2015 ktm 350 sxf forks.

mb60
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Edited Date/Time 2/3/2016 1:26pm
Bought a KTM 2015 350 sxf a month a go. The forks and shock had been revalved for a lighter rider. They replaced the springs also to make it softer. The bike just feels stiff but I'm getting the shock closer. But the forks are killing me on the square edge stuff. The compression is all they way soft but still feels like it's not soft enough. I'm 47 and just ride some here and there on the mx track and trails. Would buying softer springs help or do I have to have it revalved again ? Also KTM guys does the fork cap just come off when removing the phillips screw on top ?? I have been around bikes my whole life but this forks have my clueless. Thanks for any help you guys might be able to give me.
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CarlinoJoeVideo
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1/30/2016 6:09pm
The screw at the top of the fork is to let the air out. Try that to release some pressure and helps with the harshness.

To remove the whole cap you unscrew the black cap from the tube.

I know this sounds crazy at first, but instead of going soft and softer on the compression go stiffer and stiffer then faster on your rebound. Your forks might be so soft they are riding in the middle stiffer part of the stroke which can give you that harsh feel.

For example, my settings from the factory are 15 out on comp and 15 out on rebound. I've found a good feel at 7 out on comp and 17-18 out of rebound.

Give this a shot, and if it doesn't work talk to your tuner about making your valving different.

All those numbers, go all that way in(tight) then back it out those clicks.
mb60
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1/31/2016 3:25pm
Is it a special tool that you use to get the caps off ? I looked on a ebay and tusk sells one for the 2014 kt 350. Do you know if they are the same ?
CarlinoJoeVideo
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1/31/2016 3:48pm
Just a wrench that fits that's size. Do you mind me asking why you want to remove it?

Different forks but that's what your referring to?



mb60
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1/31/2016 4:18pm
Yea the 2015 forks are not like that. I guess the slots in the top take a special tool to take the caps off.

The Shop

lumpy790
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1/31/2016 6:59pm
mb60 wrote:
Bought a KTM 2015 350 sxf a month a go. The forks and shock had been revalved for a lighter rider. They replaced the springs also...
Bought a KTM 2015 350 sxf a month a go. The forks and shock had been revalved for a lighter rider. They replaced the springs also to make it softer. The bike just feels stiff but I'm getting the shock closer. But the forks are killing me on the square edge stuff. The compression is all they way soft but still feels like it's not soft enough. I'm 47 and just ride some here and there on the mx track and trails. Would buying softer springs help or do I have to have it revalved again ? Also KTM guys does the fork cap just come off when removing the phillips screw on top ?? I have been around bikes my whole life but this forks have my clueless. Thanks for any help you guys might be able to give me.
What do you weigh?

My SXF was valued and sprung for a 140 expert and just went back to stock springs for 200 lb 50+ rider and it's working pretty good. 2nd ride was today.
mb60
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1/31/2016 7:38pm
lumpy790 wrote:
What do you weigh? My SXF was valued and sprung for a 140 expert and just went back to stock springs for 200 lb 50+ rider...
What do you weigh?

My SXF was valued and sprung for a 140 expert and just went back to stock springs for 200 lb 50+ rider and it's working pretty good. 2nd ride was today.
Lumpy I weigh about 180 lbs and 47 year old vet int. From what I understand it was valved for a 150 lb expert off road rider. The springs are a 5.2 on the back and I believe .44 fork springs.They work fine except in the breaking bumps or the choppy stuff. Not sure which way to go on this and trying to stay away from spending $ 300.00 on another revalve job.
lumpy790
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2/1/2016 6:47am
lumpy790 wrote:
What do you weigh? My SXF was valued and sprung for a 140 expert and just went back to stock springs for 200 lb 50+ rider...
What do you weigh?

My SXF was valued and sprung for a 140 expert and just went back to stock springs for 200 lb 50+ rider and it's working pretty good. 2nd ride was today.
mb60 wrote:
Lumpy I weigh about 180 lbs and 47 year old vet int. From what I understand it was valved for a 150 lb expert off road...
Lumpy I weigh about 180 lbs and 47 year old vet int. From what I understand it was valved for a 150 lb expert off road rider. The springs are a 5.2 on the back and I believe .44 fork springs.They work fine except in the breaking bumps or the choppy stuff. Not sure which way to go on this and trying to stay away from spending $ 300.00 on another revalve job.
More than likely the springs are to light for your weight. Springs are the 1st step to setting up suspension properly. Springs & valving had to work together. Put to much on one side and will not work well.

Did he give you the stock springs? They are probably about right for your weight. Have you checked to see what springs Race Tech reccomends?

OR Racer46
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I have a 15 350 sxf. And am 165. Race tech calls for 43.5. =. 44. Springs. Since I have done that The forks feel way to soft I bottom all the time and have my compression only 4 clicks out . The forks are ok everywhere else. .
mb60
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2/1/2016 8:15pm Edited Date/Time 2/1/2016 8:17pm
The harshness of the forks are the only thing that i have a complaint about. I'm not out doing triples but the breaking bumps or acceleration bumps are killing it. Any suggestions on how to be a bit plusher is all I'm asking. The bike is great but just that one complaint is all I have.
lumpy790
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2/1/2016 8:55pm
Again what do you weigh?

To soft of a spring and blows through the soft dampening and spikes into hard.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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2/1/2016 9:51pm
OR Racer46 wrote:
I have a 15 350 sxf. And am 165. Race tech calls for 43.5. =. 44. Springs. Since I have done that The forks feel way...
I have a 15 350 sxf. And am 165. Race tech calls for 43.5. =. 44. Springs. Since I have done that The forks feel way to soft I bottom all the time and have my compression only 4 clicks out . The forks are ok everywhere else. .
You could try adding more fork oil. This will give it more bottom resistance. My forks were doing the same and went 10cc more at a time until it got better. I think I was about +30cc. Not really a fox because you 4 out on compression, but a bandaid fix until you change springs or valving.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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2/1/2016 9:52pm
mb60 wrote:
The harshness of the forks are the only thing that i have a complaint about. I'm not out doing triples but the breaking bumps or acceleration...
The harshness of the forks are the only thing that i have a complaint about. I'm not out doing triples but the breaking bumps or acceleration bumps are killing it. Any suggestions on how to be a bit plusher is all I'm asking. The bike is great but just that one complaint is all I have.
Did you try going stiffer on your compression and faster on rebound like I posted earlier?
OR Racer46
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2/2/2016 5:53am
I will try adding oil. . Joe I had them at 8 out and that's were I like them. But this weekend on downhill jump going into a corner was bottoming so tried 4 out. Think I will add 10 and go back to 8 and see how that feels.
mb60
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2/2/2016 6:53am
Did you try going stiffer on your compression and faster on rebound like I posted earlier?
Yes I messed with them like you said but have not had a chance to ride it yet. I honestly believe the forks are not blowing through the stroke. It seems they are not bottoming out so it would not be to soft. Lumpy I weigh 185 lbs and I can't understand how this has been revalved and softer springs but still feels harsh. I will continue to mess with the clickers and might try going back to the stock springs if nothing else works.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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Did you try going stiffer on your compression and faster on rebound like I posted earlier?
mb60 wrote:
Yes I messed with them like you said but have not had a chance to ride it yet. I honestly believe the forks are not blowing...
Yes I messed with them like you said but have not had a chance to ride it yet. I honestly believe the forks are not blowing through the stroke. It seems they are not bottoming out so it would not be to soft. Lumpy I weigh 185 lbs and I can't understand how this has been revalved and softer springs but still feels harsh. I will continue to mess with the clickers and might try going back to the stock springs if nothing else works.
Who did your Revalve? Sounds like you just need a new setting. Maybe they made it too still. Took me 3 settings from factory connection to get me comfortable.

Maybe your rebound is too slow and its packing as you go thru them, not rebounding fast enough to full extension to suck up the next bump?
mb60
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2/2/2016 7:44am
Who did your Revalve? Sounds like you just need a new setting. Maybe they made it too still. Took me 3 settings from factory connection to...
Who did your Revalve? Sounds like you just need a new setting. Maybe they made it too still. Took me 3 settings from factory connection to get me comfortable.

Maybe your rebound is too slow and its packing as you go thru them, not rebounding fast enough to full extension to suck up the next bump?
Craig Decker with Enzo did the revalve. I have contacted him and he told me to bring the forks to him.

I'm just not wanting to pay 300-400 for a revalve that I did not want in the first place. LOL
Kartwheel
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2/3/2016 12:19pm
For your weight you need .48kg or stock fork springs and stock shock spring as well.

When the springs are too soft for your weight the suspension rides low in the stroke and that is why it feels harsh.

The 4CS forks that are on your bike are not the greatest forks ever but they will be better with an Enzo revalve for sure.

Stock they are hideous
pete24
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2/3/2016 12:29pm Edited Date/Time 2/3/2016 12:30pm
i sold my 15 husky fc450 i have the stock fork springs if they will work for you , you can have them just cover the shipping
for what its worth i sent my stuff to FC twice i wiegh 215 they put 50 or 51 in the forks i figured that was going to make it harsher and beat my hands up more , but it worked pretty good
mb60
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2/3/2016 12:33pm
pete24 wrote:
i sold my 15 husky fc450 i have the stock fork springs if they will work for you , you can have them just cover the...
i sold my 15 husky fc450 i have the stock fork springs if they will work for you , you can have them just cover the shipping
for what its worth i sent my stuff to FC twice i wiegh 215 they put 50 or 51 in the forks i figured that was going to make it harsher and beat my hands up more , but it worked pretty good
Pete,

I will take them for sure if that works for you. Do you have a pay pal address and just let me know the price.
pete24
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2/3/2016 1:05pm
pete24 wrote:
i sold my 15 husky fc450 i have the stock fork springs if they will work for you , you can have them just cover the...
i sold my 15 husky fc450 i have the stock fork springs if they will work for you , you can have them just cover the shipping
for what its worth i sent my stuff to FC twice i wiegh 215 they put 50 or 51 in the forks i figured that was going to make it harsher and beat my hands up more , but it worked pretty good
mb60 wrote:
Pete,

I will take them for sure if that works for you. Do you have a pay pal address and just let me know the price.
whats ur emaill address haf the private messages i send on here dont go threw

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