I always thought it would be cool to share the notes that I create after a race with the reader. 98% of the time I will input notes about each test bike/part I decide to race on any given weekend. The part as well as the bikes change from time to time, but I always like to have a log of what I ran as well as the conditions of each race. Below is a brief breakdown on the bikes, parts as well as notes on how each performed or felt. Last weekend we brought three bikes to race (KTM 250 SX-F, Honda CRF450R, Yamaha YZ450F), but we are going to give the Honda CRF450R it’s own baseline settings article later this week so stay tuned for that. Below are two breakdowns of what was on each machine and how each machine fared in race conditions. Each time my son and I race, you can check back here to keeferinctesting.com every Tuesday (when we race the previous weekend) for “The Weekend Race Set Up”.
Track: Mesquite
Kris Keefer
Terrain: Soft/Grabby dirt with long choppy ruts/steep downhill
Start: Grate with concrete after gate
Avg Lap Time: 1:30
Total Number Of Motos: 6 motos (Two 20 minute plus 1 lap motos, 4X7 lap motos)
Weight At Time Of Race: 171 pounds w/o gear
2021 Yamaha YZ450F:
Engine Hours 36.2
Mods/Parts:
Tires: Dunlop MX3S/MX33 13.5/12.5 PSI
Bars: Pro Taper SX Race Evo
Grips: Renthal Half Waffle Soft
Levers: ARC RC-8 Perch/Lever
Throttle: ZRT
Rider Triangle: -5mm down and back peg position/stock bar height/rear hole
Gearing: 13/49 Renthal Sprockets/DID ERT3 Chain
Engine Mods: Vortex ECU Mapped By XPR/FMF 4.1 Full System
Engine Oil: Blud Racing 10/40 Pro Series
Fuel: VP T4
Holeshot Device: WC
Graphics/Seat: D’Cor Star Racing Yamaha Spec
Suspension: Enzo Racing Test Fork/Shock Spec #KK108
Air Filter: Twin Air Power Flow Kit
Results: 1st 30A (1-1), 4th Open Pro, (5-4) 3rd 25A (4-1)
Notes:
GH World Vet ECU setting allowed third gear corners without on/off area 2 feel. Power was controlled and easy to manage late in motos.
YZ450F felt slightly heavy compared to Honda CRF450R on area 1-2 of corners at Mesquite but was more stable on area 3 of corners.
Fork was soft on end stroke on de-cel (grabby dirt). Went in +2 clicks on Comp.
Shock sag at 105mm made for acceptable balance, but slowed rebound down -1 click to compensate for soft bump leading into ruts.
Shock still had firm feel on accel bump and possible I need less HS Dampening
WC start device needs to be at 120mm for grate start
Rider Triangle allows for less leg fatigue and rear felt fatigue than stock triangle setting.
Seat Foam breaking down after 8 hours. Need new foam/standard height.
Suspension Setting:
Fork: (Spec #KK108F)
C: 10
R: 9
Height: 2mm
Shock: (Spec #KK108S)
LSC: 12
HSC: 1.25
R: 8
Sag: 105mm
Track: Mesquite
Aden Keefer
Terrain: Soft/Grabby dirt with long choppy ruts/steep downhill
Start: Grate with concrete after gate
Avg Lap Time: 1:30
Total Number Of Motos: 7 motos (One 20 minute moto, 6X7 lap motos)
Weight At Time Of Race: 130 pounds w/o gear
2021 KTM 250 SX-F:
Engine Hours 48.8
Mods/Parts:
Tires: Dunlop MX3S/MX33 13.5/12.5 PSI
Bars: Pro Taper Fuzion Suzuki Race Team
Grips: Pro Taper 1/3 Waffle Race Cut
Levers: Stock
Throttle: ZRT Grey Cam
Rider Triangle: Stock
Gearing: 14/51 Sunstar Sprockets/DID ERT3 Chain
Engine Mods: Vortex ECU Mapped By XPR/FMF 4.1 Full System
Engine Oil: Blud Racing 10/40 Pro Series
Fuel: VP MR Pro 6
Holeshot Device: WC
Graphics/Seat: Throttle Syndicate/GUTS seat cover/firm foam
Suspension: REP Racing Test Fork/Shock Spec #AK2
Air Filter: Twin Air Power Flow Kit
Results: 3rd Open All Star (5-3), 2nd Schoolboy 2 (3-2), 2nd Open Am (2), 1st (2-1)
Notes:
REP AER setting was set at 8.9 bar in AM to compensate for heat/race day length
Fork comfort on bigger braking bump was better than stock setting
Fork comfort on small/light bump/accel was still firm through handlebars
Shock felt low on accel. Turned HSC in 1/4 turn. Helped balance
ECU setting was clean in AM, but PM 82 degree conditions had dirty feel on roll on mid RPM. Could be boiling fuel MR Pro 6. Must pick up/switch to MR Pro 6 HT for spring time.
Need to drop hole shot device to 120mm (from 100mm) for Aden’s lightweight ass on metal grate.
Broke brake pedal tip off (crash)
Bent clutch lever (crash)
Fork: (Spec #AK2F)
C: 14
R: 12
Height: 5mm
Air: 9.89-9.90 Bar
Shock: (Spec #AK2S)
LSC: 15
HSC: 1.5
R:11
Sag: 105mm