Shock- The stock shock with a 5.4 spring rate was too soft for me. So after initially breaking the bike in, I went to a stiffer rear spring. The 5.7 spring rate is perfect for me and we didn't need to revalve it, so I'm happy with how it works with just a spring change. I run 12 clicks out on comp and 12 out on the rebound, and with this setting i feel very comfortable with how the shock soaks up bumps and lands off of jumps, pretty simple. The air forks took a little more time but if you understand what the 3 chambers do, it makes it a lot easier to find your setting. The inner chamber is like your spring rate, so the more air you run the stiffer the forks are overall. The outer chamber will effect your bottoming the most, so the more pressure the more bottoming resistance you have. The balance chamber works against both the inner and outer chambers as just that, to counter balance the forces of those chambers to give the right overall balance to the fork. The MORE pressure you run in the balance, the MORE it pulls the forks down for a lower ride height. Therefore, the LESS pressure you run in the balance, the higher the forks run, so if your forks are diving too much coming into a corner, the LESS pressure you run the better because the forks will stay up higher in the stroke. So for me at 6 "1" and 192 lbs, my settings are this: Inner chamber-185 psi, Outer chamber-10 psi and balance chamber-180 psi. The compression is 10 clicks out and rebound is 12 out, so with this I have a great balance front and rear. Remember that this is good for me at 192 lbs and pro level riding, so make your settings according to your weight and level.
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The new 2017 kx 450f: Motor- the strong point is the mid range. Although the bottom is ok, it could use more torque when you first roll on the throttle. But in defense the track was more sand so the load on the bike was more than normal. Hardpack it would be just about right, but in the sand I used the clutch to compensate which is pretty normal anyway. The top-end was ok but it doesn't rev very high, designed probably to protect from all these modern rev limiter riders😚. I kinda like it myself, as it eased the tension in my arms but wasn't too flat. Very rideable on top and if you want more just shift up because I only got it into to 4th and couldn't imagine ever hitting 5th except on the Glen Helen start maybe. Btw I had the green plug- in on which is the neutral one. The white one had the strongest pull and like the manual says is better for sand. The black plug-in toned the power down for sure and if you're new to a 450, it would be good to start out on... Next week I'll do a suspension review as that will give me more time to test and dial it in. But so I don't leave you hanging, I think it's pretty good for stock, air forks included😁. Pic thanks to Mr.Warner👍👍👍 Track-212 land socal, Stock gearing 50/13
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AuthorShaun Kalos Archives
June 2018
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