KTM added a pair of 50-state off-highway-compliant models to its completely revamped enduro lineup in 2024, calling them the 350 XW-F and 500 XW-F. They’re similar in many ways to the 350 EXC-F and 500 EXC-F dual sports, but are off-road-only.
The larger displacement of the duo, the 500 XW-F, fell into our hands earlier this year. No sooner than we unloaded it, the headlight-equipped big-bore off-road thumper from the Ready to Race brand was on our in-house dyno. Several pulls were conducted, where the fuel-injected liquid-cooled SOHC four-stroke 511cc single-cylinder engine churned out maximum figures of 39.5 hp and 28.3 lb.-ft. of torque at the rear wheel. For comparison, that’s 10.0 hp and 3.1 lb.-ft. of torque less than the 450 XCF-W closed-course model at peak.
“The 500 XW-F’s engine power is slightly muffled compared to the 450 XCF-W, but in a good way,” test rider Allan Brown said. “When needed, torque is undoubtedly there and extremely easy to use. This power can pull around a rider wearing a vest with tools and snacks to get you through an all-day adventure.”
