More front end traction....

12/2/2019 11:51am
I have a 350 19 but I need more traction on the front. I thinking about a different tire or less sag and or lower the fork in the clamps... what do you guys Think? Tire dunlop mx 33, sag 105mm , fork 2 line in the clamps.
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12/2/2019 12:11pm
Hmmmm, when i rode Husky and KTM this year i noticed that the front end traction was substantially better than the jap bikes. If you want more you could try the MX33. I also heard the new MX53 is a really good front tire as well but i haven't tried it yet. Lowering the forks might help but it might make your bike feel awkward and less stable under deceleration.
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AJ565
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12/2/2019 12:34pm
You're chasing a feel more than traction. Those AER forks will make it feel that way. In terms of setup everything looks pretty good. Sag can range between 100 and 107, but personally I've found my sweet spot to be 103mm as recommended by PowerBand.

Tire wise go with a Hoosier whatever letters are in front 25 and run it at 13.5 psi.
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Motofinne
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12/2/2019 12:38pm
Also try the Pirelli MX32 midsoft front tire.
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The Shop

Mr. Info
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12/2/2019 12:52pm
Bike balance is number 1 but finding the right air pressure before setting compression. Back compression clicker full soft and mess with air until you have about an inch to inch and a have left to bottom and work compression clickers from there. This is my opinion only.
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zippytech
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12/2/2019 12:58pm
Maybe slide forward a little more?
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zehn
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12/2/2019 1:00pm
Put your balls on the gas tank. Just make sure the gas cap is closed tightly
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rob162
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12/2/2019 1:04pm
I'm gonna second the feel over traction. The ktms and husky tend to feel like they have less traction in the front then they do for us front end riders. I've pushed beyond what I felt in the front when I've rode the newer 18+ sxf's and found that it's just a feeling and not reality. That being said. There are a few things you can do what is going on. How are you feeling like there is not enough traction. When, where.
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crowe176
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12/2/2019 1:12pm
For what it's worth, I was having a problem with front end feel in corners, and I checked the torque setting's on the triple clamps, and they were so for off it was embarrassing. Put them to spec, and it changed the entire bike. I don't know if was in my head or what, but it felt like it made all the difference.
2
loftyair
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12/2/2019 1:14pm
Try everything, starting with simple, go from there.
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kb228
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12/2/2019 1:18pm
Lower tire pressure
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408Jeepster
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12/2/2019 1:48pm
You say you "need" more front end traction. Are you actually losing/washing the front end in turns or do you not "feel" like you have front end traction?

The AER forks tend to ride a little high in the stroke and tend to generate a "feel" of the front end not biting. I struggled with this at first with them, but echo-ing another poster, I found I could ride beyond what "felt" like was the point of grip.

You didn't mention your weight/skill level or what your current fork settings are (PSI/Comp/Rebound). Depending on where you are at with forks settings, I would start there. The upside to the AER is you can lower/raise spring rate in a few minutes and spin the compression clicker while riding to see what helps/hurts.

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Falcon
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12/2/2019 1:52pm
1) Slightly lower psi in the front tire
2) Slightly less sag in the rear
3) Lower the clamps on the forks (raise the forks in the clamps) in 5mm increments
4) Find the sweet spot with fork rebound. I go out several clicks at a time until I have trouble steering into a rut under braking, then go back in until that condition discontinues.
5) Watch your form in turns. Slide up on the seat, lead with your head over the crossbar, outside elbow up, inside foot near the front axle, weight the outside peg with the ball of your foot.
6
JB 19
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12/2/2019 1:57pm Edited Date/Time 12/2/2019 4:31pm
crowe176 wrote:
For what it's worth, I was having a problem with front end feel in corners, and I checked the torque setting's on the triple clamps, and...
For what it's worth, I was having a problem with front end feel in corners, and I checked the torque setting's on the triple clamps, and they were so for off it was embarrassing. Put them to spec, and it changed the entire bike. I don't know if was in my head or what, but it felt like it made all the difference.
It isn't in your head. I had been running mine way too tight on my Honda. Loosened them up and its like a whole different bike. Unreal.
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Hudd_421
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12/2/2019 2:21pm
Guaranteed it's riding position. I'm always amazed at how well my bike handles when I actually do the fundamentals correctly and focus on having my head forward over the bars.
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12/2/2019 7:41pm
I have struggled with the same feeling, particularly in hard flat corners. I think big part of it is that it’s a very different feel than my previous bike (2013 350 XCF-W, off-road bike). I ended up at 140 PSI, 15 clicks out on rebound and 17 out on compression. I think I am probably a little soft after coming of that soft off-road bike. Any Vet-C riders at 160 pounds have settings they would like to share?
Myke
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12/2/2019 7:50pm
Hudd_421 wrote:
Guaranteed it's riding position. I'm always amazed at how well my bike handles when I actually do the fundamentals correctly and focus on having my head...
Guaranteed it's riding position. I'm always amazed at how well my bike handles when I actually do the fundamentals correctly and focus on having my head forward over the bars.
This
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Uncle Tony
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12/2/2019 8:15pm
Ok I’m gonna troll, get a YZ and be done with it
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cmotodad
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12/2/2019 8:42pm
I my experience, air forks, well setup or not, seem to have a vague feeling on entrance to turns. For me, comfort and feel is important to what little speed I still have.
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12/3/2019 1:46am Edited Date/Time 12/3/2019 1:47am
I think it might be a feeling so I can't push so hard in turns. I will try some of the things you all mention. Thanks.. I run 13.5 psi in my front tire..
AJ565
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12/3/2019 6:15am
MadsDausel wrote:
I think it might be a feeling so I can't push so hard in turns. I will try some of the things you all mention. Thanks...
I think it might be a feeling so I can't push so hard in turns. I will try some of the things you all mention. Thanks.. I run 13.5 psi in my front tire..
The AER stick way better then they make you feel. A revalve helped a ton with mine, but in the end I went to cone valve spring forks.
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seth505
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12/3/2019 7:58am
cmotodad wrote:
I my experience, air forks, well setup or not, seem to have a vague feeling on entrance to turns. For me, comfort and feel is important...
I my experience, air forks, well setup or not, seem to have a vague feeling on entrance to turns. For me, comfort and feel is important to what little speed I still have.
This is exactly how I describe the feel to people when they ask the difference from a spring setup. That said, the vague entry feeling isn't major enough to knock me off my game and I still love the forks overall.
1
mxryan25
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12/3/2019 9:39am
+1 on the aer forks. I have a 19 350 as well, had ohlins forks on it for the whole summer and had never felt more comfortable on a bike, front end traction was amazing. Could’ve used the money and thought the air forks weren’t so bad so I sold them and have been struggling big time with front end feel since, no trust at all in it. Just the weight alone of the spring forks seemed to plant the front end much more as well with the action being much better. Maybe a revalve will help but I don’t think it will be in the same ballpark as those ohlins Pinch seriously looking at the kyb conversion kit, or as uncle said just buy a yz Grinning
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resetjet
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12/3/2019 11:08am
2 clicks or so less rebound.
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1
Robgvx
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12/3/2019 12:19pm
MadsDausel wrote:
I have a 350 19 but I need more traction on the front. I thinking about a different tire or less sag and or lower the...
I have a 350 19 but I need more traction on the front. I thinking about a different tire or less sag and or lower the fork in the clamps... what do you guys Think? Tire dunlop mx 33, sag 105mm , fork 2 line in the clamps.
What’s your skill level?
geo309
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12/3/2019 12:38pm Edited Date/Time 12/3/2019 12:40pm
I have the same issue. I have a 2017 KTM 350 and had Factory Connection re valve and update the forks. I replaced the front tire with a Starcross 5 and run 13 psi. I run a 104 sag and 152 air pressure per FC specs. Vet rider . The front never feels planted to me. I am coming off of a 2011 KTM 250 sxf and I loved how it tracked. With this bike just seems to walk on me. Maybe I will try some body positioning like someone said above but to me it just not feel like my 2011.
12/3/2019 12:46pm Edited Date/Time 12/3/2019 12:46pm
MadsDausel wrote:
I have a 350 19 but I need more traction on the front. I thinking about a different tire or less sag and or lower the...
I have a 350 19 but I need more traction on the front. I thinking about a different tire or less sag and or lower the fork in the clamps... what do you guys Think? Tire dunlop mx 33, sag 105mm , fork 2 line in the clamps.
Robgvx wrote:
What’s your skill level?
I am vet b rider, around 50 hours a year on the bike

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