Posts
480
Joined
2/23/2015
Location
Byhalia, MS
US
Edited Date/Time
4/10/2016 6:13am
Strippers I know lol. On a serious note what are some of the best bang for your buck upgrades yall have done? A little background on me I'm 26 now and qualified for a regional in the 25 plus class this year. I don't have high expectations for making it to the ranch in all honesty but I plan on giving it my best shot. My class at my area had an ex pro and 2 that raced the pro sport class that day and only 6 advance from the regional to Lorettas lol. At my best I was a pretty decent B class racer. Anyways I just bought a left over 15 yz450f that has plenty of power so I don't think an exhaust or motor mods are necessary. I'm just planning on refining the feel. I'm curious where yall would start. I'm thinking pro circuit linkage, suspension revalve (not sure by who yet), regear(gearing feels a little tall stock), not sure what else yet. What have yall done that you were impressed beyond what you thought you would be?
As far as the bike is concerned, there are a few things that come to mind:
1) Buy a notebook. Write down EVERYTHING you try in that book and how you feel that day. If you're hung-over from the strippers and blow on Friday night, make a note of that on Saturday when you get tired and can't tell if the 48 tooth sprocket was better or worse. This is the best "mod" you can do to a bike.
2) Gearing. Sprockets are cheap and it's worth having at least one larger and one smaller rear in the toolbox in your van at all times. Try them out next time you go out to practice and switch them between motos.
3) Suspension and chassis. Dial in the chassis. Try everything and keep a notebook. Fork height and sag are the most important settings. Rebound is next, then your high-speed compression. Good suspension and chassis setup makes you confident. Find that sweet spot.
4) Everyone wants to get more power out of their bike. They spend huge sums of money on pipes, ignitions, porting, cams, reeds, etc. A fast guy carries enough speed in the corners to go fast on any engine. Horsepower is only necessary for getting a good start. Make your bike smooth and get something you can ride fast without making mistakes or getting tired.
I race two strokes, so Jetting and gearing are my best bang for the buck items...
I have a YZ450F, so the GYTR tuner was the first thing I bought for it. Dialing in the ECU was a huge improvement in handling, especially flat or off-camber corners.
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Free shipping: VITALMX
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
In my opinion, that is one of the worst setup bikes in stock trim. The linkage, fork height and rear shock setting are terrible. The bike wanders when you want to go straight and doesn't turn when you lean it into a corner.
I think the linkage "Pull-Rod" from Pro-Circuit is a huge upgrade.
The stock link is 142mm and the aftermarket link is 143.5mm.
It was an immediate improvement; the rear of that bike is just way too high with the stock setup.
Pull your forks up to around 5mm (the first line). This bike is really sensitive to fork height and sag.
On my 2014, here are the suspension settings I liked best at Washougal and a few other big/fast local tracks:
FORK: C=12 R=12 Height = 5mm
SHOCK: HSC=1-7/8 C=15or16 R=11 SAG=100mm
Play with the high speed compression if the bike does or doesn't turn well. I found that 1-3/4 turn of HSC caused the back end to swap in the big rollers and whoops. 2 turns of HSC and it just wouldn't corner.
I weigh between 160 and 165 without gear. I think the shock spring rate in the 14 and 15 model YZ450F is one size too stiff. Yamaha put a softer spring in the 2016 model which makes me feel even more sure of it, but I haven't ridden one yet.
Remapping the ECU was a huge improvement in flat and off-camber corners on my '14 YZ450F. I Think the '15 has better mapping, but I was able to eliminate some compression brake and smooth out the delivery / transition at the initial crack of the throttle. It really helped in the those corners.
The stock MX51 tires are terrible. A good front tire that works on your local dirt will help that bike a ton. I like the Bridgestone X30's around here but most guys run Dunlop MX32s.
If you buy one part, buy that 143.5mm link.
there is so much more performance to gain on yourself than with any trick parts for your bike.
I've always been a 250f guy so those 450s always seemed like they could use a fly wheel weight to smooth out all that power.
Make sure everything is greased properly, I'm picky about how heavy the clutch feels.
Have fun. If your enjoying it you be be loose and that usually means faster.
2) best thing, T4 race fuel. The return from good fuel is less motor work
3) if you want to spend money, good levers and perch.
4) braided front brakeline
5) brakes and oversized rotors
Those would all just be "wants" because the kxf doesn't "need" anything!
You so you can see what you are doing and what your bike is doing . You have to get through your regional first Not sure what reg you are racing but I can almost bet LL track is nothing like what your reg is so your bike set up will be different . They have added so much sand to LL the past few years . You will prob have 1 mudder. 1 in heat that is crazy. And if you are lucky. 1 good Moto . Start saving money becuse it's a expensive week !
Pit Row
1. Graeme Brough revalve (Graeme is the best independent suspension service in the states, there is no close 2nd)
2. Works Connection Pro Clutch + Mount (You said you wanted help for long motos, this will help with clutch pull)
3. Oversized front brake kit (tusk makes the best deal for your dollar)
If you price this out right, should come below the $900 you were talking about. Hope this helps!
All our medics think I'm crazy. Good for you man!
Purchase a kxf450 and run race fuel!
If I had to give you one thing that was bolt on other than brakes (you can't go fast unless you can stop fast) would be FASST FLEXX handlebars
hands used to go numb and arm and hand pump.
no more!
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