What is your new bike routine ?

braaahp419
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braaahp419
Edited Date/Time 1/23/2012 10:48am
Even though I'm over 40 now, I'm getting back in to mx, I just can't help it. I picked up an '11 ktm 250 sx a few weeks ago, but I'm too sick to ride this weekend. I have set the sag, checked the spokes, and I am about to grease the wheel bearings and steering stem bearings. What else do you do with a new bike ? Drop it into the dirt like a new helmet ? Should I tweet my friends with vague hints about what bike I may or may not be riding and what gear I may or may not wear ? ; )
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SMITH201
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SMITH201 10/17/2010 11:35am
10/17/2010 11:35am
Do the Twitter hints Laughing
MotoGUY
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MotoGUY 10/17/2010 11:40am
10/17/2010 11:40am
Usually everything is dry so I usually take out my motor mounts and put some PC assembly lube or something on them and for sure the pivot.
moto314
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moto314 10/17/2010 11:42am
10/17/2010 11:42am
Grease the linkage also. I clean and oil the air filter and change the oil also, then change the oil after the first ride again and check the spokes again.
TerryK
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TerryK 10/17/2010 11:55am
10/17/2010 11:55am
Same as above. Grease everything that requires grease. Factory grease is woefully inadequate.

The Shop

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Tiki
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Tiki 10/17/2010 12:17pm
10/17/2010 12:17pm
When I get a new bike I request for it to be left in the crate but that is not always the case. Last bike was given to me by my wife...

That said: Disassemble at swingarm, linkage, forks, shock, wheels anyplace that requires grease. Since that adds weight they scrimp for shipping savings.
Assemble the bike and set the sag. Check the exhaust bolts, wheels for loose spokes and go over the bike to get familiar with it.

Remove any stickers that are disclaimers or such, Add locktight to the kickstarter and sprocket bolts.

Oil the air filter, start the bike run it up the street and back and put in my oil. Hit the track or trail.
TriRacer27 10/17/2010 1:24pm
10/17/2010 1:24pm
Tiki wrote:
When I get a new bike I request for it to be left in the crate but that is not always the case. Last bike was...
When I get a new bike I request for it to be left in the crate but that is not always the case. Last bike was given to me by my wife...

That said: Disassemble at swingarm, linkage, forks, shock, wheels anyplace that requires grease. Since that adds weight they scrimp for shipping savings.
Assemble the bike and set the sag. Check the exhaust bolts, wheels for loose spokes and go over the bike to get familiar with it.

Remove any stickers that are disclaimers or such, Add locktight to the kickstarter and sprocket bolts.

Oil the air filter, start the bike run it up the street and back and put in my oil. Hit the track or trail.
X2 on the sprocket bolts. One of mine (150SX) came loose after 2 rides because I checked them but didn't use locktite (too excited to ride......Cheerful ) I also found one of the front fender bolts loose when I first checked it over.
JOHN CHOATE
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JOHN CHOATE 10/17/2010 4:37pm
10/17/2010 4:37pm
I always put anti-seize on my chain adjusting bolts in addition to some of the above mentioned tasks. Have fun!!
drummer dude
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drummer dude 10/17/2010 5:24pm
10/17/2010 5:24pm
clean the front and rear brake disc's with contact cleaner or something that will remove oil. they spray a slight film of oil on the disc's for shipping purposes so they dont get rust on them when they are coming from overseas. the jap bikes are the same way. if you dont clean them, that oil goes on your brake pads and ruins them. .
look out below
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look out below 10/17/2010 5:37pm
10/17/2010 5:37pm
I always take my new bikes out and run the shit out of them then subsiquently crash the shit out of them. Then I sit there and bitch because my radiators are bent.
TeamPropainTurbo38t 10/17/2010 5:55pm
10/17/2010 5:55pm
GO over the bike and make sure bolts are tight, plastic especially. Break it in in your backyard.....about a tank of gas 1/4-5/8 or so throttle......lube the linkage and steering head, check the coolant change the oil, check the tire pressure and ride....
captmoto
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captmoto 10/17/2010 6:00pm
10/17/2010 6:00pm
JOHN CHOATE wrote:
I always put anti-seize on my chain adjusting bolts in addition to some of the above mentioned tasks. Have fun!!
Best advise right there. Also hit shroud or side panels if they go into the tank with the brass blind nuts. You never want those two screws to fail.
nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 10/17/2010 6:01pm
10/17/2010 6:01pm
Set the carb so that the slide hangs wide open and ghost ride it off of the tallest berm on the track in 4th gear. Put your favorite bars/grips/levers on, since the stock ones are now trashed anyways, fix the carb (don't forget this step), duct tape your busted side panel and rear fender, and go ride. Your bike is now broken in. Kinda like scratching a new helmet.
braaahp419
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braaahp419 10/17/2010 6:06pm
10/17/2010 6:06pm Edited Date/Time 10/17/2010 7:51pm
Aaaah ! Now I am remembering some of the stuff I forgot, like the chain adjuster bolts. nytsmaC, I shouldn't need to rig the carb, I'm getting arm pump so bad I'll probably ghost it somewhere ! Thanks to everybody else for the good advice !

jimmie
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jimmie 10/17/2010 7:46pm
10/17/2010 7:46pm
First of all, congratulations on your new ride! Smile Not a better feeling than a brand, spanking new scoot.

Now for the nonsense....

1) Replace the air in "BOTH" tires, nothing worse than old, worn out, used air.

2) Cut down the knobs on both tires, they can and will cause unwanted drag that will cost you horse power.

3) Remove the muffler, this too will result in much gained horse power.

4) Install a compression release, you don't want to rely solely on the stock brakes, trust me on this one.

5) Always use "octane plus" with every tank of fuel, don't want any unnecessary detonation (pinging).

6) Discard the weak useless stock handlebars for some strong steel ones.

All silliness aside, as suggested above, disassemble ALL pivot points and grease them properly. Enjoy the heck out of riding, take it slow at first and be safe. And welcome to this hell hole known as VITAL MX.
plowboy
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plowboy 10/17/2010 7:46pm
10/17/2010 7:46pm
Good lord....has everyone forgotten the most important stuff? Numbers on the plates and all new riding gear. If you show up on a new bike with blank plates and gear you've worn on another bike....all the fast guys will think you are uncool and shun you like the fat girl they were hittin' on last night.Blush
TriRacer27 10/17/2010 10:01pm
10/17/2010 10:01pm
Don't forget to tighten the powerband.
braaahp419
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braaahp419 10/18/2010 6:31am
10/18/2010 6:31am
Actually, the 2 stoke ktm's come with a red, yellow and green powerband ( different colored powervalve springs that allow the valve to open earlier or later ). So as much as we laugh about it, it's actually true for the KTM's . I'm running the yellow "powerband" now !
DanDunes818 10/18/2010 6:53am
10/18/2010 6:53am
All I know is in 1986 i got a new kx 80 delivered at the track in Vegas by ,my then sponsor, dixie kawasaki. I broke it in during practice and in the little jetting area they had at the Vegas track but neither them nor my pops checked the front wheel bolts before my first moto. Going down the back straight, on by far the fastest part of the track, my front wheel came off. There's no worse feeling then watching your front wheel leave your bike 4th gear pinned. I know this really can't happen any more w/the newer way bikes are assembled but since that day I've been pretty damn anal, to say the least, about tightening everything after the first 10 rides or so. Other then tightening everything I'm to damn lazy to do all the other stuff people mentioned in this thread. My last new bike was a 2007 rmz 250f. I loaded it up at the shop and went straight to the track. Tightened some 8mm bolts , the front and rear axle bolts and rode my ass off that day.

Congrats on the new bike ..

Pit Row

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sesker15
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sesker15 10/18/2010 8:15am
10/18/2010 8:15am
moto314 wrote:
Grease the linkage also. I clean and oil the air filter and change the oil also, then change the oil after the first ride again and...
Grease the linkage also. I clean and oil the air filter and change the oil also, then change the oil after the first ride again and check the spokes again.
No linkage on a KTM250sx!!

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