2012 kawi 450

kripple428
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kripple428
Edited Date/Time 4/16/2015 7:02pm
So I'm sure this post is going to turn into a 4stroke hate post faster than I can say moto drive but here we go lol. I currently have an 09 kawi 450 that has some pro circuit motor work done high comp pistons,cams,vales and some port work the thing is fast and it handles decent but it has the obvious characteristics of the 09 tries to stand up in corners doesn't like ruts etc. So I was looking at buying a newer bike probably a 15 kawi 450 but a friend has his 2012 for sale and it's got really low hours on it and he kept telling me that it had a great motor and turned really well so finally this past weekend I got a chance to ride and holy shit I've been racing since I was 4 and that's the most fun I've ever had on a motorcycle it's faster than my bike without all the motor work and it handles great. He put the triple chamber air forks off of his 2015 on it so I wasn't sure how well I would like those but they seemed pretty good I like the ease of adjustment so hopefully in the next week or 2 it will be mine. But wow I'm still in awe of how fun that thing was to ride lol
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mx836
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mx836 4/15/2015 10:54am
4/15/2015 10:54am
I have a '13 and it's an awesome bike. Very happy I went with the KX. The '12 had the hardest hitting engine of all KX450's. As far as the air fork, I actually enjoy them. Checking air pressure can get old, but changing your spring rate with the push of a pump and some free air does not.
user760a
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user760a 4/15/2015 8:20pm
4/15/2015 8:20pm
That's funny, he unloaded his idiotic air forks on his old bike.
I have seen a number of 09-12 KX450F's with air forks on them simply because the owner of the new air fork equipped bike did not want to deal with that bullshit and swapped them out. I am about to do the same, my 09 forks will go on my new bike and the dumbass air forks will be sold on the 09 before them have a chance to ruin a single ride or race for me
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jeffro503 4/15/2015 8:27pm
4/15/2015 8:27pm
I have a 12' Kawi 450 as well , and as far as 4 stroke 450's go , it's probably the most comfortable I've ever been on a bike. The bike is a brute in the power dept. Has an aggressive exhaust cam compared to the 11' , 13' and 14'. The 2012 is kind of an oddball year with the way it works. It hits a little harder than the rest. Very bullet proof bike and fast as hell. I could have gotten a 13' or 14' , but didn't want to deal with the air forks. I like the oil and spring.
gsxr6
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gsxr6 4/15/2015 8:33pm
4/15/2015 8:33pm
user760a wrote:
That's funny, he unloaded his idiotic air forks on his old bike. I have seen a number of 09-12 KX450F's with air forks on them simply...
That's funny, he unloaded his idiotic air forks on his old bike.
I have seen a number of 09-12 KX450F's with air forks on them simply because the owner of the new air fork equipped bike did not want to deal with that bullshit and swapped them out. I am about to do the same, my 09 forks will go on my new bike and the dumbass air forks will be sold on the 09 before them have a chance to ruin a single ride or race for me
To be fair.....the guy liked this 2012 much better than his 09 even with 15 forks. U don't think u should ride them at least once even in a practice setting? What if the stock setup is ur magic unicorn for stock suspension. Also how will u know for sure that u haven't made the bike worse with your 09 suspension if u don't even try the original. I actually bought a 14 yz450f specifically to avoid air forks. But I would for sure try the stock setup before changing it over. Are the 09 forks stock? Or had work? Because if I tried both and the air forks were close, and the 09 suspension had work done to it, I'd always wonder if the air forks with work would've been better. Also.a.couple pounds is nothing to sneeze at. If the air forks can win professional races now, won't be long before the stock components surpass the old spring stock components.

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Grizz
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Grizz 4/15/2015 8:34pm
4/15/2015 8:34pm
user760a wrote:
That's funny, he unloaded his idiotic air forks on his old bike. I have seen a number of 09-12 KX450F's with air forks on them simply...
That's funny, he unloaded his idiotic air forks on his old bike.
I have seen a number of 09-12 KX450F's with air forks on them simply because the owner of the new air fork equipped bike did not want to deal with that bullshit and swapped them out. I am about to do the same, my 09 forks will go on my new bike and the dumbass air forks will be sold on the 09 before them have a chance to ruin a single ride or race for me
What air forks are on your new bike? The new TAC ones are worth a try. Adjustment still a pain in the ass but they do perform better if setup right. The 13-14 air forks? Trash.
gsxr6
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gsxr6 4/15/2015 8:45pm
4/15/2015 8:45pm
Example: most bikes that had 47mm showa aos forks most years were known for being harsh. Most people had springs gold valves and a shim change to agree with them. So an air fork with better valving/ stock setup/ proper air pressure for the rider def. Has the potential to be just as good or better. Plain dual chamber air oil separate spring and cartridge forks will not be the be all end all solution. Another design will surpass them. When is the only question
gsxr6
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gsxr6 4/15/2015 8:47pm
4/15/2015 8:47pm
As for me I want two sets of these please

h&m_cycle
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h&m_cycle 4/15/2015 8:48pm
4/15/2015 8:48pm Edited Date/Time 4/15/2015 8:48pm
Yeah, but's it's not a 2 stroke...


Just kidding, ride what you want it's your money.
kripple428
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kripple428 4/15/2015 8:52pm
4/15/2015 8:52pm
user760a wrote:
That's funny, he unloaded his idiotic air forks on his old bike. I have seen a number of 09-12 KX450F's with air forks on them simply...
That's funny, he unloaded his idiotic air forks on his old bike.
I have seen a number of 09-12 KX450F's with air forks on them simply because the owner of the new air fork equipped bike did not want to deal with that bullshit and swapped them out. I am about to do the same, my 09 forks will go on my new bike and the dumbass air forks will be sold on the 09 before them have a chance to ruin a single ride or race for me
I actually loved the air forks but to be fair I'm one of this people that can get comfortable on just about any bike as long as it has a lot of power. But I will say I felt more comfortable on this bike with the air forks than I've felt on any other bike I've ever ridden. and I don't get what you mean by a pain in the ass to set up? Instead of turning clickers with a screwdriver you are adding or removing air with a pump it's not like it requires a ton of more effort
kripple428
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kripple428 4/15/2015 9:01pm
4/15/2015 9:01pm
gsxr6 wrote:
As for me I want two sets of these please[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/04/15/87588/s1200_s1200_jeffwilson4.jpg[/img]
As for me I want two sets of these please

My dad had an 05 rmz for that I rode a lot was a good bike with some small mods I think the best thing you could do to those was a 1/4 turn throttle tube. I
Loved the 4 speed though I wish someone would come out with a new 4 speed 450
gsxr6
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gsxr6 4/15/2015 9:37pm
4/15/2015 9:37pm
gsxr6 wrote:
As for me I want two sets of these please[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/04/15/87588/s1200_s1200_jeffwilson4.jpg[/img]
As for me I want two sets of these please

kripple428 wrote:
My dad had an 05 rmz for that I rode a lot was a good bike with some small mods I think the best thing you...
My dad had an 05 rmz for that I rode a lot was a good bike with some small mods I think the best thing you could do to those was a 1/4 turn throttle tube. I
Loved the 4 speed though I wish someone would come out with a new 4 speed 450
They can keep that ole carbed 4 speed rmz. Rode an 07.... Not impressed. I just want the forks.
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thorns 4/15/2015 9:52pm
4/15/2015 9:52pm
Yip, probably still my fav bike I have owned to date, far from perfect, but would buy another in a heartbeat if I went back to a 4 stroke. Best motor by far, loved the power hit, just pulled like a freight train no matter where you were in the rev range, could just ride it in 3rd/4th gear the whole track.
kripple428
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kripple428 4/16/2015 4:32am
4/16/2015 4:32am
gsxr6 wrote:
As for me I want two sets of these please[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/04/15/87588/s1200_s1200_jeffwilson4.jpg[/img]
As for me I want two sets of these please

kripple428 wrote:
My dad had an 05 rmz for that I rode a lot was a good bike with some small mods I think the best thing you...
My dad had an 05 rmz for that I rode a lot was a good bike with some small mods I think the best thing you could do to those was a 1/4 turn throttle tube. I
Loved the 4 speed though I wish someone would come out with a new 4 speed 450
gsxr6 wrote:
They can keep that ole carbed 4 speed rmz. Rode an 07.... Not impressed. I just want the forks.
The 07 was a 5 speed
gsxr6
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gsxr6 4/16/2015 6:42am
4/16/2015 6:42am
kripple428 wrote:
My dad had an 05 rmz for that I rode a lot was a good bike with some small mods I think the best thing you...
My dad had an 05 rmz for that I rode a lot was a good bike with some small mods I think the best thing you could do to those was a 1/4 turn throttle tube. I
Loved the 4 speed though I wish someone would come out with a new 4 speed 450
gsxr6 wrote:
They can keep that ole carbed 4 speed rmz. Rode an 07.... Not impressed. I just want the forks.
kripple428 wrote:
The 07 was a 5 speed
Wrong
gsxr6
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gsxr6 4/16/2015 6:43am
4/16/2015 6:43am
The 08 was the first rmz 5 speed. As well as the first efi 450 from any of the big 5.
user760a
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user760a 4/16/2015 7:11am
4/16/2015 7:11am
user760a wrote:
That's funny, he unloaded his idiotic air forks on his old bike. I have seen a number of 09-12 KX450F's with air forks on them simply...
That's funny, he unloaded his idiotic air forks on his old bike.
I have seen a number of 09-12 KX450F's with air forks on them simply because the owner of the new air fork equipped bike did not want to deal with that bullshit and swapped them out. I am about to do the same, my 09 forks will go on my new bike and the dumbass air forks will be sold on the 09 before them have a chance to ruin a single ride or race for me
gsxr6 wrote:
To be fair.....the guy liked this 2012 much better than his 09 even with 15 forks. U don't think u should ride them at least once...
To be fair.....the guy liked this 2012 much better than his 09 even with 15 forks. U don't think u should ride them at least once even in a practice setting? What if the stock setup is ur magic unicorn for stock suspension. Also how will u know for sure that u haven't made the bike worse with your 09 suspension if u don't even try the original. I actually bought a 14 yz450f specifically to avoid air forks. But I would for sure try the stock setup before changing it over. Are the 09 forks stock? Or had work? Because if I tried both and the air forks were close, and the 09 suspension had work done to it, I'd always wonder if the air forks with work would've been better. Also.a.couple pounds is nothing to sneeze at. If the air forks can win professional races now, won't be long before the stock components surpass the old spring stock components.
I ride and race off road a lot these days and really love it. GNCC type stuff.air forks are not suitable for that type of stuff. My suspension guy tells me that even if you have a dry race without two hours of mud to compromise your seals, the air forks build anough air pressure over two hours to virtually equal two spring rates. He said that the only way to make them work in a two hour race is to start with low pressure and toward the end of the race you will build toward the correct pressure. The other option, starting with 35 pounds and allowing the pressure to build close to 40 after two hours is going to beat the rider really badly on the small stuff at a time when the track is breaking down into nothing but small stuff
kripple428
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kripple428 4/16/2015 12:27pm
4/16/2015 12:27pm
gsxr6 wrote:
They can keep that ole carbed 4 speed rmz. Rode an 07.... Not impressed. I just want the forks.
kripple428 wrote:
The 07 was a 5 speed
gsxr6 wrote:
Wrong
Not wrong my dad had an 05 06 and 07 rmz 450 the 05 was a 4 speed then 06 and 7 were 5 speed
Bodieg3
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Bodieg3 4/16/2015 2:48pm
4/16/2015 2:48pm
kripple428 wrote:
The 07 was a 5 speed
gsxr6 wrote:
Wrong
kripple428 wrote:
Not wrong my dad had an 05 06 and 07 rmz 450 the 05 was a 4 speed then 06 and 7 were 5 speed
Yes you are wrong ! 08 first year with 5 speed !

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look out below
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look out below 4/16/2015 2:55pm
4/16/2015 2:55pm
I absolutely loved my '12 kx 450. I now have a 15 rm 450, shoulda kept the kx.
Grieby54
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Grieby54 4/16/2015 3:09pm
4/16/2015 3:09pm
look out below wrote:
I absolutely loved my '12 kx 450. I now have a 15 rm 450, shoulda kept the kx.
Really? That's the bike I'd be most likely to go to after I decide to move on from my '12 KX450F. What don't you like about the RMZ?
look out below
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look out below 4/16/2015 3:46pm
4/16/2015 3:46pm
look out below wrote:
I absolutely loved my '12 kx 450. I now have a 15 rm 450, shoulda kept the kx.
Grieby54 wrote:
Really? That's the bike I'd be most likely to go to after I decide to move on from my '12 KX450F. What don't you like about...
Really? That's the bike I'd be most likely to go to after I decide to move on from my '12 KX450F. What don't you like about the RMZ?
Head shake! Im still playing with the suspension and whatnot, but the bike as a whole is a lot stiffer. Im a skinny bastard so that kinda sucks for me. The power is awesome, its deceivingly fast, and turns on a dime.
gsxr6
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gsxr6 4/16/2015 6:30pm
4/16/2015 6:30pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2015 6:30pm
Guess my buddies I rode many times must've been missing a gear. And the big deal Suzuki made about switching to a 5 speed, efi, and aluminum tank must've been figments In my imagination. Lmao
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gsxr6 4/16/2015 6:32pm
4/16/2015 6:32pm


gsxr6
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gsxr6 4/16/2015 6:33pm
4/16/2015 6:33pm


gsxr6
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gsxr6 4/16/2015 6:39pm
4/16/2015 6:39pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2015 7:09pm
I imagine anyone else who has owned a 05, 06, or 07 can attest to they're 4 speededness lol. It goes like this: 1998 to 2002 yz400/426 5 speed. 03 to 05 yz450f 4 speed. 05 to 07 rmz 4 speed. 08 to current 5 speed. 06 to current yz450 5 speed. 02 crf 450 4 speed. 03 to current crf450 5 speed. 06 kx450 4 speed. 07 to current kx450 5 speed. I know certain year KTM sx450 also had four speeds but not sure exactly what years. Also as a side note muzzys ( the street bike company) offered 6 speed aftermarket trannies for 2004 2005 kx250f and 04 to 06 rmz250f ( were same bike). Enjoy
kripple428
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kripple428 4/16/2015 6:53pm
4/16/2015 6:53pm
gsxr6 wrote:
I imagine anyone else who has owned a 05, 06, or 07 can attest to they're 4 speededness lol. It goes like this: 1998 to 2002...
I imagine anyone else who has owned a 05, 06, or 07 can attest to they're 4 speededness lol. It goes like this: 1998 to 2002 yz400/426 5 speed. 03 to 05 yz450f 4 speed. 05 to 07 rmz 4 speed. 08 to current 5 speed. 06 to current yz450 5 speed. 02 crf 450 4 speed. 03 to current crf450 5 speed. 06 kx450 4 speed. 07 to current kx450 5 speed. I know certain year KTM sx450 also had four speeds but not sure exactly what years. Also as a side note muzzys ( the street bike company) offered 6 speed aftermarket trannies for 2004 2005 kx250f and 04 to 06 rmz250f ( were same bike). Enjoy
Hell I don't know maybe my memory is getting worse lol but I could've sworn the 05 was the only 4 speed. But whatever I've been wrong before. It was a long time ago but it happens
Mr Bean
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Mr Bean 4/16/2015 7:02pm
4/16/2015 7:02pm
gsxr6 wrote:
I imagine anyone else who has owned a 05, 06, or 07 can attest to they're 4 speededness lol. It goes like this: 1998 to 2002...
I imagine anyone else who has owned a 05, 06, or 07 can attest to they're 4 speededness lol. It goes like this: 1998 to 2002 yz400/426 5 speed. 03 to 05 yz450f 4 speed. 05 to 07 rmz 4 speed. 08 to current 5 speed. 06 to current yz450 5 speed. 02 crf 450 4 speed. 03 to current crf450 5 speed. 06 kx450 4 speed. 07 to current kx450 5 speed. I know certain year KTM sx450 also had four speeds but not sure exactly what years. Also as a side note muzzys ( the street bike company) offered 6 speed aftermarket trannies for 2004 2005 kx250f and 04 to 06 rmz250f ( were same bike). Enjoy
kripple428 wrote:
Hell I don't know maybe my memory is getting worse lol but I could've sworn the 05 was the only 4 speed. But whatever I've been...
Hell I don't know maybe my memory is getting worse lol but I could've sworn the 05 was the only 4 speed. But whatever I've been wrong before. It was a long time ago but it happens
I don't think you're wrong - I believe Yamaha didn't go to a 5-speed again until the redesign in '06.

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