuel stops but where it was sketchy I filled my 3L Desert Fox as a backup. On 17L I mostly managed around 300-320KM of range except for one sandy stretch I only got 260KM where I believe it was due to poor quality fuel as this was the only time it didn't make 300KM.

I ran 14-48 gearing which was great for all situations including Road to Hell. I have now changed to 15-48 in order to keep my revs down at highway speeds, the bike now sits easily at 140KM/H without working too hard.

I sent the suspension into Justin at Shok Logic where it was re-valved back and front. I also replaced the fork valves with aftermarket as the KTM ones are really crap. It's now a different bike soaking up anything in its path.

I replaced the tyres and had both rims balanced. They had to use a lot of weights to counter act the weight of the Tubeliss rim-lock but now the bike runs super smooth on the tarmac and makes it much more stable when hanging cable.

On 93Hrs / 7200KM I checked the valve clearance and they were all perfectly in spec, with the tappet cover off every thing was clean and still looked brand new inside. I replaced the chain guide which was shot and spark plug as a precaution.

After inspecting oil quality on all of my services I have decided to to push the interval to 3000-4000km which for Rally/Adventure riding I feel is more than sufficient.

The Giant loop coyote saddle bag worked a treat and was big enough to cater for all my luggage.

Awesome report [member=6145]Tank Slap[/member]
Really enjoying my 500, currently got 14-50 gearing, won't advise it for a trip like this. 14-48 seems to be the common "middle-ground"

Yes 14-48 is great all round, I find with the 15-48 the bike loses a bit of grunt in 6th but still goes well. Do you have any issues with your top chain guide melting? Mine is not lasting but I’m not sure if it’s the lube or friction at high speed. I will look for Teflon aftermarket or try make one.


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Must be honest I never checked. Should have my 500 back soon, will have a look and let you know

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