I have a 2009 KX450F. I don't have an issue with the front end traction but it seems like the front end is never "settled" in straightaways and especially on landings. would moving the fork tubes in the triple clamp help with this? I am also curious if anyone has an idea on how to increase the resistence on the throttld tube. I feel like it i has to light of a throttle and I struggle to keep it smooth on rough conditions or hard landings. I have only had the bike for about a month so I know I will get used to some of the nature of the bike but the head shake worries me. My KTM seemed pretty planted on the front end so I want to get that same feeling. My apologies if I was long winded

How much do you weigh? What spring rates are in the bike? Do you sit forward or back? Are your steering bearings tightly or loosely adjusted?
Man, there's so much to analyze here! Good luck!:thumbsup:

A steering stabilizer would help. Ask any of the desert guys

Just lower your forks in the clamps about 5mm.Cheap and easy.Set sag(rear) at 100-105mm with your gear on and feet off the ground.If 5mm doesn't work then go another 5.I think stock is 10mm above the upper clamp.

I did leave out quite a bit of information. I am 6'2" I weigh 175lbs. I am very active on the bike so my seating position varies greatly depending on how out of shape i get on the track. The bike is all stock and I have no plans of making any major changes anytime soon. I have thought about tightening the head bearing slightly but I don't want to damage anything and put me out of commision. Thanks for the assistance on the suspension. I am still trying to think of a way to increase the resistance on the the throttle if anyone has any ideas. Thanks again Seth

sethro42 said:

First things first:
learn to ride standing up
set your sag like mentioned earlier
if the problem still occurs, try bleeding the forks. If it still occurs, try softening up the compression. If it doesn't work, move the forks up a few mm in the t-clamps.

^^ *move the forks _down_ in the triple clamps.

Sheriff245 said:

I do spend most of my time standing. I rarely sit especially on the track I regularly ride it is full of holes and rocks so sitting down is a bad idea

Well i have only had the bike about a month....I came off of a 2007 KTM 250sxf and the front end on the KX just seems to dance around, it isn't something that becomes uncontrollable by any means but it just never seems to become "settled". it hasn't got me in trouble or in any crashes yet but I am just trying to avoid that if possible

If you have not done so, your steering, swingarm, and linkage bearings are probably not well-greased from the factory, so some weekend, lube them with a high-quality grease, such as Bel-Ray waterproof grease, and while you are at it, make sure the steering bearings are just snug enough that the clamps won't fall to either side under their own weight without the forks installed, and that they will just slowly fall to either side with them installed.


(Wow! I think that's the longest continuous sentence I have ever posted!)

mikie said:

BINGO.... Moving the forks down make for a longer wheel base therefor making the bike more stable. Of corse set the sag first.....

l_campionero said:

I am glad i could be a part in your grammatical accomplishment

As previously psoted check the steering stem bearings for proper adjustment.
Sag is an important first step because having the proper ride sag at the back affect the stability of the front end. Rider sag is measured with you in a standing position on the bike so you will need an assistant who can read a tape measure. Static and rider sag will help you determine if the spring rates are appropriate. Also fork oil height has an impact, raise the oil level a bit. Clicker adjustments also impact stability so the is the next item to work with.

Next is pushing the forks down in the triples.

Last is adding a Scotts Damper.

Good luck