Well I like the snails on my bike, BUT during a field flat fix the old style is real nice...just slide out the axle, repair tire and all is preset....real nice on a rental bike in say Costa Rica

 

Hey Deej I had a wombat way back as well!!

 

I have no clue why Kawi changed the design. They changed a few things with the suspension on the 2009 model. I'm glad mine is a 2006, newer is not always better. Simplicity is always better. I like the snail type for quick easy adjustment and alignment, thou getting it to stay tight and forward while tightening the bolt can be a little tricky in it self.

 

How old is the design of the snail adjusters?

If a newer ktm or husky, yam/hon/kaw/suz came with snail adjusters I would be wondering if I made the right decision to purchase the bike. All the tech crotch rockets come with single sided swingarms, your not going to second guess that design would you?

It is kinda nice not to have to readjust the chain when you pull the rear tire everytime.....

 

Just put a screwdriver between the chain and the sprocket. Pulls it nice and tight while you do up the bolts.

 

I'll give that a go WestOz. I have the same frustration as Learjet...

Mike

 

I'll try that next time I install a new tire. Its really not that bad. Last, I just pressed my chest up against the tire to get it to stay. And that was when I installed the Kenda's @ 2k miles. Haven't needed to adjust the snails since then, I already got 6.2k miles.

 

Well, I'll have to respectfully disagree. I feel we are talking apples and oranges. A casual trail/dual sport bike like the klx does not always benefit from the latest high tech gadgetry. In fact, it can hinder it's intended purpose which is a low maintenance, long lasting, easy to ride, easy to work on, mid level performance bike. The bikes you describe above are nice bikes and I have owned several, but they are in a different category. They are designed primarily for competition, not ease of maintenance. Try chaning the oil on a KTM LC4 or LC8 motor, you'd think you were doing an engine rebuild!!!

If you start adding the latest stuff like KX adjusters, super light weight pistons, fragile high performance valves, you may end up w/ more performance, but you also end up w/ a higher maintenace bike.

You don't have to re-adjust the chain when you pull the rear wheel. You simply look to see what # the snail is pointing too and put it back on the same # when you re-install the wheel. It is actually a very nice feature.

Oh, another issue w/ the KX type adjusters. Ever try and swap out a different size front sprocket in the field? Try that w/ the KX adjusters vs. the snail ones and tell me which one works better.

Sorry for this rant, but I've changed waaaay to many wheels in my garage and in the field, more than I want to think about and I choose the FASTER SNAIL !!!!