Banana Bros Racing

[5-SpeedXJ]

I've been racing my 2021 TE Husqvarna 300i all last season, but with it down for motor work for the last few months, I dusted off the ole' KX fork swapped KDX, threw some bib mousses in the tires, and swapped on a Bridgestone x31 front tire and a Dunlop at81ex, my new favorite gummy tire, to hurt some new bike feelings. First up was a harescramble at Indian Ridge as part of the NETRA Naults Powersports Championship Series Weekend. I pulled off a 5th place on a 22-year-old kicker

[5-SpeedXJ]

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[SS109]

Good job! You were riding good and picking some good lines to get around the ones having issues.

That said, a question. I notice that you were almost always in a lower gear and really revving the KDX at times. It just runs counterintuitive to what I've learned riding in muddy slick condition. Why weren't you carrying a higher gear for better traction in the slop? Were you getting good rear traction despite the slop so you could power through? Is the AT81EX that good?

[Tyl3r]

Nice work!

[KDXGarage]

Congratulations! That is awesome. You are making the KDX's look great. THANK YOU for your efforts.

[5-SpeedXJ]

Good job! You were riding good and picking some good lines to get around the ones having issues.

That said, a question. I notice that you were almost always in a lower gear and really revving the KDX at times. It just runs counterintuitive to what I've learned riding in muddy slick condition. Why weren't you carrying a higher gear for better traction in the slop? Were you getting good rear traction despite the slop so you could power through? Is the AT81EX that good?

Yes, the at81ex is that good! I'm still new to racing the kdx also so that has a role to play too.

[5-SpeedXJ]

What a day on a 22-year-old Kawasaki and making heads turn! My first 1st place finish and I managed to C class Highpoint as well. I couldn’t do it without the Banana Bros pushing me faster! As a result of my C highpoint, I have been promoted to B class! The Pathfinders put on an awesome enduro on October Mountain State Forest in Lee, MA!

[SS109]

Congrats and welcome to B class! Things become a little more fun now.

[MoonStomper]

Nice job brother! I only managed a 4th (out of four!) in 50+ B last week here in Giles County, Virginia. I stayed on the lead lap though, but just barely! The bike was definitely better than the rider and I’ve got work to do. Might’ve helped if I had eaten before the race, totally forgot. By the end of the season maybe I’ll be back up to speed

[billie_morini]

5-Speed, you reported "My first 1st place " on KDX! That's so cool!

[5-SpeedXJ]

Well, I beat the snot out of the kdx at this sprint enduro. I managed to rip the bottom chain roller off the frame along with my Trailtech kickstand, which resulted in a skipping chain for the first lap of my second test. The NETRA Ron Courtemanche Memorial Sprint Enduro hosted by the Montshire Trail Riders, was a blast. Not my best finish, but I got the bike back together to squeeze out my last lap of my last test to finish 6th.

[Chuck78]

It's awesome to see you out racing the KDX, & "hurting new bike feelings!"

I replied on your other post about better mounting mods for the Trail Tech kickstand. They involve some welding, as the KDX frame isn't suitable for using the chain roller tab as a heavy duty kickstand mount, although that's how everyone generally mounts them. At minimum, the tab needs gusseted and the tube sleeve extended. Photos posted on your other topic about the bike.

What state(s) do you generally race in?

[5-SpeedXJ]

It's awesome to see you out racing the KDX, & "hurting new bike feelings!"

I replied on your other post about better mounting mods for the Trail Tech kickstand. They involve some welding, as the KDX frame isn't suitable for using the chain roller tab as a heavy duty kickstand mount, although that's how everyone generally mounts them. At minimum, the tab needs gusseted and the tube sleeve extended. Photos posted on your other topic about the bike.

What state(s) do you generally race in?

The states I race in generally are New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and Maine in the NETRA Harescramble and Enduro championship series. https://www.netra.org