New toy...

[Gigsy]

It's my birthday coming up and I've been nagging my wife about getting a dirt bike to crash on some green lanes for a while now and today she finally agreed and I've put the deposit down on this little number...

1800 miles / 91 hours, 2 owners and seems to be in pretty good condition. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks to ease some of the maintenance tasks or anything that would be worth refreshing sooner than anything else etc.

Hopefully picking it up in a week or so though I may be forced to wait until the beginning of November (actual birthday) before I'm officially let loose on it

 

[Bounce]

Did you get the EXC, and if so, are you still after some tips?

 

[Gigsy]

Hi, yes bike is tucked away safely in my shed

Mrs G is being a stickler though and insisting I wait until my birthday (2 weeks time) before ao take it out for a spin though!

 

[Bounce]

Well give us a shout if you want some maintenance tips; I'll happily share with you what I know.......

 

[Gigsy]

Thanks. I'm slowly putting together a list of jobs. The valves, oil and filter were done by the dealer (KTM main dealer so hopefully they know what they're doing ) but I don't know when the fork oil, brake / clutch fluid were last changed though so they're top of the list.

Any advice on preferred cleaner/oil/fluids/etc and things to keep an eye on or other odd jobs that need doing would be great.

The bike seems to be in pretty good shape so hopefully it'll prove to be a good toy for playing in the mud!

 

[Bounce]

Oil
I use Motorex 4T fully synthetic in the engine, and putoline GP10 in the gear box - seems to be an excellent combination (I hear Rock Oil is also v good)
Oil filter kits I buy from Jim Aim Racing in Essex - £22.44 per kit & their postage rates are reasonable

Air Filter
I use No Toil filters, plus the cleaner & filter oil - these were recommended to me & are excellent.
Keep an eye on your air filter, as it's one of the areas that folk forget about. I usually prepare a freshly oiled filter every 100/125 miles of riding, depending on the amount of water I plough through!!

B & C Fluid
I use Motul RBF600 dot 4 synthetic fluid; again, recommended to me & is fine

Chain & sprockets
DID X ring chain - fooking thing is rock hard!!!!!
Front & rear sprockets from supersprox - these are superb and really robust (front - 14T / Rear - 50T seems to work nicely for green laning)

Cleaning Products
Brake & chain cleaner: brake discs, brake calipers, forks, chain, sprockets
WD40: plastics , metal work (including exhaust & frame)
ACF corrosion block grease: bolts, footpegs
I lube my chain after every wash; it's a habit but if you look after it etc....

Weekly checks & pre ride:
> Fuel level
> Oil levels (engine & gear box)
> Coolant level
> B&C...should be fine anyway & can be checked less frequently
> Tyre condition & pressures
> All bolts are tight
> Wheel bearings & if there's any play in them
> Steering head bearing
> Electrics
> Chain tension
#####All common sense stuff that'll be in the service manual#####

Oh yes.....GO AND HAVE A LOAD OF FUN, BUT DON'T RIDE ALONE...........

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Good advice from Keith

I've always used Motorex 4T (which is what the dealer will have used) on all my RFS engined KTM's

The engine takes 1.2 litres when changing filters and doesn't have a separate gearbox. That appeared on the later model year bikes. I have heard of some people having issues with grabbing clutches when switching between different manufacturers oils that's why I always stuck with Motorex

 

[Bounce]

The engine takes 1.2 litres when changing filters and doesn't have a separate gearbox. That appeared on the later model year bikes. I have heard of some people having issues with grabbing clutches when switching between different manufacturers oils that's why I always stuck with Motorex

Ah yes, my apologies.....I have separate engine & gearbox oil, so N&F is spot on with his comment above....

Also, when I go out laning I'll wear a camelbak mule with circa 2L of water (cos you'll sweat like a ) so important to stay hydrated. I'll also carry the following items:-
> Fully charged phone (use the camera on it to save carrying the compact)
> Some food (couple of banana's, energy bars, mini pork pies, small bags of nuts & fruit).....carb loaded for energy
> Tool kit
> Money
> Go pro worn on a chest harness
> Micro fibre cloth
> Spare gloves (particularly when it's wet)
> Some even have OS maps on either a phone or other device too (I don't but the lads I ride with have)

 

[Gigsy]

Thanks for all the info... will order up some supplies!

I've got a Kriega R15 and bought the hydration pack when I bought it so that will definitely come in handy. I also have ViewRanger installed on my phone as I've been out and about on a few local BOATs on my F700 but decided that if I wanted to play and ride on more than the odd hard packed trail without giving myself a double hernia, I needed something more appropriate - hence the EXC. I'm also quite fortunate in that I live close to quite a few trails and have signed up with the local TRF who will hopefully be able to point me in the right direction of a few more (if I ever make it to the monthly meeting! )

What do you have in your tool kit and how to do carry it on the bike? So far, it doesn't look like I need that many tools based on the tinkering I've done so far (manly taking stuff off to have a look underneath and putting it back on) but I'm not that keen on carrying hard pointy things in my backpack so was thinking more along the lines of a Kriega US5 or rally/tail pack to mount on the bike.

 

[Bounce]

Thanks for all the info... will order up some supplies!

I've got a Kriega R15 and bought the hydration pack when I bought it so that will definitely come in handy. I also have ViewRanger installed on my phone as I've been out and about on a few local BOATs on my F700 but decided that if I wanted to play and ride on more than the odd hard packed trail without giving myself a double hernia, I needed something more appropriate - hence the EXC. I'm also quite fortunate in that I live close to quite a few trails and have signed up with the local TRF who will hopefully be able to point me in the right direction of a few more (if I ever make it to the monthly meeting! )

What do you have in your tool kit and how to do carry it on the bike? So far, it doesn't look like I need that many tools based on the tinkering I've done so far (manly taking stuff off to have a look underneath and putting it back on) but I'm not that keen on carrying hard pointy things in my backpack so was thinking more along the lines of a Kriega US5 or rally/tail pack to mount on the bike.

Tools are kept in a tool pouch and carried in the mule as there's plenty of room, and it has a padded back so nothing sticks in my back.

As for tools.......
> Mini ratchet with extension, plus a 8mm, 10mm and 13mm hex sockets
> Flat head screwdriver
> Cable ties but of course
> Selection of mini combination spanners with sizes aligned to the bike fastenings
> Needle nose pliers
> Diagonal cutting pliers
> Roll of electrical tape

That's pretty much it, and it's served me well to date; some of the guys have a tail pack bolted on to the rear fender but I prefer not to have that (just a personal preference).

 

[RICHO]

What about 1st aid kit Keith

 

[Gigsy]

Tools are kept in a tool pouch and carried in the mule as there's plenty of room, and it has a padded back so nothing sticks in my back.

As for tools.......
> Mini ratchet with extension, plus a 8mm, 10mm and 13mm hex sockets
> Flat head screwdriver
> Cable ties but of course
> Selection of mini combination spanners with sizes aligned to the bike fastenings
> Needle nose pliers
> Diagonal cutting pliers
> Roll of electrical tape

That's pretty much it, and it's served me well to date; some of the guys have a tail pack bolted on to the rear fender but I prefer not to have that (just a personal preference).

Was more the thought of something sticking in to me when I fall off (I'm OK at the falling part but not very good at the landing bit)...

What about 1st aid kit Keith

...so, a portable x-ray machine would probably be useful in my case (9 bones in 2 years - 7 in my foot on one occasion (bike related) and a rib and collar bone on another (rugby related)).

 

[Bounce]

What about 1st aid kit Keith

Yep, quite right Clive...someone in the group should have a 1st aid kit...

Where have you been hiding mate?

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

Some food (couple of banana's, energy bars, mini pork pies, small bags of nuts & fruit).....carb loaded for energy

How long are the rides you go on

 

[Bounce]

How long are the rides you go on

I get hungry....fast metabolism.....

 

[Mike F]

Check out Oxford TRF and join us at the thames valley GSers monthly meal. We are all avid green laners

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/389128-1st-One-for-2015

 

[Gigsy]

Check out Oxford TRF and join us at the thames valley GSers monthly meal. We are all avid green laners

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/389128-1st-One-for-2015

In theory, I'm a member of the Oxford TRF but I've not actually managed to make it along (3rd Thursday?) yet despite registering about 6 months ago. Will try and make either to the TRF or TV GSer meal this month though... I've entered the RallyMoto Cup so will need to get some practice in before the 8th March!

 

[Mike F]

will be at GSer, not TRF

Loddon Vale TRF worth hooking up with based Reading, meeting tonight at Swan in 3 Mile Cross. I'll be there too. I'm a member of Oxford TRF but help out at Loddon Vale. I'm just a tart really.