The Weekend Race Set Up: (5/28/21 Fox Raceway Amateur Day)

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 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 two bikes to race (Yamaha YZ450F and KTM 250 SX-F). 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”.

Aden Keefer (Age:15)

Track: Fox Raceway

Terrain: Very deep loam in AM with hard pack chop in ruts PM

Start: Dirt

Avg Lap Time: 1:58

Total Number Of Motos: 4 motos (Four 5 lap motos)

Weight At Time Of Race: 130 pounds w/o gear

2021 KTM 250 SX-F:

 Engine Hours 8.9

Mods/Parts: 

Tires: Dunlop MX3S/MX33 13.5/12.5 PSI 

Bars: Pro Taper Evo Suzuki Race Team

Grips: Pro Taper 1/3 Waffle Race Cut

Levers: Stock

Throttle: ZRT Grey Cam 

Rider Triangle: Stock

Gearing: 14/52 Sunstar Sprockets/DID ERT3 Chain

Engine Mods: Head Mod XPR Motorsports, Custom HC Piston, Vortex ECU Mapped By XPR/Akrapovic Slip On

Engine Oil: Blud Racing 10/40 Pro Series

Fuel: Renegade SX4+ 

Holeshot Device: WC

Graphics/Seat: Throttle Syndicate

Suspension: REP Racing Test Fork/Shock Spec #AK3

Air Filter: Twin Air Power Flow Kit 

Results: 2nd250B and 2ndSchoolboy 2 

Change Points/Notes: 

• Gearing went from 14/51 to 15/52 for the deeper/tilled dirt. Going to 14/52 helped with getting into third gear quicker off the gate.

• REP AER setting was set at 9.90 bar but we increased to 10 bar for hold up on de-cel due to very deep conditions. Once set at 10 bar the front end had better hold up but rider complained of deflection when fork was higher up in stroke (on throttle out of corners/initial stroke)

• Fork comfort on bigger braking bump was not as good through mid stroke with air at 10 bar, but hold up was necessary for balance of bike entering corners. 

• Shock felt low on accel after fork change so turned HSC in 1/8 turn. Helped balance on throttle out of corners. 

• FMF 4.1 system was installed for race and noticeably more bottom end/low end rpm response was noticed by rider over HGS system. FMF gave rider increased low end to pop over bumps and get out of corners more efficiently than HGS system. However, top end/over-rev was not as good as the HGS system. 

• 120mm holeshot device setting was retained for Fox Raceway start. Aden technique needs to improve off gate. 

Suspension Setting:

Fork: (Spec #REPAK3F)

C: 15 (softer clicker setting than last race) 

R: 11

Height: 5mm

Air: 10 Bar (stiffer air setting than last race)

Shock: (Spec #REPAK3S)

LSC: 12

HSC: 1.25 (stiffer air setting than last race)

R: 12

Sag: 104mm (higher setting than last race)

The Weekend Race Set Up (4/25/21)

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 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 four bikes to race (2021 Yamaha YZ450F, KTM 250 SX-F, Kawasaki KX450, Yamaha YZ450FX). Below are four 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: Glen Helen Raceway

Kris Keefer

Terrain: Sandy top soil AM with hard pack in PM 

Start: Dirt

Avg Lap Time: 2:00

Total Number Of Motos: 4 motos (Four 8 lap motos)

Weight At Time Of Race: 170 pounds w/o gear

2021 Yamaha YZ450F: 

Engine Hours 50.2

Tires: Dunlop MX3S/MX12 13.5/12.5 PSI 

Bars: Pro Taper SX Race Evo

Grips: Renthal Half Waffle Medium

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/Akrapovic Evolution System

Engine Oil: Blud Racing 10/40 Pro Series

Fuel: Renegade SX4

Holeshot Device: WC

Graphics/Seat: Throttle Syndicate

Suspension: Enzo Racing Test Fork/Shock Spec #KK145

Air Filter: Twin Air Power Flow Kit 

Plastic: Cycra Power Flow Kit

Results: 1st 450 Pro (1-1-1), 2nd 30 Pro (2-2)

Notes: 

• GH World Vet Vortex ECU setting as well as Akrapovic muffler allowed the most rear wheel connection I have felt yet from any muffler I have tested to date. Power was controlled and easy to manage late in motos.

• YZ450F feels slightly heavy on entry of shallow ruts.

• PSF1 Fork was stiffened up to 38.5 PSI to help with hold up coming down hills. PSF1 had more comfort on heavy landings or when pushing hard into corners. lean angle is not as good as spring fork, but PSF1 setting allowed me to push harder later in the day. Surprising! 

• Shock sag at 105mm made for acceptable balance, but left rebound setting from 4/10/21 race to compensate for choppy conditions so rear can follow ground more.

• WC start device was better off the gate when set at 120mm for dirt start.

• Updated rider triangle (-5mm/-10 back pegs) allows for less leg fatigue. Legs were fresher at end of motos. 

• GUTS standard seat foam is firmer than stock OEM foam and last longer. (12.1 hours on foam and density still holding up).

• TP199 knee pads were worn. Had more mobility when riding, less fatigue and overall movement on bike was more fluid. Roost protection was adequate. Still slip down legs so Asterisk Zero G Knee Brace Pant was worn.

Suspension Setting: 

Fork: (Spec #KK28PSF1)

Air Pressure: 38.5

C: 15

R: 11

Height: 2mm

Shock: (Spec #KK144S)

LSC: 10

HSC: 1.25

R: 9

Sag: 105mm

Track: Glen Helen Raceway

Aden Keefer

Terrain: Sandy top soil AM with hard pack in PM 

Start: Dirt

Avg Lap Time: 2:02

Total Number Of Motos: 4 motos (Four 7 lap motos) 

Weight At Time Of Race: 130 pounds w/o gear

2021 KTM 250 SX-F:

 Engine Hours 10.1 

Tires: Dunlop MX3S/MX12 13.5/12.5 PSI 

Bars: Pro Taper Evo Suzuki Race Team Cut to 805mm

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: Head Mod XPR Motorsports, Custom HC Piston, Vortex ECU Mapped By XPR/HGS Full System

Engine Oil: Blud Racing 10/40 Pro Series

Fuel: Renegade SX4+

Holeshot Device: WC

Graphics/Seat: Throttle Syndicate

Suspension: REP Racing Test Fork/Shock Spec #AK3

Air Filter: Twin Air Power Flow Kit 

Results: 2nd 250 Intermediate, 2nd Schoolboy

 Notes: 

• REP AER setting was set at 9.92, but rider still complaining of soft feeling (dive) under braking.

• Fork comfort on bigger braking bumps was ok, but rider needs more performance (hold up) coming down hills or when over jumping jumps. 

• Fork comfort on small/light bump/accel was acceptable. 

• HGS Muffler provided more hit down low and better throttle response than Akrapovic slip on. 3 out of 4 hole shots with HGS versus 2 out of 4 on the Akra.  

• 120mm holeshot device setting remained from last race and is preferred. 

Suspension Setting:

Fork: (Spec #AK3F)

C: 11

R: 12

Height: 5mm

Air: 9.92 Bar 

Shock: (Spec #AK3S)

LSC: 14

HSC: 1.5

R: 12

Sag: 105mm

Track: Glen Helen Raceway

Michael Allen

Terrain: Sandy top soil AM with hard pack, square edge braking bumps in PM 

Start: Dirt

Avg Lap Time: 2:10

Total Number Of Motos: 4 motos (Four 5 lap motos)

Weight At Time Of Race: 175 pounds w/o gear

2021 Yamaha YZ450FX:

Engine Hours 2.3 

Tires: Dunlop MX33F/MX33 13/12.5 PSI 

Bars: Stock

Grips: Stock

Levers: Stock

Throttle: Stock 

Rider Triangle: Stock bar height/front hole

Gearing: Stock 13/50 

Engine Mods: Stock

Engine Oil: Yamalube 10/40

Fuel: Pump 91

Holeshot Device: none

Graphics/Seat: stock

Suspension: stock, sag at 104mm

Air Filter: stock 

Plastic: stock

Results: 9th Open Vet Int., 4th 30 Plus Int.

Notes:

• Front end pushed and lacked traction in corners, especially flat corners.

• Took a lot of effort to get leaned into a rut and wasn’t planted in rut.

• Stock map has too much power/hit for rough Glen Helen when accelerating up the choppy hills or out off choppy corners

• I started the race in the stock map and changed to the hard packed map just before the second corner.

• The hard packed map mellowed out power delivery in first 5-10% of throttle opening, as well as making the overall power, less “explosive”

• Fork and shock settings were in the ball park for comfort for my height/ability (30+B rider)

• Big improvement over previous year settings as its much less wollowy overall. 

• The fork is slightly firmer than the rear, as once the shock gets deeper in the stroke the wollowy characteristics can still be slightly felt from last year. 

• Even with the longer exhaust, it’s still on the loud side

I’m used to riding a 250F, so the 450FX definitely wore me out, but in a different way. On a 250F I get worn out from riding it aggressively, but on the 450FX I get more worn out form holding on during acceleration (especially up hills). This was my first time riding this bike, so after a 10 minute practice session my first experience was moto one. I got one hole shot, and wasn’t ever outside the top 5. I think one reason I had trouble turning the bike is because the bars were in the forward position as I usually have YZ’s in the rear position. Will be moving mounts to the rear hole from here on out.

Suspension Setting: 

Fork: (stock)

C: 10

R: 8

Height: 5mm

Shock: (stock)

LSC: 10

HSC: 1.25

R: 7

Sag: 104mm

Track: Glen Helen Raceway 

Matthew Sirevaag 

Terrain: Sandy top soil AM with hard pack in PM  

Start: Dirt 

Avg Lap Time: 2:15 

Total Number Of Motos: 4 motos (Four 7 lap motos) 

Weight At Time Of Race: 201 pounds w/o gear 

2021 Kawasaki KX450: 

Engine Hours 41.6 

Mods/Parts:  

Tires: Dunlop MX33F/MX33 13.5/13.5 PSI  

Bars: Pro Taper  Fuzion SX Race  

Grips: Pro Taper Half Waffle Soft 

Levers: Stock 

Rider Triangle: Stock peg position/stock bar height/rear hole 

Gearing: 13/48 Pro Taper Sprockets/DID ERT3 Chain 

Engine Mods: Yoshimura RS12 stainless system 

Engine Oil: Blud Racing 10/40 Pro Series 

Fuel: Pump 91 

Holeshot Device:  None 

Graphics: 180 Decals 

Suspension: Race Tech re-valve/5.2 fork springs 5.8 rear spring

Air Filter: Stock 

Plastic: Stock 

Results:  30B (6-7= 7th), Open Vet = sucked both motos 

Notes:  

 • Regret not installing Works Connection hole shot device three out of the four starts were horrible 

• KX450 has light nimble feel making it easy to change direction mid corner 

• Yosh exahaust system  smoothed out power down low which helped me to roll my corners with more speed. Less jerky feel.

• Went from stock 13/49 gearing to 13/48 to help smooth power out in order to help with rider fatiuge late in motos.

• Fork seemed a little harsh in mid stroke, so opening up rebound helped some coming down rough hills. I still need more comfort in order for me to be able to charge harder late in Motos.

• Shock gave me good comfort/traction, but need to balance the fork to match the shock’s comfort on throttle.

Suspension Setting:  

 Fork:  

C: 12 

R: 15 

Height: 2mm 

Shock:  

LSC: 13 

HSC: 1 3/4 

R: 16 

Sag: 105mm 

The Weekend Race Set Up 3/6-7/2021 (Mesquite)

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