KTM 450 FE Ugly/dumb handlebar pad fix?

rawdawgin
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rawdawgin
Edited Date/Time 6/30/2021 12:59pm
Hey guys

I scooped up a 21 KTM 450 FE and as you know, it comes with the ugly, bulky pad that houses the control unit.
Does anyone happen to have a solution to mount this thing out of the way? It's not as simple as just putting it behind the number plate, because in order to connect your phone to it the button has to be pushed. There is also a surrounding light that lets you know the status of the module that would be tough to see behind the plate. Hopefully we aren't stuck with this dumb pad 😬

Please share ideas!




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Brent
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Brent 2/8/2021 4:57pm
2/8/2021 4:57pm Edited Date/Time 2/8/2021 5:01pm
Yeah it’s a dumb place to put it, what if you want to run bars with a cross bar? The stock bars are so damn stiff, I replaced mine with pro taper and it is a BIG difference with less vibration.

Hopefully somebody comes up with a fix to re locate this thing soon, some engineer at KTM had a major brain fart.

I’d like to buy the control unit for my 21 450, but I’m certainly not putting that dumb ass pad on my bike.

Keefer, are you out there?
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FGR01
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FGR01 2/8/2021 5:06pm
2/8/2021 5:06pm
Where is the connector in the wiring harness that it plugs in to? If this connectivity unit is akin to the wifi module on the YZF's, it does not need to stay on the bike for the bike to run. What I am saying is I have a suspicion that you can just keep the thing in your truck, plug it into the wiring harness when you want to connect your phone and make changes, then disconnect it and throw it back in the truck until you need it again.
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Highflier
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Highflier 2/8/2021 5:10pm
2/8/2021 5:10pm
FGR01 wrote:
Where is the connector in the wiring harness that it plugs in to? If this connectivity unit is akin to the wifi module on the YZF's...
Where is the connector in the wiring harness that it plugs in to? If this connectivity unit is akin to the wifi module on the YZF's, it does not need to stay on the bike for the bike to run. What I am saying is I have a suspicion that you can just keep the thing in your truck, plug it into the wiring harness when you want to connect your phone and make changes, then disconnect it and throw it back in the truck until you need it again.
From what I have read, FGR01 is correct.
It only needs to be connected to make the change, then can be removed.
I have a Vortex on my ‘21 so I haven’t tried it myself.
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Steve125
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Steve125 2/8/2021 5:17pm
2/8/2021 5:17pm
Thanks for posting this.. I've been looking for ideas as well for the unit on my Rockstar Edition. If you remove it from the holder it looks fairly compact. I'm thinking about mounting it to the backside of the front plate.. Off to the side so you can see any trouble codes and get to it with the bars turned to one side. I probably won't need to connect often after I come up with a map I like.
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The Shop

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soopah noviss 2/8/2021 5:47pm
2/8/2021 5:47pm
Steve125 wrote:
Thanks for posting this.. I've been looking for ideas as well for the unit on my Rockstar Edition. If you remove it from the holder it...
Thanks for posting this.. I've been looking for ideas as well for the unit on my Rockstar Edition. If you remove it from the holder it looks fairly compact. I'm thinking about mounting it to the backside of the front plate.. Off to the side so you can see any trouble codes and get to it with the bars turned to one side. I probably won't need to connect often after I come up with a map I like.
I though I recall reading the unit must remain horizontal in order to connect, so while it would physically fit behind the front number plate it would not be able to communicate properly.

I could be wrong, though.
PNWRider
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PNWRider 2/8/2021 5:48pm
2/8/2021 5:48pm
Could you take the cover from a pro taper or fatbar pad and use it over the top of the KTM pad? Might not be perfect but it would cover it up, yet be easily removed for tuning.
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Brent
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Brent 2/8/2021 5:49pm
2/8/2021 5:49pm
well, if you can connect it to add a new map and then disconnect and put it back in your tool box, that would be the setup.

Someone try this please?
Redrcr34
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Redrcr34 2/8/2021 5:54pm
2/8/2021 5:54pm
Open to idea’s on how to get rid of mine too.

Forty
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Forty 2/8/2021 5:57pm
2/8/2021 5:57pm Edited Date/Time 2/8/2021 6:07pm
I like it the way it is.

Does anyone ride their f'ing bikes? WTF...these things are so clean...dang!
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Myke
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Myke 2/8/2021 5:59pm
2/8/2021 5:59pm
What were they thinking when they came up with that ugly thing?
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TreeFiddy 2/8/2021 6:09pm
2/8/2021 6:09pm
Im in the minority here...i got one for my 21 450 last week and like the look of it. No complaints from me
Meister
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Meister 2/8/2021 7:14pm
2/8/2021 7:14pm
And people think the clutch line placement on the Honda is stupid..... Lol
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slipdog
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slipdog 2/8/2021 7:31pm
2/8/2021 7:31pm
Turd burgler
stumpy823
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stumpy823 2/8/2021 7:31pm
2/8/2021 7:31pm
A buddy of mine did this
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KBOLTZ
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KBOLTZ 2/8/2021 7:36pm
2/8/2021 7:36pm
Someone with a 3D printer could make some quick cash with this one.
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Steve125
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Steve125 2/9/2021 5:01am
2/9/2021 5:01am
Steve125 wrote:
Thanks for posting this.. I've been looking for ideas as well for the unit on my Rockstar Edition. If you remove it from the holder it...
Thanks for posting this.. I've been looking for ideas as well for the unit on my Rockstar Edition. If you remove it from the holder it looks fairly compact. I'm thinking about mounting it to the backside of the front plate.. Off to the side so you can see any trouble codes and get to it with the bars turned to one side. I probably won't need to connect often after I come up with a map I like.
I heard a tester say something to that effect too but I thought he just said it must be mounted to a flat surface..??? Not sure.
mac3-d
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mac3-d 2/9/2021 5:08am
2/9/2021 5:08am
Here you go Woohoo

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7I3N
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7I3N 2/9/2021 5:27am
2/9/2021 5:27am
It's not a control module for the bike. It's a connectivity device for your phone. If you don't like it, just take it off.

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Steve125
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Steve125 2/9/2021 6:14am
2/9/2021 6:14am
PNWRider wrote:
Could you take the cover from a pro taper or fatbar pad and use it over the top of the KTM pad? Might not be perfect...
Could you take the cover from a pro taper or fatbar pad and use it over the top of the KTM pad? Might not be perfect but it would cover it up, yet be easily removed for tuning.
I used a Pro-Taper pad.. I trimmed the backside a bit for fit onto the stock connectivity mount,, put a hole in the center of the pad so you can see the button light up and put the Pro-Taper cover on.. The cover had a clear laminated logo on it so I carefully cut off the graphic on the underside. Now I have a window to see the button down inside the pad, Nice to have an actual pad on the bar, and my connectivity unit unmoved.
Now I'll go change everything again.
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sandman768
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sandman768 2/9/2021 6:45am
2/9/2021 6:45am
7I3N wrote:
It's not a control module for the bike. It's a connectivity device for your phone. If you don't like it, just take it off. [embed][/embed]
It's not a control module for the bike. It's a connectivity device for your phone. If you don't like it, just take it off.

Thanks for posting this link.... so.. can adjustments be made for a pipe, better fuel usage? I would think you will still need someone’s dyno knowledge?
526
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526 2/9/2021 6:58am
2/9/2021 6:58am
Do they have Dirt Bike Shows that have Best Of Show Winners? Just ride it don't worry about how it looks.
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Kris Keefer
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Kris Keefer 2/9/2021 7:12am
2/9/2021 7:12am Edited Date/Time 2/9/2021 7:15am
Here's what I have come across since using the app:

The CCU unit can be moved kind of like what Steve125 did. I did the same thing! I also did it the "less clean" way for testing sake and zip tied the CCU unit behind the number plate to the FI light/start wires to see if it would connect. IT DID! So having the CCU unit flat across the bar isn't "completely needed" in my opinion.

Yes, you can input a setting, remove the CCU unit and still have the last setting you inputed into the machine. Would I do this? No, because it's kind of a pain in the ass to remove/put back on.

This KTM app is not as advanced as the Yamaha Power Tuner app (parameters) but to my dumb ass, it's easier to use/interact with.

I do have some connectivity issues at times (even when the CCU unit is flat), so if you're impatient like me, you will drop a few swear words while you're at the track. Yes, the people you park next to will stare at you and at some point will move from their parking spot because they will be scared.
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rawdawgin
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rawdawgin 2/9/2021 9:30am
2/9/2021 9:30am
Thanks everyone for the input.
For now, I am going to try to mount it to the base of the new bars. I just hope I have clearance since I use a crossbar style and a super low bend. I have a friend with a 3d printer and a CNC machine. I will try to pioneer a real mount that makes it accessible and easier to use.
Brent
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Brent 2/9/2021 1:10pm
2/9/2021 1:10pm
is the CCU unit waterproof?

Do you have to remove it when you wash the bike if it is not in its crossbar pad box?

Leeham
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Leeham 2/9/2021 1:57pm
2/9/2021 1:57pm
What wouldve made 100x more sense is under the seat. Flat, out of the say and not prone to damage as easily as the bars if you wad your bike in a crash. All hypothetical scenarios but not impossible
Jeremy Macbeth 2/9/2021 2:00pm
2/9/2021 2:00pm
What exactly does that big light actually do? Does the flashing light indicate something, other than it’s working?
ZOBITO
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ZOBITO 2/9/2021 2:12pm
2/9/2021 2:12pm
Rich men problems...
Laughing
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GrapeApe
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GrapeApe 2/9/2021 2:14pm
2/9/2021 2:14pm
Jeremy Macbeth wrote:
What exactly does that big light actually do? Does the flashing light indicate something, other than it’s working?
It's a reminder to breathe
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RMT
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RMT 2/9/2021 2:17pm
2/9/2021 2:17pm
Forty wrote:
I like it the way it is.

Does anyone ride their f'ing bikes? WTF...these things are so clean...dang!
Maybe because they are brand new? .
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Forty
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Forty 2/9/2021 6:49pm
2/9/2021 6:49pm
Forty wrote:
I like it the way it is.

Does anyone ride their f'ing bikes? WTF...these things are so clean...dang!
RMT wrote:
Maybe because they are brand new? .
👍

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