First run on the ice last night. What a blast!

The dyno is going to wait until spring. The operator couldn't get me in until today, but its raining right now. So I instead got the studded tires on Monday night and got out for some fun. I couldn't wait.

My buddy and I were in a race against the dark after work. We both got out about 30 minutes before dusk. So we got the bikes to a creek nearby. The Ice was perfect. Clear, flat and fast! In the rush to get out I didn't get the action camera ready. I'll get some video on the next session out.

What I learned: The SR500 is fast out there. Its got stiff suspension, a low right height, and a better rider than I. The KLX does pretty decent. I've got a lot less traction for some reason. Our tires are pretty comparable. My bike hooks really well in lower gears under 6k rpms, but if you pin it above that, she gets squirrely. It leans well and it handles well though. Straight line, I might be faster than the SR , but the section we rode was tight and technical for half and long fast sweepers for the other half. I may try lowering the front suspension by moving the tubes up 1/4" in the clamps. That might help handling a bit.

The KLX is also a bit lean according to a plug check. I don't think its dangerously lean, but the plug was dry and a bit white. After we got home I put a DJ148 main jet in it. I also had some popping from the exhaust on throttle close decel once the engine was hot. For that I turned the fuel mix screw out another 1/2 turn.

These changes put me here:

CVK34
#40 Pilot, mixture screw 2.5 turns out.
DJ148 main
DN0228 needle, 2N clip position
stock slide lift port
stock slide spring
airbox lid removed
dry hi-flo filter
Barker exhaust
MCM
ACR deactivate

I also installed the Pro Taper quick turn throttle tube and the thicker grips. They have an improved feel over the ones I had been running. I think its going to sharpen the throttle up nicely and the bigger grips work better with my winter gloves.

I'm going to test these settings as soon as I can and report back.

 

 

Ahhh.... Unleaded + ethanol'd gasoline put a near fatal wound to the science of spark plug reading... You gotta research the snot out of the subject (reading plugs with modern gasoline) to find just a tiny bit of info - Nothing is the same with modern gas and very little info pertains to reading plugs with modern gas - there's tons on reading plugs with racing fuel, etc...... Heck, some of online "experts" say it's no longer possible to do it !
What I found was info that indicates that "white" is what you want on the easily visible part of the insulator, and how to properly assess the fuel ring - when running modern unleaded+ethanol gasoline...

 

One time I was on the ice we couldn't figure out why, but by mid day coats were unzipped and the guys with snow suits or leathers had the top down at their waist. When I got back to town I found out why, the local bank's display showed 54°! On cold days they will look like a "Bib" race.

The nice part about the ice racing U.S. style is that they use sheet metal screws or sheet metal design V cut taller head screws specifically for ice. No spikes here! I've seen guys get buzzed a bit but no injury. When playing it doesn't always get that cut throat.

I need to retire, get the SR500 up and going, and get some tires studded up... So little time and so much ice.

 

I will get some pics up soon! Videos too!

'On Any Sunday' is a big time motivator. I had it on in the background when driving thousands of little screws into tires.

Hmm. Well, I feel like I need to try a few things out and see if the buttdyno can tell the difference. Since I'm putting off the dyno until spring (it will be more comparable at 60*F to 70*F to the other data you have), I would like to try at least one more setting to tell if it wants more fuel or not.

If you really give it some gusto with lots of lean and throttle, riding a moto like this is a workout. Arm pump and core strength keep you warm. I feel like the gear I have is good to about 10*F at speed. On days like today, we would definitely be overalls only. Unfortunately its 8:44 AM and already above freezing. The next ice session might include some standing water. Enjoy that SR if you can! For some reason, I just really like those bikes.

 

[The only pic I got from the other night]


If you are interested in the weigh of the tires, I bothered to find that out for you!

I did not end up using the set of Shinko tires I mentioned early in the thread. Since the power boost to the KLX was substantial I decided to get a set of pre-built used tires from Craigslist. The smaller Shinkos are better suited to the lighter weight and lower power DT 175.

Street tires:
F IRC GP-110F 3.00-21. 7.50 lbs
R IRC GP-110R 4.60-18 10.00 lbs

DT 175 ice tires:
F Shinko SR241 2.75-21 . 10.70 lbs
R Shinko SR241 3.50-18 . 13.45 lbs

KLX 250S ice tires:
F Dunlap 80/100-21 . 15.00 lbs
R Kenda 4.00-18 . 24.25 lbs

SR 500 ice tires:
F Kenda 4.00-19 . 23.60 lbs
R Kenda 4.00-18 . 25.70 lbs

 

In a stroke of luck, there happened to be lowering links and stiffer springs in the classifieds section. I have successfully purchased the springs from Abramsgunner, and I'm trying to get those Moose Racing links too. If these can get me even a little more traction out on the flats of the lake, then its going to make me faster overall.

I'm really looking forward to getting these parts on now. The addiction to KLX modding is full swing! Look for install and impressions soon!

Shout out to Abramsgunner! Thanks, man!

 

Woot! You'll enjoy springs better suited to your weight.. do the GV's in the forks and you will be amazed at the improvement in the feel of the bike.

 

After half a summer of no KLX use, I've decided to sell the bike. Turns out i'm just way more interested in automotive projects. If you read the thread, you can see the bike and its parts. I'll probably post up a FS thread soon, but if you're interested in buying this bike go ahead and message me. I'd give a pretty good deal to a forum member. I'm in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Thanks.