How To

SLIPPERY SLOPE Dear Dr. Know-It-All, I know you have answered this question before, but I really have trouble with drops on the trail that are rocky and wet. I panic and usually walk my bike down. I want to do them like Cody Webb and all…
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USED AND ABUSED Dear Mr. Know-It-All, I have an older KTM dual-sport wagon that I ride every weekend. I think I have over 800 hours on it, and she’s been quite the mule. My question concerns my chainguide, which broke recently and…
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RUBBED RAW Dear Mr. Know-It-All, I am wondering, what’s the best thing to wear under knee braces? What do the pro off-road guys do to keep from rubbing their legs raw in long races? I have tried the tall socks. EVS and Fly have held up…
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NO FILTER Dear Mr. Know-It-All, I’m an old guy (60-plus years old) and still am an avid rider. I ride a 2016 Husky FE350. I’m religious with the maintenance of the machine. My question relates to air filters. Several years ago, I started…
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NO TOLERANCE Dear Mr. Know-It-All, Hello, sir, I have a 2002 KX85 that I rebuilt top to bottom this winter that is having an issue. A previous owner sleeved it 0.5mm overbore, and the only piston kit I found was a forged Wiseco. I heard…
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WHICH LUBE IS BEST? Dear Mr. Know-It-All, I have a 5-year-old KTM 250XC and flat worship this machine. I’m religious about oil changes, filter cleaning—basically all maintenance—since I want this sucker to last. My question is, should I…
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The Honda CR250R has got to be one of the most popular early-to-mid-2000s two-stroke machines to rebuild in history. One reason is that Honda sold a ton, and the other reason is the bikes all seem to be aging very well. We found what looked…
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UNEXPECTED GROWTH Dear Mr. Know-It-All, In regards to your response to Mr. Tonks’ question concerning used-bike fitness, I would suggest there are other factors one must consider in the era of ESG and related issues surrounding…
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GET GREASED UP Dear Mr. Know-It-All, My 2019 KTM 300XC-W turns like it has a steering stabilizer. Only problem is, I don’t have one on there. Why does my steering feel like cement all of a sudden? I’m having trouble controlling my bike.…
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TEXAS TEA Dear Mr. Know-It-All, What is the best oil to run in the current TPI machines? I just purchased a 2021 Husqvarna TE250 and want the machine to go the distance. Ryan Chef via [email protected] Although the current…
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GREEN SPOOGE Dear Mr. Know-It-All, I’ve cleaned the carburetor and flushed the tank on my kid’s 2002 TT-R125L at least a dozen times, but I continue to get green debris in the jets. The bike had been sitting for years. Where is all this…
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ROCK THE CRADLE Dear Mr. Know-It-All, I have been an off-and-on subscriber to Dirt Bike Magazine since 1982. I have a new Suzuki DR-Z125L. Since that bike has no full cradle, it uses the engine case as part of the cradle, much like the…
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Dear Mr. Know-It-All, Why do TPI bikes come with two throttle cables? I’m starting to see aftermarket kits converting them back to a single cable. My specific bike is a 2021 KTM 300XC-W TPI. Steve Baum via [email protected]…
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HIGH OR LOW? Dear Mr. Know-It-All, I am installing some Fastway Evolution pegs on my machine and am wondering which position to put the pegs in? The collar provided allows you to run them either in the stock position or a lower position.…
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DRIPPAGE Dear Mr. Know-It-All, My 2002 CR250R is dripping coolant from this tiny hole under the water pump. What on earth is this hole, and how do I go about fixing this? Max Sheldon via [email protected] That little orifice…
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CHECKLIST Dear Mr. Know-It-All, I’m going to look at a 2003 CR250R. The bike looks fairly clean, and the owner says the engine has never been rebuilt. What are some things I should look for to ensure I’m not buying into a mechanical…
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Dear Mr. Know-It-All, I’m doing a top end on my 2021 KTM 300XCW and was wondering if I have to remove the injectors from the cylinder to slide the cylinder off? Ron Hector via [email protected] Removal of the injectors is not…
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STEERING CLEAR OF DRAMA Dear Mr. Know-It-All, I think I have a touch of play in my steering stem. I can hear it click when I’m just rocking back and forth. My bike is a 2018 KTM 450XC. It has fewer than 30 hours and was never abused. Do…
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Dear Mr. Know-It-All, With the overload of “expert information” available for the proper warm-up technique for my 2020 KTM 300XC TPI, I wanted to go directly to the source of true knowledge to ensure I am doing it correctly. Currently, if…
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Dear Mr. Know-It-All, My 2021 Beta 250RR Race Edition’s rear shock literally came apart at the top of the shock body. I notice there is a seam where it broke. All of the oil had blown out of it in the process. What could have caused this?…
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