KTM 450 18 help

moto#52
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moto#52
Last year I had a 2017 Ktm 350 and loved it, but this year I decided to go for the 18 450 and it seems I have made a massive mistake. I’m an expert level rider but the 450 just makes me so tired, I get arm pump after about 3 laps in a race and struggle to hold on and it’s ruining my racing. Apart from the obvious of going back to a 350 ( which I may do in a few weeks if this carries on) is there anything you can recommend I do to help? I haven’t touched the gearing yet it’s still standard. I’ve had my suspension set for my weight. Thanks
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stone881
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stone881 5/8/2018 6:53am
5/8/2018 6:53am
Maybe you are thinking too much about it??? Go slow to go fast and focus on squeezing the bike with your legs???
kb228
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kb228 5/8/2018 7:21am
5/8/2018 7:21am
I think you need to give the bike more time. Its got more power so when you twist the gas you need to lean forwards more so youre not pulling on the bars. Relax on the gas until you get used to it. You gotta roll the gas on. Not whack it open like a 250
RCF
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RCF 5/8/2018 7:23am
5/8/2018 7:23am
If you're trying to ride a 450 like a 350 that's the problem you need to shift up, my kid always had the same problem just prefers a small bore , just suits his riding style better.
CSAR FE
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CSAR FE 5/8/2018 8:16am
5/8/2018 8:16am
If you’re using the black throttle cam from your kit, put the gray one back in it. It makes it a lot easier to meter how much throttle you’re giving it, makes the power feel less “on and off” (jerky), and smooths things out.

If you’re revving it out like the 350, try carrying a higher gear and lugging it more instead.

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blaze 57
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blaze 57 5/8/2018 9:47am
5/8/2018 9:47am
I'm almost 61 yrs old and bought a new 18' 450 FE. I know what you are saying. I raced 500 two strokes from the late 70's to around 2002 until I switched to 4-strokes. I found out when taking a huge amount of time off and to get in shape that slower is better. Just poke around in first and second gear lap after lap trying not to fatigue yourself and very slowly build your self up. Never let the motor stress you and ride the upper gears.
mxr746
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mxr746 5/8/2018 12:59pm
5/8/2018 12:59pm
Still have the issue when using the other map?
aees
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aees 5/8/2018 1:24pm
5/8/2018 1:24pm
You should not get arm pump just because you move from 350 to 450. Is the suspension EXACTLY as it was on your 350? Otherwise my guess is something is off there.
mxb2
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mxb2 5/8/2018 2:15pm
5/8/2018 2:15pm
blaze 57 wrote:
I'm almost 61 yrs old and bought a new 18' 450 FE. I know what you are saying. I raced 500 two strokes from the late...
I'm almost 61 yrs old and bought a new 18' 450 FE. I know what you are saying. I raced 500 two strokes from the late 70's to around 2002 until I switched to 4-strokes. I found out when taking a huge amount of time off and to get in shape that slower is better. Just poke around in first and second gear lap after lap trying not to fatigue yourself and very slowly build your self up. Never let the motor stress you and ride the upper gears.
Crazy question, how do you like the fe compared to other bikes you rode or owned?
moto#52
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moto#52 5/8/2018 2:44pm
5/8/2018 2:44pm
mxr746 wrote:
Still have the issue when using the other map?
Yea don’t notice much difference with the maps at all really
moto#52
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moto#52 5/8/2018 2:45pm
5/8/2018 2:45pm
aees wrote:
You should not get arm pump just because you move from 350 to 450. Is the suspension EXACTLY as it was on your 350? Otherwise my...
You should not get arm pump just because you move from 350 to 450. Is the suspension EXACTLY as it was on your 350? Otherwise my guess is something is off there.
It’s been done by the same guy that done the 350 suspension so should be pretty close
moto#52
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moto#52 5/8/2018 2:48pm
5/8/2018 2:48pm
Thanks for the replies i think I’m going to give it another go this weekend riding Saturday and Sunday and decide from there.
sandman768
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sandman768 5/8/2018 5:52pm
5/8/2018 5:52pm
If you are getting tired or arm pump on a 450, you may be over riding it...stay off the clutch, roll on the power, try to stay out of 2nd gear... 3rd gear is where you want to be, roll throttle on early in turns....
BobPA
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BobPA 5/8/2018 8:26pm
5/8/2018 8:26pm
Shift more
lumpy790
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lumpy790 5/9/2018 8:07am
5/9/2018 8:07am
350 & 450 use the same frame and same suspension. What part is different to you?

I know riders that have always had to have suspension revolved and they LOVE these new KTM.Husky's out of the box so why did you have to change the suspension on yours? Did you make a mistake doing that?
blaze 57
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blaze 57 5/9/2018 8:42am
5/9/2018 8:42am
mxr746 wrote:
Still have the issue when using the other map?
moto#52 wrote:
Yea don’t notice much difference with the maps at all really
This is my first KTM but its way easier and faster to ride than my old 500 two strokes. I did send both my shock and forks to Factory Connection which was a massive improvement over stock. In stock form the forks suffer from low-speed harshness in chop. Especially on corner entrance. I had Factory Connection do their performance mod on the forks and the shock bladder kit on the shock. In stock fork the forks would beat up my wrists in short order. Not anymore. They are great and on par with my 450 Yamaha with those great KYB's that were set up by EVO. Good suspension is everything on these 450's. Without it the motor will just over whelm.
blaze 57
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blaze 57 5/9/2018 8:45am
5/9/2018 8:45am
Sorry I meant to reply to mxb2 in my above post.
fullysicmate
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fullysicmate 5/9/2018 11:25pm
5/9/2018 11:25pm
I just got a 350, I have a 450 as well. I am impressed with how much longer I can last on the 350, I was surprised. The power of the 450 is tiring, if you dont have time to ride for anymore than 1 hr every 2 or 3 weeks (like me). And therefore not have the fitness/strength for a 450, the 350 is going help.
moto#52
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moto#52 5/10/2018 8:51pm
5/10/2018 8:51pm
fullysicmate wrote:
I just got a 350, I have a 450 as well. I am impressed with how much longer I can last on the 350, I was...
I just got a 350, I have a 450 as well. I am impressed with how much longer I can last on the 350, I was surprised. The power of the 450 is tiring, if you dont have time to ride for anymore than 1 hr every 2 or 3 weeks (like me). And therefore not have the fitness/strength for a 450, the 350 is going help.
I just race every Sunday/every other Sunday, I don’t get chance to ride in the week. I’m having the 450 remapped with a softer map tomorrow and then racing Sunday so I will report back

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