KTM 450 or KX450

Davinci67
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Davinci67 12/20/2020 5:18am
12/20/2020 5:18am
Well here we are a few weeks later and I have a 2021 factory edition on hold (should be in any day) and I’m still thinking about buying the dam KX. I guess I know the KX is the safe bet for me having already rode it, whereas the Ktm is an unknown. Any other last minute feedback before I make and impulse decision?
bigmaico
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bigmaico 12/20/2020 5:46am
12/20/2020 5:46am
Davinci67 wrote:
Well here we are a few weeks later and I have a 2021 factory edition on hold (should be in any day) and I’m still thinking...
Well here we are a few weeks later and I have a 2021 factory edition on hold (should be in any day) and I’m still thinking about buying the dam KX. I guess I know the KX is the safe bet for me having already rode it, whereas the Ktm is an unknown. Any other last minute feedback before I make and impulse decision?
The only thing I can add is if you get the KTM, Give yourself about 10 hrs to get used to the bike!

The steel frames are very different in the way they feel & react on the track.

Plus KTM are a little stiff when new!
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quadzrulebro 12/20/2020 6:16am
12/20/2020 6:16am
Buy the Kaw then spend the money you save vs buying the KTM to get the suspension set up to make it perfect for you.
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Brent
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Brent 12/20/2020 9:31am
12/20/2020 9:31am
quadzrulebro wrote:
Buy the Kaw then spend the money you save vs buying the KTM to get the suspension set up to make it perfect for you.
I keep telling everybody, the 2021 WP fork is different and dramatically improved from 2020 and older KTMs.

my 21 stock fork is better than my 2018 highly modified AER fork with a mid valve.
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Davinci67
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Davinci67 12/20/2020 10:03am
12/20/2020 10:03am
It seems like it’s so dam hard to beat the kawi chassis but then I hear Brent and it makes me wonder if I could be happy on the air fork
Donkey Kong 12/20/2020 10:10am
12/20/2020 10:10am
Brent wrote:
I keep telling everybody, the 2021 WP fork is different and dramatically improved from 2020 and older KTMs. my 21 stock fork is better than my...
I keep telling everybody, the 2021 WP fork is different and dramatically improved from 2020 and older KTMs.

my 21 stock fork is better than my 2018 highly modified AER fork with a mid valve.
We don't like air forks anymore bro
1
quadzrulebro 12/20/2020 10:36am
12/20/2020 10:36am
quadzrulebro wrote:
Buy the Kaw then spend the money you save vs buying the KTM to get the suspension set up to make it perfect for you.
Brent wrote:
I keep telling everybody, the 2021 WP fork is different and dramatically improved from 2020 and older KTMs. my 21 stock fork is better than my...
I keep telling everybody, the 2021 WP fork is different and dramatically improved from 2020 and older KTMs.

my 21 stock fork is better than my 2018 highly modified AER fork with a mid valve.
I’m not saying there is anything wrong with the stock KTM fork, but it is a huge price difference between the KX450 and the KTM FE he has on order. I’m just saying that if he wants, he could use some of the money he saves to customize the bike for himself.
Baton Rouge 12/20/2020 10:48am
12/20/2020 10:48am
Davinci67 wrote:
It seems like it’s so dam hard to beat the kawi chassis but then I hear Brent and it makes me wonder if I could be...
It seems like it’s so dam hard to beat the kawi chassis but then I hear Brent and it makes me wonder if I could be happy on the air fork
Just the facts you don't like the rigid feel from your CRF at times makes a no brainer to me. You should go for the kawi !

KTM has a rigid feel and the new frame since 2019 is even more rigid than in the past (I had a 2017 and a 2019 to compare). If you are sensible to this, you will feel this rigidity on the KTM (some don't like fast rider, sand rider or even B/C rider but it depends on style and tracks conditions i guess).

Plus, air fork are not that easy to set up compared to spring fork you used to ride on your CRF or the one you tried on the kawi (same showa fork). The feel is different, you can love it or hate it.

So be careful with your choice even if at the end both are great bike
Brent
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Brent 12/20/2020 11:48am
12/20/2020 11:48am Edited Date/Time 12/20/2020 11:51am
...Im not pimping KTM, the 2021 450 is only my third orange bike after riding Hondas for years.

The 2021 Xact fork is a major breakthrough because KTM finally installed a suitable Mid- valve that works.

I spent a couple grand having my 2018 fork upgraded with an aftermarket mid valve from Kreft, and my stock 21 fork is a big improvement over that fork.

The 21 fork is 100 percent better in braking and acceleration chop over the 2020 and earlier fork.

IF you buy a KTM, plan on spending a day or two getting the bike broken in, as others have said it needs about 10 hours before the bike feels right. Also, the OEM suspension settings don't work for me - Kris Keefer has the best setting I have come across so far - higher air pressure and lower compression damping, and sag at 104 instead of 105.

Sure you have to check the air pressure a couple times a day, but the ability to experiment with different air pressures is easier than swapping out different fork springs at the track.


Good luck with your new bike, Im sure that either motorcycle will be great.
Davinci67
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Davinci67 12/20/2020 12:11pm
12/20/2020 12:11pm
You guys are all giving me great feedback here. Right now the kawi is 8948 OTD (21) which is high relative to what they normally sell for but I get it, we are in a pandemic and prices are what they are. The new FE option is about 1700 more. I think the one item that bother me and is probably going to make me just go buy a KX is the air fork. IF I buy a KTM and don’t like the air fork I’ll have to spend another 3400-3900 for cone valves. That is a lot of money to get a bike working good. What are you all paying for 21 kx450s? 9k seems like a decent price in this market. But a lousy price in the grand scheme of 450s relative to what kx’s usually sell for...
yz133rider
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yz133rider 12/20/2020 12:47pm
12/20/2020 12:47pm
Davinci67 wrote:
You guys are all giving me great feedback here. Right now the kawi is 8948 OTD (21) which is high relative to what they normally sell...
You guys are all giving me great feedback here. Right now the kawi is 8948 OTD (21) which is high relative to what they normally sell for but I get it, we are in a pandemic and prices are what they are. The new FE option is about 1700 more. I think the one item that bother me and is probably going to make me just go buy a KX is the air fork. IF I buy a KTM and don’t like the air fork I’ll have to spend another 3400-3900 for cone valves. That is a lot of money to get a bike working good. What are you all paying for 21 kx450s? 9k seems like a decent price in this market. But a lousy price in the grand scheme of 450s relative to what kx’s usually sell for...
There are ALWAYS mint conevalves for sale for under 3k. And the Mx tech lucky inserts are about a grand and are highly well recommended.
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LKHill 12/20/2020 12:56pm
12/20/2020 12:56pm Edited Date/Time 12/20/2020 1:03pm
I like air forks. LOL. They have their good points. Are perfect set up spring forks better? Sure.
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Davinci67
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Davinci67 12/20/2020 12:57pm
12/20/2020 12:57pm
Davinci67 wrote:
You guys are all giving me great feedback here. Right now the kawi is 8948 OTD (21) which is high relative to what they normally sell...
You guys are all giving me great feedback here. Right now the kawi is 8948 OTD (21) which is high relative to what they normally sell for but I get it, we are in a pandemic and prices are what they are. The new FE option is about 1700 more. I think the one item that bother me and is probably going to make me just go buy a KX is the air fork. IF I buy a KTM and don’t like the air fork I’ll have to spend another 3400-3900 for cone valves. That is a lot of money to get a bike working good. What are you all paying for 21 kx450s? 9k seems like a decent price in this market. But a lousy price in the grand scheme of 450s relative to what kx’s usually sell for...
yz133rider wrote:
There are ALWAYS mint conevalves for sale for under 3k. And the Mx tech lucky inserts are about a grand and are highly well recommended.
I will look into those thanks!
LKHill
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LKHill 12/20/2020 1:06pm
12/20/2020 1:06pm
Davinci67 wrote:
You guys are all giving me great feedback here. Right now the kawi is 8948 OTD (21) which is high relative to what they normally sell...
You guys are all giving me great feedback here. Right now the kawi is 8948 OTD (21) which is high relative to what they normally sell for but I get it, we are in a pandemic and prices are what they are. The new FE option is about 1700 more. I think the one item that bother me and is probably going to make me just go buy a KX is the air fork. IF I buy a KTM and don’t like the air fork I’ll have to spend another 3400-3900 for cone valves. That is a lot of money to get a bike working good. What are you all paying for 21 kx450s? 9k seems like a decent price in this market. But a lousy price in the grand scheme of 450s relative to what kx’s usually sell for...
Current year KX's are selling for what the always do. Never any incentives before the spring.
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hypermoto
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hypermoto 12/20/2020 1:07pm
12/20/2020 1:07pm
Depends how long you keep it. Kawi’s really start showing their age after a bit of riding. Great while fresh tho
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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 12/20/2020 1:24pm
12/20/2020 1:24pm
How does the KX turn compared to the Honda? That would be my main concern if I ever switched. I’ve heard so many great things about the current KX but the Honda’s turn so well
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hypermoto 12/20/2020 3:34pm
12/20/2020 3:34pm
TeamGreen wrote:
One of those pics is from the shoutout... The other 2 are much more recent and involve developing the KX for racing...including some AMAZING suspension and...
One of those pics is from the shoutout...

The other 2 are much more recent and involve developing the KX for racing...including some AMAZING suspension and “Too Much” motor! I’ve raced them both in stock form and in ridiculous form.
😂
But, out of the box and for the average guy? I’m saying it’s SX-F allllll day.

If you’re gonna spend whatever ya need to make it exactly how ya want it...?

Buy whatever is your favorite.
Davinci67 wrote:
Both of those bikes (orange and green) look so good!
TeamGreen wrote:
If that’s where you think you’re heading...? You should buy whichever one you can make TOTALLY RIDICULOUS for the least money! :silly: I’d go WP &...
If that’s where you think you’re heading...?

You should buy whichever one you can make TOTALLY RIDICULOUS for the least money! Silly

I’d go WP & Twisted Development on the SX-F and that would mean starting with the “almost here” Red Bull Edition...or the ‘20 version (you’re gonna have A LOT of take-off parts to sell for A LOT of $$$: been there, done that...including ALWAYS selling those communist pipes Grinning & that goofy dark blue seat!)

Or...

Get a new ‘19-‘21 KX & have it shipped to Mitch and ask for “Full Tilt”...& ask really, really nicely. Sideways
The ex Goerke race bike is for sale in Guelph from the team... I’m really considering it...

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MX558
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MX558 12/20/2020 5:12pm
12/20/2020 5:12pm
Davinci67 wrote:
You guys are all giving me great feedback here. Right now the kawi is 8948 OTD (21) which is high relative to what they normally sell...
You guys are all giving me great feedback here. Right now the kawi is 8948 OTD (21) which is high relative to what they normally sell for but I get it, we are in a pandemic and prices are what they are. The new FE option is about 1700 more. I think the one item that bother me and is probably going to make me just go buy a KX is the air fork. IF I buy a KTM and don’t like the air fork I’ll have to spend another 3400-3900 for cone valves. That is a lot of money to get a bike working good. What are you all paying for 21 kx450s? 9k seems like a decent price in this market. But a lousy price in the grand scheme of 450s relative to what kx’s usually sell for...
Get the kawie . I quauntee you won't be disappointed . I don't care how good they say the airforks are their a pita . I had an airforks misshap and tore mi tricep with not crashing
Meister
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Meister 12/20/2020 6:34pm
12/20/2020 6:34pm
Best price I've found otd here in Ohio is in the low 9s on a kx.. same with gasgas (my option 2).
LKHill
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LKHill 12/20/2020 7:27pm
12/20/2020 7:27pm
MX558 wrote:
Get the kawie . I quauntee you won't be disappointed . I don't care how good they say the airforks are their a pita . I...
Get the kawie . I quauntee you won't be disappointed . I don't care how good they say the airforks are their a pita . I had an airforks misshap and tore mi tricep with not crashing
That's the real problem with air forks. PITA.
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Davinci67
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Davinci67 12/21/2020 3:14am
12/21/2020 3:14am
hubbardmx50 wrote:
How does the KX turn compared to the Honda? That would be my main concern if I ever switched. I’ve heard so many great things about...
How does the KX turn compared to the Honda? That would be my main concern if I ever switched. I’ve heard so many great things about the current KX but the Honda’s turn so well
The kx doesn’t do anything bad in corners and I actually find it will hold the rut a little better than the honda will, at least on New England tracks up here. It’s the like the honda will occasionally want to pop you up while the kx seems to just stick and go around. If you’re talking about more bowl turns then nothing gets u see a honda, but I wouldn’t say the kawi is bad. I’ve raced Honda’s for years and that kx is the first bike that made me wake up and say wow, I may be faster on another brand. If you have a chance to ride one do it.
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fullysicmate
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fullysicmate 12/21/2020 3:16am
12/21/2020 3:16am
Get both or just the ktm if you want the best one.
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MX558
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MX558 12/21/2020 5:43am
12/21/2020 5:43am
hubbardmx50 wrote:
How does the KX turn compared to the Honda? That would be my main concern if I ever switched. I’ve heard so many great things about...
How does the KX turn compared to the Honda? That would be my main concern if I ever switched. I’ve heard so many great things about the current KX but the Honda’s turn so well
The kx turns really well maybe not as good as the honda but almost nothing does and it's stable as hell . It's by far the best bike I've had and I've had , ridin them all
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luckyguy19 12/21/2020 7:31am
12/21/2020 7:31am Edited Date/Time 12/21/2020 7:32am
I'm no air fork advocate, in fact I've stuck with Yamaha because I love the suspension.

But this video breaks down the updates in the 21 AER fork. I'd really like to ride one to see how it compares. Seems like they are getting closer than ever to spring forks.

https://youtu.be/dYh9xmAxkCg

I just found Dirt Bike TV, its a great channel for vet riders who like to ride a variety of terrain from MX tracks to desert.
Davinci67
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Davinci67 12/21/2020 7:58am
12/21/2020 7:58am
luckyguy19 wrote:
I'm no air fork advocate, in fact I've stuck with Yamaha because I love the suspension. But this video breaks down the updates in the 21...
I'm no air fork advocate, in fact I've stuck with Yamaha because I love the suspension.

But this video breaks down the updates in the 21 AER fork. I'd really like to ride one to see how it compares. Seems like they are getting closer than ever to spring forks.

https://youtu.be/dYh9xmAxkCg

I just found Dirt Bike TV, its a great channel for vet riders who like to ride a variety of terrain from MX tracks to desert.
Yep I seen that the other day. Perhaps the oil bypass helps a bit on the 21s. I tend to like my suspension setup on the stiffer side so perhaps the Ktm air fork would be good for me. Either way I will need a revalve on any bike because of my weight.
captmoto
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captmoto 12/21/2020 8:24am
12/21/2020 8:24am
Guys that don't own an air fork bike are sure the air fork will kill them and are all top notch pros that can feel every negative nuance an aer fork has. So far all the tests have discussed air fork set up and really haven't said they are bad. They all seem to gloss over the strong attributes of the K/H/G bikes but still tend to use the KTM as the standard for weight, brakes and clutch. You can now get a GasGas for the same price as a Japanese bike.
Davinci67
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Davinci67 12/21/2020 8:32am
12/21/2020 8:32am Edited Date/Time 12/21/2020 8:33am
captmoto wrote:
Guys that don't own an air fork bike are sure the air fork will kill them and are all top notch pros that can feel every...
Guys that don't own an air fork bike are sure the air fork will kill them and are all top notch pros that can feel every negative nuance an aer fork has. So far all the tests have discussed air fork set up and really haven't said they are bad. They all seem to gloss over the strong attributes of the K/H/G bikes but still tend to use the KTM as the standard for weight, brakes and clutch. You can now get a GasGas for the same price as a Japanese bike.
Good points for sure! I am actually going to say screw it and try the KTM
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Bruce372
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Bruce372 12/21/2020 8:37am
12/21/2020 8:37am
captmoto wrote:
Guys that don't own an air fork bike are sure the air fork will kill them and are all top notch pros that can feel every...
Guys that don't own an air fork bike are sure the air fork will kill them and are all top notch pros that can feel every negative nuance an aer fork has. So far all the tests have discussed air fork set up and really haven't said they are bad. They all seem to gloss over the strong attributes of the K/H/G bikes but still tend to use the KTM as the standard for weight, brakes and clutch. You can now get a GasGas for the same price as a Japanese bike.
Yeah, and its not like every stock spring fork is perfect straight out of the box
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FGR01
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FGR01 12/21/2020 12:24pm
12/21/2020 12:24pm
Don't know if it's been mentioned before or if it matters to you, but the KX is a tall bike. Guys 5'11 and taller or with long legs like it. Short guys, not so much.
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