Hey all, wondering if anyone that rides the 351 or something close has ever had a chance to ride a 400 exc for comparison. Thinking about buying one with the thought of a little lighter, a little more power, a little better suspension....

Im about 220 and about maxed out on the KLX i think. The 400 sounds similar in power delivery to the green machine, but with more of it. Find lots of thoughts on the 450, but the 400 is harder to come across around me. If anyone can offer up some thoughts as to performance differences to be expected it would be appreciated. curious if maintenance would be expected to be much different too...

Thanks,
Matt

 

Mate has had one for about 6 months now. Doesn't ride it much (I'll get to that) and has just bought himself a Tenere 660.
He was on a trip with some other ADVers a few months back, and after about 250 km of mixed terrain they arrived at their camp for the night. Everyone was setting up camp and cracking open a few hard earned cold tinnies. Not my mate though! Oil change was in full swing. WTF.

He had a DRZ400E before that and you could beat it for thousands of km without any fears. The Austrian 400 sure is priss.


I recon' a DRZ400E should be on the menu for you. This could handle 220lb.

 

As much as I love my modded KLX, I don't think it's in the same league as far as weight, power, suspension, or handling goes compared to the KTM. They are different application bikes IMO. This is no slam to the KLX, because it's closer to the true dual sport bike, whereas the KTM is a race bike with a street legal application. I'm very impressed with the EXC line, but they're not my bikes. You don't get the higher horsepower out of the EXC line without a price...longevity and reliability. Now look...they are not glass slippers ready to grenade at a moment's notice...hardly. But I don't think you can run them as long as the KLX without more work and ultimate service...and neither should you be able to. On the other hand, they may be the most reliable and durable race bikes made. I guess one just has to decide what's more important.

I don't race anymore. I go places and ride the heck out of my KLX and spent some money and my time on modding the suspension to get some better performance. It was worth it. As a 300 it has plenty of power, now it has a great suspension, and it has some bulletproof reliability. I'm not sure I even want the increased power out of something like the 400 anymore.

The good news...how can one really screw up this decision?

 

The older LC4 motor ktm 400 is pretty solid, more like a drz400. Guess it depends on how you use it though, the new 400/450/530'd are great bikes, just not made for extended road use.

I like my little klx because it's more tight singletrack worthy, but if I did more road and wanted the next size up, it's be a drz.