Posts
1140
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9/15/2008
Location
Shelby, NC
US
Edited Date/Time
4/22/2013 9:54am
I just spoke to a friend today who just got a 13 RMZ450. He said he really wanted a KX450F but did not want to mess with air forks. This reminds me of another guy who I dont really know, a 13 KX450F owner. This guy was asking around at the track, in search of a 12 KX450F owner who would be willing to trade standard forks for his air forks, not sure if he found a taker.
Then there is my personal feeling, if I were in the market for a new bike, I would hunt down a 12 KX450F, simply because I personally want nothing to do with air forks and the constant pressure checks and adjustments
I am starting to think that there are quite a few people who can and will choose a bike with standard forks over the air fork simply because they don't care to mess with yet another part requiring maintainence and constant attention
Then there is my personal feeling, if I were in the market for a new bike, I would hunt down a 12 KX450F, simply because I personally want nothing to do with air forks and the constant pressure checks and adjustments
I am starting to think that there are quite a few people who can and will choose a bike with standard forks over the air fork simply because they don't care to mess with yet another part requiring maintainence and constant attention
Go through, be able to pick the parts you want for your bike so you can tailor it to the riding you do. Race in the desert? Add an oversize tank and steering stabilizer. Race in the woods? Add a skid plate and bark busters. Race moto? Be able to select what type of fork (air, SFF, conventional) you want on your bike and be able to choose if you want extra coatings on the fork legs, etc.
I think that most motorcycle manufacturers shove new things down our throats because they know they can since there are so few companies to choose from when buying a new dirt bike.
I think if KTM or another company changed how they sold their bikes, and built them at the factory specifically for how the customer ordered the bike, that it would be an awesome marketing strategy.
For example, walk into the dealership, and you could order a BASE model 125cc ktm 2 stroke dirt bike for $4500. Offer the same engine and frame, but be able to upgrade the suspension, brakes, exhaust, controls, etc. to exactly what you want. I don't think Suzuki, Honda, or Kawasaki would ever try it. But Yamaha could possibly because of their GYTR aftermarket parts program; and also KTM, hey have a huge selection of trick aftermarket parts that you can order from them!
Uh, no.
I'll go with MC on this one.
The Shop
This conversation requires more than a one liner.
I know i wouldn't want them. but i am old and these are the "new" thing. hell i am not over the 4 stroke thing yet.
That's about it.
We're talking production stuff. That's all Jeremy's been running as of late: he loves the forks on the '13 Honda. I've seen him pound whoops, slam rocks and jump hill sides on STOCK Stuff...he runs the air where he likes it and Voila!
Braaaaap!
Personally, I like the SFF on the Suzuki better than the air on the Honda or Kawi, but it has more to do with the bike itself than the suspension.
Most riders don't have that luxury.
TM's come standard with Marzocchi forks.
A new TM 144EN is $8000 up here. Add $350 if you want KYB's, and another $150 if you want adjustable rubber mounted bar clamps. These extras are the same across the whole line.
A KTM 150XC is $8150.
A TM 250/300EN base price is is $8100/$8200.
KTM 250/300XC is $9050/9150.
TM 250/450F En is $9300/9700. Add E-start for $400.
KTM 250/350/450XC-F is $9450/$10000/$10200.
Beta lets you customize even more.
It's nice that you can pick and choose how you want your bike configured according to your preferences and budget. One of the advantages of small production runs I guess.
$8,299 is the MSRP and if you know a good dealer they go for less than that.
Mine did anyway.
Still way high according to Canadian/US conversion calculator online.
It shows 8442.74 Canadian equals 8299 US
The Aussie dollar is higher than both US and CAN and you don't want to know the prices of bikes over here...
Pit Row
Several were kitted back to conventional springs.
BTW: I was a dealer at the time and tried to use them in "good faith".
I am just thinking the extra attention needed is trouble. I sometimes ride in mud. believe that? yes, I do. and it is very hard on fork seals. I dont want to have to load up and go home every time my seals are slightly compromised. I also like to race two hour races off road. who wants to have the front end of the bike start sagging mid race due to a small leak. That is the biggest issue I bet
You know, things like water cooling, fuel injection, electronic ignition, electric start etc.
Maybe it's the brave new wold, but I would feel a bit anxious buying the first generation...
Post a reply to: Air forks: brilliant or sales killing blunder