2018 KTM 450 SX-F gearing changes and set up tips?

fullfloater
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fullfloater
First ride on my 450. Really like the bike but man those forks are stiff. My right hand blew off the bars through some choppy braking bumps. Lucky it’s stable because I saved it Wink Took a couple of pounds out and it was better right away but I think I I can go softer.

Anyway, what settings are working? I’m vet int and about 165-170 without gear.

How about gearing? I was on a tighter track but felt like I was shifting down to 2nd more than I would expect. Anyone tried adding a tooth or two to the rear to allow 3rd gear more?

Any other essential mods?

Thanks!
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lumpy790
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lumpy790 8/20/2018 7:44am
8/20/2018 7:44am
I usual go up 2 teeth from stock on all bikes.
ron36
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ron36 8/20/2018 9:26am
8/20/2018 9:26am
I got same problem, try 13-50 next weekend. Hope i dont need second gear anymore en use fourth gear more.
Second gear is to short most time.
blaze 57
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blaze 57 8/20/2018 9:34am
8/20/2018 9:34am Edited Date/Time 8/20/2018 9:38am
Yep, 13-50 gearing and will REALLY help with using 3rd more especially corners. The AER's are not very good at braking bumps in stock form. At least mine were not. Shipped mine off to Factory Connection and had them re-valve and throw on their Performance mod too. Whole different fork now and handles the braking bumps and chop much better or plusher.

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mx317
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mx317 8/20/2018 1:26pm
8/20/2018 1:26pm Edited Date/Time 8/20/2018 1:28pm
fullfloater wrote:
Do you need a longer chain for the 50 tooth?
I got a longer chain when I put the 50t on mine. I went from a 114L to a 116L. I didn't try moving it all the way up to try the 50t, but wanted it close to where it was in the swingarm. I will say this though, the wheel was further back with the 13/50 and 116L chain than it was with the stock 13/48 114L chain.

I ended up going back to a 48 on the rear because it felt like it hit too hard with the 50T. A 49t might be the ticket for me. Keefer testing swears by a 14/52 combo even though the ratio isn't much different.
Bruce372
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Bruce372 8/20/2018 9:00pm
8/20/2018 9:00pm
I went to 49 on the back after a few hours. Engine was better, but the next round of sprockets I stayed with 49 and went to a longer chain and the bike was better
fullfloater
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fullfloater 8/21/2018 7:41pm
8/21/2018 7:41pm Edited Date/Time 8/21/2018 7:41pm
Thanks guys. I’ve ordered a 49. I’ll try that first. Hopefully stock length chain will be good.
fullfloater
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fullfloater 9/10/2018 1:43am
9/10/2018 1:43am Edited Date/Time 9/10/2018 1:44am
Update on this. Went with the 49 and a stock chain. Fit fine, just had to turn the adjuster blocks around. Allowed me to use 3rd in almost every corner. I think I'll stick with that as 3rd topped out early on some of the straights. Great bike.

Went with black throttle cam too.
DawnPatrol
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DawnPatrol 9/10/2018 4:50pm
9/10/2018 4:50pm
For the forks, I went from 146 to 132, which really smoothed out the ride. I am same weight, 50+ Vet C, so slower than many, but I was getting killed in choppy sand sections and tight braking bumps. Also raised forks to the forth line. Totally changed ability to turn, and have had no problem with knifing in sand.

I may remove 10cc from the forks, to get a bit more travel and I will keep an eye on the air pressure, since I may need to go up a bit.

Note, I learned this from a similar age rider at the track, not MXA. Next best thing to riding is great dudes like Kenny #44 NEMX...

Thanks Kenny!
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GCBC
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GCBC 2/14/2019 6:19pm
2/14/2019 6:19pm
You guys using 3rd gear all the time in corners I imagine are using a lot of clutch instead of just going thru it in 2nd? If your in 3rd for the whole try has anyone considered going to something like +1-3 or 4 to really stretch 2nd gear and ride it like a two speed with a low/high gear? I’m thinking of trying this out
Digger29
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Digger29 2/15/2019 8:50am
2/15/2019 8:50am
I've been running a 50 on the rear on my last 2 450FEs and I love it because it's gets me into 3rd gear almost immediately and it makes me shift much less and I can use 3rd and 4th everywhere and 5th on the straights. Plus I start in 3rd gear at all of ours track which is like cheating :-)
captmoto
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captmoto 2/15/2019 3:51pm
2/15/2019 3:51pm
I have heard that the AER fork needs more break in time than other forks. I don't really know because I sent my stuff to Race Tech straight away do to my, uh, manly musculature.
Alec138
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Alec138 2/15/2019 6:09pm
2/15/2019 6:09pm
ron36 wrote:
I got same problem, try 13-50 next weekend. Hope i dont need second gear anymore en use fourth gear more. Second gear is to short most...
I got same problem, try 13-50 next weekend. Hope i dont need second gear anymore en use fourth gear more.
Second gear is to short most time.
13-50 is amazing. I put my 16 350sxf for woods on that gearing last weekend and 3rd is the DREAM GEAR!
Markee
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Markee 2/18/2019 5:14am
2/18/2019 5:14am
Digger29 wrote:
I've been running a 50 on the rear on my last 2 450FEs and I love it because it's gets me into 3rd gear almost immediately...
I've been running a 50 on the rear on my last 2 450FEs and I love it because it's gets me into 3rd gear almost immediately and it makes me shift much less and I can use 3rd and 4th everywhere and 5th on the straights. Plus I start in 3rd gear at all of ours track which is like cheating :-)
You use launch control with a 3 gear start?
Digger29
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Digger29 2/18/2019 8:47am
2/18/2019 8:47am
Digger29 wrote:
I've been running a 50 on the rear on my last 2 450FEs and I love it because it's gets me into 3rd gear almost immediately...
I've been running a 50 on the rear on my last 2 450FEs and I love it because it's gets me into 3rd gear almost immediately and it makes me shift much less and I can use 3rd and 4th everywhere and 5th on the straights. Plus I start in 3rd gear at all of ours track which is like cheating :-)
Markee wrote:
You use launch control with a 3 gear start?
No I don't use it when starting in 3rd gear.
Tomok
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Tomok 2/18/2019 9:17am
2/18/2019 9:17am
Digger29 wrote:
I've been running a 50 on the rear on my last 2 450FEs and I love it because it's gets me into 3rd gear almost immediately...
I've been running a 50 on the rear on my last 2 450FEs and I love it because it's gets me into 3rd gear almost immediately and it makes me shift much less and I can use 3rd and 4th everywhere and 5th on the straights. Plus I start in 3rd gear at all of ours track which is like cheating :-)
Ah ha! I knew it!Cool
blaze 57
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blaze 57 2/18/2019 10:02am
2/18/2019 10:02am
fullfloater wrote:
Do you need a longer chain for the 50 tooth?
I bought a long chain going to a 50. If you go up only one tooth to a 49 you can spin the axle blocks around. I don't think that will work on a 50? I can't say for sure? I waited until I needed a new chain and sprockets. Maybe hold off until you need a new set and just get a longer chain so you can have more adjustment. I like my axle further back past the halfway point.

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