KX450 at Glen Helen Raceway: Technique Moto

No better place to be on a Tuesday with Pops! Tag along for another good day at Glen Helen Raceway with a fun crew. Not every moto has to be an all-out sprint: Working on flow and timing helps in the long run as well.
2:07 Pops follow one
4:28 100% goggle reset - Always the worst when there’s one spec of dirt bouncing around
4:54 Back on track
6:01 Cheater line on the right
6:44 Pops chasing number two
7:05 Full splash
7:30 All warmed up and time to flow: Really working on one-time with throttle openings to clean up my turns/timing…
9:30 Solid fourth-gear drive into Talladega
11:01 Bump it, baby!
13:05 Wheelie over that stray bump
15:56 Sight lap and optional line checks to explore the track
16:14 Outside at Shoei = Blown out
16:29 Left side down the hill is smooth, but sets you up to go outside/fluff only under the bridge
18:15 Head slam and squeaky brakes
18:45 Coast it on home
Bike Specs:
2020 Kawasaki KX450 with 108hrs
Xtrig ROCS triple clamps (23mm)
Renthal 839 FatBar handlebars (hashtag Stock.Is.Best)
Shock Therapy Racing fork and AHM Factory Services shock tuning
Pro Circuit linkage and T-6 slip on silencer
D'Cor seat cover
A'ME full waffle grips
Lightspeed carbon protection: Glide plate and front disc guard
Works Connection elite throttle tube
13/50 gearing with 116L chain
Bridgestone x31 front (80/100-21 at 13psi) and x40 rear tire (110/90-19 at 12.5psi)
#glenhelen #kawasaki #kx450 #kx450sr #motocross #teamgreen

[@MOTOSYMOTOCICLTETAS]

Good morning, I see in your video that you use a 110 90 19 tire on the KX450? 1: Is there any advantage or disadvantage to using a 110 tire on a 450cc? 2: I also see that you use suspensions from different shops and tuners. Best regards 🔥

[@CasMoto]

I keep my bikes fairly stock (no internal changes, porting, special fuel, etc.), so a 110/90-19 turns better and keeps it snappier than a comparable 120/90 ( I do not enjoy the turning character of 120/80's). Bridgestone 110 tires are quite large, almost 115's, and I have been using them with very good results of late.
Suspension-wise, both AHM and STR do good work, and I'll even use Graeme Brough from time to time as he's excellent as well. Good questions!

[@MOTOSYMOTOCICLTETAS]

​@@CasMoto Here in Mexico you can only get Dunlop MX 34 or MX53 rear tires and also Bridgestone X40. I am going to try the X40. I didn't know it was such a good tire since it has little publicity here in Mexico. I appreciate your help.

[@CasMoto]

@@MOTOSYMOTOCICLTETAS Not sure if it's an international offer, but Bridgestone currently has a deal stateside for $50 gift card credit with purchase of a pair of tires. This makes the pricing extremely competitive, and I'm really impressed with both the X40 rear and X31 front/rear in true SoCal intermediate (everything) terrain...Lots of oldschool riders still swear by the M59 (soft/int.) front tire too. Take care and enjoy whichever fresh sneakers you go with!

[@MOTOSYMOTOCICLTETAS]

It seems that maintenance and oil change is the key, here we also have Maxima Premium oil. How many hours do you change the oil in that KX450? I need to take care of my bike as best as possible.

[@CasMoto]

Riding prepped tracks with limited dust most days, 4-5hr oil changes have worked well for me. Oil filter gets changed every other oil change, so 8-10hrs. Owners/Service Manual can state longer, but I wouldn't suggest pushing it. 2-3hrs is common for extreme conditions and harder duress racing situations.

[@MOTOSYMOTOCICLTETAS]

One thing caught my attention. The bike has 108 hours of use. Have you done any repairs on the engine? And how many more hours can you get out of that bike with that engine? I also see that you have a procircuit linkage. What does the linkage do on that bike? What is the function of the procircuit linkage?

[@CasMoto]

Over 110hrs on her now, just a clutch refresh with a Hinson kit around 80hr mark (fibers/steels) and that's it. No valve adjustments needed, top end, etc. I don't rev a bike as much as many, that helps longevity. As does smooth/clean shifting and proper clutch use. Modern 450's are marvels - Take care of them with clean air, fresh oil, and they go quite a ways. Twin Air filters with Maxima FFT, Maxima 'Premium' 10w40 petroleum-based engine oil, and oil filters every other oil change have done me well.
The PC linkage changes the rising rate, requires a slightly stiffer shock spring, and provides a more compliant back end when valved/set-up accordingly. Every bike can benefit from aftermarket assistance, knowing which avenue to pursue can be the challenge. Cheers