2011/2012 kawy 450

mxb2
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mxb2
Edited Date/Time 1/26/2012 1:16am
My buddy was looking of getting a new kawy, and the price difference between the 2 is like $1100, any opinions on the 11 450,looks to be a solid bike and a bit cheaper. The 12 looks real good, but being a new design, not sure if the bugs will need to be worked out? He s a decent b rider, Any opinions on either bike from anybody that has ridden them? Thanks, The money he will save , he can at least get the suspension done and money for tires etc.
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SteveS
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SteveS 9/15/2011 11:37am
9/15/2011 11:37am
Oh, you'll be at least 10 seconds a lap faster on the 2012.
mxb2
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mxb2 9/15/2011 11:43am
9/15/2011 11:43am
SteveS wrote:
Oh, you'll be at least 10 seconds a lap faster on the 2012.
LOL, maybe an adult can answer the question.
Camp332
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Camp332 9/15/2011 11:57am
9/15/2011 11:57am
Bro, the "holeshot feature" on the 2012 is what is going to win races.
TriRacer27 9/15/2011 11:59am
9/15/2011 11:59am
the '11 with $1100 of aftermarket parts wont be as good as a stock '12

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SteveS
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SteveS 9/15/2011 12:01pm
9/15/2011 12:01pm
SteveS wrote:
Oh, you'll be at least 10 seconds a lap faster on the 2012.
mxb2 wrote:
LOL, maybe an adult can answer the question.
You don't believe Ryan Villipoto and Kawasaki Marketing?
burn1986
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burn1986 9/15/2011 12:06pm
9/15/2011 12:06pm Edited Date/Time 9/15/2011 12:08pm
The way I see it, if he's gonna spend that money anyway, he might as well get the 2012. It's gonna be a chunk of money anyway. Here's one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-KX-KX450-KX-450-DIRT-BIKE-450-B…

Of course, you know my advice. Get a 2012 KTM 250SX or 150SX. You won't find these on ebay though.
mxb2
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mxb2 9/15/2011 12:13pm
9/15/2011 12:13pm
burn1986 wrote:
The way I see it, if he's gonna spend that money anyway, he might as well get the 2012. It's gonna be a chunk of money...
The way I see it, if he's gonna spend that money anyway, he might as well get the 2012. It's gonna be a chunk of money anyway. Here's one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-KX-KX450-KX-450-DIRT-BIKE-450-B…

Of course, you know my advice. Get a 2012 KTM 250SX or 150SX. You won't find these on ebay though.
Thanks for the tip, i will pass the word, How come i am not suprised you put a 2 stroke plug in there! JK burn1986
Flatliner
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Flatliner 9/15/2011 12:16pm
9/15/2011 12:16pm
I actually like what kawi is doing. They're trying to make a better bike. The 450 has been updated a ton almost every year.

They just need to work on weight, but so do every other manufacturer, sans honda in the 450 class.
burn1986
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burn1986 9/15/2011 12:26pm
9/15/2011 12:26pm Edited Date/Time 9/15/2011 12:27pm
HAHAHAHA! I know, I need to get a handle on it. Man, it slips out every now and then. Believe it or not, I'm workin on self restraint. I'm actually kind of jealous of this guy buying a brand new KX450F. Who wouldn't be? Yeah, I would get a 2-stroke, but those KXFs are still bad mofos.
hondaracer664 9/15/2011 12:30pm
9/15/2011 12:30pm
If he's a smaller dude, he will love the 12' and find the 11' a tank. If he' a bigger guy, he will be just fine on the 11' and have some change to get his suspension done.

I'm a 6 foot tall and 190 lb. local pro and am right at home on the 11'. The 12' is narrower and feels like it's not as big as the previous bike which is nice, but I don't feet it's worth the extra cash. My smaller or slower friends however, find the 12' to be night and day better.
mxb2
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mxb2 9/15/2011 12:47pm
9/15/2011 12:47pm
hondaracer664 wrote:
If he's a smaller dude, he will love the 12' and find the 11' a tank. If he' a bigger guy, he will be just fine...
If he's a smaller dude, he will love the 12' and find the 11' a tank. If he' a bigger guy, he will be just fine on the 11' and have some change to get his suspension done.

I'm a 6 foot tall and 190 lb. local pro and am right at home on the 11'. The 12' is narrower and feels like it's not as big as the previous bike which is nice, but I don't feet it's worth the extra cash. My smaller or slower friends however, find the 12' to be night and day better.
6' 1" like 200, decent b rider, whats your opinion on the 11, anything to look out for? chainguide, axle nut,suspension, how was the suspension stock? any need for a rear link? , You running the stock exhaust, another local dude put a ti PC pipe on his and said its way better? Did not have a chance to ride it. He was looking at PC or factory connection for suspension needs.
hondaracer664 9/15/2011 1:48pm
9/15/2011 1:48pm
hondaracer664 wrote:
If he's a smaller dude, he will love the 12' and find the 11' a tank. If he' a bigger guy, he will be just fine...
If he's a smaller dude, he will love the 12' and find the 11' a tank. If he' a bigger guy, he will be just fine on the 11' and have some change to get his suspension done.

I'm a 6 foot tall and 190 lb. local pro and am right at home on the 11'. The 12' is narrower and feels like it's not as big as the previous bike which is nice, but I don't feet it's worth the extra cash. My smaller or slower friends however, find the 12' to be night and day better.
mxb2 wrote:
6' 1" like 200, decent b rider, whats your opinion on the 11, anything to look out for? chainguide, axle nut,suspension, how was the suspension stock...
6' 1" like 200, decent b rider, whats your opinion on the 11, anything to look out for? chainguide, axle nut,suspension, how was the suspension stock? any need for a rear link? , You running the stock exhaust, another local dude put a ti PC pipe on his and said its way better? Did not have a chance to ride it. He was looking at PC or factory connection for suspension needs.
I put a T.M. designworks chain guide on after like a month of having it, stock one is garbage.

I have a local guy do my suspension, was way too soft for me stock but any serious racer or rider should have their suspension tailored to them no matter what bike they are on. Rear link might help, but I got along just fine without it.

I never put a pipe on it, these bikes are so good stock they don't need them. The Honda's, however really benefit from one because they are more of a smooth power. The kawi is explosive in comparison and a pipe really isn't necessary IMO. 1 up on the rear sprocket for outdoors, 2 up for SX/AX is what I found to work really well.

The seats got spongy and break down really quick. I ran the Acerbis X-seat and loved it. People bitch they're too hard, but that's because they sit down too much.

Take your $1,100 your saving, get your suspension done, oversized bars, chain guide, chain and sprockets and a X-seat and never look back. I switch between Kawi's and Honda's every year (shop I ride for carries both and likes both brands to be seen) and really miss my Kawi's from 11'. Great bikes, especially the 450.
mxb2
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mxb2 9/15/2011 1:56pm
9/15/2011 1:56pm
Thanks for the tips664! Any problems with durability? other than regular wear and tear.
hondaracer664 9/15/2011 2:02pm
9/15/2011 2:02pm
mxb2 wrote:
Thanks for the tips664! Any problems with durability? other than regular wear and tear.
In a year of racing and riding I put on chain and sprockets twice, brake pads twice, a clutch (didn't need it, just put it in to get it fresh) and adjusted the valves once. Change your air filter every ride, oil every 2 rides and it will last years.

My only complaint is how shitty it looks after first ride on the clutch and ignition cover. Literally after my first moto on it, the covers were thrashed. I put a Hinson clutch cover on and dealt with the ignition cover.
mxb2
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mxb2 9/15/2011 2:04pm
9/15/2011 2:04pm
Yea my buddy had the same gripe, he sandblasted the ignition cover and put a aftermarket clutch cover as well! Thanks bro.
hondaracer664 9/15/2011 2:08pm
9/15/2011 2:08pm
mxb2 wrote:
Yea my buddy had the same gripe, he sandblasted the ignition cover and put a aftermarket clutch cover as well! Thanks bro.
No problem, hope it helped. Every time I see someone ask for opinions on a bike here it's always answered by some vet rider that complains about everything, or people just say buy a 2-stroke. Saw an opportunity to actually have a realistic opinion and I jumped on the chance haha.
lumpy790
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lumpy790 9/15/2011 4:40pm
9/15/2011 4:40pm Edited Date/Time 9/15/2011 4:41pm
When you buy a new 1 year left over bike that is discounted ...... you instantly have a 2 year old bike. KBB retail is $5710

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