Calling all 2017 KTM/Husky 450 Riders

Sixeightone
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Sixeightone
I am struggling trying to figure out how to gear this bike. Stock is 13/48. I feel I need to hit first gear in some tighter turns, but it's not long enough to carry out, and I feel like second gear is too short. What set ups have you guys played with. I was thinking I would go 13/50? This would help not using first gear as much. 90% off the tracks I ride are mostly 3rd gear tracks, with the occasional click to fourth for a longer straight. Any help would be appreciated!
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Mr. Info
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Mr. Info 4/12/2017 6:35am
4/12/2017 6:35am
Agree. Stock seems a little tall for tight track.
ktm212
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ktm212 4/12/2017 6:40am
4/12/2017 6:40am
I mean you answered your own question. Gear it up. KTMs are notorious for gearing their bikes tall, go up 2 in the back, if you don't like it its just a sprocket. A slip on exhaust helps immensely if you havent done it, improves overrev so you can wring it out a little longer and it also gives it more snap so the bike can pull a higher gear.
Sixeightone
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Sixeightone 4/12/2017 6:42am
4/12/2017 6:42am
ktm212 wrote:
I mean you answered your own question. Gear it up. KTMs are notorious for gearing their bikes tall, go up 2 in the back, if you...
I mean you answered your own question. Gear it up. KTMs are notorious for gearing their bikes tall, go up 2 in the back, if you don't like it its just a sprocket. A slip on exhaust helps immensely if you havent done it, improves overrev so you can wring it out a little longer and it also gives it more snap so the bike can pull a higher gear.
I was just curious to hear results from someone who has had similar experiences. I have an FMF slip-on on the bike already.
fatcat
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fatcat 4/12/2017 8:46am
4/12/2017 8:46am
Sixeightone wrote:
I was just curious to hear results from someone who has had similar experiences. I have an FMF slip-on on the bike already.
13/50 on my 450, seems to compensate for my lack of corner speed !

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captmoto
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captmoto 4/12/2017 8:59am
4/12/2017 8:59am
Definitely need to gear down. 2nd is too tall ando 1st. is too low sometimes. I will try 1 tooth first.
moto0852
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moto0852 4/12/2017 9:31am
4/12/2017 9:31am
ktm212 wrote:
I mean you answered your own question. Gear it up. KTMs are notorious for gearing their bikes tall, go up 2 in the back, if you...
I mean you answered your own question. Gear it up. KTMs are notorious for gearing their bikes tall, go up 2 in the back, if you don't like it its just a sprocket. A slip on exhaust helps immensely if you havent done it, improves overrev so you can wring it out a little longer and it also gives it more snap so the bike can pull a higher gear.
You mean "gear it down"...not up. Add 1 or 2 teeth to the back
adamdf
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adamdf 4/12/2017 9:36am
4/12/2017 9:36am
To the OP

I love my 17 KTM but am having the same initial thoughts, Kris Keefer at DR mag also mentioned this in his test. I think going up 1 tooth in the rear would allow for it to pull 3rd gear easily and be the best bet. I'm going to give it a go when I have some time to priorities it, too busy enjoying it now as is. I'll most likely make the change when I decide to throw out the stock chain etc.
lumpy790
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lumpy790 4/12/2017 9:37am
4/12/2017 9:37am
Why would you ever use 1st gear on any MX track???

+2 on the rear and start clutching in 2nd .... or 3rd.
mmcmx
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mmcmx 4/12/2017 10:08am
4/12/2017 10:08am
I tested 13-50 and liked it at first but when I start to gel with the track and go faster i like stock better.
sandman768
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sandman768 4/12/2017 10:34am
4/12/2017 10:34am
16.5 450 FE.....stock gearing...The only time I"m ever in 1rst gear is on the way to the start line. On a 450 I try to gear my bikes For 3rd to be my main gear. Only dropping to 2nd in very tight turns & 4th for long straights....the more you can stay in 3rd the better off you will be, 1rst& 2nd gear will tire you out! I"ve thought about going up 1 tooth on the rear, but I seem to have adjusted to the stock gearing.....
Bramlett321
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Bramlett321 4/12/2017 2:50pm
4/12/2017 2:50pm
Sixeightone wrote:
I was just curious to hear results from someone who has had similar experiences. I have an FMF slip-on on the bike already.
fatcat wrote:
13/50 on my 450, seems to compensate for my lack of corner speed !
I found an odd combination that really helped me with a longer pulling 1st/2nd gear: 14/52 the bike was a '14 KTM 450, weird but it worked well for me.
fisher725
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fisher725 4/12/2017 7:19pm
4/12/2017 7:19pm
Not sure what if any changed from 16 to 17 but I feel right at home with the stock gearing. I can run 3rd in most situations and use 2nd for the tighter corners.
fullysicmate
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fullysicmate 4/12/2017 8:08pm
4/12/2017 8:08pm
fisher725 wrote:
Not sure what if any changed from 16 to 17 but I feel right at home with the stock gearing. I can run 3rd in most...
Not sure what if any changed from 16 to 17 but I feel right at home with the stock gearing. I can run 3rd in most situations and use 2nd for the tighter corners.
Agree, stock seems fine to me... 17 ktm 450.
Tomok
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Tomok 4/12/2017 8:19pm
4/12/2017 8:19pm
I went 14/53 on 2016 FC 450. Me likey!
Tad450
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Tad450 4/12/2017 9:25pm
4/12/2017 9:25pm Edited Date/Time 4/12/2017 9:25pm
I have a 2016 450FE, added one tooth on rear and it's much better. I feel two teeth would be too much.
Also after adding the 1 tooth I liked it better in the aggressive map, I was running the standard map before.
JB479
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JB479 4/12/2017 10:25pm
4/12/2017 10:25pm
14/52 is what i run on my 17 sxf450. i think 13-50 would rev out to quick.
DimitrieSep 4/12/2017 11:29pm
4/12/2017 11:29pm
I'm riding 14/50 and i love it
aees
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aees 4/13/2017 1:11am
4/13/2017 1:11am Edited Date/Time 4/13/2017 1:11am
You have multiple things to play with here.

Gearing. I run 13-49
Throttle cam: I run the larger cam (quick throttle)
Mapping: I run the soft (1) mapping with the above combo

My view is that the throttle cam is causing a large part of the initial problem, having to turn the throttle like it was a 250.

I think 13-48 is way to long. Could work maybe if you are used to running a 350 and holding gear and throttle open for long.

Edit: Last thing, adjusting the throttle play also have a huge impact on how the bike reacts when going on gas

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