If I’ve posted/asked this question before I claim old age.
Anybody else running a Ride Engineering Clamp or Ride Eng rear linkage. I picked up both for cheap a few months back for my 2024 KX450. Had it to the track once, bum knee and surgery. I think the clamp is 20 degree. But rear feel way softer and seemed like it turned in better. Adrian at Ride Engineering told me to go up one rate but I was a tick heavy to start with. Since then I’ve put on a few pounds. May need to go up one rate higher, unless I drop a few pounds lol.
Hope I can get back to the track in next few weeks.
Just curious if anybody else is running either on their KX and what ya think. Everything I read looked positive for both clamp and linkage, including Keefer.
Currently use an older set of RE 21.5mm clamps on my 24 KX450 which I’ve carried over from a couple previous bikes (originally for a 2019 KX450). Having initially used the stock clamps for a comparable amount of time to the RE clamps, I found they help a little with cornering but expected a more noticeable difference. They’re nice to have but they were more beneficial for some of the older Kawis, as the new gen has pretty solid cornering as is. Kudos if you got them for cheap.
I used to run the RE linkage on 250s, but one of my old suspension tuners encouraged me to keep the stock linkage. He suggested the KX sits low enough in the rear as is and a lowering link would soften the feel of the shock; I’m assuming it has something to do with shortening the length of the stroke but don’t quote me on that as I’m paraphrasing this info given to me 10 or so years ago. Be as it may, I desire a stiff shock and slightly higher sag, not to mention the cost of linkages in general has kept me from buying one since.
Appreciate the comments. The rear linkage Adrian sent me was the performance linkage, didn’t think it lowered the rear any. Thought there was different part number to lower the rear.
I probably don’t need the clamp or the real linkage. I’m just an old guy playing around trying to have some fun. If nothing else looks cool at the track!
Ask Sexton, apparently they have tried everything over at Kawasaki USA.
Same here with the older Kawis. Back in 2009 when Kawi launched the first EFI 450 we all went to the Ride Engineering clamps to help with cornering as those bikes were big and didn't want to turn.
Today's Kawis (2019 onwards) honestly corner like a dream compared to those bikes back then so I wouldn't see the need to change the clamps / geometry unless there really was a specific area I was trying to improve.
OP - either go back to stock or work with the Ride Engineering guys or your suspension tuner to get it setup properly and you will be fine.
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I just put on the link arm on my 25, not the complete knuckle just the link, I think they are great, I had one on my Suzuki and I’ve had them on bikes in the past
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