Motorcycle specifications KTM500 EXC 6 days 2014 Beyond reason

kTM's biggest enduro is also ready to take on one of the discipline's most famous challenges: the famous "International Six Days Enduro". Six days in a row, over a thousand kilometers of terrain, 40 hours in the saddle: it's not just the rider who's put to the test. The KTM 500 EXC can be prepared with a whole range of top-of-the-range accessories for this exceptionally tough race, at the start of which every year, half the riders bet on KTM. 500 EXC Six Days - the only authentic bike with the orange frame of the factory KTM Team. No other brand comes close to KTM in the off-road arena. This claim is proven at one of the world's biggest enduro competitions: the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), which welcomes over 500 enduro riders from 30 countries every year to compete for the title of team world champion. A marathon enduro race that pushes both bikes and riders to the limit. That's why, every year, more than half the participants ride our Austrian bikes. For the 2013 season, the six-day race will take place on the Italian island of Sardinia. No compromises are allowed for those who want to reach the finish line on this demanding, stony terrain. With its new Six Days models, KTM offers tried-and-tested, robust machines ready to meet the challenges of this extremely tough competition.

engine

Developed for tough enduro use, the 510.4 cm³ SOHC engine features an extremely compact design, ease of maintenance, and excellent robustness for minimum weight. With Keihin fuel injection, it offers unrivalled performance and handling, specifically targeted for enduro use.

cylinder head

The overhead camshaft of the 2014 model year is around 10% lighter, and drives two titanium intake valves and two steel exhaust valves. The weight-optimized valve train (40% lighter springs and valve spring cups) generates less friction, for better performance and less engine braking. A reinforced cylinder head gasket for the new competition standards now guarantees even greater robustness in extreme operating conditions. The automatic decompressor has also been improved to optimize its robustness.

piston

For the 2014 model year, the lightweight forged piston in Box-in-Box construction features new High-Performance rings from the 450 SX-F. The advantage is reduced oil consumption and optimized performance.

crankcase

The connecting rod assembly, with its 72.0 mm stroke and ultra-light connecting rod, is made by Pankl from high-quality steel. Like other EXC-F models, it features a plain bearing in the lower connecting-rod eye. The old needle bearing is replaced by two pressed bushes which are directly connected to the connecting rod crankpin. This design enhances the engine's durability, thereby extending the service intervals for the connecting rod.

engine Management System (EMS)

Keihin's EMS engine management system with electronic fuel injection and 42 mm butterflies ensures spontaneous responsiveness and maximum engine performance. A 196 W oil-cooled generator provides sufficient power for fuel injection, lighting and other consumers. The Map-Select-Switch available in the PowerPart catalog enables various engine characteristics to be selected via the EMS. In addition, an optional User-Setting-Tool lets you use a laptop to access motorcycle data and modify ignition and fuel injection mapping with just a few clicks.

balancer shaft

The engine is fitted with a balancer shaft for mass balancing, which also serves as a drive for the water pump.

gearbox

The 6-speed gearbox is specially stepped for the characteristics of 500 cm³ engines and for all types of enduro use. It excels in precision and ease of shifting.

dDS clutch

The one-piece bell of the optimized DDS clutch (Damped Diaphragm Steel) is milled from high-strength steel together with the timing gear. This process guarantees unrivalled reliability, and the compact, rivet-free design of the clutch housing results in a very slim motor. This design also allows the use of thinner steel plates, which also contribute to the clutch's compact dimensions. The spring washer provides additional hub damping: an invaluable advantage in terms of traction and gearbox wear. An optimized drive dog also enhances the clutch's robustness. Brembo's hydraulically actuated clutch and spring washer ensure easy, controllable progressiveness.

oil circuit

The engine features two oil pumps and a common oil circuit. A pressure pump ensures reliable lubrication of the connecting rod, piston, balancer shaft and valve train. It also cools the ignition and lubricates the clutch. A vacuum pump draws oil from the crankcase and lubricates the gearbox.

fairing

The KTM 500 EXC Six Days features an ergonomically slim fairing with excellent contact points between rider and machine. It offers unlimited freedom of movement. The 2014 model year shines with graphics modified in 2013 with the colors of the ISDE in Germany.

handlebars

The EXC 500 Six Days is equipped with Neken tapered handlebars made from a solid aluminum alloy. The proven KTM system allows the handlebars to be fixed in a choice of four positions. The 2014 model incorporates new handguards in robust bi-component plastic for more effective hand protection. The new Brembo clutch cover has been adapted to the look of the brake cover.

telescopic fork

KTM Six Days models feature a 48 mm 4CS fork with closed cartridge from WP Suspension. This patented 4-chamber WP technology (4CS) not only offers decisive advantages in terms of response and damping consistency, but is also lighter and much easier to maintain than conventional closed-cartridge models. The 2014 model year has adopted a slightly stiffer, sport-oriented setting to give the fork even more reserve on extremely bumpy tracks. With just a few clicks, you can easily adjust the settings to suit the track and the rider, right at the top of the fork: compression on the left side, rebound on the right - another benefit of 4CS technology.

swingarm

All KTM EXC models feature a lightweight aluminum-molded swingarm, directly connected to the PDS shock absorber at the top. The aluminum casting process produces a one-piece swingarm with unlimited geometric possibilities, while reducing any defects caused by welding. The swingarm has been designed to offer the desired flexibility while assisting the suspension, and without compromising torsional strength.

custom suspension settings

Each model features an individual suspension setting, perfectly matched to weight and engine. at the rear, a PDS shock absorber with direct connection above the swingarm. The fork's wide rebound range and Highspeed and Lowspeed compression damping are standard KTM features.

frame

In keeping with KTM tradition, frames are made from high-quality, lightweight chromium-molybdenum steel. Combined with a PDS damping system at the rear, they are designed to perfectly absorb any shocks the rear wheel may inflict on the frame. Contrary to the trend towards aluminum frames among our competitors, we supply high-tech steel frames that weigh around 0.5 kg less than the lightest frames on the market. What's more, our frames are easy to maintain and leave more space for the fuel tank and other components.

fork tees

Meticulously crafted, milled-from-mass fork crowns: not only do they look great with their orange anodizing, they're also designed to optimize the response and damping smoothness of the new fork. For the 2014 model year, the lower fork crown features new screwing points for the new front mudguard.

high-quality wheels

High-quality GIANT wheels in extremely robust 7050 aluminum with exclusive Six Days branding and CNC-milled hubs are standard on all KTM-Six Days models. MAXXIS FIM tires provide excellent grip, precise handling and long life. And another standard feature on Six Days: the two-component Supersprox crown with super-strong steel teeth and aluminum core.

brakes

High-tech Brembo brakes have long been standard on KTM off-road bikes, with lightweight Wave disc brakes for optimum braking performance. For the 2014 model year, we note a new brake cocotte with a new compensation reservoir, a smaller piston diameter and a new lever with optimized kinematics. Thanks to this and sintered brake pads (Toyo B169), front brake performance and dosability have been further significantly improved.

sIX DAYS equipment

- 4CS closed-cartridge forks from WP Suspension with reworked adjustment
- Frame with high-quality orange coating and competition graphics
- New milled, orange-anodized fork crowns
- Black anodized handlebars with Six Days logo
- Supersprox bi-component crown with steel teeth and aluminum core
- Solid rear brake disc (no slots/holes)
- Camel SXS saddle with optimized foam core
- Engine mount
- Radiation shield
- Six Days anodized muffler (anthracite) and Six Days logo
- Wheels with high-quality GIANT black anodized rims with Six Days logo and black spokes
- Interchangeable front axle
- Orange radiator guard
- Orange chain guide
- New MAE tachometer
- Exclusive Six Days deco

News credit: KTM
Photo credits: KTMimages