Kris, I am a huge fan, and looking for some advice. I am 48 years old and I have only been riding 2 years, but I am progressing quickly. I actually saw you at World Vet(my first race ever) and wanted to stop in and say hi, but you were always busy, or it was right before race and I didn’t want to bug you. 6 months ago, I was a fast Novice, but now I am catching up to my buddies that race occasionally and race intermediate. I ride Perris, Milestone, Cahuilla, Pala and Glen Helen Tracks, and ride the Main tracks everywhere but Pala(usually a little too burly.LOL). My bike has 77 hours on it now and I need to get the suspension redone. Was originally considering the Ohlins inserts($1300???) because I have never been completely happy with the forks although I got the shock working pretty well for my weight/speed(6’4″, 185lbs). I also listened the the Paul Thede Podcast and liked what I heard and thought maybe since you have lots of good things to say about them I might try that route. Now that it’s time to finally pull the trigger and not procrastinate, I read some good reviews of Earl Shuler’s AER48 rebuilds. Any thoughts? I was using your recommended settings on my fork, but running a little less air pressure at Glen Helen and Cahuilla when it got rough since I am no where near as fast as you and wanted a little more comfort(althought I did bottom out pretty hard every once in a while if I OJayed something. Any recommendations that you can help with? I would certainly appreciate it if you could share some of your wisdom if you have a little spare time in between your intense pro training career with Honda (I love it!!! Good Luck, and I will be rooting for you and might even pick you in Pulp fantasy as long as they give you a fighting chance with a good handicap). I am not totally against staying with Air Fork as opposed to a spring conversion and Race Tech. I ride Perris a lot and never really had issues with bike setup there. But World vet at Glen Helen was Brutal. Basically I feel like I can get a little more comfort and plushness by lowering the air pressure, but then at my weight I tend to bottom out too much. Your recommended air pressure with your settings worked great at Perris for me, but everywhere else it was just too harsh for my speed. -Thad
Thad,
Thanks for the email! To me when you start to push it and get better the AER fork is ok, but not great for consistent comfort and cornering. I would go with a spring conversion or a CV fork. I have tried the spring conversion and it is day and night better at GH than the AER recommended settings. I can lean into the corner better and I know what the front end is going to do coming down those hills. I have yet to try Earl’s spec, but I am familiar with Race Tech’s stuff and I know it works. Email chrisr@racetech.com and he can get you set up! Tell him I sent you! Hope to see you at the track someday and I am stoked that your racing! Let me know how it goes!
-KK
Do you have a 200 pound rider set up? Sag, fork height, clickers the problem I have is I can’t go through a turn fast the front end dives too much I feel like the rear over powers the fork . The weird thing is at sand track both ends of the bike felt stiff ridged and very loose with everything stock I could not even get around the track ! Rode ktm 250 f it was hooked both ends no problems, the yam was horrible! Wtf am I missing the Yam beat me up I ended up stock clicker
Sag 110
Fork 7mm so Many shops claim sag 108 fork 5mm but the bike won’t turn idk I’m lost pissed frustrating should I have bought a KTM or am I too heavy for stock suspension and riding around in the middle of the stroke ! I was at redbud and saw Todd Dehoop his Honda road high in the stroke mine not like that but neither was my factory connection Honda so idk anymore ! Tell me what you think sorry this was so long Thanks, Justin
Justin,
It’s not stiff, it’s soft and you’re in the stiff part of the stroke (mid-stroke). This is common with 200 pound riders so you’ll need to go up a spring rate. Once your spring rates are set to your weight, your bike should feel tons better, especially on braking bumps. The bike is build for 175-180 pound riders so cranking in the clickers will not do THAT much.
-KK
Kris you rock. A month or so back you sent me your vector. I attached a pic of how/where it printed out. I think it came out pretty sick. I probably should get a hold of Heather and get a shirt/hoodie or something from you guys. That’s on my list. I procrastinate.
Two things; big email – sorry I know you’re a busy dude especially with the National program coming up. CONGRATS on that. I’ll be cheering you on from up here in Washington.
OK – enough ADD – back on track; stock suspension ’19 YZ250F, just had the fork & shock oils changed @18hrs (leaky KYB seal but I was close enough). 180lb Vet Expert running a Starcross 5 Soft front tire at 13.5psi. The stock Bridgestone was worse, the Starcross is better but I’m struggle-busing it trying to find more connectivity with the front end (softer/sandier surface). I haven’t ridden Washougal to try it on a medium/hard surface yet. Any suggestions? I’m running 103mm sag, 5mm fork height and your clicker settings. I’m thinking of trying MX33S and Hoosier MX25 front tires. My suspension guy (he hasn’t seen me ride it yet) is thinking possibly softer springs (or a softer spring in one leg). That or I’m trying a Honda… Thoughts?
Also, I’ve heard you pimping the Old Timer races and said you’re going to do a couple this year. Which one(s)? Maybe I can thank you in person at one of those.
Thanks buddy!!!
Mike,
I wouldn’t go with softer springs just yet… Look into a Hoosier MX25 first and see how you like that at 14 psi. You should be able to get a lot of front end feeling from that. Try running your sag around 104mm and keep the 5mm fork height.
Also don’t be afraid to check your technique at the door when entering corners, that could be some of it.
Thanks for repping the logo. Looks good!
I might try and come to Washougal this Summer and make it a vacation so maybe I’ll see you there!
-KK
Hey Keefer,
I just got my new 250SX-F all set up with a titanium FMF 4.1, with an open filter cage and Vortex ECU. I’m also running VP T4 fuel. It runs really nicely but after about 30 min it seems to bog or hesitate slightly down low. Any ideas what adjustments I could make or what may be going on?
Thanks, Philip
Philip,
Did you set TPS? Vortex has a re-set so try that.
Hold kill button down and hit start button for three seconds.
Don’t let go of kill button and hold down while you open throttle wide open and hit starter button for three seconds. Done. Try that.
KK
Hi Kris , I hope training is going well ! I know your busy so thank you for taking the time to help us common folk LOL . So i have a 19 kx 450 , And i currently weigh 340 on the way down tho! Any way, I hit up race tech and got some springs . The biggest they have is a .54 for the front and a 6.6 rear . Now this is under sprung by about 50 lbs but I’m able to get a sag of 105 relativity easy . I was finding the front to be a bit to soft and tucking in the corners a bit. Also the rebound with that stiff of springs was bouncing me all over . I can have front springs custom made but with droppin weight i figured i should make adjustments first as the recommended spring was a .55 and not that far off . I am 5 clicks in from stock compression on the front and 10 on the rear . low speed compression. I am also 4 clicks in on rebound front and rear . The bike seems pretty good at this setting as far as my earlier concerns but it beats the Shit out of me . Our races here are 5 laps ,about 1.40 min per lap . by lap 3 im gassed. Hands hurt arm pump ,all of it. Now obviously my size would be an honest factor but im in good shape as far as loosing weight working out and such . Meaning my cardio is pretty good and im a strong dude. Furthermore i rode my buddies 18 rockstar husky Saturday which has been valved and sprung for a 220 lb rider and although a lil soft i pulled off 6 laps and had very little pump or hand cramps. So i know its a comfort thing . Disclaimer ( both bikes are running same bars and grips evo sx race ) I know theres a million other variables . But when I call race tech or anyone else for that matter and tell them my weight i can hear the crickets chirping lol (RICK?) So what could i try to get a bit more hold up and back the clickers off . Do you think i should try to add a lil more oil than the stock amount ? Or just have the custom springs made ? I keep getting the lets valve it answer from the local shops. I dont think having the bike valved would really be the answer but being somewhat new im kinda lost. oh Im 39 and race 30+ novice and big bike open novice . Faster than i look slower than i think …Thanks for the help. -Frank
Frank,
Glad you’re riding! Here’s the deal…
Sometimes when you go up too hight in spring rate the ride can get worse, not better! I almost would rather see you a little softer on springs so the ride isn’t as harsh. When going that stiff on spring rates the stock valving just doesn’t work. So as much as I don’t want to, I will have to agree about getting your bike re-valved for your weight. Maybe then they can go down in spring rates and increase valving. Could work!
I can give you a very good dude at Race Tech’s email and maybe he can guide you? Chrisr@racetech.com. He understand the big boys as he is one himself!
Tell him Keefer sent you!
-Rick?
-KK
Kris,
Can you please share Heather’s recipe for a super bird? Maybe a pic? -Jennifer
Jennifer,
Lightly toasted white or sourdough bread, sliced turkey, pepper jack cheese, mayo, honey mustard, pickles. Tomatoes and lettuce if you like that, but we don’t.. 🙂
-KK
Hey Kris,
Just a quick note I had for you. I bought a 19 YZ250F right when they came out in July. Bought the 4.1 slip on right away, threw it on and it feels like it took all the bottom out of the bike, and I did run it without the spark arrester. I’m generally really happy with FMF but it seems like they have missed the mark on this one in my eyes. I was just wondering if you had any input on set up to help that pipe out.
Thanks for all you do.
Cameron
Cameron,
Put the insert back in and you’ll get some added backpressure to help bottom. It shouldn’t take away any but not add any either. The one we use is good with the insert in and the “Aggressive Keefer 2” map installed.
KK
Keefer,
Just wanted to start off by saying what a true fan I am. I love the honesty, transparency, and genuine character you bring to everything that you do. I wish you and your family the very best. #homelife
I’ll keep this as short and concise as possible. I’m a 25 year old carpenter from the Chicago suburbs. Pops grew up riding and after years of begging he caved and got himself, my sister, and I Kawis, trailer, the whole 9 yards. Rode my KX100 for a few years and mom forced dad and I to sell our bikes after a nasty tib/fib break + concussion from whiskying off a berm into a tree. Looking back that was probably a little too much bike for me learning to ride on.
Fast forward to now, I’ve followed the sport religiously since about 2013. Listen to everything pulp & K.I.T. I cant express how grateful I am for all the content you guys put out. I truly don’t know how I’d get thru my weeks without it.
I landed a solid carpentry job with great insurance/benefits last October. Been saving up and went up to Rock River Yamaha last weekend and picked up a mint condish 2018 YZ 125 with (by their estimation) 20 hours on it.
I wanted a 125 because of price, ease of working on it, and because I feel it’s the appropriate bike to suit my skill level and keep myself safe. Side note I’m 6’0, 170 lbs, Intermediate skill level.
I’m writing to get your advice on where to go from here. I plan on doing some trail riding and eventually some C level racing. The bike obviously needs tires, and I know I want to put an hour meter on it for maintenance purposes.
1. Can you please recommend an hour meter for me. ( I.e. wireless/non)
2. The bike is bone stock, what other maintenance do you think it’s ready for (besides the obvious oil change, spark plug, etc)
3. Any other general advice for a gently used modern 2 stroke.
4. I know Steve has a BTO code, does RMATVMC offer you one? I’m a lot more impressed with their website than bto.
Thanks in advance for your response. I’m so excited to start supporting all the brands that support you and Steve, and just to get out and ride baby!!
Thanks so much Keefer, you the man!
Sincerely,
Brad Hunt
Brad,
First off, I apologize for missing this email and thank you for listening! My bad, no excuses.
1. Best hour meters are the Works Connection meters. They got all different kinds of features.
2. Honestly that thing is bullet proof, but keep an eye out for sticky power valves though. Some pre-mix oils are dirty and can cause sticky power valves. Use Maxima Formula K2 if possible or Bel Ray H1R.
3. Put a PC pipe and shorty silencer on it. Thing will rip!
4. RMATVMC doesn’t offer a code, but please put that you listen to the KIT podcast and it helps!
Let me know how it’s going with the bike!
-KK
