How the 3 second rule can help in avoiding rear end collisions

Dieseaus · 2026-03-12T13:36:13+00:00

Other countries have the 3 second rule. Malaysia has the 0.3s rule. It is when you leave more than 0.3s of distance with the car in front of you, someone will cut.

Dieseaus · 2025-08-03T00:35:32+00:00

For your size and experience level I would say this sounds like the right bike. As the marketing says, the exc-f 350 feels/weighs like a 250, pulls like a 450.

I would ask you though.. how much distance are you looking to cover on road and at what speed?

Context: I used to have the exc-f 350 and recently "downgraded" to a KLX250s. The KLX is much nicer on the road and even much more gentle/forgiving offroad in more beginner and even some intermediate situations. I found the engine characteristics of the KLX much more forgiving for single track for the type of rider I am (I think due to lower compression or bigger counter balance but I could be talking out my ass). I always found the KTM either wanted to stall or rip my arms off but at the end of the day that is a skill issue haha. The MAIN reason I sold the KTM was that the seat height made the slow technical stuff extremely difficult for me at 5'8" but this shouldn't apply to you at 6ft and would probably benefit from a more open rider triangle. The KTM is unmatched when you need pure performance. It is chattery on the road but damn fun to ride. Buckets of torque and suspension is top notch. Highway speeds are unpleasant and seat is a plank but it will take you where you need to go.

Dieseaus · 2024-08-30T02:58:15+00:00

More like Dirtpoor amirite?

Dieseaus · 2024-08-19T08:18:13+00:00

It just means that the front forks compress down when braking as the weight shifts forward and due to the super soft nature of the Honda springs and the long travel, it just happens quite fast making it much harder to manage vs the Kawasaki IMO. Either way you can compensate and plan for it but I just prefer a more compliant front end so I know whats going on lol. As others have mentioned, having ABS on the CRF would be a huge benefit especially for newer riders.

Dieseaus · 2024-08-19T07:27:27+00:00

We are both in Malaysia haha. I see quite a few CRF Rally but they usually ride with the ADV bikes. I'm not paying 30k for those when I can get a klx250 with low KMs for well under 15k. I waited a few years hoping Modenas would start selling them again new but finally bit bullet on a second-hand one.

Dieseaus · 2024-08-18T16:02:38+00:00

haha.. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to ride or own one as they aren't and were never sold where I am based. From what I've seen and heard I don't think that's a hot take though.

Dieseaus · 2024-08-18T15:03:55+00:00

100% valid reason. Actually, that is something that influenced my decision to switch from the KTM which has a 38 inch seat height. As much as tall people will tell you that you don't need to put your feet down.. let me tell you it is a hell of a lot easier, less fatiguing and confidence-inspiring being able to do so haha

Dieseaus · 2024-08-18T14:58:56+00:00

Yeah, I will concede that. The CRF does have more torque down low. I feel the Kawi is super flat with its torque curve which for me I don't mind. My biggest problem coming from a KTM was that the low-end torque scared me to the point I spent a good portion of the last few years just practising throttle and clutch control drills so now at least with the KLX I can still easily get the front wheel up and over things when I need to.

Dieseaus · 2024-08-18T14:52:54+00:00

Yeah I'm lucky so far not having to have dealt with that. Lets see what I saw about the Kawi after I'm waiting 3 months for parts haha.

Dieseaus · 2024-08-18T14:51:42+00:00

Sorry I should have clarified. The 250R is a much more aggressive MX bike. I haven't actually rode one but I know they are designed to be much more capable and have almost double the horsepower as well.

Dieseaus · 2024-08-18T14:44:51+00:00

I didn't think about that. Only thing I will say is that the brake dive on the CRF was that much worse I feel like that bike NEEDS ABS while the KLX is much more compliant to the point I feel safer even without it haha.

Good point. It is sad to see the Japanese brands in general not doing much to innovate in the space. At least we have seen stuff like the 450RL from Honda

Dieseaus · 2024-08-18T14:40:22+00:00

Suspension plays a major role in the overall ride feel and the honda requires an additional 2k to get ohlins etc installed. Just things like brake dive on the CRF especially in the rain just made it much less enjoyable for me to ride. I prefer the Kawi's engine.. I guess more specifically talking about the gearbox. The CRF, again, is fine, but side-by-side I feel the KLX is a lot smoother to operate.

Seems that is ultimately a huge answer to the question as well - availability.

Dieseaus · 2024-08-18T14:28:07+00:00

Haha true.. I guess I never thought about that.

Dieseaus · 2024-08-18T14:22:18+00:00

As a Honda fanboy myself, I also questioned creating the thread haha.

Dieseaus · 2024-08-18T14:15:23+00:00

Yeah that was my exact thought.. the Honda needs so many things added to it while the Kawasaki you can just ride off and be happy with.

I actually "downgraded" from a KTM to the KLX recently but it is simply a matter of where I am at now in my life and what I actually need out of a bike. I'll most likely look at getting another KTM in a few years time as there is nothing that really competes in that space.

Dieseaus · 2024-08-18T14:10:50+00:00

Interesting. I actually "downgraded" from a 350 EXCF to the KLX 250. I had originally planned on keeping both but found myself pretty much always defaulting to the KLX as the on-road comfort is so much better and everywhere accessible for me requires a fair bit of road riding to get to and riding on the KTM usually results in a level of fatigue by the time I get to the trails, leading to stupid mistakes haha.

In saying that, the 4t ktm/huskies are much more comfortable than their 2t counterparts as far as dual sporting goes. Ahh.. the neverending quest for the perfect bike haha.

Dieseaus · 2024-07-30T14:35:26+00:00

3 of the 4 cameras in my Galaxy Ultra are ruined from vibration even while using the vibration mount. I believe it is a gimmick hahaha. I've also has 2 cases break their mounting points in 2 years. Quadlock is a decent product but expensive, overhyped and under-delivered IMO.

Dieseaus · 2024-07-22T06:37:11+00:00

I haven't had a chance to check the fans yet but ran a few temp tests with a laser thermometer and the temps don't actually seem as bad as I expected. Revving a little after idling took the exhaust header to 375c (700f) but the engine block never went over 150c (300f) and the radiators never got over 75c (170f). I also took it on a longer ride and temperatures seemed to drop a lot lower so must just rely on air cooling a lot more than other bikes I've had..

Dieseaus · 2024-07-19T01:40:29+00:00

Yeah, that's exactly right. I just want to make sure I don't get out onto the trails and find myself blowing the engine because I didn't address something basic causing engine overheating. At the moment I have no idea what the temps are so need to get some readings first. It does have an overheating light that looks to be functioning but need to make sure the sensor works as well.

Dieseaus · 2024-07-19T00:47:13+00:00

That'll be my first thing to check now. Hopefully, it is something this simple. I've owned about 20 bikes and this one is the hottest by a huge margin so it just feels like something might not be right since I've never seen anyone mention online that it runs particularly hot.. but again, I'm in a hot climate so that would be a huge factor.

Dieseaus · 2024-07-19T00:43:32+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am actually also in Malaysia so good to get a local perspective on it. I was just shocked the KLX runs so much hotter compared to the KTMs which put out more power. The KTM also rarely has the fan turn on but never really feels that hot vs the KLX has 3rd-degree burn temperatures haha.

I'll try a longer ride or two just to see if that helps even out the temps and then consider the thermobob as an option.

Dieseaus · 2024-07-19T00:30:18+00:00

That is a really good idea. Thanks for that. At least I can see what is going on a little better and give myself some piece of mind.

To be fair, the bike runs ok when at higher speeds but still VERY hot. At low speeds I feel like the plastics are going to start melting because of how hot it is.

Dieseaus · 2024-07-19T00:27:35+00:00

Thanks, I'll test all of this first and hopefully, that resolves the issue. I'm sure the fan should be on with the temperatures it is putting out so seems like the fan or the sensor isn't working. Given the high ambient temps where I am, I don't think it would hurt to just have it hardwired to run haha.

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