KTM 350- Ohlins or Cone Valve

mx317
Profile picture for user mx317
Posts
5345
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
mx317 4/15/2019 3:16pm
4/15/2019 3:16pm Edited Date/Time 4/15/2019 3:18pm
lappedrider wrote:
Is it me or is the common practice to buy CV’s and then pay someone to rework them? Either Powerband, Factory, or other?
Other than buying used, that's the way you have to buy them.
crowe176
Profile picture for user crowe176
Posts
6613
Joined
9/8/2006
Location
Spring Lake, MI, USA
crowe176 4/15/2019 3:22pm
4/15/2019 3:22pm
Sorry to hijack your thread, but anyone have an opinion on these working with my 15 350sxf? I've researched a little, and it looks like I would either have to buy new triple clamps and run a yamaha brake setup/wheel, or machine some kind of spacer/shim/bracket parts.?

I work in a machine shop, so I have access to fancy machines..lol If that's a bonus!

https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/For-Sale-Bazaar,26/Sss-kyb-forks-and-cla…

Or, should I just bite the bullet and buy a 19 Yami, and keep the 350 as a woods toy?
lappedrider
Profile picture for user lappedrider
Posts
1560
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
Tooele, UT, USA
lappedrider 4/15/2019 5:54pm
4/15/2019 5:54pm
crowe176 wrote:
Sorry to hijack your thread, but anyone have an opinion on these working with my 15 350sxf? I've researched a little, and it looks like I...
Sorry to hijack your thread, but anyone have an opinion on these working with my 15 350sxf? I've researched a little, and it looks like I would either have to buy new triple clamps and run a yamaha brake setup/wheel, or machine some kind of spacer/shim/bracket parts.?

I work in a machine shop, so I have access to fancy machines..lol If that's a bonus!

https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/For-Sale-Bazaar,26/Sss-kyb-forks-and-cla…

Or, should I just bite the bullet and buy a 19 Yami, and keep the 350 as a woods toy?
I don’t know if I would buy those forks not knowing what they have in them for springs or valving.
1
mx317
Profile picture for user mx317
Posts
5345
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
mx317 4/15/2019 6:54pm
4/15/2019 6:54pm
lappedrider wrote:
Is it me or is the common practice to buy CV’s and then pay someone to rework them? Either Powerband, Factory, or other?
Superdave19 wrote:
No sh*t- I have a good friend that has CV + Trax on a new Husky from FC, and I can't hardly ride it's so stiff...
No sh*t- I have a good friend that has CV + Trax on a new Husky from FC, and I can't hardly ride it's so stiff. We're the same weight/ability.

On the flip side, another friend has a 17' Factory Edish and has a set of CV, and revalved stk shock from Enzo, and it's some of the best stuff I've ever ridden on-
Craig at Enzo did my Cone Valves also and they are working awesome!
1

The Shop

See All »
liver
Profile picture for user liver
Posts
154
Joined
9/3/2015
Location
West Jordan, UT, USA
liver 4/15/2019 8:51pm
4/15/2019 8:51pm
I was in the same boat a couple months ago. Got the YZ450F instead, the stock suspension is as good as any $1000-$2000 suspension job I had on an orange bike. Oddly, I had to weaken comp/reb down to a beginner level. In addition, I tweeted the fueling so it kinda acts like s 350, not too lazy, but easy to rip. If you keep the 350 with the trash suspension, I personally know NOST does a killer cone setup for much cheaper vs the WP cone stuff. With WP, they want waaaaaay too much money to make the suspension work, I’m sick of the money grab
1
JMX82
Profile picture for user JMX82
Posts
1583
Joined
5/9/2013
Location
Hyllykallio, FI
JMX82 4/15/2019 9:22pm
4/15/2019 9:22pm Edited Date/Time 4/15/2019 9:23pm
Motofinne wrote:
I have to agree with you. I really don't understand why people like to disable the Trax system, but i guess it's a subjective personal thing...
I have to agree with you. I really don't understand why people like to disable the Trax system, but i guess it's a subjective personal thing.

I think Derek Harris posted something good about this topic in an older thread.
I guess US riders have such smooth tracks that they don't need Trax feature and prefer dead feeling suspension setup Smile
3
1
Denn700
Profile picture for user Denn700
Posts
1283
Joined
11/7/2006
Location
Shreveport, LA, USA
Denn700 4/15/2019 9:57pm
4/15/2019 9:57pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2019 5:23am
WarrenMX
Profile picture for user WarrenMX
Posts
794
Joined
3/26/2017
Location
San Clemente, CA, USA
WarrenMX 4/16/2019 8:47am
4/16/2019 8:47am
Love my Ohlins setup on my 18' KTM. It took me a little while to find the right setting (and the help of a friend), but man once I got them dialed in it felt like cheat mode.

I learned a couple things when trying to get them dialed in. Firstly, one click on these things really makes a difference. On stock suspension I could easily go 3 clicks before I could feel the difference, thats not the case with these.

Secondly, these things seem to perform a lot better higher in the stroke. I think a lot of people go softer trying to get rid of any harshness, and the softer they go the worse it gets. It seems counter intuitive but really they need to go the other way.

A good buddy of mine owns a suspension shop over in the UK and he says that most weekend warriors aren't fast enough to push the Cone Valves to the point where they start to feel good, which would explain why most guys need to get them reworked before they feel good.

4
WarrenMX
Profile picture for user WarrenMX
Posts
794
Joined
3/26/2017
Location
San Clemente, CA, USA
WarrenMX 4/16/2019 8:49am
4/16/2019 8:49am

11
mx317
Profile picture for user mx317
Posts
5345
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
mx317 4/16/2019 8:59am
4/16/2019 8:59am
WarrenMX wrote:
Love my Ohlins setup on my 18' KTM. It took me a little while to find the right setting (and the help of a friend), but...
Love my Ohlins setup on my 18' KTM. It took me a little while to find the right setting (and the help of a friend), but man once I got them dialed in it felt like cheat mode.

I learned a couple things when trying to get them dialed in. Firstly, one click on these things really makes a difference. On stock suspension I could easily go 3 clicks before I could feel the difference, thats not the case with these.

Secondly, these things seem to perform a lot better higher in the stroke. I think a lot of people go softer trying to get rid of any harshness, and the softer they go the worse it gets. It seems counter intuitive but really they need to go the other way.

A good buddy of mine owns a suspension shop over in the UK and he says that most weekend warriors aren't fast enough to push the Cone Valves to the point where they start to feel good, which would explain why most guys need to get them reworked before they feel good.

Even WP supported factory riders run conventional mid-valves instead of Cone Valves at times. SX races have been won on both conventional and Cone Valve according to ML512 who worked on factory suspension. They do tend to run the Cones more in SX and the conventional mids outdoors, but have used both.
mx317
Profile picture for user mx317
Posts
5345
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
mx317 4/16/2019 9:04am
4/16/2019 9:04am
As far as getting the Cones reworked, when you buy them they are set up for you by whomever you buy them from (Factory Connection, Powerband, Race Tech, WP in California, etc.). You can't buy just a "standard" off the shelf Cone Valve here in the US to my knowledge. The reworked part is when you are not happy with the setup you get like I was.
1
mx317
Profile picture for user mx317
Posts
5345
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
mx317 4/16/2019 9:07am
4/16/2019 9:07am
WarrenMX wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/04/16/339238/s1200_Screen_Shot_2019_04_16_at_8.48.40_AM.jpg[/img]

Bike looks awesome! I have the Flow shock on mine and Cone Valves (with regular style mid-valve) on the front. Thom from Coppersmith is where I got my shock and it is great!
1
lappedrider
Profile picture for user lappedrider
Posts
1560
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
Tooele, UT, USA
lappedrider 4/16/2019 9:08am
4/16/2019 9:08am
WarrenMX wrote:
Love my Ohlins setup on my 18' KTM. It took me a little while to find the right setting (and the help of a friend), but...
Love my Ohlins setup on my 18' KTM. It took me a little while to find the right setting (and the help of a friend), but man once I got them dialed in it felt like cheat mode.

I learned a couple things when trying to get them dialed in. Firstly, one click on these things really makes a difference. On stock suspension I could easily go 3 clicks before I could feel the difference, thats not the case with these.

Secondly, these things seem to perform a lot better higher in the stroke. I think a lot of people go softer trying to get rid of any harshness, and the softer they go the worse it gets. It seems counter intuitive but really they need to go the other way.

A good buddy of mine owns a suspension shop over in the UK and he says that most weekend warriors aren't fast enough to push the Cone Valves to the point where they start to feel good, which would explain why most guys need to get them reworked before they feel good.

Did you order your set from Ohlins US?
sam hain
Profile picture for user sam hain
Posts
1178
Joined
11/8/2011
Location
USA
sam hain 4/16/2019 10:30am
4/16/2019 10:30am
Damn shame you have to buy aftermarket suspension on a bike that is at the highest end of the $$ scale. And I ride KTM's.
4
5
AJ565
Profile picture for user AJ565
Posts
2342
Joined
3/12/2012
Location
San Antonio, TX, USA
AJ565 4/16/2019 11:33am
4/16/2019 11:33am
sam hain wrote:
Damn shame you have to buy aftermarket suspension on a bike that is at the highest end of the $$ scale. And I ride KTM's.
You don't have to. Even a revalve on the AER makes them work a ton better because they are setup for you instead of a general setting.
1
T-Fish
Profile picture for user T-Fish
Posts
3248
Joined
12/14/2009
Location
Sparta, WI, USA
Fantasy
753rd
T-Fish 4/16/2019 11:36am
4/16/2019 11:36am
sam hain wrote:
Damn shame you have to buy aftermarket suspension on a bike that is at the highest end of the $$ scale. And I ride KTM's.
AJ565 wrote:
You don't have to. Even a revalve on the AER makes them work a ton better because they are setup for you instead of a general...
You don't have to. Even a revalve on the AER makes them work a ton better because they are setup for you instead of a general setting.
I agree. I love my AER forks right out of the crate, to be honest.
3
BobPA
Profile picture for user BobPA
Posts
8331
Joined
10/31/2013
Location
USA
BobPA 4/16/2019 11:42am
4/16/2019 11:42am
sam hain wrote:
Damn shame you have to buy aftermarket suspension on a bike that is at the highest end of the $$ scale. And I ride KTM's.
AJ565 wrote:
You don't have to. Even a revalve on the AER makes them work a ton better because they are setup for you instead of a general...
You don't have to. Even a revalve on the AER makes them work a ton better because they are setup for you instead of a general setting.
T-Fish wrote:
I agree. I love my AER forks right out of the crate, to be honest.
Agreed, I really like my stock setup. I’ve tried a bunch of different setups in the last few weeks...nothing completely mind blowing.

Pit Row

See All »
WarrenMX
Profile picture for user WarrenMX
Posts
794
Joined
3/26/2017
Location
San Clemente, CA, USA
WarrenMX 4/16/2019 4:33pm
4/16/2019 4:33pm
mx317 wrote:
Bike looks awesome! I have the Flow shock on mine and Cone Valves (with regular style mid-valve) on the front. Thom from Coppersmith is where I...
Bike looks awesome! I have the Flow shock on mine and Cone Valves (with regular style mid-valve) on the front. Thom from Coppersmith is where I got my shock and it is great!
Thanks dude!
WarrenMX
Profile picture for user WarrenMX
Posts
794
Joined
3/26/2017
Location
San Clemente, CA, USA
WarrenMX 4/16/2019 4:34pm
4/16/2019 4:34pm
lappedrider wrote:
Did you order your set from Ohlins US?
No, I brought mine over from the UK.
Langhammx 4/16/2019 4:43pm
4/16/2019 4:43pm
AJ565 wrote:
You don't have to. Even a revalve on the AER makes them work a ton better because they are setup for you instead of a general...
You don't have to. Even a revalve on the AER makes them work a ton better because they are setup for you instead of a general setting.
T-Fish wrote:
I agree. I love my AER forks right out of the crate, to be honest.
BobPA wrote:
Agreed, I really like my stock setup. I’ve tried a bunch of different setups in the last few weeks...nothing completely mind blowing.
Wish you were closer, I’d let you try one of mine. Billy @ PowerBand has a GREAT base setting and everyone that has ridden my bikes are amazed at the suspension. I’ve had several magazine test riders and a few of the pros I know ride them as well.

To be happy with the stock AER forks baffles me. They were just OK on a smooth Mx track, but as soon as the braking bumps developed and the track got rough, they scared me. Not to mention they ride too low in the stroke for my liking... but we are all different and many variables, so to each their own
5
AJ565
Profile picture for user AJ565
Posts
2342
Joined
3/12/2012
Location
San Antonio, TX, USA
AJ565 4/16/2019 8:51pm
4/16/2019 8:51pm
Langhammx wrote:
Wish you were closer, I’d let you try one of mine. Billy @ PowerBand has a GREAT base setting and everyone that has ridden my bikes...
Wish you were closer, I’d let you try one of mine. Billy @ PowerBand has a GREAT base setting and everyone that has ridden my bikes are amazed at the suspension. I’ve had several magazine test riders and a few of the pros I know ride them as well.

To be happy with the stock AER forks baffles me. They were just OK on a smooth Mx track, but as soon as the braking bumps developed and the track got rough, they scared me. Not to mention they ride too low in the stroke for my liking... but we are all different and many variables, so to each their own
My stock AER’s would almost bottom out in high speed braking bumps. I got video of it and then had Derek Harris revalve them and that took care of the problem.

+1 on Billy with the CV setup, I haven’t even touched a clicker yet. They were spot on out of the box.
liver
Profile picture for user liver
Posts
154
Joined
9/3/2015
Location
West Jordan, UT, USA
liver 4/16/2019 8:58pm
4/16/2019 8:58pm
sam hain wrote:
Damn shame you have to buy aftermarket suspension on a bike that is at the highest end of the $$ scale. And I ride KTM's.
Indeed, the absolute best bike comes with the worst suspension, but it’s not WPs fault.... the 4CS and AER are cost cutting measures. oddly, ktm uses valving for a 135lb child and that’s the real reason so many aftermarket suspension companies are around. Let Yamahas folks valve the ktm for the next 3 years and watch these mom n pops fold. It’s an odd situation.
liver
Profile picture for user liver
Posts
154
Joined
9/3/2015
Location
West Jordan, UT, USA
liver 4/16/2019 9:04pm
4/16/2019 9:04pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2019 9:05pm
Langhammx wrote:
Wish you were closer, I’d let you try one of mine. Billy @ PowerBand has a GREAT base setting and everyone that has ridden my bikes...
Wish you were closer, I’d let you try one of mine. Billy @ PowerBand has a GREAT base setting and everyone that has ridden my bikes are amazed at the suspension. I’ve had several magazine test riders and a few of the pros I know ride them as well.

To be happy with the stock AER forks baffles me. They were just OK on a smooth Mx track, but as soon as the braking bumps developed and the track got rough, they scared me. Not to mention they ride too low in the stroke for my liking... but we are all different and many variables, so to each their own
AJ565 wrote:
My stock AER’s would almost bottom out in high speed braking bumps. I got video of it and then had Derek Harris revalve them and that...
My stock AER’s would almost bottom out in high speed braking bumps. I got video of it and then had Derek Harris revalve them and that took care of the problem.

+1 on Billy with the CV setup, I haven’t even touched a clicker yet. They were spot on out of the box.
I hear this “have not touched a clicker” phrase often, it’s funny. it’s like having a recliner chair, but ya just leave it half way reclined it’s whole life, trippy, bro
1
BobPA
Profile picture for user BobPA
Posts
8331
Joined
10/31/2013
Location
USA
BobPA 4/16/2019 9:26pm
4/16/2019 9:26pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2019 9:30pm
T-Fish wrote:
I agree. I love my AER forks right out of the crate, to be honest.
BobPA wrote:
Agreed, I really like my stock setup. I’ve tried a bunch of different setups in the last few weeks...nothing completely mind blowing.
Langhammx wrote:
Wish you were closer, I’d let you try one of mine. Billy @ PowerBand has a GREAT base setting and everyone that has ridden my bikes...
Wish you were closer, I’d let you try one of mine. Billy @ PowerBand has a GREAT base setting and everyone that has ridden my bikes are amazed at the suspension. I’ve had several magazine test riders and a few of the pros I know ride them as well.

To be happy with the stock AER forks baffles me. They were just OK on a smooth Mx track, but as soon as the braking bumps developed and the track got rough, they scared me. Not to mention they ride too low in the stroke for my liking... but we are all different and many variables, so to each their own
I have not ridden CV’s setup strictly for MX yet. I rode a set last year and really loved them at our local river track. Lots of whoops/ruts and some small jumps, no big booters. I then rode the bike on an MX track, and the valving was just too soft to stop them from blowing through the stroke. They are on a GNCC XC2 riders setup. They were fantastic for their intended purpose. I’ll be honest, the price just turns me off a little.

I rode a set of SSS converted AER’s and also found them to be very good. Quite plush. I do not think they provided the “glued to the ground” feeling the CV’s provided. But, different bikes, tires, etc. can all play a factor.

This week I was back and forth between stock AER’s and a set of MX-tech Luckys (friends bikes in Colorado). The Luckys felt very similar to the SSS, but seemed to provide a little better grip. They were valved for GP style tracks, and were just a bit soft on the MX track. The stock AER could use a bit of work on the initial parts of the stroke. I really liked the Lucky’s.

My 300XC AER’s perform excellent in the woods. They are great on rocks and very predictable, I am very happy with how they work.
My 450SX AER’s are also extremely predictable and have great bottoming resistance. I never even get a thought of head shake, and the bike turns very well. They are a bit harsh on the initial breaking bumps, and some chatter. But, certainly not unrideable like some say.

Riding different setups has just made me more indecisive.
Shawn142
Profile picture for user Shawn142
Posts
2602
Joined
10/27/2008
Location
Burleson, TX, USA
Shawn142 4/16/2019 9:44pm
4/16/2019 9:44pm
sam hain wrote:
Damn shame you have to buy aftermarket suspension on a bike that is at the highest end of the $$ scale. And I ride KTM's.
Man.. I bought my '16 KTM 350 new and have just run the stock suspension since day one. I didn't change anything except the clickers and I don't have any complaints. This whole thread really raises a question I always have with guys who tell me who they sent their suspension off to and how much it costs. Can you seriously feel a real improvement for your money that makes you faster? In my case I'm completely numb to setup. I can ride and race through just about anything at roughly the same speed. As long as the forks aren't bottoming I have no complaints.
T-Fish
Profile picture for user T-Fish
Posts
3248
Joined
12/14/2009
Location
Sparta, WI, USA
Fantasy
753rd
T-Fish 4/16/2019 10:09pm
4/16/2019 10:09pm
T-Fish wrote:
I agree. I love my AER forks right out of the crate, to be honest.
BobPA wrote:
Agreed, I really like my stock setup. I’ve tried a bunch of different setups in the last few weeks...nothing completely mind blowing.
Langhammx wrote:
Wish you were closer, I’d let you try one of mine. Billy @ PowerBand has a GREAT base setting and everyone that has ridden my bikes...
Wish you were closer, I’d let you try one of mine. Billy @ PowerBand has a GREAT base setting and everyone that has ridden my bikes are amazed at the suspension. I’ve had several magazine test riders and a few of the pros I know ride them as well.

To be happy with the stock AER forks baffles me. They were just OK on a smooth Mx track, but as soon as the braking bumps developed and the track got rough, they scared me. Not to mention they ride too low in the stroke for my liking... but we are all different and many variables, so to each their own
In my defense, I took five years off from riding and the last bikes I rode and raced were a 2010 KTM 150SX and 2009 KTM 250SX. I randomly bought a new 17.5 Factory Edition 250 in April of 2017 and was blown away at how good the suspension was. I bought a leftover 2018 KTM 350SXF last fall and I finally built it over the last two weeks (it’s in the Bike Build section). I bought a set of CV forks and a Trax shock for it but I haven’t ridden it.
jeffoff
Profile picture for user jeffoff
Posts
138
Joined
3/1/2019
Location
BE
jeffoff 4/16/2019 10:32pm
4/16/2019 10:32pm
I have the Ohlins setup, first on my te300 "17. This because i was using it on the track also, was not blown away by the performance. This because i have my doubts about the shop who set them up, but they were significant better than the stock suspension.

Have bought extra track bike now, tc250 and put the Ohlins on this one. Setup from another shop, felt better for the 3 laps i could run it before getting injured ?.


Have never ridden cone valve.


Jrewing
Profile picture for user Jrewing
Posts
2863
Joined
1/4/2014
Location
AU
Jrewing 4/17/2019 12:11am
4/17/2019 12:11am
My 18 husky 350 had the worst settings stock I’ve ever ridden on any mx bike. Revalved twice and the rear is amazing the front pretty good but still a weak link compared to a good spring setup.
1
crowe176
Profile picture for user crowe176
Posts
6613
Joined
9/8/2006
Location
Spring Lake, MI, USA
crowe176 4/17/2019 3:43am
4/17/2019 3:43am
sam hain wrote:
Damn shame you have to buy aftermarket suspension on a bike that is at the highest end of the $$ scale. And I ride KTM's.
Shawn142 wrote:
Man.. I bought my '16 KTM 350 new and have just run the stock suspension since day one. I didn't change anything except the clickers and...
Man.. I bought my '16 KTM 350 new and have just run the stock suspension since day one. I didn't change anything except the clickers and I don't have any complaints. This whole thread really raises a question I always have with guys who tell me who they sent their suspension off to and how much it costs. Can you seriously feel a real improvement for your money that makes you faster? In my case I'm completely numb to setup. I can ride and race through just about anything at roughly the same speed. As long as the forks aren't bottoming I have no complaints.
My 15 350 is almost perfect everywhere until you come up short on a good size hit and blows through almost breaking your wrists. Only issue I’ve had with the bike.

Post a reply to: KTM 350- Ohlins or Cone Valve