Adventure in Ohio?

[indypup]

Originally Posted by buildit

Video up.

Cool, nice job. ;) I really need to learn how to jump cause that looked awful!

[buildit]

Originally Posted by indypup

Cool, nice job. ;) I really need to learn how to jump cause that looked awful!

Yes it did, I was like, "oh crap, he's going front end over". I'm no expert but I've learned stay on the gas even. Let off and you nose down, add throttle and you'll wheelie off the top and land ass first. Goal "usually" is to land nice and even.

[indypup]

Originally Posted by buildit

Yes it did, I was like, "oh crap, he's going front end over". I'm no expert but I've learned stay on the gas even. Let off and you nose down, add throttle and you'll wheelie off the top and land ass first. Goal "usually" is to land nice and even.

That was only my second time there and both times have been pretty muddy. At least this time the conditions improved as the day went on instead of getting worse. ;) It must stay pretty muddy most of the time...of course quads love that. Of course being muddy had nothing to do with me not knowing how to jump. ;) Plus it was dry on that jump anyway. I jump chickened out and let off the gas.

[OhioPT]

Originally Posted by BigOhio

Now come on, countershaft seal is cheap and look into the Synergy Seals version. Chain is a normal wear item and as far as the cam and cable, how many hard miles is on that old girl.

He's got a point. Sorry that all these issues popped up on you at once, but these are all normal maintenance items, except maybe the excessive WP shaft wear. These things need replaced on any other bike that gets ridden in the dirt often. A seal is made to keep dirt out, and they do a decent job for a while, but eventually they need replaced no matter what bike: fork seals, wheel bearing seals, waterpump seals, countershaft sprocket seals- I've seen them all go bad on every type of bike that was ridden often in the dirt. Same for the drive chain and a cable wearing out (whether it's a throttle cable, clutch cable, or decompression cable), they are normal maintenance items, regardless if the bike is orange, blue, yellow, or red.

Keep in mind that almost every orange thumper sees a lot of time offroad. Conversely, there are a shit ton of Jap dual sports out there that rarely, if ever, see any time offroad. IMO, that's why these issues seem more common with KTMs. But a Jap bike would see the same issues just as often if ridden the same way. I know because I've had several of both. One of my closest riding buds who always torments the guys with KTMs just dropped a couple valves on his KLX250s. Guess what, that bike was well maintained, but saw a lot of hard offroad miles.

[mic_detonator]

someone has the fever at my job......

[indypup]

Originally Posted by mic_detonator

someone has the fever at my job......

.

Is the car orange too? I'm color blind and not 100% sure. ;)

[swingset]

Originally Posted by OhioPT

He's got a point. Sorry that all these issues popped up on you at once, but these are all normal maintenance items, except maybe the excessive WP shaft wear. These things need replaced on any other bike that gets ridden in the dirt often. A seal is made to keep dirt out, and they do a decent job for a while, but eventually they need replaced no matter what bike: fork seals, wheel bearing seals, waterpump seals, countershaft sprocket seals- I've seen them all go bad on every type of bike that was ridden often in the dirt. Same for the drive chain and a cable wearing out (whether it's a throttle cable, clutch cable, or decompression cable), they are normal maintenance items, regardless if the bike is orange, blue, yellow, or red.

Keep in mind that almost every orange thumper sees a lot of time offroad. Conversely, there are a shit ton of Jap dual sports out there that rarely, if ever, see any time offroad. IMO, that's why these issues seem more common with KTMs. But a Jap bike would see the same issues just as often if ridden the same way. I know because I've had several of both. One of my closest riding buds who always torments the guys with KTMs just dropped a couple valves on his KLX250s. Guess what, that bike was well maintained, but saw a lot of hard offroad miles.

Again I know some of these things are wear items, but it doesn't mean they were due to break or that I'm happy that they all went this weekend. And, I especially hate to see a gremlin that's got no easy fix. And, again, that's ok I knew what I was getting into when I bought the bike. There are no doubt some Japanese bikes that are just as bad, but I haven't owned one, and some of them were ridden hard before I got them. Mostly, the things I replaced on my bikes were things I broke and that's a comforting feeling to ride a bike that's never asked to be opened up, and doesn't have the reputation for it either. It isn't as nice when you have a bike with a known issue that's a ticking clock until it hits you again. No one likes that, so I'm venting. Yeah, I could have bought one of those Jap airheads again, but I wanted the thrill of a big KTM again and I also bought the headaches even if some of them are wear items.

[mic_detonator]

[QUOTE=indypup;20075976].

Is the car orange too?

Yes sir, looks like they caught the bug lol. Sorry im full of bad jokes today.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2

[SCQTT]

Who wants a new Suzuk?







Stop by Pony Powersports Black Friday (11/23) through the following Monday (11/26) & have your picture taken sitting on the new Suzuki of your choice.


Please make sure there is a Pony Powersports representative in the photo with you.


Go to Suzuki's facebook page and follow their directions for uploading and entering the contest. www.facebook.com/suzukicycles


One random photo will be selected & that person will win the new Suzuki of their choice.


The odds on this contest are pretty good. I do not remember the exact number last year, but I think there was less than 1,000 entries. I'd love to see a Pony Powersports customer as the winner this year.


See you this weekend!

[blackdiamondmike]

That's a pretty good video, Buildit! Good story telling concept. -Mike

[sion]

Originally Posted by SCQTT

Who wants a new Suzuki?




See you this weekend!

you guys having any big Black Friday sales?

[SCQTT]

Originally Posted by sion

you guys having any big Black Friday sales?

There will be lots of stuff, I'll post it up on our FB page. The big thing is an additional 10% off all closeout stuff. Some of that stuff, like the Yamaha Alpinestars gear is already marked dwon super low & will get an extra 10% off for Fri, Sat & Sun.

[rxcrider]

Originally Posted by swingset

The seal is relatively cheap, but it's a crap design and the 20 page thread on KTMtalk with hundreds of people having the same issue details why...the seals wear too quickly into the cam shaft and from that point on you're applying a band aid that doesn't last. Some guys get very little miles before the cam shaft is worn. The cam is going to have to come out, which is a $170 part + the seal kit.

A better coating might have prevented this from being a recurring issue, or a sleeved design that could be re-fit without removing the cam. I don't know how many miles are on the bike, so that's a legitimate point it might be long past due on the cam, but from what I've read they can wear the groove prematurely.

Take a look at the Redi-Sleeves page near the top of the document and the size chart on page 130. Could this work?
http://www.timken.com/en-us/products/seals/industrial/products/Documents/7707.pdf

Originally Posted by swingset

As for the chain, rollers falling off isn't normal wear IMHO, unless the chain is old and this one appears to be fairly new.

Do you know what kind of chain and what lube has been used? If the 525 has seen much road use, you can expect it to be hammering on the chain without a cush drive. Cheap chains fail faster (usually) and some lubes do little to cushion the thump from your big piston.

[motodirtlover]

That chain was a relatively new "parts unlimited" o-ring off-road chain. It had about 200 miles on it when Swingset procured the machine.I've had hit and miss success with those. For $70, they generally work well, but I do "over-lube" chains after I wash the bike. Some last a lot longer than others. If you want a super long-lasting chain, buy either a Regina (best), RK , or DID.

As far as the cam, when Holycaveman had it apart last year rebuilding it, it looked perfect. No grooves. The engine ice coolant may have contributed to the early wear (due to the silica content), but that is unknown. There haven't been that many miles since the rebuild. (I'd guess 2-3K).

I agree with Swingset though, the KTM RFS cam is a known sore spot for wear. There is an aftermarket cam guy that makes one with an extra-hardened sleeve at the wear point by the seal.

RFS bikes can be a little service-prone when you ride them alot, but they will run a LONG time if you take care of them.
I love those things.

[buildit]

Originally Posted by mic_detonator

someone has the fever at my job......

That's like putting a BMW badge on a KLR, it's just sad.