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Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
What model of Flex bars would be most suitable for KTM 300? I am five ten.
My set finally gave up the ghost and snapped off 5 min into a ride pulling it out of a mud hole. Dodged a bullet for sure as it was a high speed rock run. Those bars didn’t owe me a dime and I was about to retire them.
I must have had close to 400 hours on them.
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/For-Sale-Bazaar,26/FasstCo-Flexxbars-wit…
I am trialing my old Flexxbars against the Twisted Engineering 4X bars, so selling these since they aren't beat up (vs. my other set).
I have FLEXX bars, but I'd like something lighter with decent flex properties. I've heard the hot setup for flex is Twinwalls with the brace removed. ?????
Rider 5280, you still running the TE bars?
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Here are my current configs and thoughts:
(1) 2008 CRF450R with XTRIG ROCS clamps, MAKO 360 bar mounts and Twisted Engineering (TE) bars
---Current assessment: I've got the forks on this bike set up a little too harsh I know, but I am surprised how much "sting" still makes it to my wrists with this config. I also noticed harshness/headshake increased when I installed the XTRIGs on this bike, but the bike's steering is quite accurate. Note that I also ran XTRIG PHDS clamps BEFORE the MAKO 360 mounts and the MAKO 360s were quite a bit better (IMO). I rank this #3 of 3 for my current setups.
(2) 2016 YZ250F with NEKEN SFS clamps (top and bottom set) and stock Yamaha-spec Pro Taper bars
---Current assessment: I've got the forks set up pretty good on this bike (dang I appreciate KYB SSS forks!). Super forgiving setup, awesome on everything + super protecting to my wrists on sharp-edge hack, but the vibration/buzz to my hands is highest on this bike (even when I'm not revved out). I rank this #2 of 3 for my current setups and am going to try some different ODI grip options to see if I can remove some/most of the buzz.
(3) 2020 YZ450F with OEM triple clamps, MAKO 360 bar mounts and a Pro Taper ACF bar
---Current assessment: I've got the forks set up pretty good on this bike, too (daaaaaang I appreciate KYB SSS forks!). Super forgiving setup, awesome on everything + super protecting to my wrists on sharp-edge hack, minimal vibration, overall just an excellent setup. I rank this #1 of 3 for my current setups.
*** Note: All bikes are fitted with ODI MX V2 lock-on "No Waffle" in BLACK grips
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Summary thoughts/recommendations:
(1) The NEKEN SFS clamps are still my favorite of the mods I list above
(2) The MAKO 360 bar mounts are really a neat product --- a close #2 in my book, but they can't beat the physical shock-absorption travel of the NEKEN SFS clamps (I think the SFS clamps have ~ 1/2" of telescoping movement). I ended up with the hardest elastomer in the "shark bite" assembly to minimize bar rotation when I yank the bars. That solved my concerns from earlier experimentation.
(3) The TE bars are quite nice, but I still think I prefer the FasstCo Flexxbar's feel (for flex adjustability and preload possibilities with elastomers and overall "sting" reduction) but they are heavy feeling for some - no question. I thought the combo of the XTRIG ROCS with the MAKO 360 bar mounts and TE bars would blow the other setups away. But It didn't. And my forks weren't horrible before all of these experiments, so I am honestly not quite sure what to think yet. I am starting to think TE bars might be best on lower-speed terrain and that OEM clamps, in general, are the way to go if you if you want the least rigid feel ... if you don't go with NEKEN SFS clamps.
(4) The Pro Taper ACF bar is a nice bar, but I can't say I noticed any improvement over the Yamaha-spec Pro Tapers ... but they were mounted in the MAKO 360 clamps (I've never tried them in typical bar clamps). I really should put these on the YZ250F with the NEKEN SFS clamps to evaluate their vibration reduction qualities. That'd be a fair(er) test.
I am sticking with the above setups for the 2022 season to evaluate things more and "just ride." I'd guess I've got ~ 10 hours on the CRF450R with its current setup, 20+ hours on the YZ250F, and 17 hours on the YZ450F. I may have more updates later if I learn more ... so more to come ... maybe.
I hope that was helpful even though I do realize it's a bit inconclusive - which I didn't expect.
P.S.
TE bars are like softly damped springs, Flexxbars and MAKO 360s are shock-isolating elastomers (not springy), and SFS clamps are full-up shock absorbers (fluid damping + springs). If you think in these terms and what feel you like, this will likely steer you down the path that is best for you.
Flexxbars are just too bulky and heavy for me. I’d pull the trigger and buy a set, if you don’t like they are pretty easy to sell.
As Swordfish mentioned, it's the bulk of the FLEXX bars that I would like to get away from, so the lighter, less bulky TE bars seem appealing. That and I have visions of the old Inter-am solid aluminum bars when I read about them. I really wish someone would bring back the solid aluminum bar. I loved those things. They had great flex and I couldn't bend them. And trust me, I was bending a lot of bars back then.
I am riding a pretty smooth MX track these days, so the square edge hits aren't put to the test fully.
If you are skeptical of dropping the coin on a Mako, don’t ride that much offroad, I’d give the ACF bars a shot. They are the first bars that I’ve actually said wow about
Unfortunately, that just adds more confusion to my simple mind.
If they made an ACF in a very low sweep KTM style bend I'd be all over it.
https://ktmtalk.com/showthread.php?566185-New-Twisted-Engineering-Compo…
I had a not severe crash in practice and they broke. Broke bad and unusable. About 6 hours on them.
I've fallen harder many times on Pro Tapers
Calling TE they offered me 20% on a new set.
Even if they are made better I'm very unpleased with their support. 400+ on a set of bars I expect them to stand behind their product. They can keep their junk bars. Not to mention I could never have confidence using them again
I still have them if someone needs a picture.
Pit Row
The newest version of the bars is built so they won’t break or snap off. They have a reinforcement built in.
I still don't want to give my money to someone that doesn't stand behind their product
I got my current set for free, no way I’d pay almost $650 CDN for a set of bars.
Is it possible to mount a Scotts Damper to the Neken SFS clamp?
Yessir!
I'll upload a pic of mine and brand/part number tomorrow.
Is it a top or sub mount setup?
Top
It's a Fastway top clamp for Scotts steering dampers/stabilizers and it's the one for KTMs (2018+) I believe. It was the only one I could find at the time and it was worked perfectly.
Thanks; So there’s at least 10mm of travel on the locating pin when the SFS bottoms?
Oh $hit ... um ... now that you ask ...
Just kidding, all good, works great, highly recommended. Notice how I have the pin flush with the top of the damper arm? That was to maximize pin/damper arm contact yet still have enough travel. This particular pin had adequate flats, so it turned out perfect.
Post a reply to: Twisted engineering , flexx bars , or nekon