This Is How A New Bike Should Run!
I bought a brand new 2009 KTM 530 XC-W one month ago - April 2012. I Found it on CycleTrader & had it shipped from New Jersey to Salt Lake City, Ut. - Elevation 4200 ft. I kinda got carried away on this but read on, hopefully you will appreciate what I have to say and find something of value for your application. The difference between an uncorked (Desmogged)bike and a corked(Smogged or OEM) one is like night and day - you just cannot believe what a difference it makes. I love riding dirt bikes because of the Freedom, Adventure, Challenge and sights to see. On a Dirt bike you can cover alot of ground in a short time, I can say with absolute certainty that it is very necessary to get the Jetting on any bike correct for the elevation you are riding. If not, your bike will be under powered, will run hot, and you will be constantly fighting it. Do the right thing and get it jetted correctly and open up the exhaust system which will allow your bike to realize it full potential. Now on to my bike - so I started it up after unpacking and it did run, but backfired alot and also ran quite hot. I also have a 2005 Honda XR650 R. which has been impeccable. I bought it new in 2009 also through CycleTrader and had it DESMOGGED and Jetted. This bike has been superb, the cooling system works so good, never overheats and has tremendous low end Torque for the trails and deserts. The one bad aspect of this bike is the weight - around 277 lbs. dry. So i knew very well how this new KTM should run and what to expect. I read the review of the JD Jet kit also the reviews for this kit which appeared to be more favorable than the JD so I bought this one. I also bought the SMOG BLOCK OFF KIT, and the SAMCO Radiator hoses, which removed a Thermostat that was on one of the hoses. I cannot understand why KTM would put a Thermostat on the bike?? END RESULT: This kit was perfect for getting the jetting done right for my altitude. The instructions were pretty good, but it would be helpful if the pictures were a bit better. The kit did exactly what it was supposed to do. This bike is now fully opened up and runs very well, it has alot of power and torque very similar to the HONDA XR650 I noted above. this bike is about 25 LBS less weight and so I have noticed a huge difference in the handling. LASTLY MY THOUGHTS on off Road riding and a couple things I have noticed: I have been riding now for over 35 yrs and ridden alot of dirt bikes over the years, in the deserts and mountains of Utah. The Variety of terrain in this State is remarkable, I have ridden many single track trails to high mountain elevations of 10,000 ft. to the West deserts of Utah and deserts of southern Utah such as Moab, Ut. Many people have likely heard of Moab. We are always looking for single track trails which are diminishing. ATV's can easily turn a single track into a highway and as a result take away the challenge by widening the trail grinding it down considerably. Nevertheless, the environmentalists view all off road vehicles the same SO WE ALL MUST BE CONSIDERATE of the trails, be conscious of our environment, STAY ON THE TRAIL , and clean up after ourselves!!!!!!! If we all work together on these areas, the future will be good for future generations of riders, If not I really do Fear the Environmentalists will get their way and we will see off road road riding of all types become diminished or completely eliminated and none of us want this - - Right?
Brett Dawson :: 29 Apr 2012, 23:18
