Posts
540
Joined
1/29/2018
Location
Bethania, NC
US
Edited Date/Time
1/7/2019 11:51am
1st ride today as a “test ride”. Rode awesome except the rock hard stock suspension. Guessing its setup for MX but the forks were so hard and shock was stiff as well it beat me to death in the woods. The seat foam and cover also didnt do any better either. The cover once wet and muddy was like a slip and slide when going up hills, etc. Any recommendations on a seat and cover that wont break the bank? Also noticed the clutch lever being way out and grabbing towards the end. I adjusted it to let out about 3/4 out but the lever went back to where it started grabbing at the end again towards the end of the day. My hand was killing me. Any idea how to get it to stay adjusted permanently? Going to detail it up when i get a chance this week....
KTM does make a better seat which are quite affordable and offers better grip.
As for the lever, you can make adjustments, and even bleed the system to make sure its progressive and has no air in the line. I would recommend playing with the adjustment knob first and bleed the fluid when you do your first suspension service (around 15-20hrs). For whatever reasons the stock stuff seems to contaminate quickly...
The bike I have has lots of potential but it needs work. I had the same suspension experience as you've discussed... harsh in the woods. It's a 350 XC-F. 2016. It also needs a remap... really flames out at 1/16 to 1/8 throttle openings.
The Shop
Hard to tell the year if your bike but your shock spring is going to be either a 42nm (2018/19) or 45nm (2017). The 42 will be too soft, as will the 45nm but will still show numbers that will reflect it being close to correct. I would be looking for a 48nm which came on the 2016 models. You weigh similar to me so a 48nm should really benefit you.
when he took his bike to the shop for the foot pegs, they did a service and found metal shavings through the fuel filter from a faulty OEM filter.
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1061/48304/KTM-SXS-Wave-Seat?v=149…
$140 isn’t breaking the bank when you’re riding a $9000 ktm. Haha.
Pit Row
If you add an extra thrust washer to the mushroom in the clutch it will let it grab farther out on the bar.
2. Put your stand under the bike and raise it up before tighten it. Air forks should not be compressed like that for longer times.
The new Honda's and Yamaha's we have seen have been scary dry. I think there must be a grease shortage in Japan
But what I really like is the grip. Its coarse but still comfortable. Pics on rocky of that seat don’t do it justice. The entire seat has aggressive grip of the orange stripe areas.
Post a reply to: 1st ride out on the new KTM....