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DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS »
NOTE:
Dedicated to nothing but offroad racing, 250/400/450/525
SX/XC/EXC Racing models make no compromises in their design.
As such, they do not include any radiator fan, and the size of the
radiator is dimensioned for optimum ergonomics.
In normal racing, the cooling system is sufficient.
If you use your motorbike in other conditions, please note that:
the E-starter allows you to start XC/EXC Racing models again at
any time. Therefore, turn off the engine if you intend to run your
motorcycle in idle or at a standstill for longer periods of time (more
than 2 minutes).
Avoid letting the clutch slip frequently and for extended periods.
This would cause the engine oil to heat up, thereby heating up the
cooling system. You should drive at low speeds (4-stroke style -
letting the engine pull you) and not at high speeds not by letting
the clutch slip (2-stroke style).
– AFTER FALLING WITH THE MOTORCYCLE, CHECK ALL FUNCTIONS
THOROUGHLY BEFORE STARTING UP OPERATIONS AGAIN.
– A TWISTED HANDLEBAR MUST ALWAYS BE REPLACED. DO NOT
ADJUST THE HANDLEBAR, IT WILL LOSE STABILITY.
– HIGH RPM RATES WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD HAVE AN ADVERSE
EFFECT ON THE LIFE OF YOUR ENGINE. WE RECOMMEND YOU RUN
THE ENGINE IN A MODERATE RPM RANGE FOR A FEW MILES GIV-
ING IT A CHANCE TO WARM UP. AFTER THAT NO FURTHER PRE-
CAUTIONS IN THIS RESPECT NEED TO BE TAKEN. THE ENGINE HAS
REACHED ITS OPERATING TEMPERATURE AS SOON AS THE RADI-
ATORS BECOME WARM.
– NEVER HAVE THE THROTTLE WIDE OPEN WHEN CHANGING DOWN
TO A LOWER GEAR. THE ENGINE WILL OVER-REV, DAMAGING THE
VALVES. IN ADDITION, THE REAR WHEEL LOCKS SO THAT THE
MOTORCYCLE CAN EASILY GET OUT OF CONTROL.
– IF ANY ABNORMAL VIBRATIONS OCCUR WHILE DRIVING, CHECK
THAT THE ENGINE FASTENING BOLTS ARE TIGHT.
– IN THE EVENT THAT, WHILE RIDING ON YOUR MOTORCYCLE, YOU
NOTICE ANY UNUSUAL OPERATION-RELATED NOISE, STOP IMME-
DIATELY, TURN THE ENGINE OFF, AND CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED
KTM DEALER.
Braking
Close throttle and apply the hand and foot brakes at the same time.
When driving on sandy, wet or slippery ground use mainly the rear
wheel brake. Always brake with feeling, blocking wheels can cause
you to skid or fall. Always finish braking before you enter a curve.
Also change down to lower gears depending on your speed.
When driving down hill, use the braking effect of the engine.
Change down one or two gears but do not overspeed the engine.
In this way, you will not need to brake so much and the brakes will
not overheat.
– IN CASE OF RAIN, AFTER WASHING THE MOTORCYCLE, AFTER
RIDES THROUGH WATER AND IN CASE OF RIDES ON WET OFF-ROAD
TRACKS, HUMID OR DIRTY BRAKE DISCS CAN DELAY THE BRAK-
ING EFFECT. THE BRAKES MUST BE PULLED UNTIL THEY ARE DRY
OR CLEAN.
–
RIDES ON SALT-STREWED OR DIRTY ROADS CAN ALSO DELAY THE BRAK-
ING EFFECT. THE BRAKES MUST BE PULLED UNTIL THEY ARE CLEAN.
– DIRTY BRAKE DISCS CAUSE INCREASED TEAR OF BRAKE PADS AND
BRAKE DISCS.
– WHEN YOU BRAKE, THE BRAKE DISCS, BRAKE PADS, BRAKE
CALIPER AND BRAKE FLUID HEAT UP. THE HOTTER THESE PARTS
GET, THE WEAKER THE BREAKING EFFECT. IN EXTREME CASES,
THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM CAN FAIL.
– IF THE RESISTANCE IN THE HAND BRAKE LEVER OR FOOT BRAKE
PEDAL FEELS “SPONGY” (TOO MUCH PLAY), THIS IS AN INDICA-
TION THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. DON’T
RIDE YOUR MOTORCYCLE ANYMORE WITHOUT FIRST HAVING THE
BRAKE SYSTEM LOOKED OVER BY A KTM DEALER.
Stopping and parking
Apply the brakes fully and put the engine into neutral. To turn off
the engine, push the short-circuit button or the emergency-OFF
button with the engine at idling speed until the engine stops. Turn
the fuel tap to the OFF position, park on an area where the ground
is firm, and lock the motorcycle.
MOTORCYCLE ENGINES PRODUCE A GREAT AMOUNT OF HEAT WHILE RUN-
NING. THE ENGINE, EXHAUST PIPE, MUFFLER, BRAKE ROTORS, AND
SHOCK ABSORBERS CAN BECOME VERY HOT. DO NOT TOUCH ANY OF THESE
PARTS AFTER OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE, AND TAKE CARE TO PARK
IT WHERE PEDESTRIANS ARE NOT LIKELY TO TOUCH IT AND GET BURNED.
– NEVER USE THE HAND DECOMPRESSION LEVER TO TURN OFF THE
ENGINE. USE THE SHORT-CIRCUIT BUTTON OR THE EMERGENCY-
OFF BUTTON INSTEAD.
– CLOSE THE FUEL TAP WHEN LEAVING YOUR VEHICLE.OTHERWISE
THE CARBURETTOR CAN FLOOD AND FUEL WILL ENTER THE
ENGINE.
– NEVER PARK YOUR MOTORCYCLE IN PLACES WHERE THERE ARE
FIRE HAZARDS DUE TO DRY GRASS OR OTHER EASILY FLAMMA-
BLE MATERIALS.
NOTE REGARDING THE SIDE STAND:
Use your foot to kick side stand forward up to the stop and lean
the motorcycle sideways. Make sure that the ground is solid and
that your motorcycle is standing securely. Just in case, you can
shift into first gear.
THE SIDE STAND IS DESIGNED TO BEAR ONLY THE LOAD OF THE
MOTORCYCLE. THE SIDE STAND AND/OR THE FRAME CAN BE DAMAGED
AND THE MOTORCYCLE CAN FALL OVER IF YOU MOUNT THE MOTOR-
CYCLE, THUS PUTTING AN ADDITIONAL LOAD ON THE SIDE STAND.
Fuel
The racing engine needs unleaded fuel with at least RON 95 (USA
= Premium RON 91).
USE LEADED OR UNLEADED PREMIUM GRADE GASOLINE (95 OCTANES).
NEVER USE GASOLINE HAVING LESS THAN 95 OCTANES BECAUSE IT
MAY DAMAGE THE ENGINE.
GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE AND POISONOUS. EXTREME CAUTION
SHOULD BE USED WHEN HANDLING GASOLINE. DO NOT REFUEL THE
MOTORCYCLE NEAR OPEN FLAMES OR BURNING CIGARETTES. ALWAYS
SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE BEFORE REFUELLING. BE CAREFUL NOT TO
SPILL GASOLINE ON THE ENGINE OR EXHAUST PIPE WHILE THE ENGINE
IS HOT. WIPE UP SPILLS PROMPTLY. IF GASOLINE IS SWALLOWED OR
SPLASHED IN THE EYES, SEEK A DOCTOR’S ADVICE IMMEDIATELY.
Fuel expands when its temperature rises. Therefore do not fill the
tank to the top (see fig.).
35 mm