Wow, what a nice bike, have never rode the 500xcw but for all the issues I've seen with the KTM EFI, this thing is spot on, and it's hard to get it to stall.
The new 4cs forks are incredible, I was a bit sceptical due to no information on tuning or setup, but they are as simple as they look, a couple clicks with out laying on your back and boom, I have a new bike that has better forks than my race bike and didn't spend $300, Vary plush, and no deflecting or botteming.
We were switching back and forth with 13' 450sx w/Ohlins rear and softend up forks, the bergs EFI, gearing and suspension are leaps and bounds better right out of the box for offroad riding
I'm 205 lbs. and guessing it will need one size up on springs, I did nothing but set the clickers to standard, adjust the ide and hoot for four hours, you won't be disapointed with the 501.