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Check
Through The Comments By Month.
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11/12/02
Hey this
is Ashley from NY. I thought your trip was interesting and I'd
like to here more about your trip. I am 15 and love atving in
the sandpits of gloversville NY. It must suck to have that many
issues on the trip. Just think not many people got that
opportunity. Live and learn! That's exactly what you did.
Peace
Sincerely,
Ashley Fosmire
11/13/02
There I
was, searching for some word on what the real weight of my
ordered wr450f is going to be, when I ran across this website
and this wonderful story by "Kim."This is the first
one of her stories I've read, but I won't knowingly miss another
one. She's quite a writer/storyteller. As for the new wr's
weight, I've resigned myself to lose, from my body(there's
plenty there), whatever the weight difference is between the wr
and a 450EXC. Same difference, right?
Oh yeah-
the rest of your site is pretty cool too.
Dickosaurus
in Oklahoma
Thanks
Dick! I have the enviable privilege of being able to read the
column before we publish it each month. I try to wait as long as
possible before starting (usually about 5 minutes) because I
just can't stop - no matter how busy I might be at deadline. The
resultant muscle strain from laughing usually puts me out of
commission for a while...
Don't forget to check out the last 4 years of Woman Overbored!
at http://www.off-road.com/dirtbike/columns/wo/archives.html
Hopefully we will get a firm number from Yamaha before too long!
Makes you wonder... they are either busily making last minute
weight saving changes - or are embarrassed. Either way, we won't
hold it against them - they still have credit built up from
creating the first YZ/WR 4-stroke.
By
the way - I suspect you will have to gain some weight to make up
that difference - the 450EXC weighs 260
-
Editor
12/01/02
the
specifications [for the KLX125 l] were missing the final drive -
it is 14/57
Actually
- Final drive specs are "missing" from all of the
Kawasakis - they were not available at the publishing date. But
thanks for the update.
-
Editor
11/20/02
when it
said that it is forestry service-approved spark arrestor does
that mean it is green sticker in california
No
- a Forrest Service approved spark arrestor is required to ride
in the National Forest whether the bike is red sticker or green.
Additionally - the spark arrestor needs to be quieter than 96
decibels in California - not part of the FS approval process.
This
is a complicated issue - please see the full write up at http://www.off-road.com/dirtbike/news/2002mar/caohvstickers/
-
Editor
11/29/02
When will
you have the test on the kaw 2003 kdx 220 or 200. I own a yahama
250wr and hate it. Yes thats right i hate it. When its running ,
its awsome . I am just not used to 4-strokes I guess. Its my
first one.The 2002s just dont like to start. Oh well enough of
that, I am trading it in for either the kdx 200 or 220.
thanks for
your time
Mike
We
have no plan to test the Kawasaki KDXs at this time. Anyone
interested in testing them and submitting an article can contact
us at dirtbike@off-road.com.
Please see http://www.off-road.com/dirtbike/yourarticlehere/
for more detail.
-
Editor
11/21/02
Does this
work for four strokes since tranny and engine oil are the same
on most?
Ron Rennke
For
the most part it is the same - it depends on the model of
4-stroke. While the likehood of water in the crankcase is
obviously less, you still have to worry about the combustion
chamber. Don't crank on the kick starter if it doesn't wan't to
kick - water doesn't compress - but the connecting rod might
bend - so pull the plug and flip! You might also have a
crankcase breather on the top of the motor which could spew oil
using this procedure - so careful!
On
some of the newer big four strokes (YZ/WR 400/426/450) the
breather hose end is down under the motor. Kicking the bike with
the end of the hose submerged will result in 400, 426 or 450 ccs
of water being sucked into the crankcase and contaminating the
oil. If this happens, the diluted oil can ruin bearing surfaces
in a hurry.
In
either case water is going to get into places it shouldn't - you
should plan on some additional maintenance ASAP.
- The
oil will need to be changed several times (be sure to run
the engine between changes)
- Change
the oil filter (if applicable)
- Remove
and clean the carb and airbox
- Remove
the ignition/stator cover - clean if necessary - and allow
to fully dry.
-
Editor & MXTuner
11/21/02
Your
artical was funny and informative it will be useful for when the
time comes.
M Hook
11/04/02
Rick,
On your
article there's a part missing. As you are sort of a god on
dirt-biking, I think the error was made by the editor,
accidentaly erasing the part where you have to unscrew the
carburator bowl to flush any water left in the carb. Believe me,
it helps.
Cheers
from Chile!!
Agust?n
Alcalde
Aw!
Come on now! ;-)
-
Editor
One
Question - Three Answers (Slow Day at ORC) |
11/15/02
I am a A
level enduro rider in Alabama, Sera / Setra enduro series,
,450exc or 250 exc 2-stroke what would you pick ?
David
Vines
Vines Automotive
Specializing in New & Used BMW Parts
1-800-214-4839
www.vinesauto.com
Bessemer, AL. 35022
Hey
David,
Interesting
dilemma. What do you currently ride and what have you ridden in
the past? Have you ever owned/raced a relatively current
4-stroke? Have you considered a 300EXC?
I've
been to some of the SERA/SETRA races myself (raced the 24 hours
of Maplesville) and am fairly familiar with the terrain you
ride. I live in Atlanta. The biggest downfall of the 450 is the
weight, plain and simple. The power can be nice but the weight
can be a bitch in the tight stuff.
By
the way, I work on BMW's for a daytime job. Where is Bessemer?
Mark
Klein
Hi
David,
I
currently ride a 1998 KTM 300EXC and really love the bike. I
have owned this bike for over 2 years, which in itself is
incredible for me. It is dialed in and a great do it all bike. I
have ridden a few KTM 520s and am trying to decide if I really
want to sell my 300 and get a new 525 or 450. A buddy that just
bought a new 525EXC says it isn't really any different than his
520 MXC except for spacing on gears, and that the forks are
better on the new bike.
Since
I ride a lot of desert I would probably go with a 525. I also
ride quite a bit of singletrack, but CA singletrack isn't
usually as tight as the stuff your probably used to. It really
comes down to which traits are more important to you because
both bikes are awesome.
My
mental notes to myself after riding the 520s were that you just
dial in as much power as you need for the situation. Very smooth
and controllable power and sixth gear is warp speed! The front
end also sticks like glue compared to my 300. On my 300 it takes
a lot of body positioning to weight the front for traction in
slippery hard-packed riding where as on the 520 it just goes
right where you point it. The 520 does maneuver quickly on
singletrack trails but I found it was quickest and easiest to be
a gear high and lug the bike in the tight stuff....riding it
high in the RPM doesn't work like it does on my 300 where I ride
that real aggressive...if you do this on the 520 it will wear
you out in a hurry, plus it does vibrate a little when you wind
it out for a while.
Now
when I jumped back on my 300 right after riding the 520 I
couldn't believe how light and flickable it was. I could pull
the front end up instantly and throw it around like it was
nothing. The 520 just takes more of a "flow with the
bike" style riding where the 250/300 needs input to make
things happen. The weight wasn't necessarily bad on the 520,
just a different feeling to get used to.
So
for your riding the 450 will be smoother and heavier than the
250....but if you learn to flow with the 450 I think it saves
energy and the motor provides awesome traction in slippery
conditions. The 250 will be easier to loft the front wheel and
throw around aggressively in really nasty stuff, but you have to
stay on top of it. Like me you probably have to decide which
traits are more important to you and just go with it.
Hope
that helps, let us know what you decide.
Eric
Tabb
That
would be a tough choice. I believe Kevin Gorzney has ridden both
in the past, but we have not had the opportunity to try the new
KTMs. I've been trying to talk my brother, a former 4-stroker,
into buying a 450exc or 525exc to replace his '96 360exc. He's
not interested. The technology is definitely there - but it
really depends. There is no doubt that the KTM 2-strokes romp
the competition on low end grunt, but cannot compare to the
4-strokes.
Depends
on the way you like to ride, which power curve you prefer, the
weight that you prefer to throw around. I for one would be VERY
tempted to go back to my roots (4-stroke) after campaigning an
RM 250 in the RMEC enduros here in Colorado - now that the
weight has really come down. But I think I would miss the feel
and flick of the 2-stroke.
-
Editor
11/15/02
I would
like to offer a tech tip in regards to your article "Top
Ten Tech Tips". I appreciate all of the information that
was shared regarding some of the strange reasons why bikes just
will not run correctly. I have a tip regarding an inconsistent
running dirtbike.
I
purchased my 7 year old daughter Erica a new 2000 Kawasaki KX65.
2 months after purchasing the bike I, that's right, I wiped-out
on the bike and the bike slid into a small body of water just
deep enough to cover it entirely.
I drained
all of the fluids and cleaned everything really well. The bike
would start and run fine for about 5-7 minutes and then began to
gasp and die when grabbing a hand full of throttle.
I checked
out the electronics, spark plug, air filter, fuel and everything
in between and could not stop the starvation problem.
I started
analyzing the processes that make the engine run efficiently and
determined that it was not getting enough fuel. The one place I
didn't check was the one way valve that resides in the vent hose
that's connected to the cap on the fuel tank.
I removed
the valve, ran water through it and blew air into the valve
releasing a fair amount of dirt.
The only
thing I can figure is that the dirt in the valve caused the
engine to pull a vacuum on the fuel tank, which
reduced/restricted the flow of fuel to the engine.
I have
also heard that bugs will make their homes in the end of vent
hoses causing the same conditions as well as in silencers.
Since that
day the bike has been fine.
Hope this
helps someone.
Joey
Edwards
2002 YZ426F
11/12/02
Hi
Bought my
525 this summer and can say it is awsome..
The power
is alittle to much when is slippery,especially after the wieght
reduction. The bike is great on track becuase of the power band,
but is sucks big time when you ride on small trails such as in
sweden. The first gear is to high and you have to compensate on
the clutch.
Overall
there is no bike that takes it on a dry track,maybe the 450SX??
My buddy has a 450yzf and he deosnt have a chance when we come
out of the curves..
Thanks
andreas
11/07/02
Where do I
sign up for this years Thanksgiving weekend ride??
thank you
- Sam
The
easiest way is go to the District 37 Web Site, which sponsors
the B to V ride and send them an email that you want to sign up.
It is a AMA membership mandatory event, so once you sign up the
first time, you will get on their mailing list and be notified
of all upcoming California Dual Sport rides.
I have attached a couple of hyperlinks that should take you to
the right spot.
http://xrpilot.com/d37schedule.html
http://www.district37ama.org/dualsport/ridingevents.htm
Ron
11/07/02
If
limiting the number of active coils in a spring will stiffen it.
Would somehow fusing the coils with some sort of apparatus give
the same effect? Such as, if there were a device that would fit
in between the coils that was strong enough to keep the last
coil or two from compressing. Just a thought...
Chris
Dispina
I've
seen strange devices inserted in automobile springs to do just
this to cars with old worn out springs. We used to call them
"The Poor Man's Lift Kit" back in the day. The cross
section was much like a figure 8 - about an inch or two wide -
with the coils resting in the "saddles" on both sides.
The problems I saw were the tendency for the devices to move
around, fall out, and even cause spring breakage due to uneven
stress. Imagine - a single coil spring broken in two places...
With some ingenuity something more useful could be cobbled
together.
-
Editor
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