VOL. 51 ISSUE 17 APRIL 29, 2014 P69
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for a dirt bike. But we haven't
met anyone yet who has since
bought a 500 EXC that didn't
think it wasn't worth its hefty
price tag.
For the first time since its 2012
debut, the KTM 500 EXC sees
some notable changes with the
2014 model, but, for the most
part, it's still the same great bike
as it was - only a little bit better.
The most notable change
is visual. The 2014 500 EXC
has an all-new and updated
look, thanks to new plastic ev-
erywhere – the fenders, side
It might be a
500 but the
EXC feels very
light and agile
on the trail.
You can throw
it around like a
lightweight
two-stroke.
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panels, headlight shroud and
radiator shrouds are all new
and reshaped. And the change
wasn't all about looks, though.
The front fender has been rede-
signed to be stronger, and there
is less ribbing under the fender
to minimize mud buildup. The
radiator shrouds were reshaped
for easier movement for the
rider, and the hand guards have
been tweaked for better knuckle
protection. There's also new
seat foam to improve comfort as
well as durability.
Look a little closer and you'll
notice that the airbox has also
been redesigned. It now has im-
proved sealing and airflow, and
access to the Twin Air foam filter
element is a little quicker. The fil-
ter, which is now more securely
attached, can still be changed
without using tools.
Even though it has a license
plate, KTM hasn't skimped any-
where when it comes to the
EXC. It still gets all the good
stuff that the XC-W has, like ta-
pered aluminum handlebars and
the latest high-tech Brembo disc
brakes with wave rotors and an
