Hi Kris,
I know your coming out with the living with podcast soon but since its winter I wanted to send my suspension out on my 2018 crf250r. So far its light years better then my old Honda with an air fork. But just wanted to see if I can gain a bit more small bump initial / mid stroke comfort. I did read your article on race tech. I have always used FC for my revalves with mostly good results. Im a 33 year old 6’0” 165lb fast-ish C rider so my speeds are nowhere near yours. Anyway just wanted to hear your thoughts if you had a minute. Also looking forward to the living with pod cast, being a C rider and both my track are a bit on the tighter side would like to get a bit more bottom and mid out of this motor. Anyway thanks again and happy new year!
Brandon
Brandon,
Best two things for more bottom end for this bike is a HC piston and a muffler system. These two things help with roll on power! I am in the middle of doing a muffler shootout, but I can tell you that the FMF, Yoshimura and Bills systems help bottom end delivery.
As far as suspension I am still currently in the process of dissecting some things so you will have to wait a few weeks for that answer, but you can always hit up Race Tech. They dialed in my CR450R stuff very well
Stay tuned to the podcast and I will get you some quality info!
Happy New Year! -KK
Have you tried the Oakley Frontline google what is your thoughts compared to airbrake. I like to have a nose guard. -Trevor
Trevor,
Working on a Frontline test right now! Stay tuned..
Sneak Peek…..
Frontline’s are not as good as Airbrake… Look into a Scott Prospect if you want a nose guard! The Prospect has a wider peripheral similar to the Airbrake which I am sure you will love. As far as lenses go, I use clear lenses and don’t need the Prizm lens. I am always a clear guy. -KK
Hi Keefer,
Thanks for all of your content you put out. I really appreciate it. So here is my question. I am a 42 year old guy and I have always used the clutch when I shift. I heard Steve on Pulp say you don’t need to use the clutch while you shift. I don’t get a new bike every year so they need to last. Would you really not use the clutch when shifting? I also just got an 85 for my youngest son. He hasn’t ever had a bike that had a clutch. Should I teach him to shift without the clutch? Is that what you taught your son? Thanks for your time.
Cody
Cody,
Speed shifting is common practice among most riders. I don’t engage the clutch fully when shifting and you will not burn the clutch sooner by not using it.
However…..
I do teach my son to use the clutch just to get him to learn how to use it more. Once they advance, this speed shifting technique will almost teach itself when he gets faster. Teach the basics of clutch, brake and throttle control and other techniques will adapt naturally. -KK
Hey man love the show! My name is Kyle and I’m looking at a new bike here real soon. I stopped by Vey’s and talked with Tyler for a good minute and I think I’ve got narrowed down between KTM and Yamaha. Ultimate goal is to have a two stroke and a four stroke but I’m stuck between brands. I’m really drawn to the 350sxf and the 150sx but have heard a few scares about reliability. Can’t go wrong with a Yamaha in that department and I really like the new 450 but it might be a little much for me. I’m 30 years old, 5’6 and float between 170 and 180. Decent novice or C rider but I stay away from things like Pala’s main track. Definitely want to start racing again but I’m not trying to make lorettas or anything. Just want to have a lot fun on the bike. Air forks are also a little weird from what I’ve heard but honestly I don’t know if I’d be able to notice a difference. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated man. -Kyle
Kyle,
If you’re not racing and are looking for just a fun bike to ride the KTM 350 SX-F is a very good bike. It is a little pricey and does have an air fork, but the air fork is one of the best “air forks” on the market. The Yamaha is a great bike, but I am thinking that might be too much of a bike for you to have some real fun on.
The 150 might be too much work to keep on the pipe and rip around the amateur track at Pala.
With the 350 you can be lazy or you can rev it out. It is really the best of both worlds so look into a new 350 SX-F.
Let me know what you get and if you need some set up advice when you do!
Cheers –KK
Hey Kris,
I’m prepping to get back into MX riding and I’m really torn about what bike to buy so I’m reaching out for some expert advice, ultimately I know it will come down to my decision but the more info I have the better. I’m 32, 5′-9″ 190lb pretty fit but just had a baby so the dad bod is here, I can ride comfortably in the open B class (Eastern PA area) so I’m not terrible but not blazing fast either. The last bike I owned was a 2008 KX 450 and I had a 2004 RM 250 2 stroke before that. I haven’t touched a bike since 2013 but the itch to ride cannot be scratched by anything so I’m looking for a new bike. I’m (probably) not looking to race but 95% of my riding will be MX tracks, with some trails thrown in occasionally. I’m really torn between the new 450s and a 250 2 stroke. I did all the pros and cons for each and I’m still about 50-50 on which path to choose. I know that 2 strokes will never be king again which is fine, it just seems the new 4 strokes are so complicated and intimidating from a maintenance perspective; the mapping, electric start, air forks, EFI, traction control… Am I thinking too much into it or are the current 450s really complicated? Do the KTM / Husky 250 two strokes beat out the YZ? Any guidance or info you can offer is appreciated, thanks! -Joe
Joe,
I am going to be straight up with you. I am not a huge two-stroke guy. They are fun to ride, but take more work to do so. If you are looking to have fun then I am sure they are just fine, but offer less traction and you can’t be as lazy on them like a four-stroke.
I am a mediocre mechanic as well and I rarely have to do anything to a new 450 other than oil and filters. Yes, the engine is complicated and mapping is super easy to do (if you mess with it at all).
Most reliable 450s are Yamaha and Honda. The KTM and Husky are also great, but have an air fork, which I wouldn’t recommend for a weekend warrior type.
I know you will have a blast on a 450, but make sure to take it slow and work your way into shape. They can be a handful when tired. Two-strokes are lighter and will not wear you down as fast, but again you will have to work harder to go fast.
The new two-stroke KTM and Husky’s are great in the engine department but the Yamaha has them in the suspension area.
Hope this helps. -KK
Hi Kris,
Dig the podcast! I work a ton this time of year and your techy dirt bike podcasts really help me get through our busy season. I know that you’re not a fan of air forks. I was wondering if you had tried any of the AER spring conversion kits. I’m looking at getting a new KTM 300xc this year but am a bit worried about the new forks. I have CC forks revalved by RG3 on my current bike and they work really well for me so I’d hate to take a step backward. Thanks for any input you have and looking forward to the offroad podcast! -Ben
Thanks for listening Ben..
I have tried WP’s spring conversion and they work well. They are not Cone Valve good, but is a little better than AER. The front wheel traction is increased and you will have more front end feel with the conversion. The AER is not on my “hate” list of things, but to me spring is just better. -KK
First of all Ive always liked you on pulp and I really like your new podcast it gets me super fired up about bikes. My question is Im a 43 year old novice rider I bought an 08 CRF450 to go hit the dunes a couple times a year with my friends we did a track day and I got addicted again every couple weeks we hit up different tracks I feel really comfortable on my 08 but would like a new bike I’m wondering if I bought an 18 CRF450 is it going to be light years better or will I be pissed I just spent 10k. Happy New Year to Heather and yourself
Nick,
Thanks for listening!
The 08 is a great bike! If you are only riding for fun I would say the 2008 is a great bike and will do just fine. If you are looking to get into racing and get more serious then a new bike would be beneficial. Don’t waste the money yet on a new bike when you got a great one in your garage. Ride a little more and maybe try a race or two on it to see how it goes. Thanks! -KK
Keefer I listen to your podcasts and listened to your 2018 kx450 podcast and have your suspension settings from that but do you recommend a different setting for me i use to race quads and rode bikes some back in the day but I am still new to the two wheels i am 6’1 210 pounds what fork settings and shock settings would you recommend for that ? I am having trouble with small bumps causing hard hit feelings and iam having trouble with the bike in the top of the stroke into corners it just feels as if the bike rides really high into corners and is tough to lean in. Wanted to make sure my fork settings are correct before I try to change how I ride
Thanks,
Brett
Brett,
The spec that I gave you all on the 2018 podcast was very close to what you will need. If anything you can or may slow down the rebound one click and soften the compression two clicks on the fork.
If you feel like you need more front wheel traction (and who doesn’t on this bike) look into a Race Tech front fork spring conversion kit. Orrrrrrrrrr. Any spring conversion kit for that matter! -KK
Hey man, I was listening to a podcast Ryno Hughes did where he pretty much bashed all neck braces, wrist braces, and even went as far as saying knee braces are worthless(k disagree with that). But his theory was that these braces limit your body’s natural mobility that you need to position your body or roll when you crash, therefore they do more damage than they prevent. I was wondering what your insight was on this. More specifically the neck braces, I’m not sure if I agree with him but he brought up some good points that got me thinking. Thanks bro!
If you want to listen for it yourself it was an interview he did on BigMXradio.
Darin,
I am not a fan of neck braces as well. They limit my mobility and it makes it tough to look for enough ahead at times.
As far as safety I think it’s debatable. I had my kid wearing one for a while, but now I see that he is more fluid on the bike without it. So just a chest protector for him now.
If it doesn’t bother you and you can ride just the same I don’t see why you shouldn’t wear one. Yes, you might break your collarbone, but I don’t see how it can do MORE damage than without it.
Tough decision there… -KK
Hey Kris, Love what you’re doing here, great stuff, keep it up and hope you can continue to build! I have a question about triple clamp offset. I own a 2015 YZ450F, PC link, 102mm sag, fork tubes 5mm up in the stock 22mm clamps. I’m 6’4″ 205 without gear, A class XC/Enduro (East) rider. This setup feels great compared to stock, however, I would like to improve the cornering feel even more. I read a MXA (I know : /) test on a Larry Brooks built YZ450F with 20mm triple clamps in conjunction with the Dr. D engine relocation kit and radiator lowering kit and they claimed it was the best cornering YZ450F they had ever ridden. It could have just been some nut gargling, IDK. Have you tested 20mm clamps? I would like to know your opinion on this before I pull the trigger on a set of $900.00 Xtrigs.
Jeff,
Don’t spend the money on the 20’s yet! Take this in bits, please!
Try the engine relocation first as this helps quite a bit! This might be all you’re looking for right now. I would hate to see you lose some of that straight line stability that that bike is good for. Not to mention waste money!
Give DR.D a call and get that kit! The radiator lowering kit helps a little as well, but not as much as the engine kit. Both compliment each other however nicely though. -KK
What is a good outlet for detailed suspension info? I live in SE Washington State and don’t have any good local suspension guys. I ride everything except for motocross tracks and compete in the Vet B class in offroad races, so I’m not exactly setting the world on fire but I enjoy the technical aspect of things. I am a shop foreman for an automotive dealership so I understand the components but have a hard time applying changes to help my riding given all the different places I ride. Any advice would be appreciated. I really enjoy all your keefertested pods and hope you continue to grow your brand. Thanks for all the content.
Seth,
I went to a Race Tech seminar that really broke down suspension and the components inside them. It was very intriguing and even helped when I was testing. It help me think about what specific area of the fork and shock needed work.
They might have a video that is available that you can watch so head on over to Racetech.com or look around to see if there is a seminar near you.
I also am working on a suspension break down for an article that will be up soon. Need to get more time to finish this for you all.
Cheers! -KK
