KTM 500 steering/tracking problems – OLD Bull Trailriders

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November 17, 2011 at 4:38 pm #100726

murph the surf
Member

Howdy all
Have just bought a KTM 500 EXC and I’m having trouble coming to terms with the steering/tracking of the front end. Have fitted heavier springs in the front and a progressive heavier rear spring. I have raised the bars by 20mm, put an FMF pipe on and fitted the under seat mapping switch and set it to aggressive. First thing I did was up the compression and rebound to the sports mode on the clickers. Then I got rid of the original front tyre and fitted an S12. Still not happy. Rode a mates new KLX450 and it felt much more stable through the singles (it actually went where I pointed it). Having owned 04 and 07 525’s, and been extremely happy with both I am a little bewildered with this one.
Just wondering if anybody else has had the same issues. Any thoughts on the matter will be appreciated
Cheers
Murph the surf

November 17, 2011 at 7:28 pm #211947

Adam Rodgers
Member

Murph,

Do the bars have the same or similar offset position as your previous rides?

Worth a try

Adam.

November 18, 2011 at 12:45 am #211948

tim
Member

If you ride it like the others you have owned no wonder it wont steer, try keeping the front wheel on the ground, seriously tho shame to hear you are having troubles, I have had similar issues with my Berg for years, have you tried dropping the forks in the triple clamps, I dropped mine 2 scribe lines so the top of the fork were proud of the top clamp about 8mm and the bike did turn better but at a price straight line stability, now run them at about 5mm, recently I softened the compression 5 clicks on the front and was surprised at the change, my suspension has been revalved so I may have been misguided with the set up for years
hope this helps in some way

November 18, 2011 at 10:52 am #211966

murph the surf
Member

Thanks gentlemen
Adam, there are more positions on the new bike for the bars
At the moment I have them set in the forward tripple clamp holes but in the back bar clamp configuration (if that makes any sense)?
Could be worth bringing them back though. Just thought I’d like them forward to make it roomier
Medogrocket, I have already set the forks lower by 5mm through the tripples (sorry, I should of mentioned that in my first post) :blush: I haven’t tried softer than standard settings yet though (have only gone harsher) Might give that a go too
Cheers
Murph

November 18, 2011 at 12:28 pm #211971

Chris
Member

Would a dampener help Murph? I know when i put my new bars on the front end was crazy but dropping the forks down in the triple clamp fixed this, I like my bars high and forward for standing, but I think I went too high with the bars :ohmy:

November 18, 2011 at 12:30 pm #211976

Chris
Member

BTW i had my 500 purchase poo pooed at the 11th hour, was all set to go, but no denied!!!!

November 18, 2011 at 1:12 pm #211977

Mike Wyeth
Member

I was going to suggest a steering damper as well they transformed my mates 2010 450 Kato :silly:

November 18, 2011 at 1:39 pm #211987

murph the surf
Member

Steering damper has been playing on my mind
But I didn’t need one on either of my 525’s
I’m at work at the moment but I am going to try and soften the front end by using the clickers and then take it for a run on the way home this arvo
Hey that sux, missing out on a 500 Chris. The way I’m going you can have mine. :laugh:
Just joking.
Cheers
Murph

November 18, 2011 at 11:17 pm #211988

alan
Member

steering dampers are for fast stuff can not see them helping you murph but i may be wrong

November 18, 2011 at 11:38 pm #212009

Greg
Member

white rocket wrote:

steering dampers are for fast stuff can not see them helping you murph but i may be wrong

I agree with you Rocket I dont think a damper will fix your problem. Slide the forks through the clamps first I reckon, try the clickers, different tyre pressures as well. Also check your rear sag, to much sag will be raking the front out, make sure the rear is right. You would be surprised how many people chase a front end problem that is caused by the rear

All else fails post it up in the Tekniks forum here and get some advice from Rudy

Good luck Murph, and BTW post up what sorts it eh

TB

November 18, 2011 at 11:51 pm #212014

Alex
Member

TB is right, the rear on the katos are very sensitive. You should have preload adjustment on the front too. Play with that a couple turns both ways. Regarding the handlebar position I had to go through every combination until I found one that my body and the bike was happy with NOT what I thought was right. You’d be surprised. Try a different combo each ride – you ride enough!

November 20, 2011 at 1:38 am #212019

murph the surf
Member

Thanks ya’ll
I thinks I may be on to something. :pinch:
Was told to crank everrything a couple of clickcks harsher when I fitted the hard ass (fat arse) susspenion to my 07.
Seems as though this new age trendy trippin freakin forks are a little different, Man. :whistle:
On sayin that I have backed the forks off. ////
Cheers
Murph

November 20, 2011 at 1:55 am #212095

murph the surf
Member

Was a great ride home from work today
I’m thinking the bitch is turning into a corner when is asked????
Need to confirm on true singles????
But, as long as everything is coooooool, than so am I
One last question though??? WTF???
Riding home from work yestereday (19-11-11) on mostly dirt, except for Wangi hill, where the damn machine cut out for the third time. (Lucky to make it out of the “Armco”) WTF
With the luck I have been experiencing, having bought a new Kato 500, kinda wished I did my 525 up. :pinch:
Cheers
Murph

If my KTM 500
Plays similar bullshit games?????
Can’t see no future for da bitch
BURN BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????

November 20, 2011 at 2:15 am #212097

murph the surf
Member

The question remains????
WTF
What The Fuck.
I am already over this new age shit
Jeez, have put a filter sock in the tank so as every bit of fuel is filtered before geting into the tank. 👿
So how the fuck, or why the fuck????
Did my machine (cheap to new home) cut out three fuckin times going home yesterday???????????????????????????/
Pissed off
Murph
(happily owned two 525’s from ne prior to this one)

November 20, 2011 at 2:30 am #212098

murph the surf
Member

Burn da shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Only happened three times in a very hot afternoon.???
Fuck it, sorry for the French. :ohmy: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick:
Rode my older 525’s to hell and back, a thousand times.
Why are the newer bikes getting so soft??????
I thinks this fuel injection is BULLSHIT
My old 07 525 never missed a beat in 160000kms
Never got tuned in said kms
Did every oil change at 500kms and checked/adjusted v/v clearances every 1000kms
Was a damn good machine

Why do I have issues with a brand spanking machine?????
Just though I might put it out ther before I actually send it to KTM
Cheers
Murph the surf
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