Went out today and put about 30 miles on the bike. Combination of back roads, gravel, fields, and highway. I love it! The intake noise is a little more than stock but not really an issue. The improvement of the midrange power is just what I was looking for. No hesitations throughout the power band and no decel pops. Apparently I was pretty lucky getting the carb right but after reviewing the tuning spreadsheet numerous times, it seemed like a logical starting point.

My previous bikes were a DR650 and a KLR650. This KLX now is running better than either of them and is much more fun to ride at this point of my life. I like it almost as much as my Bultaco.

 

Ahh, you didn't run the KDX snorkel with standard timings did you - as THAT grawling racket leaves a mark.. Aren't you comparing the intake noise of Dead Stock vs MCM+Stage 1+KDX ?

 

Imagine that engine in the KLX chassis!

 

Before I did the MCM I went for one short ride with the 2152 Stage 2 with KDX snorkel, 124 main, DJ needle clip on 3 (as per the DJ instructions). It ran fine and was definitely louder than it is now with the MCM but I didn't think it was terrible. I could have easily lived with it but decided to go with the MCM right away because I wanted a little more umph and the MCM seems to be just what I was looking for.

My hearing isn't the greatest now so maybe I didn't notice the intake noise as much as someone with better ears.