Alessi to Factory KTM on 350!

09450f
Profile picture for user 09450f
Posts
2746
Joined
9/24/2008
Location
Temecula, HI, USA
09450f 9/30/2009 10:25am
9/30/2009 10:25am
it figures KTM would do this..afterall they have more sizes than anyone

build what people will buy
DPW
Profile picture for user DPW
Posts
1996
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Dallas, TX, USA
DPW 9/30/2009 11:09am
9/30/2009 11:09am
ns503 wrote:
So who was that guy talking about 350's a couple years back? Does this means he's not quite as crazy as he seems? This is monumental...
So who was that guy talking about 350's a couple years back?

Does this means he's not quite as crazy as he seems?


This is monumental stuff. Wink
that Racetime guy....Cool

So in a couple of years we will be buying big bore kits to make our 350s into 450?
race
Profile picture for user race
Posts
3480
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
USA
race 9/30/2009 11:18am
9/30/2009 11:18am
Devil1nNj wrote:
Alessi would be a good rider for the US in the GP's. He is an outdoor specialist, and it is awesome to watch him ride outdoors...
Alessi would be a good rider for the US in the GP's.

He is an outdoor specialist, and it is awesome to watch him ride outdoors.

In SX he is an amazing starter but then tends to drop anchor.

I think he should head over seas and race.

You have to admit, a lot of guys, and mag writers were saying there was no where left for MA to go but KTM or Yami, and Yami dropped their team, so I can't help but think that was more than just a rumor.

I feel bad for Mike that he's stuck on a 350, especially the first production year.

I wish him all the luck, and will be rooting for him, but, that really sucks to go from such a great team, with an amazing bike, and a legend as a team manager, to KTM.


All you guys ranting about how great a 350 will be, I personally disagree. I feel so much safer and more comfortable on my 450 than when I rode my 250f. 450's are not too powerful, they are perfect, IMO. You can ride a stock motor no problem. With a 350, guys like me who race Am, and are 6'0, 200lbs, will most likely have to dump money into one to get the same power, and feel that you can get from a 450 stocker.

I prefer to drop some coin on suspension, and not hopping up a motor to get the power I need to feel comfortable.


For guys like Alessi, this bike will prob be perfect. He is short and lean. It will be awesome to have something to choose from between a 250, and 450 for guys of his stature, but, I would doubt very highly it will replace the 450. It will more than likely compliment the class and improve the racing, as any rider can choose the machine they can compete the best on.
"All you guys ranting about how great a 350 will be, I personally disagree. I feel so much safer and more comfortable on my 450 than when I rode my 250f. 450's are not too powerful, they are perfect, IMO. You can ride a stock motor no problem. With a 350, guys like me who race Am, and are 6'0, 200lbs, will most likely have to dump money into one to get the same power, and feel that you can get from a 450 stocker. "


How exactly are you able to judge a bike you know nothing about and have never even seen, let alone ridden? You may find your corner speed picking up and your fatique is less from a more nimble 350F.

Might want to at least wait for some tests and reviews ...

Cygnus
Profile picture for user Cygnus
Posts
14845
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Hanover, CO, USA
Cygnus 9/30/2009 11:35am
9/30/2009 11:35am

The Shop

See All »
zookrider62!
Profile picture for user zookrider62!
Posts
6825
Joined
12/22/2008
Location
Plano, TX, USA
zookrider62! 9/30/2009 11:39am
9/30/2009 11:39am
bvm111 wrote:
Just posted on MXA

http://www.motocrossactionmag.com
I know you have to be 21 to consume, but I thought the age was different to represent it. I remember a big ordeal when Jeremy had the bud light sponsorship becuase they had to drop someone from the team. How old is Alessi?
miedosoracing1 9/30/2009 11:47am
9/30/2009 11:47am
ns503 wrote:
So who was that guy talking about 350's a couple years back? Does this means he's not quite as crazy as he seems? This is monumental...
So who was that guy talking about 350's a couple years back?

Does this means he's not quite as crazy as he seems?


This is monumental stuff. Wink
DPW wrote:
that Racetime guy....Cool

So in a couple of years we will be buying big bore kits to make our 350s into 450?
And there was a guy who posted just the other day "oh jeez not this 350 crude again...." Hmm, who was that? LOL Ha ha, just messin with you DPW. You been riding alot still? I'm probably not going to recognize you on the track anymore huh? Bet you are flyin!!!!
Lightning78
Profile picture for user Lightning78
Posts
6353
Joined
12/12/2007
Location
Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Lightning78 9/30/2009 12:37pm
9/30/2009 12:37pm
Exactly, I'm surprised there are so many "experts" on this KTM 350 and how it will perform....wow I can't believe I haven't gotten the chance to ride it because jusding from some of the negative responses some of you must have ridden it ....I mean to make such a snap judgement on the bike and how it will perform.

Anybody realize that they will likely get 450 power out of the engine with porting cam and hi-comp piston? Sheesh a bike that possbly handles like a 250f and pulls like a 450? Sounds like a good idea to me. I built one a CRF280 with a full blown TMR race team head and it's a perfect bike but Im not riding 4 strokes anymore I can tell you this, that bike will be the shit and I hope someone brings up this thread and all other 350 threads once the bike hits the mainstream.

Not to mention a full built 250 two stroke can likely compete with a crowd of 350's .... Caroli running 350-400 this last season aboard a Yamaha means they are looking into the possibility and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised that others are testing them as we speak. KTM is going to turn the racing world on their ear when they release this bike ....Kudo's to kTM for thinking outside the box!
peelout719
Profile picture for user peelout719
Posts
2507
Joined
4/30/2008
Location
Ogden, UT, USA
peelout719 9/30/2009 12:50pm
9/30/2009 12:50pm
Faceaz wrote:
Completely disagree. Factories aren't tuning 450's to get the max power out of them - riders can't handle it. They're moving the power to make it...
Completely disagree. Factories aren't tuning 450's to get the max power out of them - riders can't handle it. They're moving the power to make it more manageble & to the riders liking. I bet there isn't a single 450 out there that's tweaked to the limit like one of PC's 250f's. With a 350 they can probably get the power Alessi is looking for, plus it's light & hopefully handles more like a 250f. The start will be the big question, with Alessi's starts, maybe it will just equalize things.
have you ever watched Ricky ride a 450? your statement is null.
Rooster
Profile picture for user Rooster
Posts
4432
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Edmonton, CA
Rooster 9/30/2009 12:51pm
9/30/2009 12:51pm
I'd rather have a de-tuned more reliable 450 than a higher revving less reliable 350.

For a pure pro-level race bike it may be the hot ticket. For an amateur, it's a higher strung machine that will cost more to keep running. Something that's already decimating the sport from the amateurs up to the pros.
MXR
Profile picture for user MXR
Posts
3780
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
City, WA, USA
MXR 9/30/2009 1:05pm
9/30/2009 1:05pm Edited Date/Time 9/30/2009 1:06pm
Maybe 140 pounds of pure muscle needs a 350 . Did you guys see his tongue flapping in the spokes while RV came through the pack and ran him down like a crippled rabbit at Glen Helen ?
roost251
Profile picture for user roost251
Posts
501
Joined
3/15/2009
Location
Valentine, AZ, USA
roost251 9/30/2009 1:20pm
9/30/2009 1:20pm Edited Date/Time 9/30/2009 1:21pm
no suprise if you listen to bobby M, and if he is correct, then i guess not doing superx will give him time to recover from being airlifted the other day. Unfortunatly that give alot of time for tony to rub the team the wrong way before the nationals begin, will there be another tony Piniata?? time will tell.
Ing
Profile picture for user Ing
Posts
3654
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Spring Hill, FL, USA
Ing 9/30/2009 1:26pm
9/30/2009 1:26pm
They guys at KTM are marketing geniuses. They will sell a zillion of those 350's.
JW381
Profile picture for user JW381
Posts
10638
Joined
7/21/2009
Location
Harrisburg, OR, USA
JW381 9/30/2009 1:48pm
9/30/2009 1:48pm
I like it. Good for mike. I'm also happy that KTM is doing their own thing. Good luck 800
Suns_PSD
Profile picture for user Suns_PSD
Posts
989
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Austin, TX, USA
Suns_PSD 9/30/2009 2:00pm
9/30/2009 2:00pm
The 350 would have to be a disadvantage at an elevation track w/ lots of deep and long uphills, like the CO round at Lakewood.

Otherwise I can see where most riders could go faster on a 350cc.
Lightning78
Profile picture for user Lightning78
Posts
6353
Joined
12/12/2007
Location
Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Lightning78 9/30/2009 2:07pm
9/30/2009 2:07pm
Its going to be EFI so altitude won't matter.
Suns_PSD
Profile picture for user Suns_PSD
Posts
989
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Austin, TX, USA
Suns_PSD 9/30/2009 2:15pm
9/30/2009 2:15pm
This isn't about jetting dude as I assure you a factory mechanic can jet a bike. This is about the fact that all naturally aspirated internal combusion engines have something like 20% less Oxygen to make hp w/ at altitude, FI or not.

It's a 450 track because all the bikes are slower anyways and the long uphills.
Rocket Launcher 9/30/2009 2:19pm
9/30/2009 2:19pm
I would wait until I saw the torque/horsepower to weight ratio of the 350 before I made that call. It may be pretty darn close to a 450.
Faceaz
Profile picture for user Faceaz
Posts
1364
Joined
7/28/2008
Location
Glendale, AZ, USA
Faceaz 9/30/2009 2:36pm
9/30/2009 2:36pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 2:26am
Faceaz wrote:
Completely disagree. Factories aren't tuning 450's to get the max power out of them - riders can't handle it. They're moving the power to make it...
Completely disagree. Factories aren't tuning 450's to get the max power out of them - riders can't handle it. They're moving the power to make it more manageble & to the riders liking. I bet there isn't a single 450 out there that's tweaked to the limit like one of PC's 250f's. With a 350 they can probably get the power Alessi is looking for, plus it's light & hopefully handles more like a 250f. The start will be the big question, with Alessi's starts, maybe it will just equalize things.
peelout719 wrote:
have you ever watched Ricky ride a 450? your statement is null.
Yeah, Actually my brother & I got a tour through Honda's race shop in Cypress. My brother was treating one of the managers - he said the same thing "it's not about making the max power on a 450".

Pit Row

See All »
lostboy819 9/30/2009 2:47pm
9/30/2009 2:47pm Edited Date/Time 9/30/2009 2:49pm
Cygnus wrote:
I feel sorry for Mike. The only thing worse than a KTM is a Yamaha.
Never saw anyone dislike a brand of bike so much as you do with Yamaha. What happend that made you dislike them so much. I hate Kawasaki because I got two new 125s back in 1981 and took them both out to the Ponca City track and broke them in and in the first few days of riding the first one hooked a ring and trashed the top end and the second one broke the frame downtube off a jump and the handle bars pinned my legs down when the front end choppered out. I have hated Kawasaki from that day and never got another one. Loved most all my Yamahas Hondas and Suzukis.
lucero10x
Profile picture for user lucero10x
Posts
1624
Joined
9/25/2009
Location
Las Vegas, NV, USA
lucero10x 9/30/2009 2:50pm
9/30/2009 2:50pm
What I want to know is when can I buy a KTM 350? spring 2010?
peelout719
Profile picture for user peelout719
Posts
2507
Joined
4/30/2008
Location
Ogden, UT, USA
peelout719 9/30/2009 2:51pm
9/30/2009 2:51pm
Faceaz wrote:
Yeah, Actually my brother & I got a tour through Honda's race shop in Cypress. My brother was treating one of the managers - he said...
Yeah, Actually my brother & I got a tour through Honda's race shop in Cypress. My brother was treating one of the managers - he said the same thing "it's not about making the max power on a 450".
don't get me wrong, i completely agree about the "not about making max power on a 450"... was just commenting on the fact that i've personally seen RC wring the living shit out of a 450 and there was absolutely no more power that poor bike could have gained.

at least that's what i was telling myself as i was cleaning myself in the shitter mid-moto Smile
Bauer
Profile picture for user Bauer
Posts
1623
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Corona, CA, USA
Bauer 9/30/2009 2:58pm
9/30/2009 2:58pm
I think it was pretty much the only viable route Mike could go with Tony still on board. Hopefully Mike will have much success on the bikes...that would go a long way towards dispelling the "career-ender" moniker that KTMs have gotten tagged with.
Rocket Launcher 9/30/2009 3:04pm
9/30/2009 3:04pm
Faceaz wrote:
Completely disagree. Factories aren't tuning 450's to get the max power out of them - riders can't handle it. They're moving the power to make it...
Completely disagree. Factories aren't tuning 450's to get the max power out of them - riders can't handle it. They're moving the power to make it more manageble & to the riders liking. I bet there isn't a single 450 out there that's tweaked to the limit like one of PC's 250f's. With a 350 they can probably get the power Alessi is looking for, plus it's light & hopefully handles more like a 250f. The start will be the big question, with Alessi's starts, maybe it will just equalize things.
peelout719 wrote:
have you ever watched Ricky ride a 450? your statement is null.
Faceaz wrote:
Yeah, Actually my brother & I got a tour through Honda's race shop in Cypress. My brother was treating one of the managers - he said...
Yeah, Actually my brother & I got a tour through Honda's race shop in Cypress. My brother was treating one of the managers - he said the same thing "it's not about making the max power on a 450".
Did you tour the Honda race shop in Cypress Texas? I live accress the street from there. Next time you are in town let us know and we will take you riding. Got bikes, Gear and all!
KAWboy14
Profile picture for user KAWboy14
Posts
6502
Joined
12/31/2007
Location
Austin, TX, USA
KAWboy14 9/30/2009 3:04pm
9/30/2009 3:04pm
Bauer wrote:
I think it was pretty much the only viable route Mike could go with Tony still on board. Hopefully Mike will have much success on the...
I think it was pretty much the only viable route Mike could go with Tony still on board. Hopefully Mike will have much success on the bikes...that would go a long way towards dispelling the "career-ender" moniker that KTMs have gotten tagged with.
who did you loan your password to? no way this is bauer.....not even one cussing rant in it! Smile
Devil1nNj
Profile picture for user Devil1nNj
Posts
960
Joined
11/12/2006
Location
Hewitt, NJ, USA
Devil1nNj 9/30/2009 3:12pm
9/30/2009 3:12pm
race wrote:
[b]"All you guys ranting about how great a 350 will be, I personally disagree. I feel so much safer and more comfortable on my 450 than...
"All you guys ranting about how great a 350 will be, I personally disagree. I feel so much safer and more comfortable on my 450 than when I rode my 250f. 450's are not too powerful, they are perfect, IMO. You can ride a stock motor no problem. With a 350, guys like me who race Am, and are 6'0, 200lbs, will most likely have to dump money into one to get the same power, and feel that you can get from a 450 stocker. "


How exactly are you able to judge a bike you know nothing about and have never even seen, let alone ridden? You may find your corner speed picking up and your fatique is less from a more nimble 350F.

Might want to at least wait for some tests and reviews ...

222 is on a 400 in the GP's.
That says it all.
If you noticed I also said "For guys like Alessi, this bike will prob be perfect. He is short and lean. It will be awesome to have something to choose from between a 250, and 450 for guys of his stature,"
Faceaz
Profile picture for user Faceaz
Posts
1364
Joined
7/28/2008
Location
Glendale, AZ, USA
Faceaz 9/30/2009 3:37pm
9/30/2009 3:37pm
peelout719 wrote:
have you ever watched Ricky ride a 450? your statement is null.
Faceaz wrote:
Yeah, Actually my brother & I got a tour through Honda's race shop in Cypress. My brother was treating one of the managers - he said...
Yeah, Actually my brother & I got a tour through Honda's race shop in Cypress. My brother was treating one of the managers - he said the same thing "it's not about making the max power on a 450".
Rocket Launcher wrote:
Did you tour the Honda race shop in Cypress Texas? I live accress the street from there. Next time you are in town let us know...
Did you tour the Honda race shop in Cypress Texas? I live accress the street from there. Next time you are in town let us know and we will take you riding. Got bikes, Gear and all!
Thanks for the offer. No, this was Cypress Ca. - quite the compound. They run all the motorcycle racing from under one roof.
Rocket Launcher 9/30/2009 3:46pm
9/30/2009 3:46pm
Faceaz wrote:
Yeah, Actually my brother & I got a tour through Honda's race shop in Cypress. My brother was treating one of the managers - he said...
Yeah, Actually my brother & I got a tour through Honda's race shop in Cypress. My brother was treating one of the managers - he said the same thing "it's not about making the max power on a 450".
Rocket Launcher wrote:
Did you tour the Honda race shop in Cypress Texas? I live accress the street from there. Next time you are in town let us know...
Did you tour the Honda race shop in Cypress Texas? I live accress the street from there. Next time you are in town let us know and we will take you riding. Got bikes, Gear and all!
Faceaz wrote:
Thanks for the offer. No, this was Cypress Ca. - quite the compound. They run all the motorcycle racing from under one roof.
The amateur racing program is run by Honda of Houston, which is actually located in Cypress, Texas. Thet have a pretty big race shop at HoH, but probably not as big as the one in Ca. Well, if you ever get this way, my offer stands!
Lightning78
Profile picture for user Lightning78
Posts
6353
Joined
12/12/2007
Location
Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Lightning78 9/30/2009 3:55pm
9/30/2009 3:55pm
Faceaz wrote:
Yeah, Actually my brother & I got a tour through Honda's race shop in Cypress. My brother was treating one of the managers - he said...
Yeah, Actually my brother & I got a tour through Honda's race shop in Cypress. My brother was treating one of the managers - he said the same thing "it's not about making the max power on a 450".
Rocket Launcher wrote:
Did you tour the Honda race shop in Cypress Texas? I live accress the street from there. Next time you are in town let us know...
Did you tour the Honda race shop in Cypress Texas? I live accress the street from there. Next time you are in town let us know and we will take you riding. Got bikes, Gear and all!
Faceaz wrote:
Thanks for the offer. No, this was Cypress Ca. - quite the compound. They run all the motorcycle racing from under one roof.
Honda is in Torrance, Yamaha's race shop is in Cypress.....unless there is a Honda race shop I have never heard about in Cypress?
Crush
Profile picture for user Crush
Posts
21115
Joined
4/26/2009
Location
Sydney, AU
Crush 9/30/2009 4:53pm
9/30/2009 4:53pm
Qualifying times from Lakewood... There's not much in it, and a 350 will be in there for sure...

377 Christophe Pourcel Kawasaki KX 250F
1 2:15.304
577 Martin Davalos KTM 450 SX-F
2:15.700
43 Broc Tickle Yamaha YZ 250F
3 2:16.486

33 Josh Grant Yamaha YZ 450F
1 2:14.140
29 Andrew Short Honda CRF450R
2 2:14.210
9 Ivan Tedesco Honda CRF450R
3 2:14.454


The problem is at the consumer end... a 350 is just gonna drive up the cost of riding more... soon the talent pool for MX will only come from rich kids!!!
Faceaz
Profile picture for user Faceaz
Posts
1364
Joined
7/28/2008
Location
Glendale, AZ, USA
Faceaz 9/30/2009 4:57pm
9/30/2009 4:57pm
Rocket Launcher wrote:
Did you tour the Honda race shop in Cypress Texas? I live accress the street from there. Next time you are in town let us know...
Did you tour the Honda race shop in Cypress Texas? I live accress the street from there. Next time you are in town let us know and we will take you riding. Got bikes, Gear and all!
Faceaz wrote:
Thanks for the offer. No, this was Cypress Ca. - quite the compound. They run all the motorcycle racing from under one roof.
Lightning78 wrote:
Honda is in Torrance, Yamaha's race shop is in Cypress.....unless there is a Honda race shop I have never heard about in Cypress?
Got it backwards. Right off the 405 there.

Post a reply to: Alessi to Factory KTM on 350!