Awesome as always Keefer. Long time listener to the podcast and always appreciate how you go with the flow”sensible mods “ so as to make great improvements whitest keeping the positive attributes that the bikes come stock with.
Thanks again for all the info mate. Im currently tossing up between one of these and yz450f. Would be cool to see you put it up against the Yz450f in one of your comparison style tests like the honda vs yamaha.
I was recommended to install a kyb cartridge kit instead of the wp6500 of the fork and a bladder kit on the shock absorder. This should work well and the price is ok for a vet weekend warrior. What do you think? Have you ever tested this combination? Best regards from germany :)
Although I agree with most everything you said, I disagree about wanting a smooth throttle. I went BACK to plastic throttle tubes because late in a moto, I do not think about how smooth the throttle tube is, but would actually prefer LESS throttle modulation. For me, smooth throttles give me MORE arm pump because it takes more finesse and strength to control. Smooth throttle feels good on the stand, but less helpful in the dirt (for me).
As an old guy i just watch mx now.......saying that i went to a NESC motocross race in massachusetts and 90% of the bikes were yamaha......the rest were KTM's, i didnt see any suzukis maybe one KX......Jday was the opposite
When i watch old supercross or motocross races the bikes look less rigid than todays bikes......like the first red bull straight rhythm.....those bikes float over everything
@@KeeferinctestingAs a Gold KTM technician. I’m not disagreeing, however i don’t know if i could say that there aren’t any problems, especially on newer models.. Most of it’s electrical. TPS connection, ECU connection, Fuel pump failures are happening at a rate i didn’t think was possible which has led to a price increase of about 45-50% on the OEM Pump in the last year. The water pump on the KTM is a common failure point in terms of WP seal on the housing. So is the O-ring on the countershaft rubs itself down on the seal. Starter clutch is NOT reliable, seeing around anywhere from a 5 to 10% failure rate, right behind that is starter motor, quality control in general has caused KTM some major financial situations where in the last 5 years they’ve spent an unbelievable amount of money on warranty repairs. I’d love to talk to you more about KTM Kris and maybe share some failure points i’ve learned working with KTM for the past 6 years. But i can’t find myself thinking these modern KTM’s are reliable. I left KTM due to the stress of having to deal with these problems.
KTM is a good bike out the box BUT is it worth moving to Yamaha for a better bike? I’ve seen this move happen with many different levels of riders and all have gotten better? Thoughts Kris ?
Is the new Ktm frame similar to the Yamaha or is the Yamaha still better in that department. I’m going back and forth because I do like the hydraulic clutch on the Ktm
Answer me this......im over 200 pounds and the other day i rode an old suszuki dr125......i had more fun and it felt awesome suspension wise......why is that that the suspension on a 2200 dollar kid bike thats over 15 years old feels better sort of.....im sure on a mx track it would suck but there has to be something said about old suspension technology that just works?
Soft suspension and soft chassis will feel better when cruising around than full blow new MX bikes. Not loading chassis means soft suspension and soft chassis
if your pro like Kris, I can see spending all the money on suspension. but really. the suspension is 100% fine. yes, you do have to check the air a couple times while at the track. but for us regular, mid pack jokers it works great. Im on my 7th KTM since 2018 and the 2022 and newer KTM's have fantastic stock setups. just need to spend some time with it to make it work for you
@@Keeferinctesting ....i wonder what A.I. could do to make a suspension work for all occasions......not sure A.I. is that far advanced yet but id try to ask it and see what comes of it.....
25 SMR 450 now comes with an all new spring fork instead of the AER it had since 17. So now the base is there, i wonder if they will take it over the to the mx bikes as well
So let me get this straight, to enjoy riding you need to add 8k in mods to enjoy riding, now do not get me wrong I have owned numerous $30K dirt bikes but none of them increased my joy of riding.
so ... A kit suspension,(4500) Full Ti exhaust(1200) Bars(100) engine mounts(300?) custom mapped ECU(1000) full KTM factory wheel set(1200) thats it guys just those little simple(8000$) mods and youll be good to go LMAO
@@zackbremer1 No one said you “NEED”. These are mods that work and can help. It’s up to the rider. Better to know what actually works if you want to buy something. Little off on suspension cost BTW.
Awesome as always Keefer. Long time listener to the podcast and always appreciate how you go with the flow”sensible mods “ so as to make great improvements whitest keeping the positive attributes that the bikes come stock with.
Love the vids keep em coming cheers Keefer! 🙌🏼
Thanks again for all the info mate.
Im currently tossing up between one of these and yz450f.
Would be cool to see you put it up against the Yz450f in one of your comparison style tests like the honda vs yamaha.
You are for sure Australian
@@devilsofthedirt3199 Yeah mate
9:35 I tell my girl all the time 10mm is a lot 😂
Always the best reviews. Thank you! Ali 🙏
I recently did a kyb conversion on my ktm with a $150 kit + used kyb forks from 17+ Yamaha off eBay $350
Great video Keefer
Excellent on the Deets Kris
23 factory mods :
Get ignition
52mm wp
Steering damper
OEM shock setup
Best sxf ever
I was recommended to install a kyb cartridge kit instead of the wp6500 of the fork and a bladder kit on the shock absorder. This should work well and the price is ok for a vet weekend warrior. What do you think? Have you ever tested this combination? Best regards from germany :)
@@thomas3228 I have not. Sounds interesting.
Although I agree with most everything you said, I disagree about wanting a smooth throttle. I went BACK to plastic throttle tubes because late in a moto, I do not think about how smooth the throttle tube is, but would actually prefer LESS throttle modulation. For me, smooth throttles give me MORE arm pump because it takes more finesse and strength to control. Smooth throttle feels good on the stand, but less helpful in the dirt (for me).
As an old guy i just watch mx now.......saying that i went to a NESC motocross race in massachusetts and 90% of the bikes were yamaha......the rest were KTM's, i didnt see any suzukis maybe one KX......Jday was the opposite
The amount of knowledge in that notebook… what I’d do to get my hands on it.
@@jcbenson01 This was just notes for this video. I’ll have to take a picture of all my notes. 😂
Hey Keefer , How about the chain tension on the 2025 KTM? Oem spec ?
When i watch old supercross or motocross races the bikes look less rigid than todays bikes......like the first red bull straight rhythm.....those bikes float over everything
All the bikes are so good, so for me I feel like the biggest thing I look for is reliability, which of the bikes would you say is the most reliable?
KTM is one of the best as well as Honda from my experience the past few years.
@@Keeferinctesting thank you for the reply! I do appreciate it a lot. Think my next purchase will be Austrian. First time for that.
@@KeeferinctestingAs a Gold KTM technician. I’m not disagreeing, however i don’t know if i could say that there aren’t any problems, especially on newer models.. Most of it’s electrical. TPS connection, ECU connection, Fuel pump failures are happening at a rate i didn’t think was possible which has led to a price increase of about 45-50% on the OEM Pump in the last year. The water pump on the KTM is a common failure point in terms of WP seal on the housing. So is the O-ring on the countershaft rubs itself down on the seal. Starter clutch is NOT reliable, seeing around anywhere from a 5 to 10% failure rate, right behind that is starter motor, quality control in general has caused KTM some major financial situations where in the last 5 years they’ve spent an unbelievable amount of money on warranty repairs. I’d love to talk to you more about KTM Kris and maybe share some failure points i’ve learned working with KTM for the past 6 years. But i can’t find myself thinking these modern KTM’s are reliable. I left KTM due to the stress of having to deal with these problems.
@@maxarey4658 Out of all of my test fleet that we ride, the KTM is one of maybe three bikes that doesn't give me a headache. :)
Why not buy the XC-F ? Seems like if revalve needed, that costs less than spring conversion.
Can you do a video on how to get the 23 and 24 closest to stock 25 form
Hard to do without updated chassis. There is a cut out near shock tower on 25’ that helps. Most of these mods here roll over to 23/24
As I watch the video I realize much of the same upgrades apply to the previous model and what it does for the bike
@@Keeferinctesting maybe if I change my graphics it will free up the chassis (just kidding lol)
Are you doing a 350 also?
Hey, I want to cut my 827 Renthal handlebar for my 250SXF, how many milimeters do you recomend? thx
have you tried the 20mm offset position with those ktm factory clamps ? they advertise less offset = more stability.
If you're putting all that in just get a factory edition with CUO and set it up how you want.
Does KTM make a clutch cover thats not painted black?
The stock one looks horrid after a day of riding..
Only reason i’m considering a hinson cover, but those are quite expensive for just some looks…
Did you have to change the fork lugs(feet)?
KTM is a good bike out the box BUT is it worth moving to Yamaha for a better bike? I’ve seen this move happen with many different levels of riders and all have gotten better? Thoughts Kris ?
@@keeganduplooy2784 Yamaha has more comfort for sure. Engine is debatable on either side however.
Is the new Ktm frame similar to the Yamaha or is the Yamaha still better in that department. I’m going back and forth because I do like the hydraulic clutch on the Ktm
@@Keeferinctesting REP engine mounts where can we get ?
@@keeganduplooy2784 REP should have them by now.
Did they fix the angle of the engine to fix the chain tension issue?
No sir. 68-72mm of slack is recommended. Torque values up on my site this afternoon.
@Keeferinctesting Thank you brother
@@Keeferinctestingsame for the 2024 350 xcf? I have been running 64-68 mm
I cut a 3/4 inch off both ends haha always have. Also I putt the ORVS piston and the bladder in the shock it’s great.
Do these changes only apply to Dishwasher MX where you clearly are Kris?😂
Any of this relevant for the 350 other than the spring conversion kit?
@@RyanAllbaugh Most all of it is except exhaust flange. I even think conversion kit relates to 350 as well.
Answer me this......im over 200 pounds and the other day i rode an old suszuki dr125......i had more fun and it felt awesome suspension wise......why is that that the suspension on a 2200 dollar kid bike thats over 15 years old feels better sort of.....im sure on a mx track it would suck but there has to be something said about old suspension technology that just works?
Soft suspension and soft chassis will feel better when cruising around than full blow new MX bikes. Not loading chassis means soft suspension and soft chassis
if your pro like Kris, I can see spending all the money on suspension. but really. the suspension is 100% fine. yes, you do have to check the air a couple times while at the track. but for us regular, mid pack jokers it works great. Im on my 7th KTM since 2018 and the 2022 and newer KTM's have fantastic stock setups. just need to spend some time with it to make it work for you
@@Keeferinctesting ....i wonder what A.I. could do to make a suspension work for all occasions......not sure A.I. is that far advanced yet but id try to ask it and see what comes of it.....
Or.. just grab an xcf and get the spring fork oem?!
Xcf is 6 speed. Not ideal for moto
25 SMR 450 now comes with an all new spring fork instead of the AER it had since 17. So now the base is there, i wonder if they will take it over the to the mx bikes as well
Watching this as I’m worrying about how I’m going to afford to rebuild my 2007 yz250f
@@michaelsaltarelli4049 😫
So 20k and you have a good bike😅🤣
Better bike. 😂
So let me get this straight, to enjoy riding you need to add 8k in mods to enjoy riding, now do not get me wrong I have owned numerous $30K dirt bikes but none of them increased my joy of riding.
i have a 23 450 SXf im still tryin to figure it out KTM is a joke wish i didnt purchase Keefers got the best baseline settings
I had the same problem. Went to JBI and installed the WP spring kit. AWSOME now
so ...
A kit suspension,(4500)
Full Ti exhaust(1200)
Bars(100)
engine mounts(300?)
custom mapped ECU(1000)
full KTM factory wheel set(1200)
thats it guys just those little simple(8000$) mods and youll be good to go LMAO
@@zackbremer1 No one said you “NEED”. These are mods that work and can help. It’s up to the rider. Better to know what actually works if you want to buy something. Little off on suspension cost BTW.
I was gonna watch the vid but Im to busy tightening my spokes. What a bunch of crap. $1500 fork fix $1600 set of wheels.
@@motomuz1092 It’s not the r or hub. Just spokes suck.
So not really "ready to race".
@@alfredk471 I mean… It will go race. Just depends if you like it or not. 😂😂
@@Keeferinctesting 99% of people also arent going to pay 11k for a new bike then spend 4k on extra parts.
@@richardferrell4362 You’d be surprised. 😂
@Keeferinctesting I mean sure, there's always a couple but still .....
I did and I haven’t even started my bike this year 😢it’s a 2021 yz250f with all the keeper mods but no suspension mods needed for that bike 😊