Are the 2014 Kawi's reliable?

AP_151
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AP_151
Edited Date/Time 4/20/2015 12:58am
Really want a 2014 KX250F but I've dealt with the Kawi headaches with a 2012 before... So are they any more reliable now than the 2012's? Debating Honda or Kawi.
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wreckitrandy
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wreckitrandy 1/23/2014 7:03am
1/23/2014 7:03am
They're all reliable if you follow the recommended services intervals outlined in the owners manual. Whistling
user760a
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user760a 1/23/2014 7:08am
1/23/2014 7:08am
what was the problem with the 2012? I have had kawasaki 450's since 09 and found them to be indestructible ....really flawless
Team Ideal
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Team Ideal 1/23/2014 7:15am
1/23/2014 7:15am
I've seen same thing locally, if you get a good one they are fine. get one that blows early and you better sell it bc it's going to keep doing it. good luck
newmann
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newmann 1/23/2014 7:18am
1/23/2014 7:18am
user760a wrote:
what was the problem with the 2012? I have had kawasaki 450's since 09 and found them to be indestructible ....really flawless
He asked about 250's , not 450's. For normal folk, any 450 should be expected to be pretty much indestructible. 250F's running at 13,500 rpm's.....not so much.

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nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 1/23/2014 8:12am
1/23/2014 8:12am
Lots of folks had ongoing head gasket issues on the 450s, did Kawasaki ever acknowledge/address the problem? I have my doubts, they cant even seem to address the issue with eating chain sliders in how many years..
Ryan_Huddleston 1/23/2014 8:22am
1/23/2014 8:22am
I know that in 2012 there was the gasket issue, and in early 13 some people had pistons cracking. I picked up a 13 in August and have had no troubles with reliability and I just came off a 2011 YZ450 which is known as bulletproof. Both seem equal in the reliability department
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 1/23/2014 8:25am
1/23/2014 8:25am
nytsmaC wrote:
Lots of folks had ongoing head gasket issues on the 450s, did Kawasaki ever acknowledge/address the problem? I have my doubts, they cant even seem to...
Lots of folks had ongoing head gasket issues on the 450s, did Kawasaki ever acknowledge/address the problem? I have my doubts, they cant even seem to address the issue with eating chain sliders in how many years..
Saw that on a kids bike down here, yesterday. 12 hours on the motor and the infamous white smoke...

Only thing I can come up with is Torque (technically "check torque") on the cylinder/head studs after break in. Seems more prevalent on motors that get Wrung-Out real hard (yesterday's example: kid normally rides a 250F)

I have JR check my KTM motor about every 3-4 hours.
AP_151
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AP_151 1/23/2014 8:42am
1/23/2014 8:42am
user760a wrote:
what was the problem with the 2012? I have had kawasaki 450's since 09 and found them to be indestructible ....really flawless
I'm talking about the 250's.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 1/23/2014 8:45am
1/23/2014 8:45am
user760a wrote:
what was the problem with the 2012? I have had kawasaki 450's since 09 and found them to be indestructible ....really flawless
AP_151 wrote:
I'm talking about the 250's.
My bad.

They actually seem real reliable. Just need to take care of'em.
davidgrip
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davidgrip 1/23/2014 9:56am
1/23/2014 9:56am
13,500 rpms! Shift into 3rd.

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Boarddesign
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Boarddesign 1/23/2014 10:07am
1/23/2014 10:07am
just blew one up with 12hrs, cracked the cases, broken crank, cylinder etc etc... Kawi says not warrantied, they know of no problem.
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RJMX834 1/23/2014 10:19am
1/23/2014 10:19am
wreckitrandy wrote:
They're all reliable if you follow the recommended services intervals outlined in the owners manual. Whistling
I'm not sure about the 14's but I know Kawasaki didn't change a whole lot between the 13 and 14. I bought a 13' kx250f back in July. I put a hour meter on it and radiator braces before I even started it in the garage. I have 22.6 hours on it and I haven't had one problem with it. I've bought 3 Kawasaki's new since 07, none of which that had any problems. I've rode Honda's the last few years, but I sold my Honda in June and went back to Kawasaki in July. Don't regret my decision one bit. Like Wreckitrandy said, as long as you do your standard maintenance and don't abuse the motor, she'll last a long time.
overthebars39 1/23/2014 11:27am
1/23/2014 11:27am
Boarddesign wrote:
just blew one up with 12hrs, cracked the cases, broken crank, cylinder etc etc... Kawi says not warrantied, they know of no problem.
Outch, sorry to hear that. Guess the bike blew a hole in your wallet as well.
Hallzilla
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Hallzilla 1/23/2014 11:31am
1/23/2014 11:31am
wreckitrandy wrote:
They're all reliable if you follow the recommended services intervals outlined in the owners manual. Whistling
...... if you ride at a beginners level.
Socket946
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Socket946 1/23/2014 1:16pm
1/23/2014 1:16pm
After the L kawi's...I have stayed away.

I once LOVED KHI.
PJ205
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PJ205 1/23/2014 4:00pm
1/23/2014 4:00pm
I have a '10 KX450f that I got in 09 that has been pretty reliable. No big issues with it and it still runs incredibly strong. Im actually surprised it has lasted this long because I don't take care of it as well as I should due to finances and time. Keep up on service and you'll probably be OK. I plan to get a 14 450 next month, if all goes well.
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prozach 1/23/2014 4:41pm
1/23/2014 4:41pm
Boarddesign wrote:
just blew one up with 12hrs, cracked the cases, broken crank, cylinder etc etc... Kawi says not warrantied, they know of no problem.
Did the same thing to the 450. I have heard of both hondas and Kawis doing this. Pretty much $2500 instant. I just bought a new crate motor (kawi helped). Now I have an electrical issue and just replaced the whole harness. Oh and you cant service the fuel filter so if that ever plugs there goes another $350.

My 09 was perfect. 160hrs not one issue. My eleven lasted 5 hrs and lost the bearing behind the counter shaft sprocket, destroyed half the motor. Kawi fixed it then at 20 hrs it started eating head gaskets all day. Finally had to sell it after doing all I could to fix it. Bought a 2012 made it to 35 hours and the rod broke in half. Then an electric problem, then a fuel pump problem.

I am torn. Had one that was the most bullet proof bike ever and two complete pieces of shit. My 04 and 05 hondas were great, but my 07 was nothing but one motor issue after another. I really don't know what to think anymore.

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cwtoyota
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cwtoyota 1/23/2014 5:11pm
1/23/2014 5:11pm
Friend of mine (a 23 year old beginner level MX'er at the time) bought a 2012 KX250F brand new. He lost the original piston and cylinder at about 22 hours... I think due to letting dirt in while changing filters. It was about $500 for parts... after fixing it, he bought a 125 and loves it.

Another friend has a '09 KX450F and a '13 KX450F, and zero issues with them. A third friend has a '14 KX450F and also, zero issues. Both of these guys are skilled vet class riders who do proper maintenance. All three of those KX450F's are still on the stock pistons/valves/etc. All three bikes were purchased new.

Just like my fleet of Yamaha two strokes, Kawi doesn't seem to put much grease in the steering stem, linkage and swing-arm pivot bearings.

I really think it depends on your maintenance. Pressure washers kill bearings and seals, poor filter maintenance kills engines.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 1/23/2014 8:20pm
1/23/2014 8:20pm
My buddy traded in his 2011(or 12, I forget) 250f which was a beast! He ran it to 80 hours and no problems. Then 3 hours on the 2013 450f he blew the motor. Kawi has no warrenty on new bikes which is weird to me. I think the dealer hooked him up with no labor charges for a rebuild. But still not ideal situation.
Travis_Hudson
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Travis_Hudson 1/23/2014 11:11pm
1/23/2014 11:11pm
I had an 09 which was bullet proof awesome bike, didn't turn that well but had a great motor and solid handling. Not sure about the newest ones, but that bike had changed my opinion of kawi's.
nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 1/23/2014 11:56pm
1/23/2014 11:56pm
Kawi likes to leave their customers high and dry, pretending that common problems are isolated. They got me several times. Sounds like they haven't changed much, they'll never get my money again.
Vanilla
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Vanilla 1/24/2014 12:35am
1/24/2014 12:35am
Just bought myself a new 2013 250F

Last year i've seen a few stock pistons who were cracked and some broken rods.

I spoke to someone from team CLS about the issues, he said they are well aware of it. According to him only way to keep a kawi in 1 piece is using a stronger piston and rod.
I use a JE piston (by Athena) and a Carillo rod myself.

All of these problems i've seen occured by bikes with ported heads, different ECU's etc. I have no idea if the bike won't break if you leave it stock. I know i would not take the risk.
Jbrandmx85 1/24/2014 3:19am
1/24/2014 3:19am Edited Date/Time 1/24/2014 3:21am
Change the air filter after every ride and keep the oil changed and you will be fine on any brand bike. That's my opinion. Unless you are someone who rings the piss out of bikes. In that case plan on rebuilding very quickly.

Also i'd like to add my dad has a 2011 250f and has had no issues with it in any way. I also have a '12 450 which is my first kawi. And it has been nothing but great. Actually my favorite bike ive owned to date.
davidgrip
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davidgrip 1/24/2014 3:35am
1/24/2014 3:35am Edited Date/Time 1/24/2014 5:35am
Race/Practice-Clean/Change Air Filter, Change Oil(engine)-Repeat

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HenryA
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HenryA 1/24/2014 3:41am
1/24/2014 3:41am
If a 250cc engine puts out 41 ponies and 13500 rpm, would you really think that it would be reliable?
By my own personal experience the Honda is far more reliable than the Kawi (can't say anything about the 14 though). But the KX is a faster bike, it all depends what you're looking for.
kdizzle_rider 1/24/2014 6:22am
1/24/2014 6:22am
I always hated kawi's but somehow ended up with a new 09 450 in 2011. Like mentioned above, not the sharpest steering bike, but the motor left me wanting nothing (and this is coming off of an aluminum 500 2t). that motor has 90 hours on it all stock and I plan to do a top end, valve inspection on it here soon. Not one issue.

I use Motorex 10/50 in the summers here in AZ and Motorex 10/30 in the winters. Every 5 hours. I filter the fuel going in, and always have a fresh air filter loaded.

this bike changed my opinion on kawi as well.
machine
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machine 1/24/2014 7:16am
1/24/2014 7:16am
Jbrandmx85 wrote:
Change the air filter after every ride and keep the oil changed and you will be fine on any brand bike. That's my opinion. Unless you...
Change the air filter after every ride and keep the oil changed and you will be fine on any brand bike. That's my opinion. Unless you are someone who rings the piss out of bikes. In that case plan on rebuilding very quickly.

Also i'd like to add my dad has a 2011 250f and has had no issues with it in any way. I also have a '12 450 which is my first kawi. And it has been nothing but great. Actually my favorite bike ive owned to date.
This is FACT! I had a 2012 450 and no problem whats so ever. Too many out there don't take care of their bikes like they should or rev them like RV does. You can't get away with poor maintenance on 4 strokes like you did with 2 strokes, your gonna pay..
Boarddesign
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Boarddesign 1/24/2014 8:32am
1/24/2014 8:32am
Jbrandmx85 wrote:
Change the air filter after every ride and keep the oil changed and you will be fine on any brand bike. That's my opinion. Unless you...
Change the air filter after every ride and keep the oil changed and you will be fine on any brand bike. That's my opinion. Unless you are someone who rings the piss out of bikes. In that case plan on rebuilding very quickly.

Also i'd like to add my dad has a 2011 250f and has had no issues with it in any way. I also have a '12 450 which is my first kawi. And it has been nothing but great. Actually my favorite bike ive owned to date.
machine wrote:
This is FACT! I had a 2012 450 and no problem whats so ever. Too many out there don't take care of their bikes like they...
This is FACT! I had a 2012 450 and no problem whats so ever. Too many out there don't take care of their bikes like they should or rev them like RV does. You can't get away with poor maintenance on 4 strokes like you did with 2 strokes, your gonna pay..
well, I don't know if you read my post above but this is not the first, last year we had the same problem with a '13. Oil is changed every ride session with a filter cleaning and more attention payed to them than most. luck of the draw? IDK? The '14 was with a smooth A rider, the '13 with a B.. neither of them rev the piss out of them. 1 out of 6 last year and 1 out of 6 so far this year.
Team Ideal
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Team Ideal 1/24/2014 8:39am
1/24/2014 8:39am
I don't think some understand the problem, it is not maintenance related. I have friends who have bought new Kawi's over the past three years and they all take care of them. it is just plain luck, you either get one that runs fine and doesn't have issues or you get one that blows within the first 20 or so hours. if you get one of those your better off to just sell it because no matter what you do it's going to do it again and again and again. I've seen it happen to 4 different people I can name. the 250F is most prone but I have seen it happen to one 450 and one 85 also. if you get one that runs fine it's a great bike and seems to last just as long as any other brand. but is it worth that chance? some say yes as they keep buying them but my with my luck...

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