2019 Kawasaki KX450F Info Released

Slaughter612s 6/15/2018 7:27am
6/15/2018 7:27am
Bike looks great. Exciting for the sport. The prices bikes are getting to are always going to be a hot topic. I have found 2018 for below 5k if your not into spending 10. Pretty impressive if you dont need the latest and greatest. 2019 on the other hand looks great and cant wait to ride one.
make1go
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make1go 6/15/2018 7:57am
6/15/2018 7:57am Edited Date/Time 6/15/2018 8:00am
finally a full blown attempt at knockong off the ktm/hus dominance, nice one kawi!

( i didnt believe the honda won the recent shootouts)
bvm111
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bvm111 6/15/2018 8:05am
6/15/2018 8:05am
The only thing I can complain about is I was hoping it would have the ability to adjust the ECU via a phone app like the YZ. The couplers don’t really do anything for me and I will still have to send it out for a reflash when I add a pipe. Other than that the last time I was this excited about a bike was when the 97 CR250 came out!
yz133rider
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yz133rider 6/15/2018 8:09am
6/15/2018 8:09am
make1go wrote:
finally a full blown attempt at knockong off the ktm/hus dominance, nice one kawi!

( i didnt believe the honda won the recent shootouts)
Yes its funny to me the 17 crf450 didnt win any shootouts. They gained a few lbs and made mapping changes for 18 and they win in 18. Get outta here lol

The Shop

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RoflCopter726 6/15/2018 8:10am
6/15/2018 8:10am
bvm111 wrote:
The only thing I can complain about is I was hoping it would have the ability to adjust the ECU via a phone app like the...
The only thing I can complain about is I was hoping it would have the ability to adjust the ECU via a phone app like the YZ. The couplers don’t really do anything for me and I will still have to send it out for a reflash when I add a pipe. Other than that the last time I was this excited about a bike was when the 97 CR250 came out!
Just wanted to say that KX250 in your avatar is super fresh bvm111, I wish I still had my 2005 Sad
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WCRider 6/15/2018 9:34am
6/15/2018 9:34am
Looks like an awesome bike. Well done Kawi.
ML512
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ML512 6/15/2018 9:36am
6/15/2018 9:36am
make1go wrote:
finally a full blown attempt at knockong off the ktm/hus dominance, nice one kawi!

( i didnt believe the honda won the recent shootouts)
yz133rider wrote:
Yes its funny to me the 17 crf450 didnt win any shootouts. They gained a few lbs and made mapping changes for 18 and they win...
Yes its funny to me the 17 crf450 didnt win any shootouts. They gained a few lbs and made mapping changes for 18 and they win in 18. Get outta here lol
Chassis balance, chassis flex, and the suspension settings were improved quite a bit on the 18. The 17 just missed out for a few of us, so the changes on the 18 just pushed it over the line to get the win.
bvm111
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bvm111 6/15/2018 9:39am
6/15/2018 9:39am
bvm111 wrote:
The only thing I can complain about is I was hoping it would have the ability to adjust the ECU via a phone app like the...
The only thing I can complain about is I was hoping it would have the ability to adjust the ECU via a phone app like the YZ. The couplers don’t really do anything for me and I will still have to send it out for a reflash when I add a pipe. Other than that the last time I was this excited about a bike was when the 97 CR250 came out!
RoflCopter726 wrote:
Just wanted to say that KX250 in your avatar is super fresh bvm111, I wish I still had my 2005 Sad
Thank You!

I appreciate it, I found it about 4 years ago in the crate and it has appx 25 hours on it!
BobPA
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BobPA 6/15/2018 9:43am
6/15/2018 9:43am
make1go wrote:
finally a full blown attempt at knockong off the ktm/hus dominance, nice one kawi!

( i didnt believe the honda won the recent shootouts)
yz133rider wrote:
Yes its funny to me the 17 crf450 didnt win any shootouts. They gained a few lbs and made mapping changes for 18 and they win...
Yes its funny to me the 17 crf450 didnt win any shootouts. They gained a few lbs and made mapping changes for 18 and they win in 18. Get outta here lol
ML512 wrote:
Chassis balance, chassis flex, and the suspension settings were improved quite a bit on the 18. The 17 just missed out for a few of us...
Chassis balance, chassis flex, and the suspension settings were improved quite a bit on the 18. The 17 just missed out for a few of us, so the changes on the 18 just pushed it over the line to get the win.
So you are saying the bikes are incredibly close?
jsmi33966
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jsmi33966 6/15/2018 11:49am
6/15/2018 11:49am
MBR wrote:
The KX actually felt lighter and turns easier that KTM or Husky. I think the engine character has lot to do with it besides the changes...
The KX actually felt lighter and turns easier that KTM or Husky. I think the engine character has lot to do with it besides the changes to the chassis.
Another one for "feels lighter".
What happend to the days of "it is actually lighter"
jonboy688
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jonboy688 6/15/2018 12:11pm
6/15/2018 12:11pm
what is the access to the air filter like? basically two bolts to remove side panel? what does it look like under the seat? and is the hour meter standard on them like in the pics?
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grunkster 6/15/2018 12:16pm
6/15/2018 12:16pm
so since 18 crf450 was brought up...MICHAEL....that vs 19 450kx please...:-)
GrapeApe
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GrapeApe 6/15/2018 12:49pm
6/15/2018 12:49pm
MBR wrote:
The KX actually felt lighter and turns easier that KTM or Husky. I think the engine character has lot to do with it besides the changes...
The KX actually felt lighter and turns easier that KTM or Husky. I think the engine character has lot to do with it besides the changes to the chassis.
jsmi33966 wrote:
Another one for "feels lighter".
What happend to the days of "it is actually lighter"
Some people care about how a bike performs on the track, others care about how it performs on paper.
seth505
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seth505 6/15/2018 1:10pm
6/15/2018 1:10pm
2018 is wild, this bike has enough hype already to overtake KTM for the "best fanboys" award
Myke
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Myke 6/15/2018 1:37pm
6/15/2018 1:37pm
grunkster wrote:
so since 18 crf450 was brought up...MICHAEL....that vs 19 450kx please...:-)
Waiting for the '19 crf 1st ride with the updated frame and swingarm.
Jbulz
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Jbulz 6/15/2018 1:52pm
6/15/2018 1:52pm
bultokid wrote:
$9200+ and it gained weight, just crazy to me that we're hitting the $10k zone and the bikes are all weighing closer to 250lbs now....mind blowing...
$9200+ and it gained weight, just crazy to me that we're hitting the $10k zone and the bikes are all weighing closer to 250lbs now....mind blowing but that $3000 1981 Maico is equivalent to $9k today to keep it in perspective


Damn kids
Keep_Riding78
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Keep_Riding78 6/15/2018 1:55pm
6/15/2018 1:55pm
ML512 wrote:
Kris, your post count is currently at 69...you can never post again...Laughing
Keep_Riding78 wrote:
Just want to say to Michael, and Kris Keefer thank you for doing an amazing job talking technically, and with great attitude towards the testing of...
Just want to say to Michael, and Kris Keefer thank you for doing an amazing job talking technically, and with great attitude towards the testing of the new bikes coming out.
I listened to both just recently on the new KX, and I'll have to say great job.
You know what Pat Foster is awesome too.
Kris Keefer wrote:
Thank you! Michael does a good job, Vital is lucky to have him. Pat is an awesome guy and know's what's up!
One more thing Kris I really appreciate when people go out of their way to recognize people for effort.
Basically when you mentioned the two test riders that helped develope the new KX that was very good of you buddy.
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Mx746 6/15/2018 3:37pm
6/15/2018 3:37pm
bultokid wrote:
$9200+ and it gained weight, just crazy to me that we're hitting the $10k zone and the bikes are all weighing closer to 250lbs now....mind blowing...
$9200+ and it gained weight, just crazy to me that we're hitting the $10k zone and the bikes are all weighing closer to 250lbs now....mind blowing but that $3000 1981 Maico is equivalent to $9k today to keep it in perspective
81 Maico 490 with E start would get me talking to the wallet.

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Mx746
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Mx746 6/15/2018 3:44pm
6/15/2018 3:44pm
Why does this bike look like its got soft gncc settings? Not knocking it, but it just looks so soft and undersprung in the video. Im old and slow, so that could actually work in my favor...
Kris Keefer
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Kris Keefer 6/15/2018 4:08pm
6/15/2018 4:08pm
Keep_Riding78 wrote:
Just want to say to Michael, and Kris Keefer thank you for doing an amazing job talking technically, and with great attitude towards the testing of...
Just want to say to Michael, and Kris Keefer thank you for doing an amazing job talking technically, and with great attitude towards the testing of the new bikes coming out.
I listened to both just recently on the new KX, and I'll have to say great job.
You know what Pat Foster is awesome too.
Kris Keefer wrote:
Thank you! Michael does a good job, Vital is lucky to have him. Pat is an awesome guy and know's what's up!
Keep_Riding78 wrote:
One more thing Kris I really appreciate when people go out of their way to recognize people for effort. Basically when you mentioned the two test...
One more thing Kris I really appreciate when people go out of their way to recognize people for effort.
Basically when you mentioned the two test riders that helped develope the new KX that was very good of you buddy.
I appreciate hard work no matter who it is. I know what those guys must have gone through so I thought it was fitting to give them appreciation.
MBR
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MBR 6/15/2018 5:01pm
6/15/2018 5:01pm Edited Date/Time 6/15/2018 5:02pm
Mx746 wrote:
Why does this bike look like its got soft gncc settings? Not knocking it, but it just looks so soft and undersprung in the video. Im...
Why does this bike look like its got soft gncc settings? Not knocking it, but it just looks so soft and undersprung in the video. Im old and slow, so that could actually work in my favor...
Stock setting was a bit soft even for me (170 lbs intermediate 40+ vet rider), but I went 2 clicks stiffer on compression and rebound on forks and full turn stiffer on high speed on shock. With those small changes the bike was already working pretty good both in corners and jumps at Pala. Pretty much only things that I didn't like was clutch (I like the feeling of cable unit better), rear brake that was a little bit too powerful for my taste and how big the muffler looks (but it sounds so much better than previous years unit).
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coastie44 6/15/2018 7:27pm
6/15/2018 7:27pm
What I find a peculiar is the larger rear brake rotor. I’ve never had a bike that I wanted stronger rear brake. Maybe more progressive I could understand?

And I agree the one thing missing is the handheld mapping tool. If that was available this bike would win every shoot out, at least every shoot out in my own mind!

I told my wife teo days ago that I wasn’t planning to buy a new bike soon. And then this damn thing had to drop. Now I have to go back on my word Kawasaki, I hate you!
Tim507
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Tim507 6/15/2018 7:35pm
6/15/2018 7:35pm
I've been riding KTM for more years than I need to disclose......I rode my sons 2012 KX450 (in 2012) for about 15 minutes and gave it back quickly.......I'm afraid to ride the new KX!
mjbmoto408
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mjbmoto408 6/15/2018 7:39pm
6/15/2018 7:39pm
ML512 do you know the release date
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Travis_Hudson 6/15/2018 7:49pm
6/15/2018 7:49pm
coastie44 wrote:
What I find a peculiar is the larger rear brake rotor. I’ve never had a bike that I wanted stronger rear brake. Maybe more progressive I...
What I find a peculiar is the larger rear brake rotor. I’ve never had a bike that I wanted stronger rear brake. Maybe more progressive I could understand?

And I agree the one thing missing is the handheld mapping tool. If that was available this bike would win every shoot out, at least every shoot out in my own mind!

I told my wife teo days ago that I wasn’t planning to buy a new bike soon. And then this damn thing had to drop. Now I have to go back on my word Kawasaki, I hate you!
I have found during a long moto if you drag the rear brake for handling purposes...a larger rear i imagine would dissipate heat better? Just a thought.
DB97
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DB97 6/15/2018 8:06pm
6/15/2018 8:06pm
mjbmoto408 wrote:
ML512 do you know the release date
I just put a deposit down today they said August.
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H4L 6/16/2018 12:12am
6/16/2018 12:12am
MBR wrote:
The KX actually felt lighter and turns easier that KTM or Husky. I think the engine character has lot to do with it besides the changes...
The KX actually felt lighter and turns easier that KTM or Husky. I think the engine character has lot to do with it besides the changes to the chassis.
jsmi33966 wrote:
Another one for "feels lighter".
What happend to the days of "it is actually lighter"
GrapeApe wrote:
Some people care about how a bike performs on the track, others care about how it performs on paper.
Yep..
Here is another guy saying it "feels lighter".. https://youtu.be/QEW-L2YP17w?t=340

There is a profession that is called engineering.. Centralizing the mass weight seems to be the direction the manufacturers are going on the 450's.
fullfloater 6/16/2018 12:25am
6/16/2018 12:25am
Mx746 wrote:
81 Maico 490 with E start would get me talking to the wallet.
Now that's funny.
Tad450
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Tad450 10/11/2018 3:42pm
10/11/2018 3:42pm
ARC has the 2019 KX450 foldable adjustable levers in stock. I ordered my set through Works Connection. Works Connection old had or carried the Aluminum Levers, not the Memlon Levers. You can get the Memlon Lever through arc levers.
Wish I knew this before I ordered the aluminum from WC.
Anyways the Levers are a perfect fit, both clutch and front brake have a very smooth pull.
Levers were so new they didn't have instructions in the packages yet. So I called arc to verify the install:

Clutch perch and lever install you do not use the stock spring, the kit comes with its own plunger, so remove the stock plunger that is sticking out of the small rubber boot, lube both ends of the new plunger and install it with the ball / mushroom head facing away from the bike, this is the end that will go to you new lever hole / socket, also don't use you stock perch bolt, use the new sleeve and bolt arc provides.

The Levers are thicker than the stock Levers which feels better to me.
Front brake perch and lever install don't use the stock spring here as well and use the sleeve and bolt provided.
I hope this helps.
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