Got some time over a couple more nights last week to finish up getting most of the bike built up. First was grips. I prefer the Pro-Grip pillow tops but didn't have any one hand. I've got a collection of other ones in the parts bin so I decided to use up some stock. Got a really helpful tip from Gilles T. a while back...use tape under the grips to make them bigger in diameter and more comfortable for my long hands. I use two rounds of Gorrilla Tape. I run the grips under the hot water tap for a couple minutes and they get nice and pliable and go on smooth with some spray adhesive acting as lubricant until it starts to set up.
Extended barkbusters
In the previous post, I mentioned about the way in which I'm using regular barkbusters with some extensions to reach the FastWay top clamp. You should be able to get the gist of it from this pic. This set up seems to work really well in that the bolted joint at the extension provides just a little flex during impacts, but the FastWay clamp and the threaded bar ends keep things in place very well.
With this being my first FI bike, this was also my first map switch. The KTM Hard Parts one is a very slick setup that takes the place of the top of the clutch perch. A very interesting feature that I was not aware of is that there are actually three maps: stock, mild, and aggressive. With the switch, position one is always stock. Position two is determined by another switch mounted under the seat near the ECU. On this switch, position one will make the map switch option select the mild map. When the under-seat switch is in position two, the map switch option will select the aggressive map. Pretty cool stuff and a very clean install.
Handlebar map switch
Under-seat optional map selector
Of course, for any New England bike, the usual protection items are mandatory. For the first time, I went with the Hard Parts plastic skid plate. This was the only item on this build-up that didn't really fit well. My guess is that there are slight changes in the engine mount gussets from the 2012 to the 2013 bikes. I had to do a little bending on the mount to make it work. I replaced the Dzus fastener at the front with a bolt for security. It's the only fastener holding on the plate so removing it for oil changes should still be very easy. Also included in the protection category are the shark fin and radiator guards. Both of these items are from Bullet Proof and the fit was perfect and installation very easy.
BulletProof rad. guard
BulletProof shark fin
Hard Parts skid plate
While I had the airbox open, I did a couple other things. I made a little gap for the tail light wire to get in there, I switched out the stock battery for the TurnTech that I had on the 300, and I also installed a little bit of skidplate foam over the drain at the bottom of the airbox. I've been doing this for a while now. The foam lets water drain out but also slows down or stops any splashes from coming in.
TurnTech battery
KTM tail light
Skidplate foam covering
airbox vent
With all that done, it was finally time for a real ride. After the 600+ hours that the Pathfinders put into getting Thomaston Dam open for riding, we finally had a chance to enjoy the fruits of our labor in the form of a nice club ride. I think 20+ members, family, and friends showed. Weather was perfect and I got to work breaking in the bike. I already know that the suspension was going to be firm, but I didn't know just HOW FIRM it would be. VERY firm is the answer. I took it as a good sign that, even with the MX-type suspension, the bike did not really deflect at all but it definitely was not well suited for N.E. The next thing I noticed was the power of the motor. I was still a little skeptical that a 350 would be enough to haul around my 235lbs. I no longer have any doubts. The motor is strong and very useful. I'll know more on the next ride when I can open it up some more, but I like the motor and the FI a lot. The map switch provides a very subtle change in the mild map. It doesn't feel de-tuned, just a little mild. Should be very useful on slippery days. The motor has very little flywheel effect which does make it susceptible to stalling. Turning the idle up a little and minding the clutch seem to take care of this. Here's a quick helmet cam video of the second loop of the day. I was staying away from the most technical trails until I get the suspension back from Gilles later this week. You can hear the quick-revving nature of the motor in the beginning of the video - nothing like the RFS 450 that was my last 4-stroke.
