Anybody else HATE their new KTM after first ride???

Deadric
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Walden, CO, USA
4/3/2022 10:21am Edited Date/Time 4/4/2022 7:08am
I cant speak for the 22 but I have the 21 and noticed more vibration than I was used to on Kawi. Replaced the bars with PT Evo bars and ditched the lock on grips for PT pillow tops, that cleared that issue right up (I think it was the lock on grips causing most of it). Never noticed vibration in my feet though.

Another thing to watch is for some reason KTMs stock triple clamp binds like crazy. I had to loosen the clamps and retorque after every moto, never had that on Kawi or Honda. Ended up swapping them for Luxons clamps and that took care of that issue also. Bummer that for 11K these bikes dont just come with factory triple clamp which would probably eliminate that issue.
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Bruce372
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4/3/2022 10:39am
As others have said, poor shock setup amplifies the bad feeling on the forks. If you are a big boy, keep going up on the spring rate, turn the HS adjuster in like mad and maybe add some shims to the shock compression stack.

Also, on the forks, you can lower the oil levels, just like other spring forks!
4/3/2022 3:36pm
“OUR” sport where we buy junk after watching them race built to perfection race bikes.
2
Glowie
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4/3/2022 3:54pm
bama205 wrote:
Go get a Suzuki and thank me later
I rode an RM-Z back to back with my GG350 the first time I took it out and the buyers remorse was overwhelming.

Anyways, now that I’ve got like 2 rides on it, I love my new bike and it gets head and shoulders better each time I put a leg over it. Really excited for this one. The forks are even getting pretty comfy..
3

The Shop

Chris_Buehler
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4/3/2022 4:41pm
“OUR” sport where we buy junk after watching them race built to perfection race bikes.
What does this even mean?
4
Ryan625
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4/3/2022 4:49pm
bama205 wrote:
Go get a Suzuki and thank me later
Glowie wrote:
I rode an RM-Z back to back with my GG350 the first time I took it out and the buyers remorse was overwhelming. Anyways, now that...
I rode an RM-Z back to back with my GG350 the first time I took it out and the buyers remorse was overwhelming.

Anyways, now that I’ve got like 2 rides on it, I love my new bike and it gets head and shoulders better each time I put a leg over it. Really excited for this one. The forks are even getting pretty comfy..
I have had the same experience with my GG MC350. Every time I ride the bike I feel better on it. I’m running cones with the stock shock. Considering a Traxx eventually.

Also zero complaints about vibration
1
MotofactioN
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4/3/2022 4:58pm
bama205 wrote:
Go get a Suzuki and thank me later
Just ask Ken Roczen Whistling
2
motosmith
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4/3/2022 5:30pm
I sold my 350 because I hated the vibration.
JB 19
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4/3/2022 6:00pm
My 2019 350 felt stiff and wanted to stall the first day i rode it. Once the suspension and engine loosened up it was fine. Turned the idle up a little.

Just rode my 2022 350 for the first time today and it was fine because i knew what to expect.
4
Glowie
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4/3/2022 6:03pm
bama205 wrote:
Go get a Suzuki and thank me later
Glowie wrote:
I rode an RM-Z back to back with my GG350 the first time I took it out and the buyers remorse was overwhelming. Anyways, now that...
I rode an RM-Z back to back with my GG350 the first time I took it out and the buyers remorse was overwhelming.

Anyways, now that I’ve got like 2 rides on it, I love my new bike and it gets head and shoulders better each time I put a leg over it. Really excited for this one. The forks are even getting pretty comfy..
Ryan625 wrote:
I have had the same experience with my GG MC350. Every time I ride the bike I feel better on it. I’m running cones with the...
I have had the same experience with my GG MC350. Every time I ride the bike I feel better on it. I’m running cones with the stock shock. Considering a Traxx eventually.

Also zero complaints about vibration
I don’t understand the vibration stuff myself. Thing purrs. Roughly what hour mark did yours “shake off the cobwebs”? Did you ever ride it with the stock suspension?
Heggo
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4/3/2022 6:09pm
Ready to Race…
Ready to rumble sounds like
2
1
Brent
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4/3/2022 6:11pm
JB 19 wrote:
My 2019 350 felt stiff and wanted to stall the first day i rode it. Once the suspension and engine loosened up it was fine. Turned...
My 2019 350 felt stiff and wanted to stall the first day i rode it. Once the suspension and engine loosened up it was fine. Turned the idle up a little.

Just rode my 2022 350 for the first time today and it was fine because i knew what to expect.
I think that is the thing with all KTM four strokes, they set up and break in differently than Japanese bikes. Even for very experienced racers, their first KTM experience can be bad
if they haven’t been through it before.

It’s kind of ike the difference between android to apple, when you switch to something new it’s not easy or fun.

I remember the first one I bought- a 2017 350 - felt so shitty I thought about putting it up for sale after the first ride.

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1
Heggo
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4/3/2022 6:17pm
JB 19 wrote:
My 2019 350 felt stiff and wanted to stall the first day i rode it. Once the suspension and engine loosened up it was fine. Turned...
My 2019 350 felt stiff and wanted to stall the first day i rode it. Once the suspension and engine loosened up it was fine. Turned the idle up a little.

Just rode my 2022 350 for the first time today and it was fine because i knew what to expect.
Brent wrote:
I think that is the thing with all KTM four strokes, they set up and break in differently than Japanese bikes. Even for very experienced racers...
I think that is the thing with all KTM four strokes, they set up and break in differently than Japanese bikes. Even for very experienced racers, their first KTM experience can be bad
if they haven’t been through it before.

It’s kind of ike the difference between android to apple, when you switch to something new it’s not easy or fun.

I remember the first one I bought- a 2017 350 - felt so shitty I thought about putting it up for sale after the first ride.

I'm confused. Did it get better or you get used to it feeling different? (bad)
Brent
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4/3/2022 6:26pm Edited Date/Time 4/3/2022 6:28pm
Heggo wrote:
I'm confused. Did it get better or you get used to it feeling different? (bad)
It got better as I went along. I just asked a lot of set up questions to people who knew the bike. I owned Hondas and Kawis before my first KTM and setup and break in are so different.

When I finally figured it out, the bike was amazing.
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1
DaBaum44
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4/3/2022 7:38pm
When I took my 2021 for the first ride day I had a similar experience. BUT. I'd say give it some time to break in. By the 2nd or 3rd ride day, I was totally satisfied with my purchase and still am to this day.

As far as vibrations, I didn't notice anything terrible when switching from a Yamaha YZ250F. I swapped the stock bars out for Pro Taper EVO and glue on Renthal grips.

I don't think anyone has said this yet, but it would be worth while to verify your clickers are on the stock setting. Always a chance it didn't get set at the factory or even a customer at the dealership could have toyed around with them while on the showroom floor.
Ryan625
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4/3/2022 9:24pm
Glowie wrote:
I rode an RM-Z back to back with my GG350 the first time I took it out and the buyers remorse was overwhelming. Anyways, now that...
I rode an RM-Z back to back with my GG350 the first time I took it out and the buyers remorse was overwhelming.

Anyways, now that I’ve got like 2 rides on it, I love my new bike and it gets head and shoulders better each time I put a leg over it. Really excited for this one. The forks are even getting pretty comfy..
Ryan625 wrote:
I have had the same experience with my GG MC350. Every time I ride the bike I feel better on it. I’m running cones with the...
I have had the same experience with my GG MC350. Every time I ride the bike I feel better on it. I’m running cones with the stock shock. Considering a Traxx eventually.

Also zero complaints about vibration
Glowie wrote:
I don’t understand the vibration stuff myself. Thing purrs. Roughly what hour mark did yours “shake off the cobwebs”? Did you ever ride it with the...
I don’t understand the vibration stuff myself. Thing purrs. Roughly what hour mark did yours “shake off the cobwebs”? Did you ever ride it with the stock suspension?
I don't understand the vibration complaint one bit. Haven't felt it once yet.

Honestly no I never rode it stock. But I would say I really felt like I was gelling on the bike was on my third ride with rough 4 hours on it (vibration sensing meter, it seems to add time when driving)

I also put CMT carbon engine mounts and Ti engine mount bolts in it to mimic Barcia's setup.
2
mooch
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Fantasy
4/4/2022 3:11pm
Have a 2022 Husky FC350...just getting into some better weather so only have about an hour and half on it. Even with the suspension not being broken in yet, the bike feels great and no vibration. My experience may differ on how I initially felt about the bike as I've been riding various YZ250 2 strokes since 1998 .

At one point I did have a YZ450F and couldn't live with it...sold it and stayed on YZ250s ever since. Compared to the 450, the 350 feels great due to:

- not having what feels like a huge amount of engine breaking
- not having the engine feel like there's gobs'o centrifugal force to deal with
- doesn't feel like I'm going to stall in every other tight corner
- nice to feel like it's not gonna get out of hand by getting on the gas hard
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Skerby
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4/4/2022 3:21pm
Feel like the Japanese invested a lot of money into 'vibration management' for the betterment of all of their endeavors in motoring. Investment on a level that KTM could never match as a niche manufacturer of race bikes. They put a counter balance in the 250SX for christs sake.
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4/4/2022 4:53pm
Skerby wrote:
Feel like the Japanese invested a lot of money into 'vibration management' for the betterment of all of their endeavors in motoring. Investment on a level...
Feel like the Japanese invested a lot of money into 'vibration management' for the betterment of all of their endeavors in motoring. Investment on a level that KTM could never match as a niche manufacturer of race bikes. They put a counter balance in the 250SX for christs sake.
Which Japanese manufacturer has invested any money developing two strokes in the last decade? I’ll wait…
4
-MAVERICK-
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4/4/2022 5:05pm
Which Japanese manufacturer has invested any money developing two strokes in the last decade? I’ll wait…
I'd say Yamaha invested in their 2 strokes. They put out a brand new 65 model and updated the bigger bikes.

Is the investment the same as KTM, no. However, they haven't given up on them like the rest of the Japanese manufacturers. That's worth something.
13
Mx286
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4/4/2022 5:43pm
Rode a friends 22 KTM 450 and the first thing I noticed was the vibration.
rob27ma
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Williamstown, MA, USA
4/5/2022 8:15am
Add some protaper fusion bars. I have a few newer KTMs and changing the bars is always one of the first things I do to help with the vibration and the feel of the bike, although there really shouldn't be much vibration on a new bike so you may have something else going on if this is the case.



Rider 5280
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4/5/2022 8:47am
Mx286 wrote:
Rode a friends 22 KTM 450 and the first thing I noticed was the vibration.
... and what bike do you normally ride?
4/5/2022 8:53am
Mx286 wrote:
Rode a friends 22 KTM 450 and the first thing I noticed was the vibration.
Rode a 22 350 up my street to get it warm for an oil change and definitely noticed the vibration compared to my RMZ.

As far as hating a new KTM, can’t speak for that since I don’t have a new one, but I can tell you I’m ready to throw my sons KTM 50 in the garbage Laughing Laughing
Fangface
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gent, BE
4/5/2022 9:03am
Husqy was build for vets or comfort , Ktm for racing. The feeling you have I completly understand. The frame since 2019 is so rigid but more precise to steer. The air fork was to weak for this frame improvement... Build quality I think austrian ones are the best. I went back to kawi, bike just gives me more fun. Might be because i grew up with suzuki rm's and just prefer Japs.( i never got this when people said this to me) I'm just riding for fun :-) The bars on ktm are way too rigid. I hated the forks too...amazing in the chop but big landings just blew trough, I swapped them for kyb. Another difference i notice with the kawi that i almost leave the forks in place the whole year. On my ktm I went riding and after 5 min I was adjusting the fork height to the track...
Good luck with setting your bike up :-)
Skerby
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Mayes County, OK, USA
4/5/2022 9:31am
I meant investment during the 2 stroke era. Honda/Yam etc. I think spent a lot of money studying harmonics and other such sciency things, I mean they are huge companies that build motor vehicles, Im sure that kind of knowledge would be very valuable to them.

Could just be the chromoly frames, but every ktm Ive ridden (and they have all been 2 strokes) vibrated a lot more than the japanese 2 strokes.
rbm33
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Duncan, OK, USA
Fantasy
4/6/2022 12:36pm
I have right at 30 hours on my 22 husky 350 now. Before I picked it I had read about the vibration issues so I installed a brp mount system before I ever rode it. My vibration doesn’t seem excessive at all, I’m not sure if it’s due to the Mount out just maybe my bike doesn’t vibrate as much as summer others.

As far as the forks I installed mxtech lucky carbon 2 cartridges and couldn’t be happier with their feel and performance
1
wr74
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AU
4/11/2022 9:35pm
Update in order... i feel a bit guilty for slamming KTM so hard...

Went out this past weekend with new set-up;

Ride Eng Triples, X-Trig PHDS bar mounts, Pro Taper Evo bar, and pro taper glue on grips.

Checked torque on motor mounts. Note they were under torqued from the factory. Very interesting. Went over the whole bike post discovering this. Nothing else too far out.

Out on the track, felt like whole new bike. Vibration now non existent really, through the handlebars at least.

Loving the bike in other ways, the light weight feel and handling is just amazing. Bike is the perfect combination of turning prowess, and yet still stable on fast rough sections.

Engine is still tight, needs more hours to run in, but i know how good it will be once that's done from owning an 18. I will say, does seem to have a bit less bottom end than my 18 FC, but a bit stronger mid to top.

Fork felt great this time out. Note at a different track and no real big flat landings where i felt the fork was lacking first time out. Plenty of hard pack chop though, and really impressed by how well it works on this type of track for an air fork.

Overall, super happy with the bike now. I changed 4 things at once i know. Maybe i could have saved money and just tried one thing at a time (i suspect the bars and grips may have been enough), but life's short and i didn't want to waste more days at the track with numb hands and not being happy.

2
4/11/2022 10:22pm
wr74 wrote:
Update in order... i feel a bit guilty for slamming KTM so hard... Went out this past weekend with new set-up; Ride Eng Triples, X-Trig PHDS...
Update in order... i feel a bit guilty for slamming KTM so hard...

Went out this past weekend with new set-up;

Ride Eng Triples, X-Trig PHDS bar mounts, Pro Taper Evo bar, and pro taper glue on grips.

Checked torque on motor mounts. Note they were under torqued from the factory. Very interesting. Went over the whole bike post discovering this. Nothing else too far out.

Out on the track, felt like whole new bike. Vibration now non existent really, through the handlebars at least.

Loving the bike in other ways, the light weight feel and handling is just amazing. Bike is the perfect combination of turning prowess, and yet still stable on fast rough sections.

Engine is still tight, needs more hours to run in, but i know how good it will be once that's done from owning an 18. I will say, does seem to have a bit less bottom end than my 18 FC, but a bit stronger mid to top.

Fork felt great this time out. Note at a different track and no real big flat landings where i felt the fork was lacking first time out. Plenty of hard pack chop though, and really impressed by how well it works on this type of track for an air fork.

Overall, super happy with the bike now. I changed 4 things at once i know. Maybe i could have saved money and just tried one thing at a time (i suspect the bars and grips may have been enough), but life's short and i didn't want to waste more days at the track with numb hands and not being happy.

So what you’re saying is, it wasn’t “Ready to race”?

*sorry, couldn’t help myself!Laughing
2

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