KDXRIDER.NET

I was curious if there are downsides to the solid upper clamp like the one Fredette sells to replace the stock rubber mounted one on the KDX’s. I bought a KLX300 in February that I am planning on dual sporting and it has a solid clamp on it. Maybe it is just the larger forks on the 300 but it seems much more solid on landing from a jump than my KDX does. Has anyone changed from the rubber to a solid type and noticed a big difference? I am using Pro Taper Big bars and I assume they will take more of a beating with a solid clamp but I would think they are up to it.

Thanks

Re: downside

Arm fatigue/pump due to excessive vibration.

Yeah...a piece of metal will be more 'solid' than a piece of rubber/plastic. After 6-8 hours in the woods, I appreciate my iso/mounted bars.


...I do after five minutes, too!!

Disclaimer: I've never tried metal cones or replaced my top clamp with 'standard' pedestals. I have tried high durometer cones from Scotts. Took them out after one ride.

I have the Scotts high density bar cones and the FRP one piece top clamp. Never had vibration issues or arm pump before or after the change. Lucky I guess, but the bars stay put now. With the stock set up the bars got pushed back and/or twisted with the majority of my crashes. Another one of those things you have to be willing to experiment with or find a buddy with the set up you want to try.

Yep...the stock setup will get your bars twisted, tweaked and otherwise wonky if you look at 'em sidewise.

A one piece top clamp resolved that problem for me...with oem cones.

Pick your poison!

I had the same problem, but I put a one piece top clamp and a scotts damper on at the same time. My bars stay straight now, but I hardly ever crash anymore... gotta be the bar clamp!

Re-reading the first post...'..solid upper clamp like the one Fredette sells to replace the stock rubber mounted one on the KDX’s.'

I prolly misunderstand something???

'upper clamp' in this case means the fork clamp? With itegrated bar pedestals? Or is 'upper clamp' the handlebar clamp? ...but that doesn't replace the bar posts.

Fredette sells both, I believe. I could go LOOK...but I'm busy...

I don't think replacing the rubber cones with solid ones was the point....

Rod???...

I meant the triple clamp that has the solid mounting instead of the rubber stock setup. I think I am going to the Fredette one and see how it works. A stabilizer is on my list and now that I know it will keep me from ever, ever, crashing again I will get it sooner than later!

2 points for CC.

Interesting, I never knew there was such a thing. Be sure to report back.

My 92 was solid mount and the 95's are iso... I really can't tell much of a difference between the two.... By that I mean I don't get any impact soreness and armpump is the same as far as I can tell.
For me, I don't think it would make much of a difference other than I kinda like the solid feel of the solid mounts because I can tell what's going on up there...

Indawoods wrote:My 92 was solid mount and the 95's are iso... I really can't tell much of a difference between the two.... By that I mean I don't get any impact soreness and armpump is the same as far as I can tell.
For me, I don't think it would make much of a difference other than I kinda like the solid feel of the solid mounts because I can tell what's going on up there...

I'm with Inda on this one. I had solid mounts on to start with on my 89 and switched to Inda's 95 top triple clamp with the iso mounts and I can't tell much of a difference either. The mounts just tweak when you eat it now vs the solid mounts which don't flex.

-Maurice

I have the One Piece Upper Handlebar Clamp. No vibration problems and it does assist with keeping the bars straight in the rubber mounts when you take a fall.