Should I buy a left over KX450? The answer is yes!

JBecker 72
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4/13/2017 8:48am
Do you have to send it in to remap. Or can you get a tuner or software to do it yourself with the
In the other thread posted above, everyone seemed to recommend sending the ECU to Tokyo Mods for a reflash.
mxb2
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4/13/2017 8:50am
Do you have to send it in to remap. Or can you get a tuner or software to do it yourself with the
You can do both, remap. Or a vortex, or. Use the kawy tool.
byke
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4/13/2017 10:14am
mxandy963 wrote:
Nice bike nolookpass. You nailed it with the color scheme.
+1. He made the ugly boot/leg completely disappear, looks really good.

OP, that's a really good price. Don't think you'd find a new '17 for anywhere near $6800 OTD around here. I'd go for it.
TeamGreen
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4/13/2017 10:24am
Jbulz wrote:
I've got 1 year on my 16 KX and it's been bulletproof. Love the ergos and chassis, it is wayyy narrow like a 125. Suspension is...
I've got 1 year on my 16 KX and it's been bulletproof. Love the ergos and chassis, it is wayyy narrow like a 125. Suspension is really harsh stock though. I ride +25 B Moto.

I'm sending my stuff out to FC this week finally, so hopefully they can improve that.

I don't notice anything really different about air forks and don't mind checking pressure, so I stayed with air.

And I only ever got decel pop a few times when I really rev it out at the end of the straight and brake hard. Doesn't bother me so I don't plan on remapping.
Indy mxer wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/04/13/187630/s1200_2016_450.jpg[/img] I agree. Love mine. This was my first 450 after riding Kawi 250f's for years I'm 5'6" and 155. So I sent my suspension off...


I agree.
Love mine. This was my first 450 after riding Kawi 250f's for years
I'm 5'6" and 155. So I sent my suspension off to FC as soon as I bought it.
I'm very happy with the settings they gave me for the air forks. FC does great work.
The bike is narrow and light. Feels like a 250.

Kawi exhausts are annoyingly loud. I put on an FMF slip-on to shave a couple more pounds and quiet it down.
Overall I'm very happy with the bike.
Nice! That's exactly what I'd go after.

Handling

Noise

Also, I'd swap out the chain, chain-guide and chain rub-block (on swing arm) to good quality units so that you don't have any unwanted chain-slapping-stretching-damage to your drive-train and swing arm. I run the axle towards the back of the adjustment and I play with the fork height to tune the handling from one track to another. This bike REALLY appreciates VP T4.

Good luck!

The Shop

Indy mxer
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4/13/2017 11:12am
PRM31 wrote:
You mentioned better for taller riders. Does it not fit us shorter folks as well? I'm 5' 8", short legs... Considering a 450 just to do...
You mentioned better for taller riders. Does it not fit us shorter folks as well? I'm 5' 8", short legs...

Considering a 450 just to do something different and the Kawi interests me.
JBecker 72 wrote:
From what I understand, it's just more adjustable than other bikes. So it fits a wider range of people.
It fits me fine. As I said I'm 5'6'. But I did cut my seat foam so I could touch with both feet. lol
JoJmoto
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4/13/2017 5:22pm
Thanks for the info guys..

Lane is recovering from knee surgery and we sold his Kx250f so we are bikeless until September or so. I will be looking for a 450 to move him up to once he is back and released.
MXD
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4/13/2017 6:43pm
I had a 16 and sold it to buy a 17, that's how much I enjoy this bike. It's a great machine.

nytsmaC
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4/13/2017 10:04pm
How do you tall guys like the new gen ergos compared to the previous, or pre-09 CRF450?

I can get a new 17 for $5900 and it's tempting but I'm 6'6 and seem to recall some people saying it is a smaller feeling bike.
SteezGeez
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Fullerton, CA, USA
4/13/2017 10:37pm
Del Amo Motorsports of Orange County is selling the 2017 KX450 for $5,999. I wish I was in the the market for a bike because I would get it. I just got my 2009 KX450F motor rebuilt so I'm chilling on a new bike for a while but that's a killer deal.
JBecker 72
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4/14/2017 1:15pm
Well, I did it. Wound up with a 16 from another local dealer. Got what I feel is a great deal. They sold me the bike for $6000 plus tax.

watson.robin
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4/14/2017 1:21pm
Congrats man, best of luck with it. I'm sure you'll be happy with her.
It's a different animal to a YZ250, but give it some time and I'm sure you'll adapt.
mxb2
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4/14/2017 1:23pm
JBecker 72 wrote:
Well, I did it. Wound up with a 16 from another local dealer. Got what I feel is a great deal. They sold me the bike...
Well, I did it. Wound up with a 16 from another local dealer. Got what I feel is a great deal. They sold me the bike for $6000 plus tax.

Niceee,. Congrats. Ride review soon please.
4/14/2017 1:32pm
JBecker 72 wrote:
Well, I did it. Wound up with a 16 from another local dealer. Got what I feel is a great deal. They sold me the bike...
Well, I did it. Wound up with a 16 from another local dealer. Got what I feel is a great deal. They sold me the bike for $6000 plus tax.

congrats on the new bike! Let us know what you think of it
JBecker 72
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4/14/2017 2:00pm
I can say this after a short ride in the yard. It has some power. Feels pretty good though. I'm gonna be dropping the suspension off to my guy this week probably. Will be going with a spring conversion and revalve up front and revalve in the back.

Got a service manual on order. Will be tearing the bike down and greasing things once I get that. Don't have the torque values yet.
JBecker 72
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4/14/2017 2:02pm
Oh, and lifting it on the stand it feels so light. And it is very easy to start. A half ass kick was all it took.

Also think it's geared too tall. Gonna add a tooth to the rear for sure.
watson.robin
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4/14/2017 2:58pm
JBecker 72 wrote:
I can say this after a short ride in the yard. It has some power. Feels pretty good though. I'm gonna be dropping the suspension off...
I can say this after a short ride in the yard. It has some power. Feels pretty good though. I'm gonna be dropping the suspension off to my guy this week probably. Will be going with a spring conversion and revalve up front and revalve in the back.

Got a service manual on order. Will be tearing the bike down and greasing things once I get that. Don't have the torque values yet.
Hopefully I'm not preaching to the converted here but figured these points are worth sharing in case you don't know.

I would definitely put a few hours ride time on your suspension before sending it off, even if the forks are having internals changed, your shock will benefit from being used before being revalved.

My last few bikes (08 & 09 KXF's 10 RMZ, 14 SXF, 15 & 16 CRF 450's) didn't need grease, they were all pretty well taken care of, linkage, swingarm and head stock. No harm, but not value add.

Lastly RE the gearing, they've got so much power, I really doubt you'll need a one tooth bigger back sprocket. In addition the KXF's are known to chew through chain guides, particularly the bottom one at the rear sprocket, that and going a tooth bigger makes that problem even worse than it already was.
I milled out the holes in both of mine to elongate them and drop the guide 1.5-2mm and that helped a lot!
ed921reyes
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4/14/2017 4:41pm
JBecker 72 wrote:
I can say this after a short ride in the yard. It has some power. Feels pretty good though. I'm gonna be dropping the suspension off...
I can say this after a short ride in the yard. It has some power. Feels pretty good though. I'm gonna be dropping the suspension off to my guy this week probably. Will be going with a spring conversion and revalve up front and revalve in the back.

Got a service manual on order. Will be tearing the bike down and greasing things once I get that. Don't have the torque values yet.
didnt you listen to the pulp show 2 weeks ago? you dont need to take your new bike part and grease it its fine.
put some hours on the suspension before sending it off

both keefer and pingree said that
mx510
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4/14/2017 4:57pm
As soon as you can order the TM designworks chain roller/guide set up. The OEM Kawi stuff is garbage, other than those things, great bikes. I still love my 2015.
mxandy963
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4/14/2017 7:03pm
JBecker 72 wrote:
I can say this after a short ride in the yard. It has some power. Feels pretty good though. I'm gonna be dropping the suspension off...
I can say this after a short ride in the yard. It has some power. Feels pretty good though. I'm gonna be dropping the suspension off to my guy this week probably. Will be going with a spring conversion and revalve up front and revalve in the back.

Got a service manual on order. Will be tearing the bike down and greasing things once I get that. Don't have the torque values yet.
Hopefully I'm not preaching to the converted here but figured these points are worth sharing in case you don't know. I would definitely put a few...
Hopefully I'm not preaching to the converted here but figured these points are worth sharing in case you don't know.

I would definitely put a few hours ride time on your suspension before sending it off, even if the forks are having internals changed, your shock will benefit from being used before being revalved.

My last few bikes (08 & 09 KXF's 10 RMZ, 14 SXF, 15 & 16 CRF 450's) didn't need grease, they were all pretty well taken care of, linkage, swingarm and head stock. No harm, but not value add.

Lastly RE the gearing, they've got so much power, I really doubt you'll need a one tooth bigger back sprocket. In addition the KXF's are known to chew through chain guides, particularly the bottom one at the rear sprocket, that and going a tooth bigger makes that problem even worse than it already was.
I milled out the holes in both of mine to elongate them and drop the guide 1.5-2mm and that helped a lot!
I agree with watson.robin. Just think of your inner air chamber as your spring rate. Your outer chamber as your oil volume, and your balance chamber as a pressure spring. To be quite honest I really like the TAC fork. Give it a shot. My tip is to always run 20-22 psi more in your balance chamber(the one at the bottom). Once you find your spring(air) rate stick to it. Adjust clickers to track conditions. On the gearing, I added a tooth. Went to a 51. This way I can run third on the entire track. Give the air fork a shot. It's not that bad. I run 175/5.5/196. 6'3" 195lbs. Shit!! Almost forgot, congratulations. You'll love the bike
JBecker 72
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4/14/2017 7:03pm Edited Date/Time 4/14/2017 7:04pm
The chain guide and slider are gonna be replaced right away.

Regarding gearing, it just feels really tall to me. Will probably try a 51 rear at least.

On the chassis grease, I'm still gonna check it. My Yamaha was real bad stock. I usually grease my bikes mid way through the season anyway. I'm used to it by now.

Hadn't heard about the suspension needing some time before getting setup. What's the reasoning for that?
Braap19
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Swansboro, NC, USA
4/14/2017 7:51pm
JBecker 72 wrote:
The chain guide and slider are gonna be replaced right away. Regarding gearing, it just feels really tall to me. Will probably try a 51 rear...
The chain guide and slider are gonna be replaced right away.

Regarding gearing, it just feels really tall to me. Will probably try a 51 rear at least.

On the chassis grease, I'm still gonna check it. My Yamaha was real bad stock. I usually grease my bikes mid way through the season anyway. I'm used to it by now.

Hadn't heard about the suspension needing some time before getting setup. What's the reasoning for that?
Stick​ with the stock gearing. Its the best way to ride this 450 for a fella like you. Roll on The power and roll off the power, saves the clutch and motor too. You dont want it to wheelie but have traction throughout second and third gear. I promise. I have over 200 hours on a '16.

Breaking in the suspension before sending it off makes all the parts truly go into spec and fit right.
Try the air forks and dont believe the hype on the spring conversations. The air is plenty good
mxandy963
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4/14/2017 7:52pm
On the chassis grease. Grease everything. Trust me. The grease they use lookes like petroleum jelly. Not conducive with mx vs. washing the bike weekly. Use a high pressure water resistant grease. Also WD-40 the spoke nipples after every washing. Keeps them from seizing. Enough about this nonsense!! Go ride that thing tomorrow. You'll love it.
mxandy963
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4/14/2017 8:09pm
Crap, almost forgot. Use Loctite 242(medium strength) on all the bolts connecting the plastic to the chassis. Kawasakis love to leave bolts at the track. Also grab an Outerwares funnel to fill your tank. You'd be amazed at the shit that is in fuel/gas(fuel pump protection).Ok, my last two pennies on this bike. Have fun with it.
Rockinar
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Katy, TX, USA
4/15/2017 12:15am Edited Date/Time 4/15/2017 6:53pm
I just bought a brand new leftover 15' 250F today. Its my first 4 stroke. Never even ridden an F bike before. Gonna test it tomorrow and see what I think. If it does not "WOW" me, I'm going to turn around and sell it and go back to my 16 year old 125 2 stroke. I'm curious to know why out of 25 bikes at the track, I'm probably 1 of 3 two strokes and the only 125. It may be old and slow. But something about the old, vibrating and smokey 125 I just love. Not sold on this green elephant fart machine yet. So tomorrow we will see. My only complaint about the 125 is its hard to ride cause theres no bottom end. Its 10,000 RPM or bust and at my age (40's) that is just tiring. But I'm just addicted to the smoke and ring-ting-ting-ding-ding......



jeffro503
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4/15/2017 12:25am
JBecker 72 wrote:
I can say this after a short ride in the yard. It has some power. Feels pretty good though. I'm gonna be dropping the suspension off...
I can say this after a short ride in the yard. It has some power. Feels pretty good though. I'm gonna be dropping the suspension off to my guy this week probably. Will be going with a spring conversion and revalve up front and revalve in the back.

Got a service manual on order. Will be tearing the bike down and greasing things once I get that. Don't have the torque values yet.
ed921reyes wrote:
didnt you listen to the pulp show 2 weeks ago? you dont need to take your new bike part and grease it its fine. put some...
didnt you listen to the pulp show 2 weeks ago? you dont need to take your new bike part and grease it its fine.
put some hours on the suspension before sending it off

both keefer and pingree said that
If they said that....then I call complete bullshit on it.

This is my brand new 2017 TC 125 .....with hardly any grease what so ever. You could damn near spin them on the stem. The rear linkage wasn't any better. Always....Always!! Grease your new bike! At least check the god damned thing.



mingham97
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4/15/2017 1:28am
jeffro503 wrote:
If they said that....then I call complete bullshit on it. This is my brand new 2017 TC 125 .....with hardly any grease what so ever. You...
If they said that....then I call complete bullshit on it.

This is my brand new 2017 TC 125 .....with hardly any grease what so ever. You could damn near spin them on the stem. The rear linkage wasn't any better. Always....Always!! Grease your new bike! At least check the god damned thing.



Was following your build in the other thread. It was a great build and would love to see more like that so props to you. But I feel like that is adequate grease, you also gotta consider how much left is is the steering stem. Think about it from the MFG point of view...is it worth saving $5 worth of grease to risk have the customer back in 10 hours upset because all of their bearings need replacing??
JBecker 72
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4/15/2017 3:35am
jeffro503 wrote:
If they said that....then I call complete bullshit on it. This is my brand new 2017 TC 125 .....with hardly any grease what so ever. You...
If they said that....then I call complete bullshit on it.

This is my brand new 2017 TC 125 .....with hardly any grease what so ever. You could damn near spin them on the stem. The rear linkage wasn't any better. Always....Always!! Grease your new bike! At least check the god damned thing.



mingham97 wrote:
Was following your build in the other thread. It was a great build and would love to see more like that so props to you. But...
Was following your build in the other thread. It was a great build and would love to see more like that so props to you. But I feel like that is adequate grease, you also gotta consider how much left is is the steering stem. Think about it from the MFG point of view...is it worth saving $5 worth of grease to risk have the customer back in 10 hours upset because all of their bearings need replacing??
I disagree about that grease being adequate. It looks incredibly dry to me. Also, they use the cheapest type of grease on these it seems.

But, I think I might take mine to the track tomorrow and check it out. Gonna pick up an hour meter today and probably some new grips. The factory ones feel terrible, and I'm a big fan of the ODI lock on grips.
Markee
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4/15/2017 4:48am
Where you riding up there?

BTW. My buddy has a 16 and he did the spring conversion with Chad at Total Control. He loves it.
JBecker 72
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4/15/2017 8:03am
Markee wrote:
Where you riding up there?

BTW. My buddy has a 16 and he did the spring conversion with Chad at Total Control. He loves it.
Going to this local practice track in Partlow called Whitten MX.

And everyone seems to really like the spring conversions.
JBecker 72
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4/15/2017 8:50am Edited Date/Time 4/15/2017 10:04pm
So far I've ordered the following:

Acerbis 2.0 chain guide and slider
Galfer front and rear brake hoses
Sunstar MXR1 gold chain and 51T rear sprocket
A wireless hour meter
ODI lock on grips
Works Connection radiator braces and skid plate
And a Ride Engineering green brake hose clamp

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