Let's see/review those 2019 kx450s

mnomis484
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mnomis484 5/25/2019 11:31am
5/25/2019 11:31am
Brad_Hewitt wrote:
anyone having starter issues? 19hours on mine battery is toast! replace battery with another one and still nothing, barely turns fuel pump on but battery has...
anyone having starter issues? 19hours on mine battery is toast! replace battery with another one and still nothing, barely turns fuel pump on but battery has 12,6 volts as per the instructions!
50 hours on mine and still starts in a second. Even in winter when i did not start it for about 1 and a half months ( did not even charge the battery) it fired right up. I would say that the Kawi has the best electric starter of all motocross bikes, or maybe i just got lucky on mine Wink
Titan777
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Titan777 5/25/2019 3:18pm
5/25/2019 3:18pm
lawson34 wrote:
Yeah that's exactly how I did mine, polishing is a must if u want those bright colors... yoshimura shade of blue is badass.. some spots on...
Yeah that's exactly how I did mine, polishing is a must if u want those bright colors... yoshimura shade of blue is badass.. some spots on my pipe wouldn't color so I sanded on it a little
Hey, if I torch my titanium foot pegs, will they turn blue \ purple \ gold like the pipe? Could look awesome!
lawson34
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lawson34 5/25/2019 5:43pm
5/25/2019 5:43pm
lawson34 wrote:
Yeah that's exactly how I did mine, polishing is a must if u want those bright colors... yoshimura shade of blue is badass.. some spots on...
Yeah that's exactly how I did mine, polishing is a must if u want those bright colors... yoshimura shade of blue is badass.. some spots on my pipe wouldn't color so I sanded on it a little
Titan777 wrote:
Hey, if I torch my titanium foot pegs, will they turn blue \ purple \ gold like the pipe? Could look awesome!
Yeah titanium is titanium bud polish it really good itll turn out great... don't hold the torch until u see blue when u see bright purple move the flame and watch it then use just enough flame to get the blues
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lawson34
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lawson34 5/25/2019 6:05pm
5/25/2019 6:05pm
Rode at a offroad park today my bike started getting really hot, it got hard to restart at times... the seals got a little damp on the clutch side

The Shop

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lawson34
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lawson34 5/25/2019 6:05pm
5/25/2019 6:05pm Edited Date/Time 5/25/2019 7:35pm
Brad_Hewitt 5/26/2019 3:22am
5/26/2019 3:22am
Brad_Hewitt wrote:
anyone having starter issues? 19hours on mine battery is toast! replace battery with another one and still nothing, barely turns fuel pump on but battery has...
anyone having starter issues? 19hours on mine battery is toast! replace battery with another one and still nothing, barely turns fuel pump on but battery has 12,6 volts as per the instructions!
FortyHat wrote:
Do you use a trickle charger between rides? They sold me one for cheap at the dealership when I bought the bike, and I've heard of...
Do you use a trickle charger between rides? They sold me one for cheap at the dealership when I bought the bike, and I've heard of batteries going dead within 3 rides for some guys that don't charge it. I plug mine in at least every other ride.
starter motor has killed 2 batterys, hooked up car battery and drained that to 7 volts(not ideal), bike turned over once while hooked to car battery but wont even turn over on lithium battery. only thing i can think off is starter is almost ceased and causing high voltage usage. bike goes back to shop on moday
DB97
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DB97 5/26/2019 4:52am
5/26/2019 4:52am
I rode a rougher track yesterday and adding 330 cc of oil in the forks is way better. Also have a 5.2 shock spring and it feels better but static is still off but whatever.
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lawson34
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lawson34 5/26/2019 6:45am
5/26/2019 6:45am
DB97 wrote:
I rode a rougher track yesterday and adding 330 cc of oil in the forks is way better. Also have a 5.2 shock spring and it...
I rode a rougher track yesterday and adding 330 cc of oil in the forks is way better. Also have a 5.2 shock spring and it feels better but static is still off but whatever.
My static has been off since I've had the bike but it feels great to me it was butter yesterday I could put it anywhere I wanted it... People say static is the most important part of the setup, but like I said mine feels great
lawson34
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lawson34 5/26/2019 6:46am
5/26/2019 6:46am
How much different did the 330cc feel was it harsh in the small stuff?
DB97
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DB97 5/26/2019 6:53am
5/26/2019 6:53am
lawson34 wrote:
How much different did the 330cc feel was it harsh in the small stuff?
Not at all. I think the stock oil levers are screwy like others have said. Felt nice and consistent without bottoming as harsh. Yeah I said before but my static doesn't change with multiple rates idk why.
Nystrom7
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Nystrom7 5/26/2019 9:28am
5/26/2019 9:28am Edited Date/Time 5/26/2019 9:31am
DB97 wrote:
I rode a rougher track yesterday and adding 330 cc of oil in the forks is way better. Also have a 5.2 shock spring and it...
I rode a rougher track yesterday and adding 330 cc of oil in the forks is way better. Also have a 5.2 shock spring and it feels better but static is still off but whatever.
If you press on your seat does your suspension lowers euqally front and rear? I serviced My forks today oil inner/outer and a fork Seal cleaned everything. I got 1 0,51 spring and 310 ml oil and stock rear spring. I use showa A15-00 oil.free sag on fork is 30mm

But it seems the suspension does not travel equally when i press on the Seat.
No binding, the front wheel is centered, axle runs smooth in the forkleg. Tried it at home and it felt good.rebound 12 out and compression 14 out.
Sag at 104 compression 12 out rear.

Maybe om worrying to much.
DB97
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DB97 5/26/2019 11:13am
5/26/2019 11:13am Edited Date/Time 5/26/2019 11:15am
DB97 wrote:
I rode a rougher track yesterday and adding 330 cc of oil in the forks is way better. Also have a 5.2 shock spring and it...
I rode a rougher track yesterday and adding 330 cc of oil in the forks is way better. Also have a 5.2 shock spring and it feels better but static is still off but whatever.
Nystrom7 wrote:
If you press on your seat does your suspension lowers euqally front and rear? I serviced My forks today oil inner/outer and a fork Seal cleaned...
If you press on your seat does your suspension lowers euqally front and rear? I serviced My forks today oil inner/outer and a fork Seal cleaned everything. I got 1 0,51 spring and 310 ml oil and stock rear spring. I use showa A15-00 oil.free sag on fork is 30mm

But it seems the suspension does not travel equally when i press on the Seat.
No binding, the front wheel is centered, axle runs smooth in the forkleg. Tried it at home and it felt good.rebound 12 out and compression 14 out.
Sag at 104 compression 12 out rear.

Maybe om worrying to much.
Yeah I use the OEM oil as well. I always bounce on the seat a few times before I check the static sag still stays 54mm. I have the motool sag tool so it's accurate. I haven't checked the fork sag it should be the same.
lawson34
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lawson34 5/26/2019 11:19am
5/26/2019 11:19am
My static sag stays around 42 to 38mm in the rear I adjusted a few different race sags
Nystrom7
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Nystrom7 5/26/2019 11:27am
5/26/2019 11:27am
DB97 wrote:
I rode a rougher track yesterday and adding 330 cc of oil in the forks is way better. Also have a 5.2 shock spring and it...
I rode a rougher track yesterday and adding 330 cc of oil in the forks is way better. Also have a 5.2 shock spring and it feels better but static is still off but whatever.
Nystrom7 wrote:
If you press on your seat does your suspension lowers euqally front and rear? I serviced My forks today oil inner/outer and a fork Seal cleaned...
If you press on your seat does your suspension lowers euqally front and rear? I serviced My forks today oil inner/outer and a fork Seal cleaned everything. I got 1 0,51 spring and 310 ml oil and stock rear spring. I use showa A15-00 oil.free sag on fork is 30mm

But it seems the suspension does not travel equally when i press on the Seat.
No binding, the front wheel is centered, axle runs smooth in the forkleg. Tried it at home and it felt good.rebound 12 out and compression 14 out.
Sag at 104 compression 12 out rear.

Maybe om worrying to much.
DB97 wrote:
Yeah I use the OEM oil as well. I always bounce on the seat a few times before I check the static sag still stays 54mm...
Yeah I use the OEM oil as well. I always bounce on the seat a few times before I check the static sag still stays 54mm. I have the motool sag tool so it's accurate. I haven't checked the fork sag it should be the same.
Well mine does not lowers equally when i push on the Seat. Cant figure out why. The oil lever in innerlegs was a little low from factory. Around 166 mm of air level the manual days 126-134 mm. I put 253 ml in each inner leg and got the air level to 130. Blead the innerlegs and they run really smooth.
When i sit on it and pull the front brake its seems tho lower more even.
DB97
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DB97 5/26/2019 12:19pm
5/26/2019 12:19pm
Nystrom7 wrote:
If you press on your seat does your suspension lowers euqally front and rear? I serviced My forks today oil inner/outer and a fork Seal cleaned...
If you press on your seat does your suspension lowers euqally front and rear? I serviced My forks today oil inner/outer and a fork Seal cleaned everything. I got 1 0,51 spring and 310 ml oil and stock rear spring. I use showa A15-00 oil.free sag on fork is 30mm

But it seems the suspension does not travel equally when i press on the Seat.
No binding, the front wheel is centered, axle runs smooth in the forkleg. Tried it at home and it felt good.rebound 12 out and compression 14 out.
Sag at 104 compression 12 out rear.

Maybe om worrying to much.
DB97 wrote:
Yeah I use the OEM oil as well. I always bounce on the seat a few times before I check the static sag still stays 54mm...
Yeah I use the OEM oil as well. I always bounce on the seat a few times before I check the static sag still stays 54mm. I have the motool sag tool so it's accurate. I haven't checked the fork sag it should be the same.
Nystrom7 wrote:
Well mine does not lowers equally when i push on the Seat. Cant figure out why. The oil lever in innerlegs was a little low from...
Well mine does not lowers equally when i push on the Seat. Cant figure out why. The oil lever in innerlegs was a little low from factory. Around 166 mm of air level the manual days 126-134 mm. I put 253 ml in each inner leg and got the air level to 130. Blead the innerlegs and they run really smooth.
When i sit on it and pull the front brake its seems tho lower more even.
The front doesn't drop as easy when you sit on it I don't think that's a problem.
1
Nystrom7
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Nystrom7 5/26/2019 12:30pm
5/26/2019 12:30pm
DB97 wrote:
Yeah I use the OEM oil as well. I always bounce on the seat a few times before I check the static sag still stays 54mm...
Yeah I use the OEM oil as well. I always bounce on the seat a few times before I check the static sag still stays 54mm. I have the motool sag tool so it's accurate. I haven't checked the fork sag it should be the same.
Nystrom7 wrote:
Well mine does not lowers equally when i push on the Seat. Cant figure out why. The oil lever in innerlegs was a little low from...
Well mine does not lowers equally when i push on the Seat. Cant figure out why. The oil lever in innerlegs was a little low from factory. Around 166 mm of air level the manual days 126-134 mm. I put 253 ml in each inner leg and got the air level to 130. Blead the innerlegs and they run really smooth.
When i sit on it and pull the front brake its seems tho lower more even.
DB97 wrote:
The front doesn't drop as easy when you sit on it I don't think that's a problem.
Youre probably right i checked some videos and it seems like all of them lovers more back. Im probably overthinking?

I took a ride an tried a small track near my home and it felt Good atleast, it only has One 20 feet table top so its Hard to say. Will hit the trackbon wednesday, hopefully i get my ride engineering link before that.
SLAPAHO
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SLAPAHO 5/26/2019 2:11pm
5/26/2019 2:11pm
Nystrom7 wrote:
Well mine does not lowers equally when i push on the Seat. Cant figure out why. The oil lever in innerlegs was a little low from...
Well mine does not lowers equally when i push on the Seat. Cant figure out why. The oil lever in innerlegs was a little low from factory. Around 166 mm of air level the manual days 126-134 mm. I put 253 ml in each inner leg and got the air level to 130. Blead the innerlegs and they run really smooth.
When i sit on it and pull the front brake its seems tho lower more even.
it will always lower the rear more when you push down on the seat. try pushing it down from the foot peg to see how even it is...
1
lawson34
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lawson34 5/26/2019 8:00pm
5/26/2019 8:00pm
Does anyone else having a over heating problem in tight sections

Pit Row

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Nystrom7
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Nystrom7 5/26/2019 9:55pm
5/26/2019 9:55pm Edited Date/Time 5/26/2019 9:57pm
Nystrom7 wrote:
Well mine does not lowers equally when i push on the Seat. Cant figure out why. The oil lever in innerlegs was a little low from...
Well mine does not lowers equally when i push on the Seat. Cant figure out why. The oil lever in innerlegs was a little low from factory. Around 166 mm of air level the manual days 126-134 mm. I put 253 ml in each inner leg and got the air level to 130. Blead the innerlegs and they run really smooth.
When i sit on it and pull the front brake its seems tho lower more even.
SLAPAHO wrote:
it will always lower the rear more when you push down on the seat. try pushing it down from the foot peg to see how even...
it will always lower the rear more when you push down on the seat. try pushing it down from the foot peg to see how even it is...
Yeah when i stand on the footpegs it seems even. Just remember it was more even when new when i pushed on the seat. But i got more oil in the forks now and 1 heavier spring. So i guess its normal.

Thanks for the feedback
Greenguy
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Greenguy 5/27/2019 10:11am
5/27/2019 10:11am
Brad_Hewitt wrote:
anyone having starter issues? 19hours on mine battery is toast! replace battery with another one and still nothing, barely turns fuel pump on but battery has...
anyone having starter issues? 19hours on mine battery is toast! replace battery with another one and still nothing, barely turns fuel pump on but battery has 12,6 volts as per the instructions!
mnomis484 wrote:
50 hours on mine and still starts in a second. Even in winter when i did not start it for about 1 and a half months...
50 hours on mine and still starts in a second. Even in winter when i did not start it for about 1 and a half months ( did not even charge the battery) it fired right up. I would say that the Kawi has the best electric starter of all motocross bikes, or maybe i just got lucky on mine Wink
Same with mine. 65 hours and no starting issues.
1
DB97
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DB97 5/27/2019 10:17am
5/27/2019 10:17am
lawson34 wrote:
Does anyone else having a over heating problem in tight sections
Either put a 1.8 radiator cap or switch to Evans waterless coolant.
FortyHat
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FortyHat 5/28/2019 7:57am
5/28/2019 7:57am
lawson34 wrote:
How much different did the 330cc feel was it harsh in the small stuff?
DB97 wrote:
Not at all. I think the stock oil levers are screwy like others have said. Felt nice and consistent without bottoming as harsh. Yeah I said...
Not at all. I think the stock oil levers are screwy like others have said. Felt nice and consistent without bottoming as harsh. Yeah I said before but my static doesn't change with multiple rates idk why.
Yup I have 325 in mine, have only bottomed them once OJ'ing to a flat landing. Rode a very rough track yesterday (Sweeney Cycle Park) and they felt nice and plush. To me, if I'm not thinking about the forks at all, they are working well.
MDana87
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MDana87 5/28/2019 8:58am
5/28/2019 8:58am
Kawi noob here again. I swapped to the double bearing lower chain roller before riding the bike. Never had one of these “saw-tooth” rollers before. What’s the wear limit on these; when thru the “tooth” on the roller or???
MDana87
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MDana87 5/28/2019 9:13am
5/28/2019 9:13am
Forks... here’s a pic of my travel after a moto on an old school moto track last weekend - no big jumps, flowy terrain, not super rough, etc. (think not much chance of bottoming) with the .50/.52 spring combo and 310ml of oil. I’m 180lb Vet Expert. I never felt it bottom but it’s clearly right there.

I added 50ml of oil taking it to 360 for a jumpy “normal” track this weekend with lots of bottoming opportunities and way rougher conditions. The initial and mid-stroke plushness remained, but the bottoming resistance was much better as the oring was about 45-50mm higher on the tube. I did slow the rebound 2 clicks to better deal with some high speed braking bump deflection.

Also, FYI... I learned that this Showa fork is the same basic internals as what Honda has been running on the CRF450 since ‘17. They list a standard oil level of 370ml for the same fork. Interesting right...
MDana87
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MDana87 5/28/2019 9:20am
5/28/2019 9:20am
Titan777 wrote:
Hey, if I torch my titanium foot pegs, will they turn blue \ purple \ gold like the pipe? Could look awesome!
I’m not a Materials Scientist but I work with them and Titanium a lot. Not saying you’re going to have an issue but, if it were me, I’d think twice about oxidizing Ti pegs as they are a much more stressed area of the bike than an exhaust header. Ti Oxide is more brittle than billet Ti. Now, it’s not like your oxidizing anything more than the surface anyway, so maybe this is overly cautious but it’s your pegs and if your pegs snap under a heavy load the outcome might not be as pretty as your pegs.
Titan777
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Titan777 5/28/2019 9:26am
5/28/2019 9:26am
Titan777 wrote:
Hey, if I torch my titanium foot pegs, will they turn blue \ purple \ gold like the pipe? Could look awesome!
MDana87 wrote:
I’m not a Materials Scientist but I work with them and Titanium a lot. Not saying you’re going to have an issue but, if it were...
I’m not a Materials Scientist but I work with them and Titanium a lot. Not saying you’re going to have an issue but, if it were me, I’d think twice about oxidizing Ti pegs as they are a much more stressed area of the bike than an exhaust header. Ti Oxide is more brittle than billet Ti. Now, it’s not like your oxidizing anything more than the surface anyway, so maybe this is overly cautious but it’s your pegs and if your pegs snap under a heavy load the outcome might not be as pretty as your pegs.
Sounds scary, so I guess I won't do it. I love my pegs too much, haha...
What about the volts method?
DB97
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DB97 5/28/2019 9:33am
5/28/2019 9:33am
MDana87 wrote:
Forks... here’s a pic of my travel after a moto on an old school moto track last weekend - no big jumps, flowy terrain, not super...
Forks... here’s a pic of my travel after a moto on an old school moto track last weekend - no big jumps, flowy terrain, not super rough, etc. (think not much chance of bottoming) with the .50/.52 spring combo and 310ml of oil. I’m 180lb Vet Expert. I never felt it bottom but it’s clearly right there.

I added 50ml of oil taking it to 360 for a jumpy “normal” track this weekend with lots of bottoming opportunities and way rougher conditions. The initial and mid-stroke plushness remained, but the bottoming resistance was much better as the oring was about 45-50mm higher on the tube. I did slow the rebound 2 clicks to better deal with some high speed braking bump deflection.

Also, FYI... I learned that this Showa fork is the same basic internals as what Honda has been running on the CRF450 since ‘17. They list a standard oil level of 370ml for the same fork. Interesting right...
I'm pretty sure the crf forks are slightly longer so 370 in the kxf there isn't much space left.
D_Mash336
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D_Mash336 5/28/2019 9:33am
5/28/2019 9:33am
Titan1 wrote:
62 is a lot of pages...so forgive me if this has already been talked about...but I don't have time to look through all the pages... Anyone...
62 is a lot of pages...so forgive me if this has already been talked about...but I don't have time to look through all the pages...

Anyone using a 19 KX450 for off road...desert specifically...but any off road feedback would be helpful.

I'm looking at a 19 YZ450FX or a 19 KX450. Pro's and cons to each (I'm currently racing a KX in the desert right now)...I want the YZ suspension, and the purpose built off road bike...but don't care for the reversed motor, and its harder to get a large fuel tank on there without making it feel weird-the fuel tank replaces the shrouds (so limited fuel capacity).

From these reviews-and others-the KX is an amazing bike! I can get them cheaper than the YZ (which is nice)...but I'd have to spend a some money making it offroad worthy (far more work on the suspension, kick stand, and either change up the gearing, or buy a rekluse to make it work for slower technical stuff).

At the end of the day the price is about the same...pros and cons to each...I'd love some feedback from others that are racing the KX off road.
GPrider wrote:
I built a 2019 KX for desert. Fricken awesome. 18 rear wheel, Scotts stabilizer, IMS tank, FMF, 14/48 gearing, try to run the axle as far...
I built a 2019 KX for desert. Fricken awesome. 18 rear wheel, Scotts stabilizer, IMS tank, FMF, 14/48 gearing, try to run the axle as far back as possible. And of course Precision Concepts suspension.They know kawi off road setups as they have a full off road team and years of baja racing. I can mash through the desert on that thing. Ride so cal desert/Baja
The bike Ryan Romero bought?
MDana87
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MDana87 5/28/2019 9:50am
5/28/2019 9:50am Edited Date/Time 5/28/2019 9:51am
Titan777 wrote:
Sounds scary, so I guess I won't do it. I love my pegs too much, haha...
What about the volts method?
Anodizing is more controlled than torch oxidizing for sure, but it’s still effectively an oxidize process. Anodizing “grows” equally from the surface both inward and outward evenly, whereas oxidation grows inward only. I don’t know. Pegs like handle bars are scary to mess with too much. I would say electro-plating would be the safest, but plating Ti isn’t easy so you won’t find many places that will do it. Plus, once plated, it’s going to look silver (nickel) anyway. Maybe not worth it?
MDana87
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MDana87 5/28/2019 9:56am
5/28/2019 9:56am
DB97 wrote:
I'm pretty sure the crf forks are slightly longer so 370 in the kxf there isn't much space left.
Gotcha. After feeling/seeing the difference between 310 & 360 I wouldn’t go to 370 personally. I’ll probably drop the level back to 350 next time I eff with it.

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