2020 KX450 vs 2020 YZ450

CivBars
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CivBars 9/23/2019 12:07pm
9/23/2019 12:07pm
fourfourone wrote:
I am curious if the new head design for Yamaha will do anything to negatively effect durability. I also remember some people on here having engine...
I am curious if the new head design for Yamaha will do anything to negatively effect durability.

I also remember some people on here having engine issues with the 19s
Do you remember what the problems were?
JohnnyD13
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JohnnyD13 9/23/2019 3:01pm
9/23/2019 3:01pm
I think the Yz is more reliable and uses high quality metal. The aluminum frame and cases are less pourus and you can tell when you clean the Yz compared to the kx that the Yz cleans better. But you will not ride a better bike then the kx450. It will make you faster and it’s safer. So it’s an easy choice. The whole reason we ride is to go faster. But you really need to ride both. Just so you know for sure with no doubt.
Ted722
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Ted722 9/24/2019 8:23pm
9/24/2019 8:23pm
I gots to know! Is it the KX or YZ for the OP? Wink
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Spudnut
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Spudnut 9/24/2019 8:59pm
9/24/2019 8:59pm
Yeah whadya get

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RCMXracing
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RCMXracing 9/24/2019 9:16pm
9/24/2019 9:16pm
OP, why would you limit choices to these two bikes? What brand 19’ or 20’ bikes have you ridden?
Agent717
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Agent717 9/25/2019 7:24am
9/25/2019 7:24am
Ted722 wrote:
I gots to know! Is it the KX or YZ for the OP? Wink
Haha I think I've decided on the Kawi. I usually get a new bike every two years and I keep them nice so I think any difference in quality should be okay within that window.

I'm gonna race my 350 one more time this weekend then go snag the Kawi.
7
Agent717
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Agent717 9/25/2019 7:27am
9/25/2019 7:27am
RCMXracing wrote:
OP, why would you limit choices to these two bikes? What brand 19’ or 20’ bikes have you ridden?
I have ridden a newer Honda and I currently have a Husky. I actually like the Honda (not as much as the KX though) and I would consider it if there wasn't a new model coming so soon. The Husky/KTMs are also great but I want to step away from the 350 and the air fork for a bit. They are also pretty spendy...
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Nystrom7
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Nystrom7 9/25/2019 7:34am
9/25/2019 7:34am Edited Date/Time 9/25/2019 1:57pm
Ted722 wrote:
I gots to know! Is it the KX or YZ for the OP? Wink
Agent717 wrote:
Haha I think I've decided on the Kawi. I usually get a new bike every two years and I keep them nice so I think any...
Haha I think I've decided on the Kawi. I usually get a new bike every two years and I keep them nice so I think any difference in quality should be okay within that window.

I'm gonna race my 350 one more time this weekend then go snag the Kawi.
You wont be disapointed. I dont think the kx have any quality issues or look clapped out after a few hours.

I got 52 hours on mine now, still looks good.


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Nystrom7
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Nystrom7 9/25/2019 7:38am
9/25/2019 7:38am

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Agent717
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Agent717 9/25/2019 7:39am
9/25/2019 7:39am
Nystrom7 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/09/25/375395/s1200_IMG_20190731_143549.jpg[/img]

Looks badass!
2
MX558
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MX558 9/25/2019 5:27pm
9/25/2019 5:27pm
I think the hardware is better on the yz but the kawie looks better for a longer period of time and I haven't heard of many engine failures on any kx's . The Yamahas look clapped after about 40 hrs .
bvm111
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bvm111 9/25/2019 7:35pm
9/25/2019 7:35pm
What are you guys seeing for OTD on the 20 KX, I’ve had as high as 10700 in CA and down to 9400 in AZ.
Nystrom7
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Nystrom7 9/25/2019 10:07pm
9/25/2019 10:07pm
MX558 wrote:
I think the hardware is better on the yz but the kawie looks better for a longer period of time and I haven't heard of many...
I think the hardware is better on the yz but the kawie looks better for a longer period of time and I haven't heard of many engine failures on any kx's . The Yamahas look clapped after about 40 hrs .
Ok all the bolts are still fine on mine,but i was worried about the threads in the subframe since you remove the number plate every time you change air filter.

So i bought some helicoils just in case but so far so good 😀
Mark3380
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Mark3380 2/24/2020 5:02am
2/24/2020 5:02am
Ted722 wrote:
I gots to know! Is it the KX or YZ for the OP? Wink
Agent717 wrote:
Haha I think I've decided on the Kawi. I usually get a new bike every two years and I keep them nice so I think any...
Haha I think I've decided on the Kawi. I usually get a new bike every two years and I keep them nice so I think any difference in quality should be okay within that window.

I'm gonna race my 350 one more time this weekend then go snag the Kawi.
Did you get the Kawi? I'm also trying to decide between KX and YZ
spimx
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spimx 2/24/2020 5:15am
2/24/2020 5:15am
Yamaha and kyb are great companies I'm ready for the era of the blue pig to be over.
1
280driver
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280driver 2/24/2020 5:51am
2/24/2020 5:51am
KX is the easier bike to go fast on.
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OneWordResponseGuy 2/24/2020 8:19am
2/24/2020 8:19am
bvm111 wrote:
You said super hard Whistling
But did he mean compacted dirt hard or concrete hard? Because apparently there is no difference.
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steelworker77 5/12/2020 1:39pm
5/12/2020 1:39pm
did not want to start a new thread on this but was hoping I could get some help on this same issue as well and people should have some more hours racked up on there new bikes.


6 foot 200lbs 30+ B rider. Coming from a 15 YZ250 2 stroke.

Love my 250 but feel like it's time to move to a 450 mainly just for ease of riding fast.

Can not decide between the kx or the yz.

The yz is 1000 more otd.

Have never ridden anything other than Yamaha but after hearing everyone rave about the kawi it has me seriously considering it. Would like to pick something up by weeks end but pulling my hair out over which bike.

Additional thoughts or opinions would be great.



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yz133rider
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yz133rider 5/12/2020 2:04pm
5/12/2020 2:04pm
steelworker77 wrote:
did not want to start a new thread on this but was hoping I could get some help on this same issue as well and people...
did not want to start a new thread on this but was hoping I could get some help on this same issue as well and people should have some more hours racked up on there new bikes.


6 foot 200lbs 30+ B rider. Coming from a 15 YZ250 2 stroke.

Love my 250 but feel like it's time to move to a 450 mainly just for ease of riding fast.

Can not decide between the kx or the yz.

The yz is 1000 more otd.

Have never ridden anything other than Yamaha but after hearing everyone rave about the kawi it has me seriously considering it. Would like to pick something up by weeks end but pulling my hair out over which bike.

Additional thoughts or opinions would be great.



Id go yz. They are built just a bit better in my opinion and experience and the overall package on the new yz is hard to argue with!
1
gristle568
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gristle568 5/12/2020 2:31pm
5/12/2020 2:31pm
steelworker77 wrote:
did not want to start a new thread on this but was hoping I could get some help on this same issue as well and people...
did not want to start a new thread on this but was hoping I could get some help on this same issue as well and people should have some more hours racked up on there new bikes.


6 foot 200lbs 30+ B rider. Coming from a 15 YZ250 2 stroke.

Love my 250 but feel like it's time to move to a 450 mainly just for ease of riding fast.

Can not decide between the kx or the yz.

The yz is 1000 more otd.

Have never ridden anything other than Yamaha but after hearing everyone rave about the kawi it has me seriously considering it. Would like to pick something up by weeks end but pulling my hair out over which bike.

Additional thoughts or opinions would be great.



I just picked up a 20 yz450f. The bike I got rid of was a 19 ktm but the bike before that was a YZ250. I just couldn’t get comfortable on the ktm and a yz 250 is my all time favorite bike so I wanted to get back on a yami. I’m 5’10” and about 195# and the thing feels very comfortable sitting on it. I did move the bar mounts to the rear mounting hole but that’s all I’ve changed. The bike is very predictable and handles very well. The suspension is awesome, they don’t feel as big and bulky as the 14-17 model. Overall I’m very happy with it and can’t wait to put more time on it. I usually find something I want to change after the first ride but this bike is perfect stock. Yamaha did a really good job.
MX558
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MX558 5/12/2020 3:33pm
5/12/2020 3:33pm
steelworker77 wrote:
did not want to start a new thread on this but was hoping I could get some help on this same issue as well and people...
did not want to start a new thread on this but was hoping I could get some help on this same issue as well and people should have some more hours racked up on there new bikes.


6 foot 200lbs 30+ B rider. Coming from a 15 YZ250 2 stroke.

Love my 250 but feel like it's time to move to a 450 mainly just for ease of riding fast.

Can not decide between the kx or the yz.

The yz is 1000 more otd.

Have never ridden anything other than Yamaha but after hearing everyone rave about the kawi it has me seriously considering it. Would like to pick something up by weeks end but pulling my hair out over which bike.

Additional thoughts or opinions would be great.



I was a yamaha guy my whole adult life and my dilemma was similar to yours with the 1k difference so I chose the Kawie . The Yamaha is built better but the kx feels lighter than even the ktm . I have 40 hrs on it now and it's been flawless . I'm also about the same size as you too . I did get the forks done and run 52 fork springs .
FortyHat
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FortyHat 5/12/2020 3:42pm
5/12/2020 3:42pm
steelworker77 wrote:
did not want to start a new thread on this but was hoping I could get some help on this same issue as well and people...
did not want to start a new thread on this but was hoping I could get some help on this same issue as well and people should have some more hours racked up on there new bikes.


6 foot 200lbs 30+ B rider. Coming from a 15 YZ250 2 stroke.

Love my 250 but feel like it's time to move to a 450 mainly just for ease of riding fast.

Can not decide between the kx or the yz.

The yz is 1000 more otd.

Have never ridden anything other than Yamaha but after hearing everyone rave about the kawi it has me seriously considering it. Would like to pick something up by weeks end but pulling my hair out over which bike.

Additional thoughts or opinions would be great.



I came off a 16 YZ250 last year and moved to a 450 for the same reason. I could tell I had to work a lot harder to be competitive than the guys I was racing against. I'm 30+/40+ B as well.

The last YZ450F I rode was an 18, and I know they've slimmed a *tiny* bit and improved in other areas. But I didn't like the thickness of the bike compared to my smoker (though the motor was incredible), and that kept me from pulling the trigger on it. And I really wanted to stay blue as I've had 5 of them in a row and really like the quality.

After hearing a lot of great things about the 19 KX450 (same as 2020), I rolled the dice on one last Febuary after checking them out at a dealer. Loved how thin and flat it felt just sitting on it. And after riding it, I fell in love with the bike and never looked back. All around everything is very very solid (though you'll need to go up a spring rate in the forks off the bat) and the bike is way easier to ride fast than the YZ250. It took me about a ride or two to fully transition to it and actually ride faster than I did on the YZ,and felt safer on it. And it is my first 450 that I've owned. For whatever it's worth, it was a lot easier to get used to coming off my YZ250 than any other 450 I'd tried before (between Yamaha, Honda, and previous gen Kawi).

The only shitty thing about the Kawi is the hardware quality. It was a little bit of an adjustment coming from the Yamaha, but now I'm used to it. Little things like, "why does this bolt feel like it's cross threading and gonna strip?" here and there. Or why do I need both an 8 and 10 mm to get to the air filter. Still worth it though, it's so so good on the track.
2
Ronnie_Gardner 5/12/2020 4:53pm
5/12/2020 4:53pm
The two best bikes in the class in my opinion, both fit me great, I’m 6”2. Yamaha finally turns like it should, kx 450 forks are awesome with proper oil level (350) , mine had around 300, first bike I didn’t get a revalve on. I have rode every new brand of bike made, except rmz ( I have a lot of Mx buddies), and I like the kx best closely followed by the Yamaha. Yamaha is a little weird(air filter location and sound) but rides great, all of the bikes are awesome,just my 2cents
2
JohnnyD13
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JohnnyD13 5/12/2020 5:30pm
5/12/2020 5:30pm
The weight was a tie breaker for me. The Yz is a tank and with all the different riding I do I have never liked a heavy bike. And the kx is the only bike you will hear people say “I fell in love!”
5
steelworker77 5/13/2020 1:14am
5/13/2020 1:14am
steelworker77 wrote:
did not want to start a new thread on this but was hoping I could get some help on this same issue as well and people...
did not want to start a new thread on this but was hoping I could get some help on this same issue as well and people should have some more hours racked up on there new bikes.


6 foot 200lbs 30+ B rider. Coming from a 15 YZ250 2 stroke.

Love my 250 but feel like it's time to move to a 450 mainly just for ease of riding fast.

Can not decide between the kx or the yz.

The yz is 1000 more otd.

Have never ridden anything other than Yamaha but after hearing everyone rave about the kawi it has me seriously considering it. Would like to pick something up by weeks end but pulling my hair out over which bike.

Additional thoughts or opinions would be great.



MX558 wrote:
I was a yamaha guy my whole adult life and my dilemma was similar to yours with the 1k difference so I chose the Kawie...
I was a yamaha guy my whole adult life and my dilemma was similar to yours with the 1k difference so I chose the Kawie . The Yamaha is built better but the kx feels lighter than even the ktm . I have 40 hrs on it now and it's been flawless . I'm also about the same size as you too . I did get the forks done and run 52 fork springs .
Have you had any issues with the muffler mount breaking on the subframe? Seems to be a common issue.
KAWI642
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KAWI642 5/13/2020 4:06am
5/13/2020 4:06am
Finally had enough of Kawi quality issues and went to the dark side 2020 YZ 450F Very happy so far. Bike is bad ass.
steelworker77 5/13/2020 4:16am
5/13/2020 4:16am
KAWI642 wrote:
Finally had enough of Kawi quality issues and went to the dark side 2020 YZ 450F Very happy so far. Bike is bad ass.
Can u elaborate on the quality issues?
1
MX558
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MX558 5/13/2020 4:18am
5/13/2020 4:18am
steelworker77 wrote:
did not want to start a new thread on this but was hoping I could get some help on this same issue as well and people...
did not want to start a new thread on this but was hoping I could get some help on this same issue as well and people should have some more hours racked up on there new bikes.


6 foot 200lbs 30+ B rider. Coming from a 15 YZ250 2 stroke.

Love my 250 but feel like it's time to move to a 450 mainly just for ease of riding fast.

Can not decide between the kx or the yz.

The yz is 1000 more otd.

Have never ridden anything other than Yamaha but after hearing everyone rave about the kawi it has me seriously considering it. Would like to pick something up by weeks end but pulling my hair out over which bike.

Additional thoughts or opinions would be great.



MX558 wrote:
I was a yamaha guy my whole adult life and my dilemma was similar to yours with the 1k difference so I chose the Kawie...
I was a yamaha guy my whole adult life and my dilemma was similar to yours with the 1k difference so I chose the Kawie . The Yamaha is built better but the kx feels lighter than even the ktm . I have 40 hrs on it now and it's been flawless . I'm also about the same size as you too . I did get the forks done and run 52 fork springs .
steelworker77 wrote:
Have you had any issues with the muffler mount breaking on the subframe? Seems to be a common issue.
No , but I've only had the FMF can on about 8 hrs. I made the FMF can rubber mounted so hopefully it holds up . I know there are no problems with the stock can or the Pro Circuits . While I do believe Yamahas are made better they all have their own issues too . .
1
navalseabee
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navalseabee 5/13/2020 5:07am
5/13/2020 5:07am
steelworker77 wrote:
Have you had any issues with the muffler mount breaking on the subframe? Seems to be a common issue.
60 hours with a full Bill's system and no issues.

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