brake snake style setup for rad shrouds?

[coryf89]

ok. im not sure how the previous owner sold me the bike in such nice shape because my god have I destroyed this thing in 35 engine hours.

both shrouds are destroyed, twice, on each bike. its a common KTM thing apparently. first the tab breaks, so I zip tie it. thats strike 1. then the plastic breaks off so I zip tie it again, strike 2. then the plastic breaks right off and im without shrouds. strike 3. both sides this has happened on 3 times each and on both bikes. I think ive repaired 12 shrouds now.

anyone got any tips other than dont run shrouds?


for those that dont know... this is a brake snake and it prevents branches and twigs from getting between your brake and frame, or even your shifter and frame.

I am wondering if you could make the same thing on the front shrouds so branches cant get BEHIND the plastic to pull it away from the rad and break it.

 

[bendn]

http://www.bulletproofdesigns.com/product-p/ktm-rg-08-std-blu.htm

The elastics out of the bullet prof designs rad guards are what ur looking for

 

[powdermuncher]

I would suggest to not hit stuff with them

Some inferior rad guards use the rubber straps to hold on the plastic, that is just useless in woods riding and the result is what you describe. I often was able to bolt the plastic on after a bit of massaging with a heat gun. The unabiker rad guards seem to fit under the plastic the best and allow for a solid bolt on to avoid the above scenario.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

I just rip both of them off in the trees and run without them.

Both sides.

 

[coryf89]

yes those rubber things look like theyre on the right track. same concept. id like steel ones though. good to know that it can be done and might even work.

 

[chumbilly1]

Factory KTM offroad bikes use the rubber strap from an XC kickstand to hold shroud to radiator. Damn you must be a savage, I have never ripped off a shroud.

 

[coryf89]

youve never had one break off?

my favorite is when I forget to zip tie them, or it breaks mid ride and I hit the road it acts like a kite at 70mph and folds out to a 90 degree angle from the tank and almost rips right off.

getting new shrouds tomorrow, the custom decals are $220 to replace!!! ouch. I cant have these breaking anymore. will let you know what I figure.

 

[rhino89523]

I've never broke radiator shrouds on my snow bike or dirtbike...I go through pipes like crazy though.

 

[needpowder]

I used to break them off all the time on my CR 500 because of the way they were shaped I think. They would even get pulled back when i dumped it on steep hardpack facing downhill. On my yz they wrap around and curve inward and I don’t catch them on as many things. Replaced them once last year (40$). Haven’t broke them this year so far.

 

[chumbilly1]

I've never broke radiator shrouds on my snow bike or dirtbike...I go through pipes like crazy though.

Yep, Knock on wood, They are expensive once you have custom graphics involved. I seem to break the plastic that makes the airbox complete. Mid-section if you will. Gets brittle in cold, and then gets highsided upon. Never notice till she thaws.

 

[M5-]

Wraps look great in the garage, if you ride the thing total waste of money IMO because they are just going to get destroyed. I'd rather spend my money of actual performance. You can buy some pretty nice hard parts for the total cost of a bike and kit wrap which is pushing $500 around here.


M5

 

[rhino89523]

No wraps here either, I put a "pack your trash" sticker on everything I own because I hate litter....other than that just plastic. I replace my plastics like every 5 years, I get a wild hair and think "I'm going to put new plastics on my bike" I put the kit on there and after riding it one time it looks like I drug it behind the truck again.

 

[coryf89]

well... I threw new shrouds on. they lasted ONE ride and the right side already got broken. fml. ordering the shroud snake setup on monday!!!

 

[coryf89]

My god there is nothing that pisses me off more than looking in my rear view every time I haul a Ktm and see their shroud plastic about to rip off. Especially on my one ride old shrouds. I just can’t keep them unbroken. All winter or summer long I deal with this.

 

[wellfed777]

ha ha sorry to laugh but that cracks me up totally something I would do

 

[coryf89]

Well there goes that shroud. I think I got 3 rides out of it. Good thing I didn’t throw some $400 CAD graphics on it

imag