radiator lowering kit

Tokyo_Tiddler
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Tokyo_Tiddler
Edited Date/Time 5/7/2015 6:38pm
Anyone try a Dr. D radiator lowering kit on their CRF450? Did you notice the difference in handling? Did you have to cut and shorten the lower radiator hoses?

mike
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hillbilly
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hillbilly 5/4/2015 9:59pm
5/4/2015 9:59pm
Not sure youd feel that little change TT but something I did early in my racing was made a measuring stick for fuel.

I always ran the least fuel load i could. Measured each time I rode and wrapped a watch around the bsr so i kept up with time for training and fuel consumption.

Had notches on the metal rod for different races,local 4 lappers and then regional and national notches.

See riders all the time filling the tank up and carring 12 lbs they dont need.
enketchum
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enketchum 5/4/2015 10:01pm
5/4/2015 10:01pm
Matthes did it first
bvm111
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bvm111 5/4/2015 10:15pm
5/4/2015 10:15pm
Im a tank half full kinda guy to just like hill billy!

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PFitzG38
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PFitzG38 5/6/2015 1:00pm
5/6/2015 1:00pm
I have it on an 06 and an 08 CRF450. You can feel it and you don't have to modify anything other than cut the hoses.
PFitzG38
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PFitzG38 5/6/2015 1:02pm
5/6/2015 1:02pm
hillbilly wrote:
Not sure youd feel that little change TT but something I did early in my racing was made a measuring stick for fuel. I always ran...
Not sure youd feel that little change TT but something I did early in my racing was made a measuring stick for fuel.

I always ran the least fuel load i could. Measured each time I rode and wrapped a watch around the bsr so i kept up with time for training and fuel consumption.

Had notches on the metal rod for different races,local 4 lappers and then regional and national notches.

See riders all the time filling the tank up and carring 12 lbs they dont need.
Anyone who doesn't measure their fuel is a fool. I used a separate gallon container until I got the bright idea to use a dipstick - Only took my 20 yrs to figure out the dipstick method.
Maverick313 5/6/2015 3:37pm
5/6/2015 3:37pm
When running the minimum fuel just don't forget to check it. I found out the hardway after, I first started putting a gallon in at a time, for motos. I had to Ryan Hughes' it across the finish line on my last lap once. Never made that mistake again!
BobPA
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BobPA 5/6/2015 3:57pm
5/6/2015 3:57pm
The dipstick method is not possible with the 11-15 KTM fuel tank setup
PFitzG38
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PFitzG38 5/6/2015 7:21pm
5/6/2015 7:21pm
Maverick313 wrote:
When running the minimum fuel just don't forget to check it. I found out the hardway after, I first started putting a gallon in at a...
When running the minimum fuel just don't forget to check it. I found out the hardway after, I first started putting a gallon in at a time, for motos. I had to Ryan Hughes' it across the finish line on my last lap once. Never made that mistake again!
Yea, I came close once when I put on a big bore kit. Different tracks make a big difference too. I usually run between 3/4 to 1 gal. and that leaves me some extra. Really I just do it to make sure I DON'T run out as much as for lightness.
PFitzG38
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PFitzG38 5/6/2015 7:24pm
5/6/2015 7:24pm
BobPA wrote:
The dipstick method is not possible with the 11-15 KTM fuel tank setup
Ha! Something my ol Honda does that a new KTM doesn't. They probably have bluetooth that will alert you if you read you manual.
bturner26x
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bturner26x 5/6/2015 7:41pm
5/6/2015 7:41pm
enketchum wrote:
Matthes did it first


Its funny, I watched this video a few times while installing my DRD rad lowering kit & never thought anything of it until Matthes mentioned it on the Pulpmx. He makes a joke about it in the how to video.
thorns
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thorns 5/6/2015 9:42pm
5/6/2015 9:42pm
Always wondered if these caused any issues with heat soak into the radiators?
Moving them closer to the exhaust header on a big 450 cant be a great thing?
enketchum
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enketchum 5/6/2015 11:12pm
5/6/2015 11:12pm
enketchum wrote:
Matthes did it first
bturner26x wrote:
[embed]https://youtu.be/uOrCOsBQANs?list=PL45E3B0881CC57DFB[/embed] Its funny, I watched this video a few times while installing my DRD rad lowering kit & never thought anything of it until Matthes mentioned...


Its funny, I watched this video a few times while installing my DRD rad lowering kit & never thought anything of it until Matthes mentioned it on the Pulpmx. He makes a joke about it in the how to video.
Transworld Editor at Large? LOL

It is funny to think of the probability of that video being made while he worked for TWMX....
tzmike
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tzmike 5/7/2015 8:01am
5/7/2015 8:01am
Agree totally on the fuel amounts
When I raced AMA250 GP on a TZ250, top tank off in practice at each track. Come in and drain and measure. As lap times dropped, did the same and recalculate. The bike had a fuel pump but was not "in the tank" and it also was set up for quick removal. 45 seconds quick. EFI moto bikes is a bit more of a chore and then add shroud removal to it. It is worth it to do and once you get a feel for your local tracks you'll be glad you did...
Tokyo_Tiddler
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Tokyo_Tiddler 5/7/2015 4:00pm
5/7/2015 4:00pm
In addition to the potential heat soak, I was thinking there may be increased exposure to rock damage.

Goonsquad250x; how did you like the mod.. was it noticeable?
MaxPower
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MaxPower 5/7/2015 5:46pm
5/7/2015 5:46pm
I think lowering your radiator will be noticed just about as much as a set of titanium engine case bolts.
Think how much your radiators weigh with a few oz of fluid in them. Right? Kind of silly now to waste the effort and money
mark_swart
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mark_swart 5/7/2015 6:38pm
5/7/2015 6:38pm
I never did it on my CRFs, but I did it on a 07 YZF 450 to try to get it to turn better. It did seem to lean a bit more readily into turns with the lowering kit, front wheel still pushed though. I thought it was noticeable.

And I always run the least amount of fuel also.

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