2019 Kawasaki KX450F Info Released

TBO
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81
Joined
11/18/2013
Location
Powell, OH, USA
6/13/2018 6:57am
Anyone know how you will adjust the valves? Are their just shims under the followers? Oh yeah I want one!!!
kkawboy14
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6/13/2018 7:09am
MxKing809 wrote:
Mmmmm..... spring forks Cool
A-kit
kkawboy14
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6/13/2018 7:12am Edited Date/Time 6/13/2018 7:13am
NEW Kawasaki’s first electric start motocross bike
NEW hydraulic clutch
NEW longer exhaust header pipe
NEW A-kit style suspension
NEW 89hp motor
NEW easily jumps sx triples
NEW quads no problem
NEW 132 pound 450
NEW KTM killer
NEW ML picks this bike as 2019s #1 bike Smile
kkawboy14
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6/13/2018 7:19am
JBecker 72 wrote:
Being 6’1” with long legs and not as limber as I was in my twenties, the lower peg mounts are a nice touch. After moving the...
Being 6’1” with long legs and not as limber as I was in my twenties, the lower peg mounts are a nice touch. After moving the pegs down and the bars forward on my 16, I have tons of room. When I get back on my YZ250 I feel cramped in comparison.
Paul333 wrote:
I could not agree more. At 6' I loved being able to drop the pegs and bars forward on my 2012 KXF450. It was a complete...
I could not agree more.

At 6' I loved being able to drop the pegs and bars forward on my 2012 KXF450. It was a complete game changer ergonomics wise.

Do you guys run your mounts in the forward position? I can't get comfortable with the bars that far forward. Makes the front end feel very...
Do you guys run your mounts in the forward position? I can't get comfortable with the bars that far forward. Makes the front end feel very unpredictable for me and downright sketchy.
My pegs are low and back, my handlebars are low and all the way forward. I’m 6’

The Shop

Paul333
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Virginia Beach, VA, USA
6/13/2018 7:21am
JBecker 72 wrote:
Being 6’1” with long legs and not as limber as I was in my twenties, the lower peg mounts are a nice touch. After moving the...
Being 6’1” with long legs and not as limber as I was in my twenties, the lower peg mounts are a nice touch. After moving the pegs down and the bars forward on my 16, I have tons of room. When I get back on my YZ250 I feel cramped in comparison.
Paul333 wrote:
I could not agree more. At 6' I loved being able to drop the pegs and bars forward on my 2012 KXF450. It was a complete...
I could not agree more.

At 6' I loved being able to drop the pegs and bars forward on my 2012 KXF450. It was a complete game changer ergonomics wise.

Do you guys run your mounts in the forward position? I can't get comfortable with the bars that far forward. Makes the front end feel very...
Do you guys run your mounts in the forward position? I can't get comfortable with the bars that far forward. Makes the front end feel very unpredictable for me and downright sketchy.
I did for sure. Like others have said you also have the bar mounts themselves for adjustment. Switch them one direction for more room, the other for less.

I personally preferred using the most forward mount position, and the mounts themselves in the shorter direction, pegs dropped low.
6/13/2018 8:13am
Paul333 wrote:
I did for sure. Like others have said you also have the bar mounts themselves for adjustment. Switch them one direction for more room, the other...
I did for sure. Like others have said you also have the bar mounts themselves for adjustment. Switch them one direction for more room, the other for less.

I personally preferred using the most forward mount position, and the mounts themselves in the shorter direction, pegs dropped low.
Yeah, I have the mounts forward in the back hole with bars rolled back from even with the forks. Was just curious if anyone actually used the front hole. I ride over the front a lot and using the front hole puts too much weight over the front end for me. Same as if I roll my bars more upright.
dmm698
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955
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USA
6/13/2018 8:18am
dmm698 wrote:
ML512 or anyone in the know on these - all this rave about “A-kit” like forks and shock. If I took my 2016 kx450 with pc...
ML512 or anyone in the know on these - all this rave about “A-kit” like forks and shock. If I took my 2016 kx450 with pc spring a kit forks and shock, copied the PC valving from the kit to this new stock stuff, am I going to yield the same results (assuming settings are similar between chassis? IE a 19 doesn’t require something totally different than a 16). I’m assuming since the shock is offset there’s no way my 16 a kit will fit a 19. The forks may work if I use old wheel an axle (looks like diff axle sizes)?

I ask because compared to all the stock revalved stuff I’ve ridden the a kit shock is hands down the best feeling one I’ve ridden once setup for me (no, not the placebo effect because I tried it with the valving it originally had and it sucked). It’s planted and feels dead, never does anything funny. Square edge chop in ruts is like non existent. Forks are also super plush but firm. Or am I better off trying to source an a kit body that’ll fit a 19 and dropping my internals/shaft in as well as Clevis if it’ll fit and running an older wheel with my forks?
drt410 wrote:
This bike now has 49mm forks like the factory forks.
The difference between a set of Kit forks and a set of 49mm production forks is closer than ever before, but to call them the same is probably a super stretch. Thats why I was looking for somebody who really knows works forks like ML512 to tell me, if I move the shim stack from my True PC A kit forks and true PC kit shock, to this new Stock "a kit want to be", and all else remains the same, will the performance be the same. Just because the shock has the larger HSC adjuster doesnt mean it has the 18mm shaft, with the rebound separator built into it like the a kit shock does.
If you havent ridden a true kit shock set up for you then I dont think you'd understand. THe difference is noticeable, and anybody who has had the luxury of riding kit stuff set up for them would agree.
JoJmoto
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1783
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11/8/2006
Location
Clarkesville, GA, USA
6/13/2018 11:23am
I think it will be a better bike but dang it.. I wish it cost just a little more...
6/13/2018 5:30pm
Media have been riding this bike all day and I've not seen one first impressions, or anyone tweet a first thoughts to give us idea of its any good or shit? Been waiting all day to hear if its good or not. Gonna go bed now and hopefully something will be up tomoz
Steadman
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680
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11/23/2014
Location
CA
6/13/2018 5:50pm
mx_phreek wrote:
Media have been riding this bike all day and I've not seen one first impressions, or anyone tweet a first thoughts to give us idea of...
Media have been riding this bike all day and I've not seen one first impressions, or anyone tweet a first thoughts to give us idea of its any good or shit? Been waiting all day to hear if its good or not. Gonna go bed now and hopefully something will be up tomoz
MXP Magazine (Canadian) via Instagram says 'handles like a dream and is very rider friendly'
MBR
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9/1/2011
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FI
6/13/2018 5:50pm Edited Date/Time 6/13/2018 5:53pm
It is good! It is a huge step from previous generation, especially how well it turns. I love the spring forks and the throttle response is really crisp and makes it easy to hop over whoops and other stuff. Overall the bike feels modern and compact. Hydralic clutch is not my thing as it doesn’t offer same feel as cable one. Also rear brake was a little too grabby for my taste. The KX450F going to fight for shootout wins later this year.
6/13/2018 5:52pm
JoJmoto wrote:
I think it will be a better bike but dang it.. I wish it cost just a little more...
Laughing
ML512
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17078
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12/28/2008
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Wildomar, CA, USA
Fantasy
6/13/2018 6:01pm
mx_phreek wrote:
Media have been riding this bike all day and I've not seen one first impressions, or anyone tweet a first thoughts to give us idea of...
Media have been riding this bike all day and I've not seen one first impressions, or anyone tweet a first thoughts to give us idea of its any good or shit? Been waiting all day to hear if its good or not. Gonna go bed now and hopefully something will be up tomoz
Our video is being edited now and I'm about to record some extra thoughts on audio.
nascarnate326
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3008
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11/3/2014
Location
Charlotte, MI, USA
6/13/2018 6:17pm
mx_phreek wrote:
Media have been riding this bike all day and I've not seen one first impressions, or anyone tweet a first thoughts to give us idea of...
Media have been riding this bike all day and I've not seen one first impressions, or anyone tweet a first thoughts to give us idea of its any good or shit? Been waiting all day to hear if its good or not. Gonna go bed now and hopefully something will be up tomoz
ML512 wrote:
Our video is being edited now and I'm about to record some extra thoughts on audio.
Our video is being edited now and I'm about to record some extra thoughts on audio.
Crazy that we live in a time when we expect videos/podcasts hours after the guys get to ride them lol
ML512
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Fantasy
6/13/2018 6:38pm
mx_phreek wrote:
Media have been riding this bike all day and I've not seen one first impressions, or anyone tweet a first thoughts to give us idea of...
Media have been riding this bike all day and I've not seen one first impressions, or anyone tweet a first thoughts to give us idea of its any good or shit? Been waiting all day to hear if its good or not. Gonna go bed now and hopefully something will be up tomoz
ML512 wrote:
Our video is being edited now and I'm about to record some extra thoughts on audio.
Our video is being edited now and I'm about to record some extra thoughts on audio.
Crazy that we live in a time when we expect videos/podcasts hours after the guys get to ride them lol
Crazy that we live in a time when we expect videos/podcasts hours after the guys get to ride them lol
I’m just posting two other things then I’ll record my thoughts and build the Kawi post.

The only bikes I’ve bought with my own money were Kawasakis, so to say today was exciting for me was an understatement.
DB97
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1179
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Orlando, FL, USA
6/13/2018 7:18pm
What kind of prices have you guys gotten so far OTD?
280driver
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902
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3/22/2017
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USA
6/13/2018 8:37pm
Keefer’s pod cast is up and it sounds like the new Kawi is a winner folks.
NeedMoto
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8/6/2015
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Penn Valley, CA, USA
6/13/2018 9:18pm
280driver wrote:
Keefer’s pod cast is up and it sounds like the new Kawi is a winner folks.
I concur... just listened to itSmile
KDXGarage
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2561
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12/16/2010
Location
USA
6/13/2018 9:29pm
Please notice:

2019 KX250

2019 KX450

Kawasaki has dropped the letter "F" from the previous names.
yz133rider
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5027
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8/1/2013
Location
Avondale, PA, USA
6/13/2018 10:57pm
280driver wrote:
Keefer’s pod cast is up and it sounds like the new Kawi is a winner folks.
NeedMoto wrote:
I concur... just listened to itSmile
Im listening to it now. 55 minutes holy crap. I know they have to plug the sponsors etc. But it feels like so much beating around the bush. Tell me about the damn 450 already
6/14/2018 1:09am
ML512 wrote:
I’m just posting two other things then I’ll record my thoughts and build the Kawi post. The only bikes I’ve bought with my own money were...
I’m just posting two other things then I’ll record my thoughts and build the Kawi post.

The only bikes I’ve bought with my own money were Kawasakis, so to say today was exciting for me was an understatement.
Looking forward to it, I wasn't bagging on you guys. Just there was nothing out there to give a clue like a little tweet to bikes good, look for full impression tonight kind of stuff by anyone lol. Been looking forward to this just got little excited lol.
Helder
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1044
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5/16/2015
Location
AU
6/14/2018 1:24am
KDXGarage wrote:
Please notice:

2019 KX250

2019 KX450

Kawasaki has dropped the letter "F" from the previous names.
welcome to last week rookie.....
opyguy
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589
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8/22/2016
Location
Boston, MA, USA
6/14/2018 6:32am
Pat Foster is back (love his reviews)
good review over at Transworld
BobPA
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8339
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10/31/2013
Location
USA
6/14/2018 6:36am
280driver wrote:
Keefer’s pod cast is up and it sounds like the new Kawi is a winner folks.
NeedMoto wrote:
I concur... just listened to itSmile
yz133rider wrote:
Im listening to it now. 55 minutes holy crap. I know they have to plug the sponsors etc. But it feels like so much beating around...
Im listening to it now. 55 minutes holy crap. I know they have to plug the sponsors etc. But it feels like so much beating around the bush. Tell me about the damn 450 already
I miss being able to read articles. Why do I want to watch a 15+ minute video when I could read the same info in 3.
pete24
Posts
2733
Joined
10/20/2011
Location
Marlborough, MA, USA
6/14/2018 6:39am
i listened to the podcast holy crap at minute 48 he started talking about the bike
flomiester
Posts
187
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2/10/2012
Location
Elwell, MI, USA
6/14/2018 6:49am
TBO wrote:
Anyone know how you will adjust the valves? Are their just shims under the followers? Oh yeah I want one!!!
It uses shims just like the Honda
early
Posts
10103
Joined
2/13/2013
Location
University Heights, OH, USA
6/14/2018 7:03am Edited Date/Time 6/14/2018 7:04am
NeedMoto wrote:
I concur... just listened to itSmile
yz133rider wrote:
Im listening to it now. 55 minutes holy crap. I know they have to plug the sponsors etc. But it feels like so much beating around...
Im listening to it now. 55 minutes holy crap. I know they have to plug the sponsors etc. But it feels like so much beating around the bush. Tell me about the damn 450 already
BobPA wrote:
I miss being able to read articles. Why do I want to watch a 15+ minute video when I could read the same info in 3.
I miss being able to read articles. Why do I want to watch a 15+ minute video when I could read the same info in 3.
Articles still exist, the readers have forgotten about them.
http://pulpmx.com/2018/06/14/keefer-tested-10-things-about-the-2019-kx4…
H4L
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2595
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3/18/2016
Location
USA
6/14/2018 7:06am
Just read the info on the new 19 Kawi.. It looks like it will be a 450 contender for the # 1 podium spot in the shootouts.
ricko
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9/6/2011
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bfe, PA, USA
Fantasy
6/14/2018 7:47am
Transworld reporting best 450 Kawi has ever produced.
280driver
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902
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3/22/2017
Location
USA
6/14/2018 7:51am
Everything I️’ve read or watched has been a rave review. I’d bet Eli can’t wait for the race bike to be ready.

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