Posts
1589
Joined
10/1/2011
Location
Highland Village, TX, USA
Edited Date/Time
1/7/2022 7:11pm
Hi,
Does anyone know what yr KYB shock body fits on the 2016- 20 KTM's? Chad reed and others were putting KYB bodies on that bike... I think it was from a earlier year honda but I'm not sure the year etc.
Does anyone have any idea?
Or is there a showa shock body that fits too? I'm going to build up a different shock for the bike and I'm not all that impressed by the WP body. At least the stock coatings are not very durable IMO. Yes, I know there are WP replacement bodies...
Txs!
Does anyone know what yr KYB shock body fits on the 2016- 20 KTM's? Chad reed and others were putting KYB bodies on that bike... I think it was from a earlier year honda but I'm not sure the year etc.
Does anyone have any idea?
Or is there a showa shock body that fits too? I'm going to build up a different shock for the bike and I'm not all that impressed by the WP body. At least the stock coatings are not very durable IMO. Yes, I know there are WP replacement bodies...
Txs!
If you want to use KYB piston rod, you will need KYB Kit bottom end kit:
https://en.professorsuspension.fi/product/1869/kyb-kit-bottom-end-kit-k…-
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It's possible I got a something in the body... but in general the finish of the stock WP body is not very durable. Yes, there are coated replacement options from others available at reasonable prices for the WP shock.....
I find I just like the KYB/Showa stuff better and wanted to try it. I'd simply swap the WP body for the KYB body and use the WP rod with a KYB or showa 50 mm piston and valve it from there. But that's just me.
And who came up with that plastic preload collar on the WP shock? Really? Seriously.
Not saying the coatings aren't poor quality but every worn body i've seen, and I've seen a few, always come apart with a band at 50.0X or less and the ledge on the piston polished from rubbing the body. Whether it's better o-ring quality to resist deformation or the dual o-ring design the Japanese pistons offer better support in the bore and longer lasting band tolerances.
I know the 50mm KYB piston with basic YZF valvie settings works very well in the WP shock so you should have no problem finding something to your liking.
I'll tell you this.. and you won't get this in a shoot out or review as they can't be this blunt
I just rode the 2020 YZ250FX with suspension mods and motor mods I have back-to-back with the 2016 KTM 350 XC-F.
The KTM certainly has a more powerful engine but not off idle. The KTM pulls harder from 3K up vs the YZ/FX. But the YZ motor revs freer. The KTM feels slow reving and a big bore compared to the YZ.
Now…. I will say hands down the YZ/FX is a better handling chassie then this 2016 gen KTM 350. The YZ/FX is more stable, initiates a turn easier and cleaner and it just more comfortable then the KTM. I was kind of surprise as I thought I really liked this KTM 350. But after a back to back ride I see the chassis limits/ issues of the KTM. The KTM wants to “step out” or kick sideways under hard acceleration. The YZ wants to go straight and not spit you off. I didn’t expect this…. Also, the KTM felt long and tall vs the YZ/FX. YZ/FX wants to turn in when the KTM wants to stand tall and not turn!
Again, I did not expect to like the YZ/FX more. But I do. It’s certainly has less power. But it is a lot more fun to ride; more confidence in the handling and, less stability issues. Heck, I didn’t expect it… but in my opinion, it’s a much better handling bike. And it’s safer to ride at speed.
If Yamaha built a 300 FX or a 350 FX…they would crush the KTM 350 market. It is that much better…IMO.
https://www.kreftmoto.com/new-products-1/kreft-moto-premium-shock-body
And, again, that plastic preload collar... just a bad product management judgement call. Sadly. LOL
At a $150 for a Kashima coated body - I think that's a bit of a bargain.
I've enjoyed watching Krefts journey, he's / they've come a long way from his / their first postings on KTM Talk.
I'd like an alloy pre-load collar on for my TTX shock on my CRE, eventually, but, I've yet to actually have a problem, after a few years of having the PDS system on it.
I just welded a much smaller allen / hex head to the original clamp bolt, that matches the size that the damping adjusters have. You only need to barely 'nip' the lock bolt up. I made also a little stainless 'hook' to go onto the same tool, to turn the pre-load collar, but I found I can just turn the spring, to turn the collar. This little tool, does it all on my TTX.
Showa shockbody on 14-17 CRF250R could be fitted to the KTM frame, but the problem is that there is no correct clevis available for Showa and top bearing might need to be custom made. Honda clevis cant be widened, since there is not enough material. Ofcourse you could use the WP bottom end with Showa shockbody(sorta hybrid).
I have access to a lathe so making parts for the top mounting of the shock is not a problem. I enjoy doing it.... So would be a fun project. And, you get a bladder and real preload adjusters with the showa/KYB body.... vs that mickey mouse WP preload adjuster.. )
Thanks for the info! I really appreciate it. Really!
Note: the shock linkage knuckle on the stock 16 350 creates a lot of leverage on the shock in the first part of the stroke and not enough at the end of the stroke. You end up having to valve the shock (Low speed valving) really light to get small bump compliance...then you blow through the travel as a result. KTM designed a link system on that bike to allow them to use a light spring rate to reduce the weight of the bike.. Same with that stupid IMO preload adjuster. '
Pro Circuit, Luxon, PR2 and others make a different linkage (leverage ratio) to address this issue I speak about.
So, with out a linkage change its hard to get the bike to work off road.....
Also I spoke to a chassis designer that lived down the street and he worked with the well known consultant that KTM hired to work on their chassis. He's the one that laid it out as to what happened and why they designed this linkage ratio the way they did. It was all about bike weight... not performance. The fact is the stock linkage is ...not the best. Sadly.
I think the 09-12 body is too long will check tomorrow
Pit Row
Never been a fan, on bikes or cars.
Thanks
Edit: sometime you might need to use a rag on the preload collar to aid your hands if you have to grip it as well.
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