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2117
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3/11/2013
Location
Tacoma, WA
US
Edited Date/Time
10/7/2015 4:40am
Long post, sorry but I want to be detailed.
I'm trying to get used to this whole four stroke experiment and I'm having trouble adapting to the compression braking. I realize I'm about 10 years behind the rest of the sport, but I'd like to draw on the collective experience here to find a solution.
So I have been racing two strokes since I was a teenager, mostly 250s, but at age 32 I bought a YZ125 and fell in love. I'm 35 now and still prefer the 125. I have never owned a four stroke of any kind until now. I decided before I get too old and my body starts to fall apart, I should buy a 450 and try to be on equal equipment to the guys I'm racing.
So I bought a YZ450F. I put a linkage on it and figured out some settings, it handles pretty well.
Now that I don't feel like the bike will put me on the ground, I can try to push harder and ride it more aggressively. I am an overly aggressive rider and that's a bit of an issue, but I'm working on that.
My main problem is entering turns. I find myself pulling in the clutch to avoid the compression brake and blipping the throttle (to keep it running / two-stroke habit) as I brake into some corners.
So big picture, I see 3 options:
1) Get used to it and try to develop my technique around this bike
2) Change the bike to suit my riding style a bit better
3) Sell the bike and go back to the 2-strokes.
Number 2 seems like the first approach to take while I constantly work on number 1.
I feel a lot better on my buddy's bike which is a KX450F with a Rekluse clutch.
Today, the same buddy suggested I try a higher idle speed setting. I think that seems like a good suggestion, I may give it a try. I already de-tuned the bike with a fuel/timing map to smooth the delivery.
Do you guys have any suggestions on how to change the bike, or any good ways to get comfortable with the compression braking? Is there something specific to practice? Are there any mapping changes (ignition timing?) that might help tune out some of the compression brake feeling?
I'm trying to get used to this whole four stroke experiment and I'm having trouble adapting to the compression braking. I realize I'm about 10 years behind the rest of the sport, but I'd like to draw on the collective experience here to find a solution.
So I have been racing two strokes since I was a teenager, mostly 250s, but at age 32 I bought a YZ125 and fell in love. I'm 35 now and still prefer the 125. I have never owned a four stroke of any kind until now. I decided before I get too old and my body starts to fall apart, I should buy a 450 and try to be on equal equipment to the guys I'm racing.
So I bought a YZ450F. I put a linkage on it and figured out some settings, it handles pretty well.
Now that I don't feel like the bike will put me on the ground, I can try to push harder and ride it more aggressively. I am an overly aggressive rider and that's a bit of an issue, but I'm working on that.
My main problem is entering turns. I find myself pulling in the clutch to avoid the compression brake and blipping the throttle (to keep it running / two-stroke habit) as I brake into some corners.
So big picture, I see 3 options:
1) Get used to it and try to develop my technique around this bike
2) Change the bike to suit my riding style a bit better
3) Sell the bike and go back to the 2-strokes.
Number 2 seems like the first approach to take while I constantly work on number 1.
I feel a lot better on my buddy's bike which is a KX450F with a Rekluse clutch.
Today, the same buddy suggested I try a higher idle speed setting. I think that seems like a good suggestion, I may give it a try. I already de-tuned the bike with a fuel/timing map to smooth the delivery.
Do you guys have any suggestions on how to change the bike, or any good ways to get comfortable with the compression braking? Is there something specific to practice? Are there any mapping changes (ignition timing?) that might help tune out some of the compression brake feeling?
Unless your track is really tight, I bet you can just ride in 3rd close to all the time. Keep your idle where it is meant to be but get used to the bike revving a bit more, and get off the brakes...
Do your breaking earlier and drive through the turn, 4 strokes like to be on the gas and keep your momentum
The Shop
Driving through the turn is kind of the thing I'm trying to figure out... The YZ has such an extreme transition from accelerating to decelerating it's hard to find that smooth spot without touching the clutch.
I've naturally had to modify my braking points already since this big pig goes a lot faster and doesn't slow down as quickly as the two-smoke. I think braking a bit earlier than I am would help, that seems like a good suggestion and I'll give it a try.
I typically do a few laps near the end of a practice day just standing up around the whole track. It's really good practice for your bike control, especially when the track is rutted.
Here is a lap from Saturday...
a big tip i learned to do with a 450 is to ride without using the clutch. they have so much torque you control your speed more with the throttle than with the clutch lever on a 125. you also need to smooth out on a 450, they dont like to to be over ridden like a 125. a 450 can take much more effort to ride fast due to the weight and power.
You need to practice throttle control, or more specifically keeping the gas on when you're not braking.
I guess I'll just have to take off the clutch lever and ride a 30 minute moto or something like that.
Try taking some slow laps and never touching the clutch, using the engine braking is a HUGE advantage to carry momentum. When you realize engine braking is your friend you will be amazed at how much better the bike tracks coming into turns.
Let off that clutch mate. You don't need it unless it's first gear... you're pulling it in heading into corners which will probably make the engine breaking seem more severe...
Try ride in 3rd all the time and be really smooth, you're definitely shifting too much or not using the engine range... NO clutch and get off the breaks, let the bike roll a bit, one thing 4 strokes do well is bite on the front once the engine breaking takes over, but because you're using lots of clutch going in, that will make it harsher and feel unsettled.
Pit Row
Jason
For sure it's harsh and unsettled and that makes me less confident to carry speed in those corners.
You guys have convinced me to try to adapt to it... I guess just cruising a million laps without the clutch is the only way.
Oh, and every time I go there to ride or watch a race, I feel pretty lucky! It's close to 3 hours drive each way, but I try not to miss an opportunity to go.
For me, I could get comfortable with it in corner situations but could never get used to it on a jump face.
Smooth is defiantly fast on those things.
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