KTM 450 or KX450

Davinci67
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Davinci67 12/21/2020 1:09pm
12/21/2020 1:09pm
FGR01 wrote:
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...
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.
You know it’s funny you mention that. If I noticed one thing on the kx compared to my honda it was the footpeg to seat area felt cramped. I know you can lower the pegs on the kx a bit but the triangle was ok it just felt like my knees were up too high and the pegs were too high whereas the honda I felt I had a better grip between my legs.
DB505
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DB505 12/21/2020 4:49pm
12/21/2020 4:49pm
FGR01 wrote:
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...
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.
True! Im 5’8, had to have lowered an inch
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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 12/21/2020 5:18pm
12/21/2020 5:18pm
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
Davinci67 wrote:
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...
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.
Awesome! Yeah I want to ride one so bad, just haven’t had the chance yet. I’ve been on Honda’s since 2009 so I’m kicking around the idea of switching brands
cloud41
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cloud41 12/22/2020 4:31am
12/22/2020 4:31am
Do you want to complain about air forks (Ktm) or the bike falling apart (Kawi)?
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fourfourone
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fourfourone 12/22/2020 6:46am
12/22/2020 6:46am
cloud41 wrote:
Do you want to complain about air forks (Ktm) or the bike falling apart (Kawi)?
you mean like the headtube snapping off the frame like some KTMs?
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hypermoto
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hypermoto 12/22/2020 7:05am
12/22/2020 7:05am Edited Date/Time 12/22/2020 7:07am
cloud41 wrote:
Do you want to complain about air forks (Ktm) or the bike falling apart (Kawi)?
fourfourone wrote:
you mean like the headtube snapping off the frame like some KTMs?
Uhm you mean the triple clamps breaking... in the early 2000’s...

Send me one pic of a snapped KTM headtube. They had soft triples, not headtubes. The fender bolt when overtightened would crack the triples and lead to a catastrophic failure.
fourfourone
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fourfourone 12/22/2020 7:41am
12/22/2020 7:41am Edited Date/Time 12/22/2020 7:43am
cloud41 wrote:
Do you want to complain about air forks (Ktm) or the bike falling apart (Kawi)?
fourfourone wrote:
you mean like the headtube snapping off the frame like some KTMs?
hypermoto wrote:
Uhm you mean the triple clamps breaking... in the early 2000’s... Send me one pic of a snapped KTM headtube. They had soft triples, not headtubes...
Uhm you mean the triple clamps breaking... in the early 2000’s...

Send me one pic of a snapped KTM headtube. They had soft triples, not headtubes. The fender bolt when overtightened would crack the triples and lead to a catastrophic failure.
simple google image search comes up with multiple photos. Here ill even do the work for you. Plenty more on google too. Not taking a knock at KTM as I would buy one tomorrow. But people have had this happen.









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wrc777
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wrc777 12/22/2020 7:55am
12/22/2020 7:55am
Those triple clamps look ok to me. The frames not so much.
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Davinci67
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Davinci67 12/22/2020 8:51am
12/22/2020 8:51am
Holy crap!! 😳 seems like the 2019s and up got beefier gussets so I imagine this is resolved?!
seth505
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seth505 12/22/2020 10:02am
12/22/2020 10:02am Edited Date/Time 12/22/2020 10:03am
Both great bikes, sit on em both and pick what feels right!
Just here to warn you that the whole “if you go ktm you have to replace the suspension to make it rideable” narrative is complete bullshit.
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Brent
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Brent 12/22/2020 12:37pm
12/22/2020 12:37pm
seth505 wrote:
Both great bikes, sit on em both and pick what feels right! Just here to warn you that the whole “if you go ktm you have...
Both great bikes, sit on em both and pick what feels right!
Just here to warn you that the whole “if you go ktm you have to replace the suspension to make it rideable” narrative is complete bullshit.
All of this talk about needing suspension upgrades on a new KTM is not accurate. The 2021 suspension has taken a HUGE step forward because WP finally added a new mid valve.

Anyone claiming the Xact fork in 2021 is not good have either not ridden the new bikes, or have no experience in how to set up the fork.

Unless you are a top level pro rider racing for a living, or a nationally ranked amateur, keep the stock fork because it is excellent. If you are over 200 LBS you may have to get the shim stacks changed for your weight, but for most riders in the 150 to 199LB range the fork offers infinite adjustment via air pressure and compression settings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYh9xmAxkCg
hypermoto
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hypermoto 12/22/2020 2:45pm
12/22/2020 2:45pm
fourfourone wrote:
you mean like the headtube snapping off the frame like some KTMs?
hypermoto wrote:
Uhm you mean the triple clamps breaking... in the early 2000’s... Send me one pic of a snapped KTM headtube. They had soft triples, not headtubes...
Uhm you mean the triple clamps breaking... in the early 2000’s...

Send me one pic of a snapped KTM headtube. They had soft triples, not headtubes. The fender bolt when overtightened would crack the triples and lead to a catastrophic failure.
fourfourone wrote:
simple google image search comes up with multiple photos. Here ill even do the work for you. Plenty more on google too. Not taking a knock...
simple google image search comes up with multiple photos. Here ill even do the work for you. Plenty more on google too. Not taking a knock at KTM as I would buy one tomorrow. But people have had this happen.









Gnarly, hadn’t seen that. I don’t know any of those situations but wouldn’t want it happening to me!

Now back to Kawi, most can admit they age quicker than most other bikes. They also had some issues with bolts rattling loose. Their fit and finish is just kinda shitty.

But again, pick a color. And as I previously said, depends how long you will keep the bike. Every too tester in this industry agrees KTM and Yamaha’s hold up the best. Kawasaki is at the bottom of that list. If you keep a bike 50 hrs, it won’t be an issue (though a Kawi clutch basket might not last that).
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