Rode a 2011 KX450F yesterday....eating some crow.

MX455
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MX455 12/26/2011 5:41am
12/26/2011 5:41am
jeffro503 wrote:
Really good advice in here guys....thanks! I've complained so much about this suspension , I know it sounds like a broken record. It sucks....because I KNOW...
Really good advice in here guys....thanks!

I've complained so much about this suspension , I know it sounds like a broken record. It sucks....because I KNOW the 08' Honda 450's are legendary as far as the rest of the bike goes. I know why.....because it's just an all around great bike , except that the stock suspension isn't any good for anyone over a Novice rider without some mods. I'm making a call Tuesday morning to a guy who may be able to help me out on this thing. Still getting a new bike next summer some time and I think the first thing I'm going to do after break in....is hand deliver my stuff to Enzo.
easton wrote:
MItch has a linkeage that will smoth it out for ya. I'd have jason set the bike up for him then push it and stop riding...
MItch has a linkeage that will smoth it out for ya. I'd have jason set the bike up for him then push it and stop riding 60 to 70%. 3 to 4 laps at race speed will get ya farther than 7 or 8 at 70%. Hope ya find your ying and your zang, id get the Kawi 2012 you can set the bike up for any size rider and the power is great.
+1 Linkage was the best thing I did to my '08 Honda. I would start there and then worry about fine tuning.
WhKnuckle
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WhKnuckle 12/26/2011 5:42am
12/26/2011 5:42am
I'd bet RG3 or Factory Connection could get your suspension working as well as anything else. I've done the same song and dance on my '07 CR500AF - sent it to a suspension shop that's done good work for me in the past and it's actually worse now than it was. I've been kind of lusting after a KTM 350SX just for the heck of it, but I decided for that kind of money I can rehab my 500 with everything I ever wanted. So I'm sending the engine to Eric Gorr and sending the suspension to RG3, polishing up the frame, new plastic, maybe even Talon wheels - probably this summer after the spring riding season. And it'll be a heck of a lot cheaper than a new bike that I'd want to put on a pipe, probably some suspension work on that one anyway, a new chain, bars that fit me and etc etc etc.

There's nothing cooler than buying a new bike, but for pure performance per $ spent, you can't go wrong rehabbing an existing bike.
CamP
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CamP 12/26/2011 8:53am
12/26/2011 8:53am Edited Date/Time 12/26/2011 8:55am
jeffro503 wrote:
Really good advice in here guys....thanks! I've complained so much about this suspension , I know it sounds like a broken record. It sucks....because I KNOW...
Really good advice in here guys....thanks!

I've complained so much about this suspension , I know it sounds like a broken record. It sucks....because I KNOW the 08' Honda 450's are legendary as far as the rest of the bike goes. I know why.....because it's just an all around great bike , except that the stock suspension isn't any good for anyone over a Novice rider without some mods. I'm making a call Tuesday morning to a guy who may be able to help me out on this thing. Still getting a new bike next summer some time and I think the first thing I'm going to do after break in....is hand deliver my stuff to Enzo.
If you sent your '08 CRF suspension to Enzo, you probably won't be dropping $8k on a new bike next summer.

I installed a set of Merge suspension on my new '08 CRF450 before I ever rode the bike. I'll never sell it.
BigDaddyG
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BigDaddyG 12/26/2011 9:01am
12/26/2011 9:01am
jeffro503 wrote:
And it tastes pretty good. Went and hammered out a bunch of laps yesterday at Riverdale MX yesterday with my buddy BigdaddyG yesterday. I have had...
And it tastes pretty good. Went and hammered out a bunch of laps yesterday at Riverdale MX yesterday with my buddy BigdaddyG yesterday. I have had issues with my suspension on my 08' CRF since the day I bought it ( Dec 2010 )......can not get that SOB figured out for the life of me.

So.....BigdaddyG asked me to take his KX450 out for a couple laps and test it out. We swapped bikes and I wasn't really sure how much I was going to like his bike , since he's a big dude ( 6'-4" and about 285lbs ) and I'm 6'-1" about 195-200lbs. He also has his bars raised 1-1/2" taller than stock.

So I make it about 2 laps.....and start hitting sections harder on his bike.....than I EVER did on my own bike! It was pretty damn stiff.....but the suspension worked! Basically....i didn't want to get off of it and did about 7-8 laps and fell in love with it!

With some minor suspension changes , lower the bars about a 1/2"......the bike would have been perfect! Now......I aint really liking my bike. In fact I didn't even want to ride the SOB again!.....depressing.

Sooo....If I can afford it.....next summer I am looking at a 2012 KX450 or RM450. Rode both....loved both. It amazed me how well both of these newer bikes just planted themselves in the corners and the suspension wasn't throwing me all over the place. The only thing I can think of is the valving ....because my stock 2010 YZ450F felt the same way.....really , really good! I think these newer bikes have the valving figured out a lot better than the old ones. At least that's what it seems.

I figured I would get this post out of the way......because he'll come in here and rub it in anyways. Haha! Oh well....we had a blast yesterday!
jeffro503 wrote: So.....BigdaddyG asked me to take his KX450 out for a couple laps and test it out. We swapped bikes and I wasn't really sure how much I was going to like his bike , since he's a big dude ( 6'-4" and about 285lbs ) and I'm 6'-1" about 195-200lbs. He also has his bars raised 1-1/2" taller than stock.

I figured I would get this post out of the way......because he'll come in here and rub it in anyways. Haha! Oh well....we had a blast yesterday!

Jeffro my brutha, I wasn't going to bring it up since you begged and pleaded for me to NOT say anyting to the Vital family! haha, just kidding!

It's just fun watching you ride something that you enjoyed. Riding my bike was good for you I think, gave you another feel and possible direction to go. I think we can make what you have work much better with a few more sessions like the other day. Just in the short time that we spent I could see a big improvement.

No shit true story....1985, my dad goes into Larry Lilly's Honda shop in Palmdale Ca. to buy a new CR60 and CR80 for my brother and I. The sales guy told my dad, "If you want to win go green" Some advice is timeless and holds true for the ages Smile

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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 12/26/2011 10:40am
12/26/2011 10:40am
TeamGreen wrote:
'12 KX450F. Get one. Just like they did in 2006...Kawi is sellin' a works-bike. JWR went our and BOUGHT what they felt was the best bike...
'12 KX450F.

Get one.

Just like they did in 2006...Kawi is sellin' a works-bike.

JWR went our and BOUGHT what they felt was the best bike. That;s the same way that H-n-H ended up on Kawi's.

There'll be more KXF's on the gate at A-1 than any 2 other brands combined...ultimately for this very reason.

RV2
Weimer
Tickle
Hanny
Ivan
Hill
Patridge
Grant
Chisholm
Peick
Howell
Wey
Blose

There's 13 riders I can think of...I'm guessing that AT-LEAST 9 of'em will be in the main.

That leaves 11 slots for 3 Suzukis, 1 KTM, 4 Hondas & 3 Yamahas...

I'm jus' willing to bet.
Deetsmx wrote:
IMO the bike is much overhyped and the marketing behind it is what is making everyone think it's the next best thing since sliced bread. It's...
IMO the bike is much overhyped and the marketing behind it is what is making everyone think it's the next best thing since sliced bread. It's good, but no better than an 08 Honda. Actually, to me it's not even as good. When Dungey and Reed were kicking ass on Suzuki all of a sudden that was the best bike, funny how that works. I rode a ktm 350 a few weeks ago and that was the best chassis I have ever ridden. Turned awesome, stable, and the front stuck like glue. To say the kxf is a "works" bike is almost comical to me.
IMHO...when you have hundreds of hours developing these bikes for factory level equipment and performance, you find the "Jewels" out there.

FACT: This bike is the EASIEST to turn into a Factory Level weapon...CHASSIS and ENGINE-WISE. Been there, Done that. Gettin' paid to do it on ALL the brands.

FACT: The Yamaha IS VERY Capable; yet, ENTIRELY different to work-on & Develope. VERY Capable.

FACT: The Suzuki DOES turn better: UNTIL you get to work on the OTHER chassis'. It is NOT the cheapest to "Lighten-Up".

FACT: The Honda IS the EASIEST to make the LIGHTEST and can be the easieist to throw around an SX track.

FACT: Those damn New Pumpkins can make a really big dent in the "FACTS" listed above.

We'll see.
Flatliner
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Flatliner 12/26/2011 12:07pm
12/26/2011 12:07pm
TeamGreen wrote:
IMHO...when you have hundreds of hours developing these bikes for factory level equipment and performance, you find the "Jewels" out there. FACT: This bike is the...
IMHO...when you have hundreds of hours developing these bikes for factory level equipment and performance, you find the "Jewels" out there.

FACT: This bike is the EASIEST to turn into a Factory Level weapon...CHASSIS and ENGINE-WISE. Been there, Done that. Gettin' paid to do it on ALL the brands.

FACT: The Yamaha IS VERY Capable; yet, ENTIRELY different to work-on & Develope. VERY Capable.

FACT: The Suzuki DOES turn better: UNTIL you get to work on the OTHER chassis'. It is NOT the cheapest to "Lighten-Up".

FACT: The Honda IS the EASIEST to make the LIGHTEST and can be the easieist to throw around an SX track.

FACT: Those damn New Pumpkins can make a really big dent in the "FACTS" listed above.

We'll see.
Without too much detail, can you give pro's and con's from each brand that you've seen in testing, suited to someone who has to spend their own $ to keep the bike running.
mxr102
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mxr102 12/26/2011 12:55pm
12/26/2011 12:55pm
Highsider wrote:
Get the 2012 KX.
I have several friends that race them and say they are great.
What Jim said. There absolutely an awesome bike.
Deetsmx
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Deetsmx 12/26/2011 4:32pm
12/26/2011 4:32pm
TeamGreen wrote:
IMHO...when you have hundreds of hours developing these bikes for factory level equipment and performance, you find the "Jewels" out there. FACT: This bike is the...
IMHO...when you have hundreds of hours developing these bikes for factory level equipment and performance, you find the "Jewels" out there.

FACT: This bike is the EASIEST to turn into a Factory Level weapon...CHASSIS and ENGINE-WISE. Been there, Done that. Gettin' paid to do it on ALL the brands.

FACT: The Yamaha IS VERY Capable; yet, ENTIRELY different to work-on & Develope. VERY Capable.

FACT: The Suzuki DOES turn better: UNTIL you get to work on the OTHER chassis'. It is NOT the cheapest to "Lighten-Up".

FACT: The Honda IS the EASIEST to make the LIGHTEST and can be the easieist to throw around an SX track.

FACT: Those damn New Pumpkins can make a really big dent in the "FACTS" listed above.

We'll see.
I'm thinking your name may carry some bias Wink . You do make some good points and I do agree with most of them. It's just that when you talk to people you'd think the kawi was head and shoulders above all of them and I've ridden almost all of them and didn't see it. Some clever marketing after Poto started winning was all it took to convince people. I did ride an 11 Honda today with mb1 suspension and I thought it was a really good bike and it did feel the lightest out of all the 450's. Suspension was awesome, from what the guy told me they shortened the shock and went up 3 rates in the front, it was really plush and balanced. I'll take another spin on the kawi when the suspension is a little more broken in, as it was it was horrendous and harsh. As far as turning a bike into a factory one, there are only a few people that do that anyway and I can't say one way or another which one would be easiest. I'm speaking strictly from what 99% of the people will use it for, which doesn't include lining up at A1. I think all the bikes are good and it's going to vary on rider preferences and also the tracks you ride that will determine which is best which is why I believe you see such variations on bike shootouts from one magazine to the next. A bike that works good at Glen Helen may not work well at perris or milestone.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 12/26/2011 6:38pm
12/26/2011 6:38pm
TeamGreen wrote:
IMHO...when you have hundreds of hours developing these bikes for factory level equipment and performance, you find the "Jewels" out there. FACT: This bike is the...
IMHO...when you have hundreds of hours developing these bikes for factory level equipment and performance, you find the "Jewels" out there.

FACT: This bike is the EASIEST to turn into a Factory Level weapon...CHASSIS and ENGINE-WISE. Been there, Done that. Gettin' paid to do it on ALL the brands.

FACT: The Yamaha IS VERY Capable; yet, ENTIRELY different to work-on & Develope. VERY Capable.

FACT: The Suzuki DOES turn better: UNTIL you get to work on the OTHER chassis'. It is NOT the cheapest to "Lighten-Up".

FACT: The Honda IS the EASIEST to make the LIGHTEST and can be the easieist to throw around an SX track.

FACT: Those damn New Pumpkins can make a really big dent in the "FACTS" listed above.

We'll see.
Deetsmx wrote:
I'm thinking your name may carry some bias ;). You do make some good points and I do agree with most of them. It's just that...
I'm thinking your name may carry some bias Wink . You do make some good points and I do agree with most of them. It's just that when you talk to people you'd think the kawi was head and shoulders above all of them and I've ridden almost all of them and didn't see it. Some clever marketing after Poto started winning was all it took to convince people. I did ride an 11 Honda today with mb1 suspension and I thought it was a really good bike and it did feel the lightest out of all the 450's. Suspension was awesome, from what the guy told me they shortened the shock and went up 3 rates in the front, it was really plush and balanced. I'll take another spin on the kawi when the suspension is a little more broken in, as it was it was horrendous and harsh. As far as turning a bike into a factory one, there are only a few people that do that anyway and I can't say one way or another which one would be easiest. I'm speaking strictly from what 99% of the people will use it for, which doesn't include lining up at A1. I think all the bikes are good and it's going to vary on rider preferences and also the tracks you ride that will determine which is best which is why I believe you see such variations on bike shootouts from one magazine to the next. A bike that works good at Glen Helen may not work well at perris or milestone.
Don't let the name fool ya. I, personally, have 4 Hondas, 2 Kawis, 1 Zook.

The Kawi has more versatility and capability outta the box.
user760a
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user760a 12/26/2011 9:11pm
12/26/2011 9:11pm
I switched to KX450F's about two years ago after riding all kinds of bikes in previous years. Best bike out there by a ways..
TallCan 16
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TallCan 16 12/26/2011 11:08pm
12/26/2011 11:08pm
Alright so here's a question for you Kawi guys...if you could get a 2011 KX450 for $6k do you think its worth the extra 1900 bucks to get the 2012? About 4 more weeks takin it easy on the foot and it may be new bike time for me too!
R-acer
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R-acer 12/27/2011 3:36am
12/27/2011 3:36am
TallCan 16 wrote:
Alright so here's a question for you Kawi guys...if you could get a 2011 KX450 for $6k do you think its worth the extra 1900 bucks...
Alright so here's a question for you Kawi guys...if you could get a 2011 KX450 for $6k do you think its worth the extra 1900 bucks to get the 2012? About 4 more weeks takin it easy on the foot and it may be new bike time for me too!
If you ask me, based on what I've seen....... I'd say get the 2012.

For me personally, it probably wouldn't make a huge difference what I rode, but for my son who actually "r-aces", I saw a HUGE difference in his riding style after getting on the 2012.
We always had at least 1 250F and 1 450F, and he was always faster on the 250F............. Thats until I got him the 2012 KX450F, now he is the fastest I have ever seen him ride on the 2012, and he rides it faster than he rides the 250F.

He has also gotten holeshot after holeshot, and I am not convinced that it's the "traction control", I think it's just the way the bike makes power, and it flat out hauls @$$!!






Highsider
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Highsider 12/27/2011 5:10am
12/27/2011 5:10am
R-acer wrote:
If you ask me, based on what I've seen....... I'd say get the 2012. For me personally, it probably wouldn't make a huge difference what I...
If you ask me, based on what I've seen....... I'd say get the 2012.

For me personally, it probably wouldn't make a huge difference what I rode, but for my son who actually "r-aces", I saw a HUGE difference in his riding style after getting on the 2012.
We always had at least 1 250F and 1 450F, and he was always faster on the 250F............. Thats until I got him the 2012 KX450F, now he is the fastest I have ever seen him ride on the 2012, and he rides it faster than he rides the 250F.

He has also gotten holeshot after holeshot, and I am not convinced that it's the "traction control", I think it's just the way the bike makes power, and it flat out hauls @$$!!






Good to see you here.
Crush
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Crush 12/27/2011 6:21am
12/27/2011 6:21am
I swear my Bro's 2011 RMZ450 is the best handling bike ever... In corners better than my BMX!!!

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