RMZ450 or KXF450

ACMYERS
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ACMYERS
Edited Date/Time 1/26/2012 1:09pm
Are these bikes about the same? We are trying to decide which 450 to buy and it has come down to these two. Any input would be appriciated.

I haven't totally ruled out Honda. I just don't have any exsperience with 450's. We've been on tiddlers and 250f's.
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davis224
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davis224 1/6/2009 5:26am
1/6/2009 5:26am
from what I've heard, RMZ handles just like you'd think a zuk would, is the heaviest but yet somehow feels very light and flickable, a little softer on power, and the Kawi is supposedly a monster on power form idle to redline, and someone told me that if you had a modded out with suspension done as well 07-08 KX, you won't miss it. I haven't ridden either yet, but my friend is getting an RMZ and I'm getting a KX within a month, so if you don't buy by then I'll try to sneak a ride on my friends bike.
FIFIFO
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FIFIFO 1/6/2009 5:32am
1/6/2009 5:32am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 9:49pm
I've owned both bikes(05 & 06 RMZ450...08 KXF450)and loved both. Basically pick a color and go with it.
MXR
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MXR 1/6/2009 5:33am
1/6/2009 5:33am
Don't buy a Yamaha . I have owned alot of bikes over the years and every Yam I have owned has had major engine/trans failures . Yamaha sucks bad , plus they don't back up their product . I will never buy another one .
ACMYERS
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ACMYERS 1/6/2009 5:36am
1/6/2009 5:36am
Yamaha was kind of ruled out because of handling issues that we have heard about. There two strokes were great but, too many people saying the same things about the 4 strokes.



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rocrac
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rocrac 1/6/2009 7:52am
1/6/2009 7:52am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 9:49pm
Sam,

Danny loves his RMZ. It's a 2008 with a 2009 engine. Turns better than any 450 a little short on the top end if you are a rever but it's been an excellent bike maintenance wise. I heard the new Kaw rips I just haven't had good luck with green.
rocrac
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rocrac 1/6/2009 7:53am
1/6/2009 7:53am
CamP
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CamP 1/6/2009 8:54am
1/6/2009 8:54am
Buy an overstock 07 or 08 CRF450. They are better than all the current bikes and you can get a new one for about $1,500-2,000 less than an 09.
zookrider62!
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zookrider62! 1/6/2009 8:59am
1/6/2009 8:59am
CamP wrote:
Buy an overstock 07 or 08 CRF450. They are better than all the current bikes and you can get a new one for about $1,500-2,000 less...
Buy an overstock 07 or 08 CRF450. They are better than all the current bikes and you can get a new one for about $1,500-2,000 less than an 09.
Hey Cam, just wondering where you were getting your bikes from. My original idea was to get a left over 08, but the best deal I found would only have saved me about $800, which wasnt really worth it to me.
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raddad 1/6/2009 9:06am
1/6/2009 9:06am
CamP wrote:
Buy an overstock 07 or 08 CRF450. They are better than all the current bikes and you can get a new one for about $1,500-2,000 less...
Buy an overstock 07 or 08 CRF450. They are better than all the current bikes and you can get a new one for about $1,500-2,000 less than an 09.
zookrider62! wrote:
Hey Cam, just wondering where you were getting your bikes from. My original idea was to get a left over 08, but the best deal I...
Hey Cam, just wondering where you were getting your bikes from. My original idea was to get a left over 08, but the best deal I found would only have saved me about $800, which wasnt really worth it to me.
CamP is right on, i bought a left over 06 in 08 for under 5K and my good buddy just bought an 09 CRF450. I like mine better! Another good friend bought a left over 07 screwlooski and it has been like a rock but it feels funny to ride to me. I have tried all the new EFI bikes and they do not bog or hiccup at all but they respond so damn fast they are hard to get used to for me so i just fixed up my old CRF450 and love it.
CamP
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CamP 1/6/2009 9:07am
1/6/2009 9:07am
zookrider62! wrote:
Hey Cam, just wondering where you were getting your bikes from. My original idea was to get a left over 08, but the best deal I...
Hey Cam, just wondering where you were getting your bikes from. My original idea was to get a left over 08, but the best deal I found would only have saved me about $800, which wasnt really worth it to me.
I've dealt with Bartlesville Cycle Sports in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. They had 07 CRF450's for $5299 plus a $12 documentation fee. No sales tax for out of state buyers. If they are out I'd suggest Shawnee Honda near OKC. They have good deals also and had some old stock CRF's.

www.bartlesvillecyclesports.com
zookrider62!
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zookrider62! 1/6/2009 9:08am
1/6/2009 9:08am
CamP wrote:
Buy an overstock 07 or 08 CRF450. They are better than all the current bikes and you can get a new one for about $1,500-2,000 less...
Buy an overstock 07 or 08 CRF450. They are better than all the current bikes and you can get a new one for about $1,500-2,000 less than an 09.
zookrider62! wrote:
Hey Cam, just wondering where you were getting your bikes from. My original idea was to get a left over 08, but the best deal I...
Hey Cam, just wondering where you were getting your bikes from. My original idea was to get a left over 08, but the best deal I found would only have saved me about $800, which wasnt really worth it to me.
raddad wrote:
CamP is right on, i bought a left over 06 in 08 for under 5K and my good buddy just bought an 09 CRF450. I like...
CamP is right on, i bought a left over 06 in 08 for under 5K and my good buddy just bought an 09 CRF450. I like mine better! Another good friend bought a left over 07 screwlooski and it has been like a rock but it feels funny to ride to me. I have tried all the new EFI bikes and they do not bog or hiccup at all but they respond so damn fast they are hard to get used to for me so i just fixed up my old CRF450 and love it.
My 09 hits immediately but it doesnt seem to rip my arms off, it has mellow enough power for me.

Ive bought left over bikes in years past and always got a smoking deal on them, but no such luck this year
zookrider62!
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zookrider62! 1/6/2009 9:09am
1/6/2009 9:09am
zookrider62! wrote:
Hey Cam, just wondering where you were getting your bikes from. My original idea was to get a left over 08, but the best deal I...
Hey Cam, just wondering where you were getting your bikes from. My original idea was to get a left over 08, but the best deal I found would only have saved me about $800, which wasnt really worth it to me.
CamP wrote:
I've dealt with Bartlesville Cycle Sports in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. They had 07 CRF450's for $5299 plus a $12 documentation fee. No sales tax for out of...
I've dealt with Bartlesville Cycle Sports in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. They had 07 CRF450's for $5299 plus a $12 documentation fee. No sales tax for out of state buyers. If they are out I'd suggest Shawnee Honda near OKC. They have good deals also and had some old stock CRF's.

www.bartlesvillecyclesports.com
Cool deal Cam, my brother is looking for a leftover, I'll let him know. Thanks
The_PU300
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The_PU300 1/6/2009 9:30am
1/6/2009 9:30am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 9:49pm
I have the 09 Kawi and a friend has the 08 with 09 engine RMZ. He says the power is a little low and the gearing doesn't feel right. He took mine for spin at River Valley and liked the KX better. He said the gear box felt spot on, power is much better, and starts easier.


he said the RMZ turns a little better.
AMA714
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AMA714 1/6/2009 9:40am
1/6/2009 9:40am
Try Pro-Source in MI, they might have an 08 RMZ with the new 09 engine. I think you could get on one for $5200 + tax.

I lived and rode Michigan until last year and my personal preference is a CRF just on re-sale alone. I sold 2 CRF 450's in the same time it took my buddy to unload his RMZ and he ended up selling it for a less than me and his was a year newer....(05 crf-06 rmz)
I think the Fuelie bike will hold it value better though.
nc_mx_kid
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nc_mx_kid 1/6/2009 10:17am
1/6/2009 10:17am
GO GREEN!!!!
ijumpdirthills34 1/6/2009 10:25am
1/6/2009 10:25am
the green one is very fast and i thought it felt very light. it handled horible without a set sag but once the sag is set you get them little clickers dialed in it it ready to win bone stock. for my riding style in corners its pinned then locked back brake and then back on the gas and on my dads zuki i have to actually rail the corner or rut
ACMYERS
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ACMYERS 1/7/2009 6:58am
1/7/2009 6:58am
rocrac wrote:
Sam, Danny loves his RMZ. It's a 2008 with a 2009 engine. Turns better than any 450 a little short on the top end if you...
Sam,

Danny loves his RMZ. It's a 2008 with a 2009 engine. Turns better than any 450 a little short on the top end if you are a rever but it's been an excellent bike maintenance wise. I heard the new Kaw rips I just haven't had good luck with green.
is the overrev just a cam issue? how do you cure it? Pipe maybe?

Andy just rode the 09 KXF450 down at monster and said it pulled like crazy all the way through. Of course he wants that. But, we have nothing to compare to.

I figured before I spent the coin I would ask a few of you guys first.

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rocrac
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rocrac 1/7/2009 7:08am
1/7/2009 7:08am
rocrac wrote:
Sam, Danny loves his RMZ. It's a 2008 with a 2009 engine. Turns better than any 450 a little short on the top end if you...
Sam,

Danny loves his RMZ. It's a 2008 with a 2009 engine. Turns better than any 450 a little short on the top end if you are a rever but it's been an excellent bike maintenance wise. I heard the new Kaw rips I just haven't had good luck with green.
ACMYERS wrote:
is the overrev just a cam issue? how do you cure it? Pipe maybe? Andy just rode the 09 KXF450 down at monster and said it...
is the overrev just a cam issue? how do you cure it? Pipe maybe?

Andy just rode the 09 KXF450 down at monster and said it pulled like crazy all the way through. Of course he wants that. But, we have nothing to compare to.

I figured before I spent the coin I would ask a few of you guys first.
Weeks said they remap theirs with a pipe. Danny never hits the rev limiter so it never been an issue for us. Some guys rev the piss out them but the Suk's strength is the low end power and turning capabilites.

All 5 brands are great but being able to get a Suk for about $5,000 is an awesome deal.
Factoryphoto
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Factoryphoto 1/7/2009 7:14am
1/7/2009 7:14am
Ive had every 450 made in the last 3 years..Ive had 3 different 450 in 08 so I have a pretty good unbiased opinion.
The bike I have now is the 09 kx 450.. I love it, it does everything pretty good.. My biggest complaint is it stands up a bit in turns/ruts. I get the suspension done next week and it should cure the turning 90%.. The motor is flat out the best ive had on a 450 since 4 strokes came out.. My 08 Honda was an absolute beast it could run away from you if you were tired. The 08 honda was a great bike. As for the Rmz ive owned an 05-07 I like them, they turn really well have decent suspension and the motors are mellow.. I geared it down adding two teeth to the rear on the rmz to get more bottom end so I can ride more 3rd and 4th gear.My only issue with it was the cylinder flaked and my crank went out also.. Every bike ive owned is maintained perfect id say overkill, oil,air filter,oil filter every single ride no exceptions and the rmz just went bad ..
The 09 Kawi 450 is a bad ass machine I love it, I rode my friends 09 honda 450 back to back and there is a big difference in the motor..Where the kawi gives up in turns it makes up out of corners with the motor.. The motors dont even compare imo.. Once I get the kawi set up right and get it to turn the way I want it should be perfect.
chrisgg90 1/7/2009 9:10am
1/7/2009 9:10am
I did have an RMZ 450 08 and hated it. I was asked to give it a go by the dealer I get help from. but I got rid of it within a month and went back to the KTM 450. I do like the KXF and if needed to move from KTM would get one of them. On saying that my bud had one on lone from a dealer and everyone that rode that was not to keen on the handling .

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