09 450 XCW Cooling

hezzdown · 11-20-2011, 12:35 PM

Hello All!

This past spring I purchased a 2009 KTM 450 XCW off the showroom floor. Due to the tanked economy they still had a brand new one sitting there and at a great deal to boot so I picked it up. I love the bike! I've put about 20 hours on it and have made few modifications. The only thing Ive really done to it other than adding protection is putting and FMF muffler on it.

My only issue with the bike is that when in the tight stuff and low speed the bike tends to start overheating. So that brings me to my question. What would be an effective solution to the overheating. I think my options are at this point is to try using Engine Ice or getting the Electric Fan Kit. What are your experiences with these methods? If I can avoid of buying the fan kit that would be great, but if it is the best solution than I will likely go that route. Thanks in advance!

tye1138 · 11-20-2011, 04:14 PM

If your really going slow, there isn't anything a cooling system can do on its own. It will over heat no matter what because there isn't any air getting through the fin's. So sadly sometimes the best solution is a fan kit because you can switch it on and off on your own when you're going slow and otherwise keep it off. I sadly don't remember where I saw it, but I recently saw an awesome aftermarket fan kit with two little muffin fan's and a switch that seemed to me like the right way of doing it. The KTM kit isn't so expensive either...

It seems that KTM has more of a problem with this then most other brands. I'm not sure if its a higher compression issue or what.

hezzdown · 11-20-2011, 08:28 PM

Thanks for the info! I think I will opt for the KTM fan kit. And from what I've read the 09 XCW has a thermostat so the fan will kick on as needed. It just seemed odd to me that it would get hot so easily. I've owned numerous bikes and have never had a cooling issue with any of them.

tye1138 · 11-20-2011, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hezzdown

Thanks for the info! I think I will opt for the KTM fan kit. And from what I've read the 09 XCW has a thermostat so the fan will kick on as needed. It just seemed odd to me that it would get hot so easily. I've owned numerous bikes and have never had a cooling issue with any of them.

It could be one of many design flaws like not enough flow and high compression motor compared to the competition. That could be why they're such good bikes, they perform wonderfully! Don't forget, it doesn't really get hot in Austria! LOL

bajadog · 11-21-2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hezzdown

Hello All!

FMF muffler on it.

My only issue with the bike is that when in the tight stuff and low speed the bike tends to start overheating. So that brings me to my question. What would be an effective solution to the overheating. I think my options are at this point is to try using Engine Ice or getting the Electric Fan Kit. What are your experiences with these methods? If I can avoid of buying the fan kit that would be great, but if it is the best solution than I will likely go that route. Thanks in advance!

Did not see you mention this, so just asking, did you change your jetting to be richer after putting on the FMF?

Letting the bike "breath" better usually results in a lean condition
which will make the bike run hotter.

tye1138 · 11-21-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajadog

Did not see you mention this, so just asking, did you change your jetting to be richer after putting on the FMF?

Letting the bike "breath" better usually results in a lean condition
which will make the bike run hotter.

Very true, I honestly didn't think about that because most of the time pipes come with jetting settings that you must make before they work properly. I made the assumption those changes had been made, but your right, maybe they weren't and that would for sure make the motor run hot.

hezzdown · 11-21-2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tye1138

Very true, I honestly didn't think about that because most of the time pipes come with jetting settings that you must make before they work properly. I made the assumption those changes had been made, but your right, maybe they weren't and that would for sure make the motor run hot.

You're right, I jetted the bike for Colorado altitude "before" I swapped the stock muffler for the FMF. That may explain the backfire when I run the straight threw exhust tip on the FMF as well. If I put in the spark arrestor tip things seem to improve. Since the spark arrestor restricts flow that is probably helping combat the jetting issue. Thankfully I know some jetting guru's locally that should be able to assist there. I can do most work but jetting seems to take some serious skill in the Colorado altitude. Guess you could call them Jeti Masters ;-)

Thanks for the direction guys! You rock! I also checked out your channel on youtube Tye! Nice! Way to throw her down! Just kidding!

tye1138 · 11-22-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hezzdown

Thanks for the direction guys! You rock! I also checked out your channel on youtube Tye! Nice! Way to throw her down! Just kidding!

Happy to help!

I should really work for the factories, I have a nack at breaking things! LOL