4-Stroke Riding Technique!!!!!!!!!

Coach in ND

Member
Mar 19, 2001
212
0
I just switched over to a 2001 KTM 400SX after riding 2-Strokes since I started riding over 15 years ago. Can anybody point me in the direction of some good reading on the technique for riding a big thumper fast.

I'm having alot of trouble adapting to the engine braking in the sand and mud!!! Any Ideas.

Thanks.

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2001 KTM 400SX #529
2000 SVCC 125cc H.S. #1
SPONSORS: MA'S CYCLE, SIDI, WD-40, ACERBIS, SMITH, SPROCKET SPECIALISTS, N-STYLE, WER, DEVOL.
 

Bob Brooks

Member
Jan 6, 2001
367
0
I've spent a lot of time on four-strokes and two-strokes during my years of riding and they definitely require different styles. The biggest difference is obviously in cornering. On the thumper, you need to practice on using the engine braking to your advantage. You can use different lines on the thumper and you're able to get on gas earlier in the corners than on a two-stroke. The four-stroke gets far better traction and the power delivery is smoother, so try using that engine brake and run it into the corners a little harder and roll it on quicker than you did on your two-stroke. Also, a four-stroke favors a style of rolling through the corners and maintaining momentum as opposed to the point and shoot style of a two-stroke. Most two-stroke riders I see usually slam on the brakes, try to bounce off of a berm or something, and then whack the throttle open and exit the corner. My advice is on the thumper is to use a wider, smoother arc and experiment with different lines.

As the previous note says, the best thing really is just seat time and practice. Once you get comfortable and used to the different style, my guess is that you'll go faster and use less energy than you did before. Good luck, and congratulations on the new scoot!

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tm-enduro

Member
Mar 7, 2001
254
0
There have been many articles written by the magazines, you might try to get back issues. One of the biggest tricks to going fast, especially on a four stroke, is being smooth (don't chop the throttle), riding "angry" doesn't work. I raced a Husaberg and a Husky for two years in HS/enduros/qualifiers and rode better/faster than on a two stroke in most places, except in whoops (I never could get the whoops down).

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Seth_88

~SPONSOR~
Feb 22, 2000
163
0
I switched this year to a 426 from a 250, and there was not as big of a difference as I expected. Other than the way it hooks up, there doesn't seem to be that much difference.
It is just smoother and easier to ride.

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Seth
00 426
 

motojunkie

Member
Apr 25, 2001
88
0
Here's a good thumper trick - "Eliminate silence".

This means - always keep the engine above idle, it doesn't have to be revving a lot. Just keep it running enough to overcome the compression braking. Also, you can turn your idle up a bit to help prevent stalls in low speed situations. NEVER chop the throttle on the face of a jump, or while in the air - unless, of course, you like to crash. :)
 
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