Posts
57
Joined
7/12/2016
Location
Anderson, SC
US
I was asked by another member to create a new topic on the new bike and give some impressions of it.
For some background I am turning 48 in a couple of weeks and have been riding since I was 37 (late start, but at least I found motocross). Previous bikes I've owned are 05' YZ250F, 06' YZ450F, 08' YZ450F, 09' KXF450, 12' KXF450, 14 'KX250F, 16' FC450, and now the 17' KTM450SXF.
Primary reason for going away from the Husky in order are:
1. 4CS ***
2. Parts availability. Seems the parts that are different from the KTM are always on back order.
3. The color white (look awesome new, but nearly impossible to keep clean).
I just got the bike last Thursday from Brewer Cycles in Henderson, NC. Tyler Brewer is a great guy and a man of his word! It was a pleasure doing business with them and they have an amateur race team, so their in the sport with us.
Set the suspension according to what I have read on here. Air pressure on the fork at 138. I weight 162lbs.
Loaded the bike up on Friday and headed to Pro Sport MX in Wytheville Virginia for round 9 mega-series race. I got a couple heat cycles on it at home on Thursday, but was going to do my 50 - 70% break-in during practice on Saturday, however, it was canceled. So I rode it around a bit on Saturday in the pits doing more heat cycles and such.
Sunday morning rolls around and took it out for practice 1, and practice 8. From that point I made no adjustments all day. I didn't beat the guys that normally beat me and beat the guys I normally beat, however, I felt safer doing it. Bike was bone stock, no suspension work, no holeshot device, nothing. The front was very plush on top and never bottomed out. The breaking bump seems to just disappear when I got on them. The rear was also plusher than what I had on the Husky, it did not have that abrupt hit mid-way through the stroke when exiting rutted corners with holes.
Now, it could be that after coming off the 4CS, I may think anything would feel like factory suspension, as it is so bad that WP should replace anyone who bought them with rod iron fork and they'd be better off.
As for the new electronics:
The new bar mounted (on the clutch side not) push button control is much more convenient that the previous. The mapping dial in the air box is gone and you have a choice between 1 (mellow) and 2 (harder hitting) with a push of button. You can also do this on the fly under 4000 RPM.
I did not use the Traction control this time only because I don't know what it does just yet, but it to is a quick button push.
For launch control you simply hold both the Traction Control and the Mapping selector button at the same time to initiate it.
The power of the bike is very similar the Husky and the additional weight lose is noticeable.
So far so good, loving it!
For some background I am turning 48 in a couple of weeks and have been riding since I was 37 (late start, but at least I found motocross). Previous bikes I've owned are 05' YZ250F, 06' YZ450F, 08' YZ450F, 09' KXF450, 12' KXF450, 14 'KX250F, 16' FC450, and now the 17' KTM450SXF.
Primary reason for going away from the Husky in order are:
1. 4CS ***
2. Parts availability. Seems the parts that are different from the KTM are always on back order.
3. The color white (look awesome new, but nearly impossible to keep clean).
I just got the bike last Thursday from Brewer Cycles in Henderson, NC. Tyler Brewer is a great guy and a man of his word! It was a pleasure doing business with them and they have an amateur race team, so their in the sport with us.
Set the suspension according to what I have read on here. Air pressure on the fork at 138. I weight 162lbs.
Loaded the bike up on Friday and headed to Pro Sport MX in Wytheville Virginia for round 9 mega-series race. I got a couple heat cycles on it at home on Thursday, but was going to do my 50 - 70% break-in during practice on Saturday, however, it was canceled. So I rode it around a bit on Saturday in the pits doing more heat cycles and such.
Sunday morning rolls around and took it out for practice 1, and practice 8. From that point I made no adjustments all day. I didn't beat the guys that normally beat me and beat the guys I normally beat, however, I felt safer doing it. Bike was bone stock, no suspension work, no holeshot device, nothing. The front was very plush on top and never bottomed out. The breaking bump seems to just disappear when I got on them. The rear was also plusher than what I had on the Husky, it did not have that abrupt hit mid-way through the stroke when exiting rutted corners with holes.
Now, it could be that after coming off the 4CS, I may think anything would feel like factory suspension, as it is so bad that WP should replace anyone who bought them with rod iron fork and they'd be better off.
As for the new electronics:
The new bar mounted (on the clutch side not) push button control is much more convenient that the previous. The mapping dial in the air box is gone and you have a choice between 1 (mellow) and 2 (harder hitting) with a push of button. You can also do this on the fly under 4000 RPM.
I did not use the Traction control this time only because I don't know what it does just yet, but it to is a quick button push.
For launch control you simply hold both the Traction Control and the Mapping selector button at the same time to initiate it.
The power of the bike is very similar the Husky and the additional weight lose is noticeable.
So far so good, loving it!
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I would guess that it wont be any helpful on a sand track but it could be good when it's muddy or on hardpack tracks.
Just bought mine and collecting tomorrow, so would be good to know how your both getting on, tips and stuff welcome, also if there is a link up to the page you said about the Air settings too please, all new to me as the last new KTM 450 was a 2013.
Thanks.
I am loving the bike and have had no issues. The only thing I've done to it is add a hole shot device to the fork guard and put on some Mika bars (KTM bend). The bars make the bike feel more Jap like on the ergonomics. I like the way the suspension feels so much I do not plan at this time to have any work done to it (haven't not had my suspension done on a new bike since '06). The only thing I have done for clicker setting is increase the rear rebound 2 clicks. The bike is plush on top and never bottoms out. Probably the best aspect of the suspension is that is seems to settle quickly; shorting a jump, it doesn't keep bouncing.
Enjoy your new bike, I am sure you will!
I like number 45 but seems like everyone has it. So I added a zero.
We leave to go collect at 3am (U.K. time) and it's a 6.5hr drive down there and prob a little more on the way back!.
Like I said my last new bike was a 2013 KTM 450 and at the time I thought it was state of the art, how they have changed and from what I read the weight savings from then to now are crazy, so I'm really looking forward to the whole new package experience, totally new bike, new mappings, new air suspension to get used to, etc.
Have been putting together a small but seems to be getting bigger shopping list too.
Just had a hip surgery so will be on the bike as soon as I have the all clear, will give me time to strip down and grease/check everything, and maybe go with the Flo-yellow.....is there anything you would like for yours in the near future?.
All the best.
1. Has anyone experimented with aftermarket linkage on this bike? I have a Ride Engineering linkage that was on my 2016 that made a huge difference as the back of the bike felt really high stock, but I feel this bike sits a little lower naturally.
2. Anyone changed their gearing to 14-52? I've had several guys tell me the the change in gearing would make 3rd gear much more useable
3. Any feedback on break in time for the forks? I ran mine at 148lbs (I'm 160lb w no gear) and it felt really good...I'm going to experiment some more as it seems from what I've read that may be way too high for my weight.
Thanks!
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