Taco Moto will be closed on Labor Day (September 7, 2026)

KTM 500 EXC-F vs Husqvarna FE 501s vs GasGas ES 500: What's Actually Different

by Alex B

The Austrian Triplets

KTM 500 vs Husqvarna 501 vs GasGas 500. Three badges, one machine underneath. Here is exactly what is shared, what actually differs, and how to pick.

Same Bike, Three Costumes

These three roll off the same line in Mattighofen and share their engine, frame, geometry, gearing, and electronics down to the part number. The differences live almost entirely in suspension flavor, brake brand, cockpit kit, cosmetics, and price. Nobody is faster than anybody here. All three make the same power on our dyno.

01

What They Share

If a spec is not in the difference table further down, assume it is identical across all three. Here is the shared foundation, which is most of the motorcycle.

Engine

  • 95mm bore, 72mm stroke, 12.75:1 compression
  • Single overhead cam, 1 comp + 1 oil ring
  • 42mm throttle body, no catalytic converter
  • Steel oil pump gears, 8.9mm valve shims
  • Combined cases, single cooling fan

Driveline

  • DDS clutch, 6-speed wide-ratio box
  • 14/48 final gearing
  • 520 X-ring chain

Chassis Geometry

  • Steel frame, 58.6 in wheelbase
  • 26.5 degree rake, 4.5 in trail
  • Low airbox, no ABS, no steering stabilizer mount
  • 21 / 18 wheels on Continental TKC80
  • Billet silver hubs (rim finish differs)

Electrics & Service

  • Same harness and ECU across all three
  • 196W gross / 140W net stator output
  • Lithium-ion battery, resistive BMS
  • PDM for fuses and relays
  • Repair manual grade D, owner's manual free download
  • MotoMinded headlight and Seat Concept both fit
On the Taco Moto Dyno, all three
38WHP stock
60WHP with bolt-ons
02

Where They Actually Differ

Shaded cells flag the odd one out in a row. This is the whole decision, everything that is not shared above. The bike names stay pinned up top while you scroll this table.

Model
KTM 500
Husky 501
GasGas 500
Price & Weight
MSRP
$12,949
$13,199
$12,499
Curb weight (Dirt Bike mag)
267 lbs
269 lbs
271 lbs
Takeaway: $700 spread top to bottom, 4 lbs of range. GasGas cheapest and heaviest, Husky priciest.
Suspension (the big one)
Fork
WP XACT, closed cartridge, dual-adj mid + base, 48mm
WP XACT, closed cartridge, dual-adj mid + base, 48mm
WP XPLOR, open chamber, split function, non-adj base, external preload, 48mm
Fork travel
11.8 in
11.8 in
11.5 in
Shock
WP XACT, PDS (no linkage)
WP XACT, linkage
WP XACT, linkage
Tool-less clickers
Yes
Yes
No
Ground clearance
14.0 in
13.5 in
13.5 in
Takeaway: KTM runs the linkage-less PDS rear and sits highest. Husky gets the premium XACT fork with a linkage shock. GasGas takes the budget XPLOR fork (non-adjustable base valve, no tool-less clickers) and a touch less travel.
Brakes & Clutch
Calipers
Brembo
Brembo
Braktec
Rotors
Braking
Braking
Galfer
Clutch actuation
Brembo hydraulic
Brembo hydraulic
Braktec hydraulic
Front brake switch
Micro-switch
Micro-switch
Pressure
Takeaway: GasGas swaps the Brembo / Braking package for Spanish Braktec calipers and clutch plus Galfer rotors. Different feel, different spare parts.
Cockpit & Controls
Display
MAE
MAE
Trail Tech
Handlebars
Nikken 1-1/8, black
Pro Taper 1-1/8
Nikken 1-1/8, silver
Triple clamps
Cast
Billet
Cast
Dampened bar mount
No
Yes
No
Hand guards (flags)
Yes
Yes
No
Takeaway: Husky is the loaded cockpit with billet clamps, Pro Taper bars, and a rubber-dampened mount. GasGas loses the hand guards and the MAE display.
Chassis & Bodywork
Subframe
Hybrid composite
Hybrid composite
Aluminum
Rear under-fender
Two-piece
Two-piece
One-piece
Skid plate
No
Yes
No
Seat height
37.8 in
37.4 in
37.6 in
Fuel tank
2.3 gal
2.1 gal
2.4 gal
Takeaway: GasGas goes aluminum subframe and one-piece fender. Husky is the only one with a factory skid plate and sits lowest. Tank capacity varies by about a third of a gallon.
Finish & Cosmetics
Rims
Black Giant
Black Dirt Star
Silver Giant
Rear sprocket
Black aluminum
Black aluminum
Raw aluminum
Clutch cover
Black aluminum
Bronze aluminum
Raw aluminum
Muffler
Black
Black
Silver
Brake light unit
Standard
Unique unit
Standard
Plastics, tank, seat
Brand-unique
Brand-unique
Brand-unique
Takeaway: Mostly a look. GasGas leans raw and silver, Husky gets bronze accents and its own tail light, KTM stays blacked out.
Oversized Tank Options
IMS (gal)
2.8, 3.5, 4.5
2.8, 3.2, 4.5
3.25 only
Acerbis (gal)
3.2, 4.0
2.9, 4.0
3.1, 4.0
Takeaway: KTM and Husky have the full range of big-tank choices. GasGas is thinner on options right now, one IMS size and two Acerbis.
03

So Which One

KTM 500

The PDS Middle Child

$12,949
  • Only one with the linkage-less PDS rear end, less linkage to service
  • Highest ground clearance at 14 in
  • Premium XACT fork, Brembo brakes, MAE display, hand guards
  • No factory skid plate

Husky 501

The Loaded One

$13,199
  • Billet triple clamps, Pro Taper bars, dampened bar mount
  • Factory skid plate and its own brake light unit
  • Premium XACT fork with a linkage shock
  • Lowest seat at 37.4 in, top price

GasGas 500

The Value Play

$12,499
  • Cheapest by $450 to $700, you can see where it saved
  • WP XPLOR fork, Braktec brakes, Trail Tech display
  • No hand guards, one-piece fender, aluminum subframe
  • Same engine, same 60 whp built ceiling as the others

The Honest Bottom Line

Underneath the plastics these are the same motorcycle, same 38 whp stock, 60 whp built on our dyno, same engine, frame, geometry, gearing, and electronics. You are really choosing on four things: PDS versus linkage rear, spec level, color, and price. Ride feel between the KTM and Husky comes down to that shock. The GasGas is the same bike with a few parts decontented to hit a lower number.

TACO MOTO CO

Questions on any of these three? support@tacomoto.co  |  725-777-1552  |  tacomoto.co

Specs reflect 2025 model year US-spec bikes. Curb weights per Dirt Bike magazine. Horsepower figures measured at the wheel on the Taco Moto dyno. Prepared by Taco Moto Co.

Back to The Full Send Gazette