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Hi Side
5/15/2022 3:48pm
5/15/2022 3:48pm
Edited Date/Time
5/20/2022 10:54am
For those that have bought one of these what are your real world thoughts? Are they comprehensively better than the 2109-2022 platform?
I can't decide whether to buy a FC250 Rockstar, wait for the non-RS 2023 or buy a new 2022 that has been proven. I have spare wheels, air filters, oil filters and many other parts from my 2021 that will work with a '22 which has an appeal to me.
I can't decide whether to buy a FC250 Rockstar, wait for the non-RS 2023 or buy a new 2022 that has been proven. I have spare wheels, air filters, oil filters and many other parts from my 2021 that will work with a '22 which has an appeal to me.
Wait for the production model for a couple of reasons:
(1) The basic machine will be substantially the same, with the same motor and suspension. You will be paying a lot extra for wheels and a slip on muffler, clamps, and a start hook.
(2) the productions models will be more available. Parts for the FE or rockstar versions are not easy to come by right now. Suspension tuners are still working on a setting.
(3) the production model will have small improvements over the FE or Rockstar edition.
I race 2022's, we have a 250F, 350, and 450. We are staying with the 2022 platform until next year because these new gen bikes have some things that need to be fixed. the 2022 platform is a great bike. most of your 2019-2022 spares will not fit in the new gen bikes.
But what do I know...
The Shop
And from what I was led to believe, they are really trying and have been for a bit.
The new WP pro shock comes out for this model in a couple weeks, and I wonder who will plunk down big dollars for that new tech.
I was a Pala today for the RTM LCQ, and out of over 300 big bike entries I never saw a RSE or FE bike being raced. No Vets, no Pros, no hot Am riders. No- body.
What does that tell you..
Then compare something to one of the three bears porridge (doesn't matter if it's the right one) and be done with it.
But their test guys are pretty good, Dennis and Mosiman are gritty pro privateers and they know what works. I just wonder if what they really think gets put in the shootouts.
I rode the 450 one time and it felt almost exactly like the stock 2022 to my old slow ass.
I hear guys faster and better than me don't care for the bike balance or the harsh feeling in the stock shock.
The stock AER 48 fork's issues are well documented already.
As to "add a gear" they are normally right. I think the FE is stock with 13/49 and that is too low to get out of corners with any pop, I went to 13/50 or 13/51 for tight tracks...
Who knows...
As far as differences from last years bike, it feels entirely different in a better way. My bike last year never wanted to stay in the ruts (front end always wanted to climb out), this one corners like a dream. Any rut, berm or sand corner thing goes exactly where you want it too. The engine is light years better than last years model. It has that grunt off the bottom so you can lug this bike if you want too. I ride quite a few corners in 3rd gear and have no issue getting out of them.
I haven't had any issues with the shock other than I need to go stiffer before the nationals. I tested with Factory Connection in New England a month ago and the bike works amazing up north on the smaller bumps and choppy corners. Once I got back to FL I found it was too soft for the big breaking bumps and deep rutted turns. They have my stuff now putting in a new setting to try thats stiffer for down here and the nationals. I've been running 104-106 sag.
Parts are starting to be more and more available but still a few things on backorder. I've got an FMF slip on but they still don't have a header out yet. The slip on makes a slight difference (helps off the bottom) but I'm interested to see how much the header does when that comes out.
One thing to note! Make sure to put chain slack to 65mm from end of chain guide to chain! Not your typical 55-58mm they have on the inside of the airbox/manual. Need to allow the shock to not bind and get full movement.
Post a reply to: Anyone bought a 2022.5 KTM 250 Factory Edition or a FC 250 Rockstar?