This is Rick Corwins assesment of the ZipTy system:
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1. My seat is about 2.5 inches taller than stock, as I am 6' 5" tall. The taller seat helps keep my toes more parallel with the ground (read fewer lost toenails from hitting stumps and rocks), makes the transition from sitting to standing much easier for a tall rider, and increases quickness in tight woods races and desert draws because of a better riding position for my height.
2. The bike has 3.5 gallons of fuel in the pictures (about the same as the old IMS tank), and the fuel is just below the top shroud bolt on the tank instead of at cap height. This helps keep the weight lower in the frame.
3. The installation was simple. (The top hose clamp on the small hose from the cylinder to the case will need to be moved to the front in order to allow hose to pipe clearance. This was really the only required change.)
4. Notice that the top front pipe mounting bolt goes on the bottom radiator support. You will need a longer bolt for this to ensure you get enough threads to secure the pipe. Your local Kawi dealer has 8mm head bolts to match the rest, and about 1/4 longer will do. The front lower and back mounting positions are the same.
5. The only riding oddity was that the front of your right boot may contact the pipe just in front of the kick-starter. This is where the pipe bends to wrap behind the kick-starter. This was not even noticeable in the last National H&H in Nevada (most of the race was spent standing, just in case you hit a big rock at race speed. This makes it easier for your legs to clear the bars as you go over.). However, it was noticeable in the 2-day Enduro in the woods the following weekend, but 45 minutes into Saturday's enduro, it was no longer noticeable.
6. The pipe is strong, strong, strong!!! I had a 4th gear getoff into a pile of trees and stumps in Day 1 of the Enduro will running 2nd expert. While I was able to get airborne to clear the pile of logs (and only dislocated the radius in my right arm), the bike took quite a hit. Enough of a hit to break off the bottom lip of one of the forks. However, I remounted without losing any places, and the bike never faltered. Finished second expert. Great pipe, Ty.
7. No modifications to stabilizer mount were required.
8. The FMF silencer fits into place without any modifications.
9. Thanks Ty for allowing access to the spark plug with removal of the tank. With 4.2 gallons, this was a big concern, as I put in a new platinum plug for every race. While access is possible, I did find that it is easier to remove the bottom shroud bolt to get the spark plug out. In fact, the change is faster than with the old IMS tank.
10. The seat fit perfectly, and does not bend upward in the front any more than before.
11. After looking at the tank, I was concerned about cooling. However, the enduro was a great test, with lots of clutch work needed, at 90 degrees air temperature. Did not lose one drop of coolant.
12. The thinner tank has a wonderful feel.
How does it run?
1. Stock jetting did not work at all! I run a stock motor with the only mods being pipe, 1mm shaved slid, and FMF torque reeds. I also run Platinum plugs, changed frequently, so fire should not be a problem. I will be putting in a new piston/rings, and cleaning the power valves this weekend, and will check jetting after the new stuff is installed. I can't imagine there will be any changes, but worth a test since parts are cheap.
2. The new pipe has more snap off bottom than the FMF pipe, and pulls smoother through the lower and mid RPM range. I run 14/45 gearing in the tight woods races, but run 15/45 in the desert, so top speed has never really been a problem. However, the new setup does seem to sign off a little earlier than before (you really have to pay attention to notice anything, but it is there). However, in my opinion, the tradeoff in power band personality is well worth it, as the 500 simply does not hurt for top speed.
Now for the big question, "Would I buy it again?". The system is a little pricey at a retail price of $545, but since you get pipe, tank, shrouds, and graphics, it's about the same as buying the OLD FMF pipe, old IMS tank, stock shrouds, and graphics to your liking. Heck, call it a birthday present, sell your old stuff to someone without a birthday, and you can get the final cost of the deal into a manageable range After jetting was fine tuned (Stock pilot and main, but the stock needle moved to the highest position on the needle), there is no doubt I would put down the cash for the new system.
To this point, I have not even talked about the new look, which I like a lot better. If you're going to spend the money, spend the added $25 for the '93 UFO KX250 rear fender, as it completes the package.
Hope this helps anyone in the process of making the decision. Keep the rubber side down, it hurts less.
Rick
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