KTM 400 EXC

KTM EXC400
Manufacturer	KTM
Also called	EXC 400, 400 EXC Racing, 400 EXC
Production	2000 - 01
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves
Compression ratio	11.5:1
Ignition	Kokusan digital
Spark Plug	NGK CR8EK
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain: x520 ‘00-02
Front Sprocket	14T ‘00-02
Rear Sprocket	50T ‘00-02
Frame	Chrome-Moly main frame, aluminum swingarm
Suspension	Front: WP 43mm upside-down fork Rear: Fully adjustable WP PDS shock
Brakes	Front: Single 260 mm disc, Brembo double piston caliper, sintered pad Rear: Single 220 mm disc, Brembo single piston caliper, organic pads
Front Tire	80/100 - 21, Bridgestone M77
Rear Tire	110/100 - 18, Bridgestone M78
Wheelbase	1481 mm / 58.3 in
Seat Height	925 mm / 36.4 in
Weight	112 kg / 247 lbs (dry), 122 kg / 269.0 lbs (wet)
Fuel Capacity	8.5 Liters / 2.25 US gal / 1.9 Imp gal
Manuals	Service Manual

Engine

The engine was a Liquid cooled cooled Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves. The engine featured a 11.5:1 compression ratio.

Chassis

It came with a 80/100 - 21, Bridgestone M77 front tire and a 110/100 - 18, Bridgestone M78 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single 260 mm disc, Brembo double piston caliper, sintered pad in the front and a Single 220 mm disc, Brembo single piston caliper, organic pads in the rear. The front suspension was a WP 43mm upside-down fork while the rear was equipped with a Fully adjustable WP PDS shock. The 400 EXC was fitted with a 8.5 Liters / 2.25 US gal / 1.9 Imp gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 112 kg / 247 lbs. The wheelbase was 1481 mm / 58.3 in long.

Photos

Overview

KTM 400 EXC

The KTM 400EXC factory machine that won the 1999 World Enduro Championship in the hands of Italian maestro Giovanni Sala bears a striking resemblance to the standard, mass-produced 400EXC. This bike has made a big impression on the 400cc four-stroke market. Simply swing a leg over one and you'll start to understand what all the fuss is about. It has the smooth and clean feel of a motocross bike and it's very easy to slide forward or rearward with comparative ease. The kickstarter is on the righthand side on the EXC, and it's not a difficult bike to fire up. But hey, why bother when you can press the starter button to fire the engine? The purists who have developed kickstarting to a fine art may be horrified by this laziness but there's no way you'll get around it because electric start is standard equipment. KTM has taken a slightly different approach to the configuration of the motor in 2000. While most manufacturers have used a 90mm-plus piston with a very short stroke of 60mm, KTM has leaned the other way with an 89mm x 64mm configuration. This tends to increase torque at the expense a more higher-revving incarnation. The KTM doesn't go off with a bang like the WR or the DR-Z. It's a little slower to build revs but it is easier to regulate wheelspin and improve drive. This has its advantages when climbing ugly hills and those tight, tricky sections on enduro stages. The power delivery is smooth - almost the same as the Husaberg. However, there is a noticeable peak/spike of power in the midrange and I can't help wondering if KTM put it there on purpose. This spike of power is in the right place to put a smile on your face when you give the throttle a big twist. The WP suspension package is firm and aimed at the competition end of the market. I had a bit of trouble getting an even response from the inverted front forks on the first ride. The cause was some stiction in the forks that was noticeable even when the bike was stationary. You could push down on the forks and they compressed and extended in a series of steps rather than the smooth action you would expect. I suspect this was due to the fact that this bike had well and truly done the rounds before I got hold of it. As stiction wasn't a problem on the Husaberg (which uses the same forks), I'm betting that it was overdue for a fork service. With a bit more time in the saddle of the $9611 machine, I was able to ride around this problem (as you do) and truly appreciate its potential. It's a magic bit of gear when you get used to it - very similar to the Husaberg with powerful brakes that should be caressed rather than grabbed. The motor is exceptional for trail riding and enduro work - the power spread is an excellent compromise of excitement and predictability. I managed to pull off some of the best monos in second, third and fourth gears right up to the balance point, and a touch of rear brake would bring the front back down if things got too scary - it's the easiest 400 to practice the endless mono. I took the bike to Louee motocross and enduro complex in Mudgee (NSW) and got some second opinions from average to good trail riders. They didn't know what to make of the front suspension, but they knew something wasn't quite right (the aforementioned stiction dilemma). They felt that the EXC had better mid-range torque than the WRs they were riding. They loved the ergonomics and felt that the KTM was much slimmer and lighter than their Yamahas. Then there's all the nice little things that everyone noticed: the translucent tank and frame protectors above the footpegs. The exhaust is a also work of art (sounds good too) and the Magura bars are quality items. This KTM has a lot to offer the trailrider and competitor. It's a factory racer that's looking for another victory on the showroom floor - and it's priced to compete well.

Source: BikePoint

Make Model	KTM 400 EXC
Year	2000 - 01
Engine Type	Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves
Displacement	398 cc / 24.3 cu-in
Bore X Stroke	89 x 64 mm
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Compression	11.5:1
Exhaust	Twin head pipe, two into one collector, aluminum muffler with Krizman USFS approved spark arrestor
Induction	Keihin MX-FCR 39
Spark Plug	NGK CR8EK
Ignition	Kokusan digital
Starting	Electric & kick
Max Power	32.1 kW / 44 hp @ 8000 rpm
Transmission	6 Speed
Primary Drive Ratio	30:81
Gear Ratios	1st 14:34 / 2nd 17:31 / 3rd 19:28 / 4th 22:26 / 5th 24:23 / 6th 26:21
Final Drive Ratio	14:50
Final Drive	Chain, O-ring
Frame	Chrome-Moly main frame, aluminum swingarm
Rake	26.5o
Front Suspension	WP 43mm upside-down fork
Front Wheel Travel	295 mm / 11.6 in
Rear Suspension	Fully adjustable WP PDS shock
Rear Wheel Travel	320 mm / 12.6 in
Front Brakes	Single 260 mm disc, Brembo double piston caliper, sintered pad
Rear Brakes	Single 220 mm disc, Brembo single piston caliper, organic pads
Front Tire	80/100 - 21, Bridgestone M77
Rear Tire	110/100 - 18, Bridgestone M78
Wheelbase	1481 mm / 58.3 in
Ground Clearance	380 mm / 15.0 in
Seat Height	925 mm / 36.4 in
Dry Weight	112 kg / 247 lbs
Wet Weight	122 kg / 269.0 lbs
Fuel Capacity	8.5 Liters / 2.25 US gal / 1.9 Imp gal
Road Test	Dirt Bike Group Test 1996