cmbthumper

I know right. Thank you. IMO It looked good before the Fat Tire and gets a few more points now. While i haven't had the TW in Glamis sand I've had it in deep enough to say "i really don't hate this sh*t". That is until it runs out of motor. I'll report back once i do a Ocotillo desert trip with it.

I was out of breath already but the forks and shock were lowered internally 1". I've only messed with raising the forks in the triples on one bike (DRZ400) and saw no real difference but i get the concept. I have not tried it in the sand yet but will be bring it to the desert during Christmas (Yes i said it). Only sand was the edges of the road and what was washed into the turns. Not much but enough to get an idea / feel. George did a few WTF facial expressions and in the end said it will be a fun project so he was all in. The only thing i can say is the handling and front end feel is 95% the same as the TW200 and that was my only goal. I accomplished it and will play with tire pressures to get even more "TW feel."

YES!! the title is fake...Well Kinda I bought a 21' Yamaha TW200 in February of 2023. After the first ride I knew it was the perfect bike for some local relaxed style of riding. It is so fun that I can say without a doubt I will only sell it when I can no longer ride. With that said my poor 2007 KTM 450 EXC has like 5hrs of ride time this year. I also have a Supermoto setup with 17” wheels and in that form, it is ridiculously fun. Two bikes in one. I thought of selling my 2007 KTM 450 EXC but the market is so bad right now I would be giving away a nearly new motorcycle that flat out works and keeps up with any of the newer bikes I ride with. I really like my KTM 450 EXC so I thought, what can I do to keep it in the rotation of TW200 one week, KTM 450 EXC the next week, rinse, and repeat. One of the big positives of the TW is the seat height. I am 6’-1” and at 31” it is like a minibike. The KTM you need a ladder to get on the thing in the stock 21/18” wheel setup. The KTM in Supermoto setup with just the 17” wheels is a lot easier to get on and got me thinking. I made a phone call to Suspension 101 who have done all my motorcycles. After telling him what i was trying to build, George and i agreed to lower the KTM 450 EXC approximately 1 inch. We discussed 2” but that was overkill for my style of riding. A stock KTM 450 EXC with a 21/18” wheel setup has roughly a 37.5” seat height. With a 1:3 suspension ratio, lowering the KTM 450 EXC 1” would yield roughly a 35” seat height. I had Dubya USA build a custom 18” front wheel consisting of a Excel Takasago, Haan Front hub and custom spoke lengths cut to match. I called Buchanan to make me spokes but with a Sun Rim it was north of $1k. I also called Woody's and of course even greater cost as they would only use a Excel Takasago A60. I like the Fat Tire idea but not that much. With the 18" wheel and a Shinko 244 Trials tire It made the seat height 34.75”. More than reasonable and close enough to a TW200 with far better suspension and a much bigger motor. The overall "Feel" of how the KTM is on the dirt and street is very very close to the TW200. I really really liked my KTM 450 before but now it is just unreal how fun it is to ride. For me i achieved my goal of making my KTM something like a TW200 and like my TW200 this KTM TW450 is definitely NOT going anywhere.

Can i get one of those PM's?

Have any pics of it mounted to the 500? Where did you tap into the power? Key or Direct?

Unfortunately i can't but definitely next Tuesday. I don't edit my videos so they are long but this will give you an idea of the road. Last time i went up the last mile of the road was blown out with rocks and ruts everywhere. Worse i have seen it in years. Nothing difficult just need to pay attention to your lines more.

^^ Agreed and I did as well.

^^^^ Thanks for the replies. Hate foamies but haven't used them in years so i will give them another go.

Rode street only yesterday and it was literally the loudest ride i have ever had. I have used the below but thinking of trying out those custom ear plugs from Big Ear. Who uses what? Or should i repeat that again cause you didn't hear me. Who uses what? My Helmet: AGV K6 Arai Defiant-Regent X ** Retired this one a few years ago Ear Plugs i have used: Ear Peace NoNoise Radian DIY molded Generic High Fidelity type

Stock EXC and Seat Concepts EXC with the Valdez. Stock with the MXC. As mentioned it is just a gap thing. I hated the Fugly gap so i shelved the MXC tank for a Clarke.

I'll gladly join in. On Lusardi i got to the transition from pavement to dirt and took a water break or so I thought. I already went through 3L of water and learned the hard way long ago that even on a traveled road to turn around. I simply do not go anywhere without water, the ability to make found water drinkable or the ability to make fire. Probably more.fun story than Jeeps or Tesla's. Ha Ha

I barely do web forums. No Social Media for me. Very cool "Conversations" when i pulled up. I'll be more nosey next time. No shame in admitting even if i didn't pull over to take a wiss you would have passed me regardless. I am no longer that type of rider. Getting roosted is part of the fun.

Went up to the pines for a quick morning ride to beat the heat and bunch of riders already at the top.

3 or 4

Ill.take the Trail 125 THAT day so you don't feel so bad.