FE/FC Looking for some FE501 Feedback

I just purchased Castrol full synthetic 10W-50 FOR $7 us/ QT

I did say I was done with oil in this thread so if anyone feels this type of oil
is what they are looking for pm me and I'll send you the link.


Castrol 06412 Power RS 10W-50 4-Stroke

I asked Stephen Greenfield (legend off road racer in australia, does the suspension for the ktm enduro team)what to do about the front end twitch/wobble he said definately put a steering damper on and to drop the forks through to clamps which will increase wheel base and make it more stable. Just letting you guys know and I reckon I will because I did this on the 350 and it was awesome, none of this bull shit wheel balancing or sticking weights on the rim but yeh

I have not had any wobble or wierdness with the front end. I run my 350 on the gravel and paved roads up to and over 60mph with no issues. The bike is stock except for the ecu reflash

Russ
Have you run your bike in sand at 50 mph plus? This is where I noticed the issue with my bike with the stock front tire.


I tested my bike again this weekend (225 mile ride) with a new Michelin Competition Enduro IV and although the bike still has this characteristic, it is a lesser extent. My static and race sag where set per factory spec and the forks are at the second line down. If I clicked up the comp by 6 clicks (from 13 to 19) I could eliminate much of the twitchy (head shake) handling.

The KTM 500 I drove in the exact same conditions with the stock Maxxis tire previously that was rock steady and exhibited absolutely NONE of the twitchy feeling mine bike had in the sand changed with a tire switch. Last weekend we installed a new Pirelli Scorpion Pro enduro front tire which has the same knob shape as the Michelin and made no suspension adjustments. Now the KTM has the twitchy handling. So with are front tire testing to this point, we have determined that the handling traits are reliant on the front tire used on the bike.

The third KTM 500 in the group had a Scott steering stabilizer with a stock front Maxxis tire and it was rock stead at 50 mph+. Even with the stabilizer set to NOT overcome any steering issues it was still rock steady. That front Maxxis tire must have a profile and knob pattern that is very conducive to high speed sandy straight line riding.

I'm now on the hunt for that Maxis OEM front tire fitted to new KTM 500 EXCs or to find a more suitable tire for fast high speed sand environments.

Russ. Have you tried a "Kenda Southwick" in the sand washes on the front. It works well on sand or soft and loamy loose stuff but not a real good tire for hard pack or rocks unless front compression is backed off in my experience. Not real expensive either.

I've only had two rides beyond my initial 1hr break in ride. I do have over 500 miles in two rides however..hehe

The bike, even with higher 14/50 and 15/50 gearing, is explosive out of the chute!

I'll research some of the suggestions but that Golden Tire recommended has my interest.

Here in the northwest the serious offroad riders don't do sand. Sand is for the quad and Perrier crowd. Our trails are filled with rocks,roots and more rocks. Round rocks,sharp rocks and lots of loose rocks. A person must have some rocks loose to ride this stuff. Everything shakes including my 54 yr old body.LOL
http://s106.photobucket.com/user/snomobill/slideshow/nachees%2072614

Russ,
I defy you to go to South Jersey and call Mike Lafferty and all the other sand fleas.... Perrier drinking quad riders. Sand comes in 50 varieties down there and can kick even the most capable rockhound's butt.....
Also, that's where the terms.... stick farm and ignorant tight were invented!

Lighten up! Just having some fun. By the way. What does stick farm and ignorant tight mean ?

Thanks for the support K. Now Norman has a perspective on our sand experience. I don't see any Mike Lafferty types in this photo. LOL

Russ, I was being light, you just don't know me well enough to realize I was making a joke! I knew you meant... the Dunes and whip flag scene, but we live in different world. Stay light and ride safe!

Sand riding to me....

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unxthcTjYfg


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD67rLJFqDs


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i0_SCnaT28

I'll snap some shots of the sandy forest service roads I'm doing my testing on next time out. The only interference I've had is a large 300lb black bear that bolted down the road in front of me. He made a mad dash for about 100 yards and then he was off in the bush.


Did find an old pic I had of me on my TE510 which shows the terrain





Not me in this photo.. but you can get an idea of what I'm talking about in my sand testing.

http://www.ziptyracing.com/products.php?product=Golden-Tyre-216AA-Fat-Tire