Here's a good video that is representative of the sound of the stock pipe. This video is actually pretty funny - the guy is riding up an icy rocky canyon and it is getting progressively pissed off after dropping the bike several times. WARNING: Adult Language

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...70497857510501

It sounds OK, but not as good as the Muzzy pipe on the KLX, not nearly as deep and solid sounding. I guess that's just the stock pipe syndrome. Maybe there will be a slip-on in my future, waaaay in the future. I do like it being not so loud, but I also like the deep tone that an aftermarket pipe gives. The headers are no problem though, they are rather large and there are actually two exhaust ports coming out of the engine. Header flow is not a problem, it doesn't appear, so slip-on would be fine, if there is something available for it.

 

The second video makes me laugh!

Dude needs to call it quits when there is snow and ice on the trails.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgUA3AV0eH0

Here is a littel vid (music, yuck) but you get a feel for how the WR sounds. Maybe a little better? Definately not by much..

 

Sounds good![sm=smiley20.gif] The ktm sounds like it has tons of torque. He barely has to rev the engine to get moving. I can hear the engine noise a little that Nobrakes was describing. Cool video..

 

Ha ha, I finally opened the tool kit expecting to find the usual crappy tools of a stock tool kit. It's not the greatest, but it's not actually horrible. They thought of everything - front and rear axle wrenches, socket driver that doubles as an allen head for the common allen head bolts, several common socket sizes and a star head, spark plug socket, open end wrench, decent combo pliers:




And no, we wouldn't want to forget the beer bottle opener :



Because you know, it would suck to be broken down on the trail and not be able to open your beer.

 

That snow vid had me rollin! Don't know if I could post something like that if it happened to me. Maybe once I got done being po'd.

 

Looks like they give you a good tool kit.

 

so how much did that shinny, sexy, deliciously orange, ermm imean big orange beast set you back in the wallet?

 

oh yea is there any compairison between your klx superrocket and that new beast?

 

MSRP is $7998. I shopped around and found a place where I could got it for just a hair north of $7K, OTD.

 

Actually, you might be surprised at how well the KLX can hold its own, at least with the mods I did, i.e., 331cc overbore, Keihin 35mm pumper carb, Muzzy exhaust, airbox, crankcase breather, etc, etc. In my few short rides on the KTM, the power is certainly more but it is controllable, not launch you into oblivion at every throttle blip kind of power. You have to ask for it. I think the pumper on the KLX makes it somewhat comparable in feel, i.e., twist the throttle and it responds instantly, you better hold on. So while they are not the same, I can tell the 450 has much more torque and pull, but the KLX has that feel to it. In 1st gear at least, I think the KLX lofts its front wheel with nearly equal ease as the 450. At least on the one time that I tried it on the 450 - it still had the break-in oil in and I haven't really wound it out too much. Where the KTM seems to shine is overall feel in the dirt and I think I'd attribute that mostly to the geometry and suspension. The suspension is stiff and the front end tracks really well. Can't really blame the KLX too much for that, though, since it still has the soft front fork springs that came from the factory. I was getting ready to upgrade those when the KTM came along.

Anyway, the KTM is totally made for off-road peformance so I would expect it to feel a lot better there than the KLX. But with the 331cc, pumper, exhaust, airbox, the KLX is right up there in terms of power. Not at the same level, but its up there. Add some suspension upgrades to the KLX and I think it's there, or very close.

Oh, I did rejet the KTM and the JD Jet kit included an O-ring mod that is designed to give the 39mm FCR pumper on the 450 a much more powerful accelerator pump squirt that is supposed to give it a much stronger off-throttle snap. Since I'm a noob on this bike and I value my remaining collar bone, I elected to leave that particular step for later.