Reliability 2012 KX 450F?

brocsdad
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brocsdad
Edited Date/Time 1/17/2013 3:21pm
After debating for a couple of months I was leaning towards buying a new 2013 CRF 450 but I happen to come across a 2012 KX 450 that was raced at LL (4hrs on bike) only for $5k. The bike has FC suspension, PC head, Hi-Comp Piston and Steel braided front brake line and (2) sets of new tires.

It seems to be a great deal and I have heard the KX 450's are reliable but I did come across a few threads about cranks and other issue's.

Opinions?

Thanks!
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Bear41
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Bear41 1/12/2013 7:22am
1/12/2013 7:22am
I don't believe it only has 4 hours on it. Can't speak for the realibility but the prior owner has put about $1000 into the motor of what's supposed to be a basically new bike, plus another $600 in the suspension, plus tires, etc.

That just doesn't sound like a "4-hour" bike to me. Why the hell would he need a new piston?

Still a very decent price, but it has more hours on it than the owner is claiming.
brocsdad
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brocsdad 1/12/2013 11:53am
1/12/2013 11:53am Edited Date/Time 1/12/2013 12:19pm
Maybe I left out a few details.

The owner is a former factory rider and now a Team Green vet rider so Pro-Circuit flowed the head and installed a High-Compression Piston. He had a practice bike and this bike was built specifically to race Loretta's. So that is why PC installed the piston and did the head work. As far as suspension that's the first thing do when I buy a new bike. He works for Dunlop as a test rider so he could not use the stock Bridgestone's.

He picked the 2013 up shortly after but the post wasn't to debate the hours I was just curious how the KXF's hold up? I know the guy selling the bike and he has trained my son and other local kids. So he's not lying about the hours and this wasn't his only bike. Anyone serious about racing is going to have more than one bike and the majority of people buy new bikes for Loretta's.

So no it doesn't have more hours than he was "claiming".

He won the vet class on this bike.
mxb2
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mxb2 1/12/2013 2:04pm
1/12/2013 2:04pm
brocsdad wrote:
Maybe I left out a few details. The owner is a former factory rider and now a Team Green vet rider so Pro-Circuit flowed the head...
Maybe I left out a few details.

The owner is a former factory rider and now a Team Green vet rider so Pro-Circuit flowed the head and installed a High-Compression Piston. He had a practice bike and this bike was built specifically to race Loretta's. So that is why PC installed the piston and did the head work. As far as suspension that's the first thing do when I buy a new bike. He works for Dunlop as a test rider so he could not use the stock Bridgestone's.

He picked the 2013 up shortly after but the post wasn't to debate the hours I was just curious how the KXF's hold up? I know the guy selling the bike and he has trained my son and other local kids. So he's not lying about the hours and this wasn't his only bike. Anyone serious about racing is going to have more than one bike and the majority of people buy new bikes for Loretta's.

So no it doesn't have more hours than he was "claiming".

He won the vet class on this bike.
So far so good on mine, stock engine with fmf 4.1 rct. Not whole lotta time on the bike, but i did notice .got to keep an eye on the regular stuff bolts, fenders shrouds etc, The bike is great so far, but as long as you do the regular checks and oil and air filters. You shoud be good to go. Congrats and good luck. You have pics?
brocsdad
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brocsdad 1/13/2013 9:38am
1/13/2013 9:38am
Yes I will post the pics he provided but I picked up the bike yesterday and it looked even better in person. Started on first kick and I cannot wait to ride it.

I have also ordered graphics so I will post some before and after but the bike is extremely clean. The only thing I may need to change is the fork and shock springs. We weigh the same but he's a former pro where I'm a slow vet B/C rider. The front has .49's and the rear has a 5.7. I need to ride it first?

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look out below 1/13/2013 1:13pm
1/13/2013 1:13pm
I got my 2012 before labor day. I have had no problems with mine. Just keep some loc-tite handy because it will shed bolts. Oh and the stock chain made some weird noises but that was fixed with a renthal chain.
brocsdad
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brocsdad 1/13/2013 1:15pm
1/13/2013 1:15pm
Yeah and he gave some some new chain buffers. According to MXA they wear really quick and the only fix is buy the TM designs kit.
mxb2
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mxb2 1/13/2013 6:36pm
1/13/2013 6:36pm
brocsdad wrote:
Yeah and he gave some some new chain buffers. According to MXA they wear really quick and the only fix is buy the TM designs kit.
I replaced the stock chain guide and chain.buffer before i even rode the bike. Full tm designs kit. And put a braking battfly kiy w galfer braided lines. And plan on removing the stock screen cage from.air filter using the no toil kit. Pain in the ass though kawys you have to take subframe off for that. Hinson clutch cover. W connection elite perch. Kite pegs.wc throttle tube. And mite add a moto tassini air box system. Bike is awesome. Like said above keep eye on bolts. Fenders. Shrouds. Etc.,
brocsdad
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brocsdad 1/13/2013 8:31pm
1/13/2013 8:31pm
It has the steel braided brake line and he mentioned the back screen was removed and replaced with a PC setup. I was looking into the batfly kit. Is it hard to install. Any videos or instructions?

Thanks!
mxb2
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mxb2 1/14/2013 7:32am
1/14/2013 7:32am Edited Date/Time 1/14/2013 7:34am
Not sure if there are any installation videos. Pretty simple replacement.make sure you clean rotor.it has that oil film on it. Easier to clean right outa the box. Then install. Then one more wipe of brake cleaner while on bike. The battfly is great.ride a few laps break in the pads. Its powerful.be care first few times using. No need for a trip over the bars lol. Keep me posted. Good stuff you got.
Bear41
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Bear41 1/14/2013 8:18am
1/14/2013 8:18am
brocsdad wrote:
Maybe I left out a few details. The owner is a former factory rider and now a Team Green vet rider so Pro-Circuit flowed the head...
Maybe I left out a few details.

The owner is a former factory rider and now a Team Green vet rider so Pro-Circuit flowed the head and installed a High-Compression Piston. He had a practice bike and this bike was built specifically to race Loretta's. So that is why PC installed the piston and did the head work. As far as suspension that's the first thing do when I buy a new bike. He works for Dunlop as a test rider so he could not use the stock Bridgestone's.

He picked the 2013 up shortly after but the post wasn't to debate the hours I was just curious how the KXF's hold up? I know the guy selling the bike and he has trained my son and other local kids. So he's not lying about the hours and this wasn't his only bike. Anyone serious about racing is going to have more than one bike and the majority of people buy new bikes for Loretta's.

So no it doesn't have more hours than he was "claiming".

He won the vet class on this bike.
Okay, but you should've said that at the beginning.
mxb2
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mxb2 1/14/2013 9:45am
1/14/2013 9:45am
brocsdad wrote:
Found a installation video for the Batfly. Looks pretty easy... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yML9PS7iNy4
Found a installation video for the Batfly. Looks pretty easy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yML9PS7iNy4
Good deal. I def recommend the battfly . Old saying ya get what ya pay for.
DTHA70
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DTHA70 1/17/2013 3:21pm
1/17/2013 3:21pm
on the 4 bottom ends ive done on them, 3 of them had stress cracks running through the cases on the bottom side of the crank bearing bores. straight from one bearing, through to the other cases and into the other,

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