So… I’m super interested in buying an Alta but I have some concerns and questions. First off, no secret that the WP 4CS stuff kinda sucks. Any idea if the 19 models may change to the AER48 stuff or can you not say? Secondly, I can’t find any parts online. Idk if I’d have to go through my dealer for everything or what.
And lastly, can you switch the bars out? I’m assuming you can but I’m not sure how the screen is mounted on there. Thanks for everything you do! Love the testing podcast and of course After Dark kills it! -Josh
Josh,
All valid questions!
The 2018 model has he AER fork on it and the 4CS stuff is gone!
You can get parts at your dealer as they will and can handle anything you will need.
Yes, you can change the bars out as the cluster is just snapped in with a couple straps around it on the backside. I use a Pro Taper Carmichael bend or a Renthal 999 bend.
Hope this helps you a little! Thanks for listening to the podcast and enjoying After Dark!
Let me know if you get one!
-KK
Hey Kris first I want to say I enjoy all your podcasts. My name is Patrick Kitchen, I am a 37 year old Vet C rider 5’10” and around 200 pounds. For me I love the sport of motocross, but really dirt bikes in general. I think that’s why I love your podcasts so much. Its the information that is typically hard to get, or you have to know someone to get the honest truth.
1st question: I have a 2016 Ktm 350xcf. I bought this bike because I wanted to race some hare scrambles but mostly motocross. The thing I figured out was the forks (4cs) suck on bigger jumps or flat landers (Unadilla Am track). So I got the Mx tech Lucky system. I probably should have just bought Aer48’s or saved for cone valves for 2k. I’m still not a huge fan of the forks and unsure how much I will like the Aer forks. I have rode some older Hondas and I loved how the settle into the corner. I felt like I could go inside or outside easily. Anyways I love my Ktm 350 but I want a new bike. I have listened to your podcast and you did sway me back towards another 350 because I do get tired in later laps, but I am trying to work on that. I have rode a 2018 Yamaha 450 did seem to handle ALOT better than the previous one my dad owned. I am either Ktm or Honda guy I think. I am not a rev kind of rider and my friends tell me I will be faster on a 450(I take that with a grain of salt). I try to rev it more and I feel fine I think more seat time will help that. I have wished for more torque on a few tight little doubles or to be able to ride a gear high in some corners.here are theprices I have, So 2018 Honda 450 for $8300, 2018 Ktm 450 for $8500 or a Ktm 350 maybe around the same, I havent priced it.
I did get some flame out with my 350 but I had it dyno’d and remapped. Haven’t rode it yet but I hear it will be way smoother and not flame out. (54.25hp) 45 hours on bike.
2nd question: How amazing are cone valves? Is a set for 2k a good investment. Especially if I stay with Ktm?
3rd question: I know you plan to come east to do a shootout next year, where do you think you will go? I live in NC about 30 min from JGR hoping to get to at least come visit. Maybe Steve, Phil, Weege, Randy, and maybe Jbone would be there. Just intermingle a Pulpmx/Michelin ride day haha!
4th question: What about riding schools? Do you recommend them? Or maybe a coach? Or just ride more because my seat time is limited alot of the time.
Thanks for all you do. I love listening and talking moto almost as much as riding moto.
Patrick,
Thanks for listening and trusting me with the answers to your questions.
First things first… Let’s start with the 4CS fork and conversion. I have ridden tons of conversions and while they make the fork better it is not a cure all for this fork.
Yes, the CV fork is much better than what you have and is worth the money, but that will not cure your lack of torque issue..
So here is my answer for that question. To get more torque than what you have now and remain controllable for the blue collar guy that rips on weekends, I would recommend the 2018 KTM 450 SX-F. You’re getting more torque, but in controlled fashion. The Honda is great as well, but is more exciting and will get you tired quicker than the KTM.
Now I will have to say the 2018 KTM 350 SX-F has a lot of snap and has more excitement than your 2016 XC-F, but to me the KTM 450 SX-F is just a no brainer for you. The AER fork is the second best fork on the market (behind the KYB) and is much better than what you have on your bike currently. If you’re already dealing with 54 HP on your current bike the new 450 will not seem the much faster (only difference will be on pulling power out of corners).
When I go back east this year I will be heading up to Texas and either South or North Carolina. Would love to meet you and shoot the shit!
As far as riding schools, I would say it depends on the trainer. There are hundreds of so called trainers, but how many actually know what they are doing? That is the key. My motto is study riders and try to implement what they are doing out on the track. I wouldn’t waste your money. To me more seat time is the right thing to do. The ore you ride the better you will be.
Hope all of this helps and thanks for listening! Tell your buddies to tune in to laugh, learn and ride!
Cheers,
KK
Hey Keefer. Big fan of you and you presence on PulpMX. I’m old and slow but I’m just getting back into riding. Some high desert stuff and vet tracks. Got a new blue 450 the FX version. It seems soft suspension wise. I’m 5’11” 165 lbs. Do you have any basic settings I can try? It seems wallowy overall and the rear seems to kick a lot on jump faces. I also noticed the front end will not stick in flat turns. Any advice is truly appreciated. Thanks – Rob
Hey Rob,
Yes this bike is heavy therefore it feels soft when riding.
The best setting I have found for this bike is the following:
Fork:
Stiffer 4 clicks Compression from stock
Slower 2 clicks Rebound from stock
Shock:
Sag 102mm
Compression 3-5 clicks stiffer from stock
Rebound 1-2 clicks slower from stock
High Speed Compression stock-1/4 turn stiffer
This should help a little but you might have to add a little oil to the fork +10cc’s to help get it to hold up on de-cel.
I don’t know stock clickers off hand, but it should be there in your manual!
Let me know how it works?
Thanks,
KK
I am a long time Yamaha guy. I have an 18 450. Over the years ive gotten pretty good at setting my suspension for what I like. My question is whats your opinon of ohlins suspension. I have no problems with the kyb just wondered if there were any beneficial differences btween the two. Keep up the great work. Thanks for your time.
Eric
Eric,
I have used OHLINS on Honda and found it to be decent, but maybe not that much better than a re-valved stock stuff.
OHLINS has more of a dead feel to it than a livelier KYB set up. I liked that about the OHLINS.
To me I would rather see you save your money and re-valve.
I am working on trying a WP CV fork with Trax shock on a YAMAHA soon.
-KK
Thank you for the very informative podcast. I am in the market for a bike and fell right into the weekend warrior/desert guy. I used to race moto and was a decent B rider. You covered all of the bikes I am looking at except one. The YZ 250x two stroke. I am 6 foot 205 and like to ride the vet track and then head out to the desert. I like the fact that the two stroke x version has a wider transmission over the regular YZ 250. I just wanted to see if you had an opinion on the YZ250X two stroke. Thanks, Dave
Dave,
That is totally an option and a great bike. It will be sprung a little softer, but otherwise a great buy for a weekend warrior.
I like that it has a heavier flywheel and not as hard to hold onto when you’re coming out of corners! The X has a smoother delivery and can lug pretty decent for a hybrid type of dirt bike.
I appreciate you listening and thanks for the heads up on the bike choice!
-KK
Hi Kris,
Quick question, any Goggle brands that you know of that do a prescription Lense for people who wear seeing Glasses?
Or what would be the widest Goggle to try wearing over the top off my Glasses.
Thank you
Brett
Brett,
I haven’t tried them but have looked at sportrx.com? They have prescription motocross goggles and it could be worth looking into?
Other than that I would get a wide peripheral goggle like a Oakley Aribrake or Scott Prospect. Those two goggles have the widest field of vision available.
Hope this helps!
-KK
Hi Kris
Im a 52 yr old B rider who broke ankle on 450 16 months ago ankle is good to go, have not ridden since. My 15 yr old daughter quit riding (150 r/Kx100) in 2015 when we moved , now wants to ride again.( yes she is spolied i bought her 2 bikes) 5’3 107 lbs she was pretty good back when she rode i would consider her intermediate to above average rider. My thought was KTM/Husky 2 stroke 125/150 “to share” with suspension by race tech or F/C redone for weight and speed and a lowering link. Also, I always say im the shortest mx rider ever Im 5 foot tall and 135 lbs. This bike will be more for her but I will jump on it and ride on the mx tracks we have on the east coast from time to time. Also like the Honda 250 with electric start. She is also open to the KX 100 again id she has to I’m also the guy who contacted Gary Sutherlin through you about the spleen removal i did not need the surgery for now but Gary was great dealing with on email, I just wish i could win the lottery and sponsor that guy!
Thanks Mike McPoyle
Mike,
I think the 125 KTM would be a great bike for both of you to share. The Honda 250 might be a little too much for your daughter and could be a little heavy for her to push around. It is better to keep it fun for her along with giving you an easy maintenance schedule with a two-stroke.
Factory Connection Or Race Tech can lower the shock internally (instead of a lowering link). For me I prefer using a shortened shock versus a lowering link.
The KX100 is also not a bad choice for her, but for you wouldn’t be beneficial at all. You would need more horsepower, but I feel like your daughter could really get comfortable on a KX100 very quickly. If she does get one of those then you’re good to go “guns hot” on a new KTM 125 for yourself!
Have fun getting back on the steed! Enjoy the tie with your daughter.
-KK
