KTM Cush Hub, Yes/No for KTM 530?

[mg8]

So I've talked to several folks of the last couple of years and have tried to sort through the BS. Here's what I've got:

1. Cush hub protects the transmission from torque during hard acceleration and hard downshifting on tarmac.
2. Some say not necessary for knobbies or supermoto applications some say it is essential for street riding.

What's the inmate advice? I ride 20 road/80 off-road and have Dunlop 908RR tires f/r. Opinions, upsides/downsides, supermoto or knobbies, etc.

Thanks for comments!

[yamahaman]

Cush drives dont really have any down sides except for maintenance on the rubbers and one extra bearing but the positives far out weigh the negatives . If you want to keep the bike long term definatly cush her up heavy sand riding also is very hard on gear box the constant loading and unloading causes heavy wear

If you turn them over quickly mabey not if you want to keep it long term cush cush cush

[LukasM]

The cush wheel is a lot heavier, and it might not be necessary on the 530 as it has a damper built into the clutch unlike the previous generation bikes. On the RFS bikes I run a cush hub on both my motard and dual sport wheel sets. Besides the 525s often cracking the solid hubs in high traction conditions, it also helps with wear on the countershaft splines, which can be problematic.

[The Letter J]

Have you considered a dampened counter shaft sprocket as a cheaper (slightly less effective? ) alternative? The splines on your counter shaft are the same as those on a 690e/r/smc which use a rubber dampened sprocket. The difference being that the 690 sprocket is slightly thicker which could be easily cut down to fit the exc. Sprockets are available in 15/16/17 tooth for around $30.

I have not personally tried this but I have put a non-dampened exc sprocket on my 690 using a small spacer behind it, so it would make sense that it could be done the other way by removing material from the inside of the sprocket.

[Off the grid]

Varying opinions. Some swear by it, and others dismiss it as not needed. There was a rental company out West that runs all EXCs and their bikes get flogged mercilessly, all with 10k+ miles and they don't run em.

Were I doing a lot of SM riding I might consider it, but linking trails together and the occasional jaunt to town like I do? (80/20) Nahh..

[LILBIT]

Originally Posted by The Letter J

Have you considered a dampened counter shaft sprocket as a cheaper (slightly less effective? ) alternative? The splines on your counter shaft are the same as those on a 690e/r/smc which use a rubber dampened sprocket. The difference being that the 690 sprocket is slightly thicker which could be easily cut down to fit the exc. Sprockets are available in 15/16/17 tooth for around $30.

I have not personally tried this but I have put a non-dampened exc sprocket on my 690 using a small spacer behind it, so it would make sense that it could be done the other way by removing material from the inside of the sprocket.

I searched and couldn't find a picture of anything but standard. Do you have one.

Dave Hopkins claims to be doing one output shaft a week due to ruined slines from DS bikes.

[Tusker]

Originally Posted by The Letter J

Have you considered a dampened counter shaft sprocket as a cheaper (slightly less effective? ) alternative? The splines on your counter shaft are the same as those on a 690e/r/smc which use a rubber dampened sprocket. The difference being that the 690 sprocket is slightly thicker which could be easily cut down to fit the exc. Sprockets are available in 15/16/17 tooth for around $30.

I have not personally tried this but I have put a non-dampened exc sprocket on my 690 using a small spacer behind it, so it would make sense that it could be done the other way by removing material from the inside of the sprocket.

A dampened sprocket isn't going to do anything for you. The sprockets just have a rubber piece on either side that touch the chain as it passes over the sprocket. It's basically for noise reduction, not for reducing driveline shock.

[Didn'tDoit]

If you only ride dirt it's not necessary. I would recommended for street use.

[The Letter J]

Originally Posted by Tusker

A dampened sprocket isn't going to do anything for you. The sprockets just have a rubber piece on either side that touch the chain as it passes over the sprocket. It's basically for noise reduction, not for reducing driveline shock.

I guess I never looked at it to see what it was all about after removal, but that is good to know... At least I don't feel so bad about running the non dampened sprocket now! Disregard my last suggestion

[LILBIT]

There is a company making a damped rear sprocket. Forget the particulars. Non US currently.

[techforlife]

Originally Posted by LILBIT

There is a company making a damped rear sprocket. Forget the particulars. Non US currently.

KUSH is the name,it`s a rear sprocket with dampeners,,you can do a search and check it out on the net...bottom line.......i know a guy that didn`t get 10 miles out of 2 of these sprockets........they shoot the dampeners out like bullets

B

[LILBIT]

I was waiting for others to experiment before i'd consider it. I had my doubts looking at the photos.

[guns_equal_freedom]

Originally Posted by techforlife

KUSH is the name,it`s a rear sprocket with dampeners,,you can do a search and check it out on the net...bottom line.......i know a guy that didn`t get 10 miles out of 2 of these sprockets........they shoot the dampeners out like bullets
B

I had a set of Marvic wheels on my 750 Ninja and FZR1000, they both had the sprocket with the "dampener Doughnuts", they worked fine.

[Flyer]

Have a Cush Hub on my 2010 530.
2000+ miles on it now (street/dirt 30/70)
I'm still on the fence if it was a good investment or not.
When going on a pure dirt type ride I run the stock rim.
For aggressive street riding I do like having the cush hub wheel on.
But if I were riding mostly dirt and not too aggressive on the street, I'd spend my money on something else.


street/dirt
80/20 yes
50/50 maybe
20/80 no

[mg8]

The winter mods may include this. I have a lot of sand in my area and some day may slap a paddle on her so it may be a good investment. I don't plan to swap out the bike anytime soon and would like to do some longer distance riding, like the Continental divide. Sounds like it can hurt. The GS does most of distance stuff now but the capability of the 530 is in the back of my mind when hairy stuff pops up. Thanks folks!