Who rides motorcycles?

[Milo]

This is one thing that irritates me...why can't the manufacturers just jet/program a motorcycle to run the way it should for peak performance and longevity from the factory? Playing those little games like cutting fuel completely when you close the throttle sacrifices smoothness....

Some manufacturers spend a lot of time developing mapping with excellent throttle response that meets Euro 5+, EPA, etc. emissions. Others don't concern themselves so much with smooth low speed throttling, just meeting emissions.

While it can contribute, cutting fuel at closed throttle doesn't have to sacrifice smoothness but it sure reduces engine braking. Poor mapping and throttle shut off can be irritating, same with abrupt off idle throttling. I've had three bikes that were awful with off idle abruptness, 2017 Honda Crosstour, 2020 Honda Africa Twin, 2015 Yamaha FJ-09. They were all but impossible to ride slow, smoothly, especially on a rough road.

 

[scootr]

This is one thing that irritates me...why can't the manufacturers just jet/program a motorcycle to run the way it should for peak performance and longevity from the factory? Playing those little games like cutting fuel completely when you close the throttle sacrifices smoothness. Jetting/programming it purposefully lean is detrimental to the health of the engine.

I could transition this rant to the automotive side but will stop now.

Our "overlords" do not have any allies in this house.

In the US, thank or blame the EPA. Manufacturers have to meet emission and sound restrictions to be able to sell.

 

[Bocephous]

In the US, thank or blame the EPA. Manufacturers have to meet emission and sound restrictions to be able to sell.

I phrased that wrong probably; sarcasm. I understand it's the EPA, hence the overlords reference. I'm sure some good was done at some point but they seem to be best at ruining vehicles now.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Yup. She's a Husky FE350s Heritage. Hopefully my dream bike. The waiting for delivery is killing me But the dealer with this one offered $2500 off MSRP for last years model. They are an hour away and offered free delivery and a cheap 2 yr extended warranty. My local dealer is just 10 miles away for parts and service. Nice people but didn't have any leftover Huskies. 2026 models went up considerably due to applied tariffs

I wonder about reliability. What does this mean?

 

[scootr]

I wonder about reliability. What does this mean?

View attachment 5302756

This is the same engine used in the KTM bikes. KTM owns Husqvarna motorcycles and they are built in the same factory. I believe only the suspension is different. KTM builds race bikes, these are dirt bikes with blinkers. Definitely not your Japanese type of motorcycle.

KTM has been a dominant force in the racing world for over two decades, particularly in off-road and rally competition, with a rapid rise to prominence in the last 20–30 years. While they have secured over 370 World Championship titles since their first win in 1954, the yr I was made. lol

KTM sold 292,497 motorcycles in 2024, experiencing a significant decrease from the 372,511 units sold in 2023

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

This is the same engine used in the KTM bikes. KTM owns Husqvarna motorcycles and they are built in the same factory. I believe only the suspension is different. KTM builds race bikes, these are dirt bikes with blinkers. Definitely not your Japanese type of motorcycle.

KTM has been a dominant force in the racing world for over two decades, particularly in off-road and rally competition, with a rapid rise to prominence in the last 20–30 years. While they have secured over 370 World Championship titles since their first win in 1954, the yr I was made. lol

KTM sold 292,497 motorcycles in 2024, experiencing a significant decrease from the 372,511 units sold in 2023

I'm not knocking their competitiveness. Just wondering what they mean by crankshaft service intervals of 135 hours?

My buddy raced 4 stroke KTMs about 10 years ago. He says that to keep it in tip top running condition, a top end rebuild every 25-30 hours for the motocross bikes.

 

[ponytug]

Personally, I think high specific output engines and short service intervals go hand in hand.

You can 20HP out of a highly modified 220cc Honda, but it won't last as long. There's a high specific output version of one of my diesels, with triple the HP output, and an out of vehicle rebuild interval of 600 hours. That doesn't work for me, but I know it works for others.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ponytug]

@Kyle_in_Tex If that is a FC350,
Here's a snapshot of part of the maintenance (columns are 1,15,45,90 hours and 24 months)

Engine off of bike seal changes start at 45 hours, and the "major engine" service at 90, including replacing all the bearings...

(That's from a 2023 manual, so perhaps that is now 65, and 135 hours...)

All the best, Peter

 

[Rockbadchild]

I'm not knocking their competitiveness. Just wondering what they mean by crankshaft service intervals of 135 hours?

My buddy raced 4 stroke KTMs about 10 years ago. He says that to keep it in tip top running condition, a top end rebuild every 25-30 hours for the motocross bikes.

KTM has had major reliability issues for certain model 790 & 890 specifically with their camshaft and crank shaft issues ... its all over motorcycle forums...

KTM's infamous camshaft issue: One rider's first-person account - RevZilla

After many complaints by owners, KTM has offered to fix models with unusual camshaft wear. Here's one rider's account of her experience with the issue.

www.revzilla.com

 

[Bocephous]

I've not owned a Husqvarna FE, KTM EXC, or GasGas ES model, but they have a very good reputation for being the best dirt oriented dual-sports money can buy. Very high performance compared to the Japanese models, and while the maintenance schedule looks daunting and may lead to the assumption that they aren't reliable I personally feel that that is overblown. I researched the 500 models (Husky, KTM and GasGas are almost identical in their models with differences like brakes, forks, suspension linkage) and really couldn't find any issues other than cost of entry. The valves even seem to hold their tolerances well. And if I recall the dual sport models are set up to be serviced fairly easily. If I had the cash I'd gladly add an FE, EXC or ES to my garage. Just my $.02.

Different gen EXC, the 2013-2016 500's were generally regarded as the best generation.

KTM 500 EXC Build

ADVENTURIZING A KTM 500EXC FOR RTW RIDING There is more than one way to build a bike for RTW travel, but, there is no one bike that will suit everyone. I have used a few and now for how I want to r…

rtwpaul.com

 

[scootr]

I phrased that wrong probably; sarcasm. I understand it's the EPA, hence the overlords reference. I'm sure some good was done at some point but they seem to be best at ruining vehicles now.

Thankfully there are some very smart innovative people out there providing what is needed to undo their evil work - a lot of the ECUs that control the engine timing and fuel input can be reflashed (Programmed) for improved performance. Plug and play ECUs are also available. It's electronic hot-rodding. lol

 

[scootr]

I've not owned a Husqvarna FE, KTM EXC, or GasGas ES model, but they have a very good reputation for being the best dirt oriented dual-sports money can buy. Very high performance compared to the Japanese models, and while the maintenance schedule looks daunting and may lead to the assumption that they aren't reliable I personally feel that that is overblown. I researched the 500 models (Husky, KTM and GasGas are almost identical in their models with differences like brakes, forks, suspension linkage) and really couldn't find any issues other than cost of entry. The valves even seem to hold their tolerances well. And if I recall the dual sport models are set up to be serviced fairly easily. If I had the cash I'd gladly add an FE, EXC or ES to my garage. Just my $.02.

Different gen EXC, the 2013-2016 500's were generally regarded as the best generation.

KTM 500 EXC Build

ADVENTURIZING A KTM 500EXC FOR RTW RIDING There is more than one way to build a bike for RTW travel, but, there is no one bike that will suit everyone. I have used a few and now for how I want to r…

rtwpaul.com

The point of entry is real. Lots of people like to say it costs 2 times as much as a comparable Japanese bike. But owning both I find little that's comparable except the number of tires. The KTM line of motorcycles is a different level. To summarize; the Japanese bike is transportation and the KTM is an off road weapon. That's general and there are exceptions but you get the idea.
In cars think Honda and Porsche

 

[not2old]

I've owned several Huskies and found that the extreme maintenance is required for those used in actual racing conditions. I bought my first, a 1974 250 WR because the cheaper offerings were more street oriented and I destroyed a 1968 Yamaha DT250 in the first race I entered. I wasn't a serious racer and my Huskies made great play bikes, that in my eyes were more durable than Japanese bikes. I still have a 2008 TE 510 and a 2016 TE 300, both with license plates.

 

[deserteagle71]

I've owned several Huskies and found that the extreme maintenance is required for those used in actual racing conditions. I bought my first, a 1974 250 WR because the cheaper offerings were more street oriented and I destroyed a 1968 Yamaha DT250 in the first race I entered. I wasn't a serious racer and my Huskies made great play bikes, that in my eyes were more durable than Japanese bikes. I still have a 2008 TE 510 and a 2016 TE 300, both with license plates.

Took this pic at the 1970 Mint 400 race. Last good Husky made!

 

[Bocephous]

My only Husky I've owned: 2008 SM610.

GSXR750R used for commuting duties.

FZ1 I smacked a deer at 65mph with. I rebuilt her better than ever.

 

[Bocephous]

And yesterday I took apart my first motorcycle carb. I wanted to add an easily adjustable fuel mixture screw to my XR's carb.

 

[Bocephous]

Couple more while I'm photo dumping. Can't find pics of my old DL1000, though. Had that before I got the FJR; should have kept it.

Kancamagous highway, NH.

This S3 should have been kept, as well. Too. Much. Hooligan. Fun.

Pic of my 2nd FZ1 before i bought it.

R1 getting the old tire smoked at my old residence in Ormond Beach, FL. I was a menace with this bike. And with my first FZ1.

 

[not2old]

Took this pic at the 1970 Mint 400 race. Last good Husky made!

View attachment 5303862

That looks like a 1973 model. My 74 had white plastic fenders and a built-in silencer on the pipe that was almost useless. Mine also had an enclosed airbox on the right side rather than the open air filter cover. Otherwise looked identical.

 

[deserteagle71]

That looks like a 1973 model. My 74 had white plastic fenders and a built-in silencer on the pipe that was almost useless. Mine also had an enclosed airbox on the right side rather than the open air filter cover. Otherwise looked identical.

Older than that. Read what I wrote when I posted the pic...took the pic at the 1970 Mint 400 race so at the newest it is a 1970 and maybe a few years older than that.