Just before the International Six Days Enduro gets underway, KTM has once again announced its special-edition 500 EXC-F Six Days machine, with lots of upgrades.

KTM’s 500 EXC-F is no slouch in standard form. The 2022 model got updated WP XPLOR forks this spring, intended to give a sportier ride, thanks to several internal changes. Same for the XPLOR rear shock, which uses a progressive damping arrangement, in fine KTM tradition. The updated shock is supposed to be less prone to bottoming out, says KTM.

KTM didn’t tell us about any changes to the engine; the 2021 model made 58ish horsepower, so the 2022 likely makes the same.

The Six Days version of the bike has the same suspension and engine as the standard 500 EXC-F. There are upgraded hard parts, though, most notably to the braking system. Instead of a wave rotor, the Six Days bike gets a solid rear disc, with a brake pedal safety wire to fend off trouble in the woods. There’s a floating front rotor setup, and a skid plate fitted as standard equipment (surprisingly, not standard on the regular 500 model).

Lots of special paint, so you don’t forget you’re riding a special-edition machine. Photo: KTM

The top triple clamp is CNC-milled, and orange-anodized to match the orange frame. The chain guard is CNC-milled, too. KTM also put a front axle puller on the bike, the sort of thing that comes in handy when doing trailside repairs.

Along with that orange chassis, KTM gave the Six Days bike a slathering of special-edition graphics. Even the rims and the exhaust get the special graphics treatment.

With the ISDE competition about to kick off (August 30-September 4 in Lombardy, Italy), the 500 EXC-F is supposed to hit KTM dealers this fall. No word on pricing at this point.

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