[Kanye West]

agreed, if you're looking at used linkage bikes, be sure to check for play as a sign of bearing/bushing wear.

all mx bikes single pivots....so when is the DW-link MX bike coming out???

i still have my suspension clickers at stock...just need to measure sag. how come they emphasize rear wheel sag, but not front fork sag when it comes to dirtbike? and they always measure sag by measuring the distance from the rear axle to any user-defined point on the rear fender area, how is that accurate??? or consistent???

i've always just done eye-to-eye, provided i know the stroke.

If you find significant play in the rear end of a used linkage bike, take $100 off the price. $80 for a full bearing kit, plus $20 for the pain in the ass to install them.

On a link-less bike it's easy to measure sag with the i2i measurement, but I don't think you can get quite the resolution that's necessary when 2mm at the rear wheel makes a noticeable difference. You'd be measuring less than a mm of difference at the shock. On a linkage bike you just don't have the access to measure shock i2i.

A sag measuring tool helps for the rear end a lot. Taking the measurement a few times works too. Try setting into the bikes travel and just seeing where it stops. Try bouncing around and seeing where it stops. If you get particular, bounce around on the bike and see if the measurements are different when you let it rise to its sag point and if you let it fall to its sag point. An average of all these numbers will be your true reading. Same goes for the mtb really. Just depends how much time you (or your obligated friend) can spend on it.

The way it's consistent is you just make a mark in the rear fender to always use. While I won't say it's the most accurate way to measure, it can at least be consistent.

 

[birdman2447]

http://www.unclehenrys.com/init/classifieds/ad_detail/4081013/?_next=http://www.unclehenrys.com/init/search/results/1#4081013

I am going to look at this tonight, only has 20 hrs on it!!!

 

[Kanye West]

The Rekluse manual clutch seems sorta odd to me. The OEM KTM clutches are usually very durable. No reason to go aftermarket on those unless 1) it's already toasted or 2) autoclutch.

 

[profro]

The 08,09 version of the KTM dual cam 450 was awesome. I think the cam rotates in a direction which helps to counter act the inertia of the piston. I rode one for a bit and it was a blast. Even my single cam 530 is fun. But the first time you have to pick it up, the game starts to change.

 

[Kanye West]

The '08 450SX was a pretty sweet bike actually. E-start, 4-speed, strongass brakes, fairly sharp cornering. If you can find a way to get along with the suspension on it they're great for the track.

 

[DirtMcGirk]

What are y'all's thoughts on this 2011 KTM 350F

Its local, and it looks alright.

 

[gemini2k]

The '08 450SX was a pretty sweet bike actually. E-start, 4-speed, strongass brakes, fairly sharp cornering. If you can find a way to get along with the suspension on it they're great for the track.

You need to post a picture of your garage. People will know you're not full of sh*t then. Otherwise I will next time I'm down there.

 

[Kanye West]

You need to post a picture of your garage. People will know you're not full of sh*t then. Otherwise I will next time I'm down there.

Who said that's a goal of mine? This is Ridemonkey - where people who are full of sh*t come to post.

 

[birdman2447]

So i finally picked up a bike that. 07 300xc, Bike is in pretty good shape other than needing front wheel bearings. Has a recluse clutch, factory connection suspension, and came with a set of the trelleborg winter tires. Any of you guys have experience with those tires?

here she is

 

[Lelandjt]

What are y'all's thoughts on this 2011 KTM 350F

Its local, and it looks alright.

The 2011 350s got horrible reviews. The 2012s were only bad. It seems 2013 is when the 350 is finally reaching its potential but in my opinion you'd always be better off getting a 2stroke. The main criticism was that they lacked torque and required lots of revs to make power, not a good match for trail riding.

 

[dilzy]

Has anyone ridden one of the new Sherco 290 xrides? Seems like it would be a trail weapon for the more technical trails, where a bigger bike will get left behind. Through a trials tire on that thing (yes I like them on enduro bikes).

 

[profro]

The 2011 350s got horrible reviews. The 2012s were only bad. It seems 2013 is when the 350 is finally reaching its potential but in my opinion you'd always be better off getting a 2stroke. The main criticism was that they lacked torque and required lots of revs to make power, not a good match for trail riding.

In my neck of the woods they are getting great reviews as trail bikes. If I wanted another 4stroke bike, the 350 might be it.

I have heard the 2013s are super revy and make ridiculous power.

 

[Lelandjt]

I've never ridden one, just going by magazine reviews including the '13 reviews in the newest mags. They say KTM missed the mark on chassis tuning the first year and the engine was held back until now. If I wanted a 4stroke the 350 would be it (I used to have a WR250 bored out to 295) but I'd be hesitant to get the '11 or '12.

 

[jekyll991]

I've never ridden one, just going by magazine reviews including the '13 reviews in the newest mags. They say KTM missed the mark on chassis tuning the first year and the engine was held back until now. If I wanted a 4stroke the 350 would be it (I used to have a WR250 bored out to 295) but I'd be hesitant to get the '11 or '12.

A quick trip to the dealer to let them remap it to the latest settings supposedly really wakes the '11 models.

As far as buying a used 350, I'd ask to see if the owner checked to see if his bike falls under the VIN's effected by a TSB where the crank or transmission bearing needs to be replaced.

It's getting hard for me to recommend an '11 KTM 4-stroke though, with the on again off again problems I've had the past 3 months, and the fact it left me setting as a spectator this weekend at Daniel Boone mx even though it decided to run great last weekend. Supposedly the issues are fixed with '12+ models but who knows.

 

[profro]

Hate to see that Jonathan, but I typically avoid new models of anything. The 350 was a brand new engine in a brand new frame with linkage. Not to even mention fuel injection. That is three big whammies to avoid in the first year of production.

Unfortunately I have seen more than one guy pack up without riding because of fuel injection related stuff. Luckily both my bikes are still carbed.

 

[jekyll991]

Yeah, my dad has had good luck out of his 350 which is part of the reason I went ahead and got my 250. I've done everything I could to prevent the known issues - fuel filter in the neck of the tank, covering the TPS, and never pressure washing it, my dad has no such etiquette and has been problem free (knock on wood). Also the bike was owned by KTM race team RPM racing, so I figured perhaps the problematic parts would have been replaced.

I think I've at least narrowed the problem down to the TPS. I can take the bolt out and hold it a couple degrees past the point where it would normally hit the bolt and the bike will rev freely on the stand, naturally no way of seeing if it would ride normally this way though.