General Discussion Forum

Here's the official thread to post the questions you have about the 2009 KTM 400XC-W. Your questions help us give you the information you want about new bikes.

So tell us what you want to know, and we'll do our best to answer you in this thread and in future tests.  

How does the new 400 motor compare to the 400 RFS?

C.W.  

Why would I pay 9k for this bike? I could buy just about any bike, plus mods, plus new gear and have $ leftover for what the 400XC-W costs.  
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Nobody's gonna hurt anybody. We're gonna be like little Fonzies here. And what's Fonzie like? Come on what's Fonzie like?

I would like to hear how it bridges the gap between off road and moto...these bikes are aimed at being the "do everything" bike...Give it a good MX test as well.  

I am going to purchase a new 530 EXC soon.  It will either be an '08 or an '09.  I believe the biggest change is in the suspension department.  Is the suspension on this bike far superior to the '08 EXC line or no?  Thanks; Alan  

chud,
Why would you pay 9k for this bike? Only a sucker pays retail. I payed 6k for my 06 OTD.
Secondly, it still wouldn't be as good as a KTM.

C.W.  

BigHoop:
I would like to hear how it bridges the gap between off road and moto...these bikes are aimed at being the "do everything" bike...Give it a good MX test as well.

This is the XC-W meaning it is the trail bike model.  The W stands for Wide ratio gears.  The XC models are the cross between moto and trails.  

Bill H. 2000 CR250R

My question is Why don't these bikes come with lights anymore?  They used to come standard but then went away without a change in price.  Now if I buy a bike I have to go get headlights for it.  All of the quads come with lights even the ones supposedly meant for moto.  

Bill H. 2000 CR250R

The reason that they don't come with lights is the same reason that they don't come with spark arrestors.
In order to be imported into the country, the government insisted that they be sold as closed course models.In the governments infinite wisdom that mean't that KTM had to remove all of the things that made them enduro bikes.So you can thank the bureaucrats for that.

C.W.  

Thank you for the good answer.  

Bill H. 2000 CR250R

Is the 400 less likely to boil over than the larger bikes?  What solutions are available (fan from KTM?)
Also where does it fit between the 250F and 450F offroad bike?
Would love to see a shoot out between this bike, 250XCe, a stroker KTM 300 XC-F, HT racing 340 and the much anticipated Husky 310 I read about...

Love my XR 400 (like the other bald meat head - Jimmy) but would like the following in my next ride:

- better forks (weak forks really limit a bike)
- fuel injection (will be very happy if I never take a carb apart again and really hate 4 stroke hesitation)
- electric start (like beer too much)
- simple maitenance --- how easy is the bike to work on?

Lastly in your 4 stroke tests:
- valve train, associated longevity and lubrication of this mechanism should be covered in 4 banger tests
- would like to see cost of components for complete top end rebuild
Priced a cylinder head assembly lately...

So how about telling us about long term costs.  This is where KTM shines (if I read your long haul tests correctly) and may be worth the extra money??  

No, The rider is the biggest factor in the boil over issue.  The KTM does not have a coolant catch tank which can make the problem a little worse, if you have it. It did not arise during my test and a lot of riders were stuck in the slick rock hills spinning and slipping the clutch, the fastest way to boiling problems.

We have not had any issues with KTM reliability other than the piston ring wearing on the newer XC engines faster than normal. 95% of riders will never need any of the parts you mentioned, even under tough riding. The ones that do break this stuff usually bring it upon themselves.
JIMMY  
JIMMY
Editor Dirt Rider Magazine

i am currently the owner of a 2009 400xc-w...i got the 1st one in the western u.s....here is the deal...i am 200lbs., almost expert in skill level, and i sold my 300 to get this thing.

Stock gearing is 13/52...not 14/50 like it says on website...so it is already geared low, but she definitely NEEDS a 53 tooth sprocket!...A 54 is TOO BIG and will not fit...also i was told and laughed at when i mentioned putting a 12 tooth countershaft sprocket on(TOO SMALL)...

Next is the "Dinky" pipe it comes with...YES IT IS CALIFORNIA GREEN STICKER, but all that means is that she is corked up...at first i had issues as i took it out of my truck and rode her for the first time...power was simply not there...I took the little metal tip/spark arrestor out of the end and in an instant, she came alive...i mean huge difference!...The hole at the end is still tiny at only 1", so i am either getting a T-4 Pro-Circuit or a FMF PowerCore 4...a necessity for this bike.

So there you go, a 53 tooth rear, New Pipe(so she can breathe), and a JD JEt kit(when he has one...i am pretty sure it would be the same one as the 450xc-w)...but i am waiting for e-mail reply from James Dean right now...

Jimmy...do a full blown test on this thing...any info. would be appreciated as it is difficult to get any because this bike is New Born...

Thanks Guys....Hope this helps,

Kevin  

Man i bet those things rip... Arent they 2strokes? I wanna ride one.  
1998 KTM 200 EXC
1996 KX250
1993 XR100r
NORTH CENTRAL H.S. FOOTBALL FOR LIFE! GO INDIANS!!!!!

oh and yeah...IT COST ME $9,000.00 otd...not too much dealing goin on...

it is a 4-Stroke...and supposed to handle like  dream(shorter stroke)...which is why i bought it instead of the 450xc-w...my 300 was awesome, so we'll see how they match up...i am hoping that i did not waste 9 grand...

JD does have a Jet Kit...call and order...

Heat shield melted...kinda lame(foam on back of plastic heat shield bike comes with...aluminum would be a little better...cause the pipe gets HOTT!)