So I was out at the MX track yesterday and the water truck broke down after they had groomed so the track was loose and dusty. I find if I'm riding the little TC250 like it's stolen, full throttle, feather the clutch and really charge, it handles great. Problem is I get tired and a little scared so I don't ride that way all of the time and when I slow down a little and am not charging at 100%, I find the front wants to wash occasionally at the most in-opportune times. I raised the fork in the clamps to the third line and that helped but I'm still looking for a bit more front end bite in these situations. When the track is a bit more tacky, the bike rails! All suggestions welcome since I'm clueless about bike set-up. I just hop on and ride!
I think robertaccio mentioned this before, but I have found that these new generation (08+) bikes like to be ridden aggressively with your weight forward, momentum and in a standing position with a little rear wheel steering. Two things happen when it gets technically nasty: 1. I get tired, slowed down and take a seat, which makes it worse. 2. I get pissed off, lean forward and throttle the $#!^ out of it, which usually works. David David
As for jcarlson9's points, all true and I should have been a bit more descriptive in my situation. Front tire is great still (stock MT32) at 12-13 psi however the edges are a bit worn so that is part of it I'm sure. Nothing like a brand new tire to help in those sketchy situations! Oh yeah, sag is a definite point to consider but with a quick test without my riding gear on, I had 1" of static sag and 3.5" of rider sag so on the stiff side if anything. And yeah, fitness nailed it, ride the piss out of it and it will reward you, get lazy and it will punish you! Headed out tomorrow so will try a few things as well as check sag with gear on and report back. Thanks for the tips!
Did you try turning the rebound clicker in one or two? "might" be getting just a hair too much rebound causing the front end to push out in the loose stuff???
So I was at the track again last night and didn't change a thing but conditions were good and then it rained so got a little slick but still nice and rideable. Earlier in the evening, the front was still a little skittery while sitting and getting on the gas but after it rained and got a little slick, the front held a lot better. I found that after it got a bit slick, the rear would spin up a bit more and that would allow the front to stick better. I assume it is a case of the rear not hooking up enough to un-weight the front tire and therefore maintains a consistent line. Standing and riding aggressively is definitely the key to make my bike work properly. I love the feeling of standing up, wheelying through he corners and rolling whoops and just using body english and the throttle/clutch to steer the bike. It flat hooks up and rails when ridden that way but I'm still grasping with the confidence to always ride that way as I'm afraid I'll get spit off in a spectacular highside in the fast stuff when the rear breaks loose and gets all squirrely and sideways. I love this bike, wish I had some good riding buddies to go out with so I can get some feedback at the track. Kind of tough getting riding instructions from people who you never ride with. On the plus side, makes me analyze my riding style a lot more!
Here's some things I did to improve the front end grip on my husky. Set the sag correctly, with all riding gear on. This helped more than expected. Raise the forks in the triple clamp. This helped a little, but worsened the headshake at the end of straights. Switch the handle bar clamp to the forward position. This gives you better leverage to put more weight on the front tire. This helped more than raising the forks. Focus on body position. Like you said, ride aggressively and keep your weight on the front end and she will rail. Get lazy or timid and the handling gets lazy and timid. Get a Tractionator IT front tire from Motosportz. This is without a doubt the best front tire I have ever used, and it helped get the front end to be confidence inspiring rather than just a front end that you can live with. Get one.
Can't agree with you more about that one. Husky's are aggressive handlers. Too bad I'm timid and lazy.
I agree that is one great tire. i have 500 miles on mine and it looks nearly new and hooks up like crazy on most everything. I'm trying the tracula rear and will let you know. Rebound clickers make a big difference in handling. Run less in the rear and more up front to make it hook up better in front. This can make a bike nervous though. If it gets to busy add more rear rebound to keep the geometry more consistent.
sit on the tank ride the front wheel with front brake single finger this controls the front well into turns,,,,ps that is the real secret behind making KTMs corner like the MX and WEC stars,,trailing brake deep into the corner even while still rolling the throttle release as you pass apex and gas it more, then ride the rear wheel, lots of practice, taught to me as an advanced grass track corning technique by a well qualified friend (ex world champ, former team Italia enduro rider), it almost becomes a pivot off the front wheel in very tight corners. great for carving through bush/trees. it has the same effect as above in holding the nose down into the turn with your control, without the nose packing in braking bumps and whoops
Cool, great advice here, thanks! now I just need the sun to come out and the torrential rain to stop so our local MX track doesn't get washed away. As soon as I get some track time, I'll try out the tips and see how she does!
