2016 KX450 Anybody got one?

Bruce372
Posts
6329
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
9/1/2015 6:42am
my buddy bought one on a friday, won 40A the next night.

the week after, he won 40A at a big amateur race and nearly won 30A.


MOTORSPORTFOX
Posts
426
Joined
6/16/2009
Location
Fairview Park, OH, USA
9/1/2015 6:45am

Have a few rides on it and love it!
FMF pipe on the way, plus a lot more

Carlos Z
Posts
144
Joined
12/3/2013
Location
Phoenix, AZ, USA
9/1/2015 6:47am
xr70 wrote:
I know two guys at the track one old guy and on younger guy. They both bought one and they hated it and trade it in.One...
I know two guys at the track one old guy and on younger guy. They both bought one and they hated it and trade it in.One got a husky 2015 instead and the other one got 2015 honda 450 instead. These were their complaints:
Constant whining out of the clutch
Low on power
Big gap between 3rd and 4th gear
Both hated the forks
Uh huh
mxrider38
Posts
13
Joined
8/31/2015
Location
Mechanicsville, MD, USA
9/1/2015 6:50am
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/09/01/103691/s1200_IMG_1563.jpg[/img] Have a few rides on it and love it! FMF pipe on the way, plus a lot more

Have a few rides on it and love it!
FMF pipe on the way, plus a lot more

Bike looks good! I'm ordering a pc exhaust today.

The Shop

9/1/2015 8:14am
xr70 wrote:
I know two guys at the track one old guy and on younger guy. They both bought one and they hated it and trade it in.One...
I know two guys at the track one old guy and on younger guy. They both bought one and they hated it and trade it in.One got a husky 2015 instead and the other one got 2015 honda 450 instead. These were their complaints:
Constant whining out of the clutch
Low on power
Big gap between 3rd and 4th gear
Both hated the forks
I know who the old guy is.

The '15 4CS fork is a jackhammer and the honda makes less power than a KTM 350 so that makes no sense.
9/1/2015 8:21am
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/09/01/103691/s1200_IMG_1563.jpg[/img] Have a few rides on it and love it! FMF pipe on the way, plus a lot more

Have a few rides on it and love it!
FMF pipe on the way, plus a lot more

Bryar's graphics look clean as always, who did the seat cover?
mx_563
Posts
2197
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
9/1/2015 8:39am
mxrider38 wrote:
Picked mine up about 3 weeks ago. $8300otd. Ordering a pc exhaust this week and going to Budds creek Saturday to ride. First bike since an...
Picked mine up about 3 weeks ago. $8300otd. Ordering a pc exhaust this week and going to Budds creek Saturday to ride. First bike since an 08 so I'm sure I'll have the stamina of a 17 year old on prom night.

$8300 OTD? Isn’t MSRP like $8799?

How’d you pull that off?
mxrider38
Posts
13
Joined
8/31/2015
Location
Mechanicsville, MD, USA
9/1/2015 8:43am
Delmarva powersports! It was $7800 but by the time Maryland stabbed me with taxes it got up to 8300. I was going to buy from Romney cycles because they were @8000 and no taxes but Delmarva had one first.
MOTORSPORTFOX
Posts
426
Joined
6/16/2009
Location
Fairview Park, OH, USA
9/1/2015 8:44am
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/09/01/103691/s1200_IMG_1563.jpg[/img] Have a few rides on it and love it! FMF pipe on the way, plus a lot more

Have a few rides on it and love it!
FMF pipe on the way, plus a lot more

RiverockMX wrote:
Bryar's graphics look clean as always, who did the seat cover?
Motoseat did the seat cover
DL
Posts
2627
Joined
8/20/2006
Location
Menifee, CA, USA
9/1/2015 8:52am
The new Kawi is vastly improved in our opinion. The chassis is slimmer and lighter and what really surprised was how well it turns. The front end has a planted feel never felt before on the big green bike. As for the motor, it's smoother but lacking some mid and top. That's what we concentrated on with our new exhaust. We have many happy customers running the new set up. On top of that we're running a 25% off sale. Let me know if you have any questions.


9/1/2015 8:55am
mxrider38 wrote:
Picked mine up about 3 weeks ago. $8300otd. Ordering a pc exhaust this week and going to Budds creek Saturday to ride. First bike since an...
Picked mine up about 3 weeks ago. $8300otd. Ordering a pc exhaust this week and going to Budds creek Saturday to ride. First bike since an 08 so I'm sure I'll have the stamina of a 17 year old on prom night.

mx_563 wrote:
$8300 OTD? Isn’t MSRP like $8799?

How’d you pull that off?
Prices always better East. West coast a good deal is 87-8800 OTD
9/1/2015 9:02am
DL wrote:
The new Kawi is vastly improved in our opinion. The chassis is slimmer and lighter and what really surprised was how well it turns. The front...
The new Kawi is vastly improved in our opinion. The chassis is slimmer and lighter and what really surprised was how well it turns. The front end has a planted feel never felt before on the big green bike. As for the motor, it's smoother but lacking some mid and top. That's what we concentrated on with our new exhaust. We have many happy customers running the new set up. On top of that we're running a 25% off sale. Let me know if you have any questions.


Gains to be had with a slip-on, tested that?
mx_563
Posts
2197
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
9/1/2015 9:04am
RiverockMX wrote:
Prices always better East. West coast a good deal is 87-8800 OTD
Thanks, I'm probably going to hit up my local dealer soon. Nothing is cheap in Nor-Cal though Sad
DL
Posts
2627
Joined
8/20/2006
Location
Menifee, CA, USA
9/1/2015 9:06am
RiverockMX wrote:
Gains to be had with a slip-on, tested that?
Less than the full system of course and it sounds much better.
Justin345
Posts
643
Joined
6/26/2014
Location
Southern MD, MD, USA
9/1/2015 9:16am
mxrider38 wrote:
Delmarva powersports! It was $7800 but by the time Maryland stabbed me with taxes it got up to 8300. I was going to buy from Romney...
Delmarva powersports! It was $7800 but by the time Maryland stabbed me with taxes it got up to 8300. I was going to buy from Romney cycles because they were @8000 and no taxes but Delmarva had one first.
Chuck is an awesome guy. When I bought my '15, I wanted to buy from him but unfortunately because of MD taxes, he couldn't compete (not just him, no dealer in MD could compete) with me buying it out of state. Picked up my '15 3 weeks after they hit the showroom floor last year for $7500 OTD from Rydersville cycle in WV by Tomahawk MX. Have to pay cash to get the deal though. Now they're selling left over '15's for $6300 OTD. I'll be buying a leftover '16 this time next year.

Keep the reviews on these new '16's coming!
mxrider38
Posts
13
Joined
8/31/2015
Location
Mechanicsville, MD, USA
9/1/2015 9:20am
I dealt with Paul @delmarva. Romney doesn't require cash to do the $8000 otd.
9/1/2015 9:33am
RiverockMX wrote:
Prices always better East. West coast a good deal is 87-8800 OTD
mx_563 wrote:
Thanks, I'm probably going to hit up my local dealer soon. Nothing is cheap in Nor-Cal though Sad
mx_563 - hit up Power Motorsports in Oregon if your in NorCal, heard their prices are really good.
9/1/2015 10:07am Edited Date/Time 9/1/2015 10:14am
Picked my 2016 450 up last week 3 rides on it now.
I have rode KTM 450s since 04 with a new bike every 2 years. I just came from a 2012 KTM 450, last of the carb bikes. I bought that in 2013 it was an awesome bike.

The reason for the change of brand is that Kawasaki are the only bike on the market now which suits guys over 6 foot. I'm 6'2 and the new KTM, Husky, Honda all feel like pit bikes when I get on them with the transition from sitting to standing being my biggest complaint due to the bend in the leg.

My honest opinion of the Kawa is that it's an awesome bike, the layout of the bike fits me perfect with the foot pegs in the lower position. The bike is light and slim very easy to move around on. On the track the bike is light and will go where you want, very very easy to go for an inside line and put it in there even off of jumps. I really like the handling and planted feel of the bike very confidence inspiring. The suspension felt a bit harsh for me on initial stroke but bottomed easy, but I put that down to needing set up for me and it's going in for that work in couple of days.

Coming from the KTM I used to put that bike in 3rd and leave it there, such was the spread of power on the bike very torquey. The kawa I feel has good power but does sign off very early I think with the white plug. The green plug is slightly better but still doesn't hold the gear for as long as I would like, especially mid to top end power and I felt myself having to use the gears a lot 2nd 3rd 4th. I describe it a bit as lights switch like was either on or off, maybe just me needing to get used to the FI but I think I might need a pipe and also one of the tuning boxes to make my own maps.

All in all I do really like the bike and just need to get it right for me. As far handling and feel I can't fault the bike as I say will turn like its on rails and really inspires confidence to charge hard into turns and not push the front end. As I say the bike is totally standard just now and feels really good. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the bike to anyone
mx_563
Posts
2197
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
9/1/2015 10:17am
RiverockMX wrote:
mx_563 - hit up Power Motorsports in Oregon if your in NorCal, heard their prices are really good.
I’ll check em’ out but they’re over 600 miles away so delivery might even things out with a local shop.

Man, I’m still a little nervous about that SFF TAC.
Justin345
Posts
643
Joined
6/26/2014
Location
Southern MD, MD, USA
9/1/2015 10:44am
mx_563 wrote:
I’ll check em’ out but they’re over 600 miles away so delivery might even things out with a local shop. Man, I’m still a little nervous...
I’ll check em’ out but they’re over 600 miles away so delivery might even things out with a local shop.

Man, I’m still a little nervous about that SFF TAC.
Don't be. I had pro circuit set mine up and they worked almost as well as an older style spring showa A kit that I have.
9/1/2015 12:44pm
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/09/01/103691/s1200_IMG_1563.jpg[/img] Have a few rides on it and love it! FMF pipe on the way, plus a lot more

Have a few rides on it and love it!
FMF pipe on the way, plus a lot more

I must say, i'm a KTM guy but that bike looks awesome! Kinda makes me want to go to kawi demo day Smile
xr70
Posts
912
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
La crescenta, CA, USA
9/1/2015 4:29pm
MXD wrote:
Low on power and he traded it for a Honda? Interesting.
Justin345 wrote:
I almost wrote the exact same thing. I'm having a hard time taking that guys post seriously.
Honestly, I am just saying what I saw at the track. From my personal opinion, I rode the Kawi and it didn’t seem so bad. The power was mello, but had more than the Honda. The fork wasn’t that bad, however I did experience the whining from the clutch and the gap between 3rd and 4th. Then I test rode the Husky and that just wasn’t my thing at all. I think the Kawi could be made into a good bike with several modifications !
9/1/2015 4:36pm
Bikes are finally starting to look really good to my eyes. When I got back into mx in 2011, there was hardly any plastic on the damn things and I had trouble differentiating brands since all I could see were frame spars. The kawis and new huskys look nice.
Carlos Z
Posts
144
Joined
12/3/2013
Location
Phoenix, AZ, USA
9/1/2015 7:17pm
Im 6'2 and got the KX for the same reason that it's comfy for tall guys. I think all the new bikes are great just like roomy cockpit of the kawi the most.
Bressler11
Posts
383
Joined
9/7/2014
Location
Lock Haven, PA, USA
9/1/2015 7:18pm
Cernics Prices

$5,999 for a 2015 Kx 450f! Plus Tax And Tags of Course
Reggsie
Posts
210
Joined
11/12/2014
Location
Brisbane, AU
9/1/2015 7:26pm
Bikes are finally starting to look really good to my eyes. When I got back into mx in 2011, there was hardly any plastic on the...
Bikes are finally starting to look really good to my eyes. When I got back into mx in 2011, there was hardly any plastic on the damn things and I had trouble differentiating brands since all I could see were frame spars. The kawis and new huskys look nice.
You and I have vastly different ideas on what looks good! That's okay though, its cool that there's a style out there for everyone these days.
9/1/2015 7:47pm
Reggsie wrote:
You and I have vastly different ideas on what looks good! That's okay though, its cool that there's a style out there for everyone these days.
Im a fan of more plastic coverage Smile
MXD
Posts
2710
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
9/2/2015 5:56am
Bressler11 wrote:
Cernics Prices

$5,999 for a 2015 Kx 450f! Plus Tax And Tags of Course
Don't forget the little asterisk next to the price. If you scroll to the bottom of the page it is described as the following:

*Price, if shown, does not include government fees, taxes, dealer freight/preparation, dealer document preparation charges or any finance charges (if applicable). Final actual sales price will vary depending on options or accessories selected.

I bet that's good for a nice little unexpected bump at the closing. With the current rebates on that bike ($500), I can tell you that the dealer would be taking a loss at anything under roughly $7050 (give or take a few bucks). Maybe they are willing to take a loss, I don't know but I would tend to doubt it.
Magic Man
Posts
227
Joined
12/9/2010
Location
Albuquerque, NM, USA
9/2/2015 6:12am
I have about 3 hours on my 2016 KX450 and love it. I was skeptical of the air fork coming off of spring forks, but am no more. The adjustability is insane, all it takes is a little patience and time finding what feels good. I just came off a 2015 Husqvarna FC 350 with Factory Connection suspension and before that a 2014 Yz 450 with a Race Tech set up on it. I feel the stock kawii Showa stuff is better then my Husky FC tuned bike and as good as my YZ with Race Tech. I can only imagine with a little help from one of the suspension shops what this bike could feel like. This bike corners great and is just super comfortable for me and the motor is super easy to ride. All I've done to it so far is put Renthal 971 Twin Walls and a 51 tooth sprocket and new chain on it. I'm 5'10 165lbs and race 30A and run at the front locally and have made it to Lorettas a few times just to give a bit of my riding history. I've ridden a lot of bikes and have to say this one is beginning to rank near the top without any real goodies added to it.
mx_563
Posts
2197
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
9/2/2015 7:35am
Magic Man wrote:
I have about 3 hours on my 2016 KX450 and love it. I was skeptical of the air fork coming off of spring forks, but am...
I have about 3 hours on my 2016 KX450 and love it. I was skeptical of the air fork coming off of spring forks, but am no more. The adjustability is insane, all it takes is a little patience and time finding what feels good. I just came off a 2015 Husqvarna FC 350 with Factory Connection suspension and before that a 2014 Yz 450 with a Race Tech set up on it. I feel the stock kawii Showa stuff is better then my Husky FC tuned bike and as good as my YZ with Race Tech. I can only imagine with a little help from one of the suspension shops what this bike could feel like. This bike corners great and is just super comfortable for me and the motor is super easy to ride. All I've done to it so far is put Renthal 971 Twin Walls and a 51 tooth sprocket and new chain on it. I'm 5'10 165lbs and race 30A and run at the front locally and have made it to Lorettas a few times just to give a bit of my riding history. I've ridden a lot of bikes and have to say this one is beginning to rank near the top without any real goodies added to it.
How's the powerband? I've heard it signs off a bit early. Have you played with the couplers?

Thanks for the insight.

Post a reply to: 2016 KX450 Anybody got one?

The Latest