Let's see/review those 2019 kx450s

Monk
Profile picture for user Monk
Posts
864
Joined
1/11/2017
Location
CA
Monk 2/28/2021 7:03pm
2/28/2021 7:03pm
Monk wrote:
Natty Shock is like riding in pillows... Like it even more in the KX450 than my KTMs..

https://youtu.be/aPws78sMVEw
nornevrder wrote:
Dirt looks prime. What state?
BC, Canada
2
stax199
Profile picture for user stax199
Posts
157
Joined
3/7/2012
Location
Brooklyn, NY, USA
stax199 3/1/2021 8:09am
3/1/2021 8:09am
Putting finishing touches on this 2020. Replaced alot of oem parts. PC slip on hinson kit and cover all new slides guides sprockets and chain. New renthal fat bars
7

The Shop

See All »
Nate_Z
Profile picture for user Nate_Z
Posts
213
Joined
12/9/2018
Location
Prior Lake, MN, USA
Nate_Z 3/4/2021 6:27am
3/4/2021 6:27am
Question for my fellow KX riders...on my 21, did an oil change and half of an o-ring was caught in the screen down by the shifter. Bike runs fine, but a missing oring has me concerned. Looking closely at schematics, it is either an 8mm or 7mm oring so I ordered an 8mm oring to size match (is the oring on the piston oil nozzle) and that oring seems slightly bigger. There is a 7mm oring between both case halves, shown in the pic below. From lubrication schematic, seems like that is the oil passage for oil to the top end. Concerned that oil may not be getting there or the rest of the oring could be plugging an oil orifice. Could see oring misoriented during engine assembly and when cases were bolted up, oring sheared off.

Any advice?

wrc777
Profile picture for user wrc777
Posts
3273
Joined
5/21/2020
Location
Greenwood, IN, USA
wrc777 3/4/2021 7:21am
3/4/2021 7:21am
I wouldn’t run it. I would talk to the dealer because that almost has to be a manufacturing defect and that engine probably has to be stripped down and checked.
1
Nate_Z
Profile picture for user Nate_Z
Posts
213
Joined
12/9/2018
Location
Prior Lake, MN, USA
Nate_Z 3/4/2021 7:54am
3/4/2021 7:54am
wrc777 wrote:
I wouldn’t run it. I would talk to the dealer because that almost has to be a manufacturing defect and that engine probably has to be...
I wouldn’t run it. I would talk to the dealer because that almost has to be a manufacturing defect and that engine probably has to be stripped down and checked.
Yeah, I'm with you. I sent the note to the dealer so we will see what he says!
1
cwolf96
Profile picture for user cwolf96
Posts
99
Joined
8/12/2019
Location
Delavan, WI, USA
cwolf96 3/4/2021 8:11am
3/4/2021 8:11am
Does anyone have (1) .52 spring they want to part ways with?
WDSRCR
Profile picture for user WDSRCR
Posts
349
Joined
7/10/2017
Location
USA
WDSRCR 3/4/2021 8:58am
3/4/2021 8:58am
wrc777 wrote:
I wouldn’t run it. I would talk to the dealer because that almost has to be a manufacturing defect and that engine probably has to be...
I wouldn’t run it. I would talk to the dealer because that almost has to be a manufacturing defect and that engine probably has to be stripped down and checked.
Nate_Z wrote:
Yeah, I'm with you. I sent the note to the dealer so we will see what he says!
Yeah, I second that I wouldn't run it.

I would think you probably know who to contact at Kawasaki about having that looked at?

-J
Shawnh
Profile picture for user Shawnh
Posts
60
Joined
12/18/2018
Location
Brighton, CO, USA
Shawnh 3/4/2021 1:43pm
3/4/2021 1:43pm


Just traded in the '19 for a '21! Can't wait to twist a grip on Sunday. BTW, I had 67 hours on the '19 with no maintenance issues aside from fork seals, absolutely amazing bike!
3
quadzrulebro 3/4/2021 2:04pm
3/4/2021 2:04pm
Nate_Z wrote:
Question for my fellow KX riders...on my 21, did an oil change and half of an o-ring was caught in the screen down by the shifter...
Question for my fellow KX riders...on my 21, did an oil change and half of an o-ring was caught in the screen down by the shifter. Bike runs fine, but a missing oring has me concerned. Looking closely at schematics, it is either an 8mm or 7mm oring so I ordered an 8mm oring to size match (is the oring on the piston oil nozzle) and that oring seems slightly bigger. There is a 7mm oring between both case halves, shown in the pic below. From lubrication schematic, seems like that is the oil passage for oil to the top end. Concerned that oil may not be getting there or the rest of the oring could be plugging an oil orifice. Could see oring misoriented during engine assembly and when cases were bolted up, oring sheared off.

Any advice?

Do not ride it. Take it back to the dealer ASAP!
Nate_Z
Profile picture for user Nate_Z
Posts
213
Joined
12/9/2018
Location
Prior Lake, MN, USA
Nate_Z 3/6/2021 6:54am
3/6/2021 6:54am
Update on the random o-ring in the oil screen, dealer sent info to Kawasaki and Kawi recommended to tear engine apart to verify and will be good for all of the work. Inconvenience for sure, but glad that Kawi is standing behind their bikes and shoutout to Plainview Powersports in Southeast Minnesota for being a great dealership!
9
mx_phreek
Profile picture for user mx_phreek
Posts
2275
Joined
10/7/2009
Location
Manchester, GB
mx_phreek 3/6/2021 8:38am
3/6/2021 8:38am
That's a good result on both counts.
jcp411
Profile picture for user jcp411
Posts
109
Joined
12/26/2018
Location
Denton, TX, USA
jcp411 3/6/2021 10:18am
3/6/2021 10:18am
What is this? Is it something i need to mess with?
Jbulz
Profile picture for user Jbulz
Posts
871
Joined
3/29/2016
Location
Ithaca, NY, USA
Jbulz 3/6/2021 2:24pm
3/6/2021 2:24pm
jcp411 wrote:
What is this? Is it something i need to mess with? [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/03/06/481767/s1200_50739CBE_7000_4BA7_AF3C_4C10AE2A7041.jpg[/img]
What is this? Is it something i need to mess with?
Oil filter screen. Not necessary to clean it often, but you can. It will catch little particles of gear dogs and RTV sealant after the first few rides.
jcp411
Profile picture for user jcp411
Posts
109
Joined
12/26/2018
Location
Denton, TX, USA
jcp411 3/6/2021 7:41pm
3/6/2021 7:41pm
jcp411 wrote:
What is this? Is it something i need to mess with? [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/03/06/481767/s1200_50739CBE_7000_4BA7_AF3C_4C10AE2A7041.jpg[/img]
What is this? Is it something i need to mess with?
Jbulz wrote:
Oil filter screen. Not necessary to clean it often, but you can. It will catch little particles of gear dogs and RTV sealant after the first...
Oil filter screen. Not necessary to clean it often, but you can. It will catch little particles of gear dogs and RTV sealant after the first few rides.
Good to know! Thanks! Got 50hrs on it next oil change I’ll clean it out.
dancolvin633
Profile picture for user dancolvin633
Posts
685
Joined
6/28/2016
Location
Plumas Lake, CA, USA
dancolvin633 3/8/2021 2:12pm
3/8/2021 2:12pm
Wow, 5000 replies to this post! Hopefully we can do this again when the new bike comes out!
4
WDSRCR
Profile picture for user WDSRCR
Posts
349
Joined
7/10/2017
Location
USA
WDSRCR 3/9/2021 5:09am
3/9/2021 5:09am
Do we think 2022 will be significantly changed?

Pit Row

See All »
Monk
Profile picture for user Monk
Posts
864
Joined
1/11/2017
Location
CA
Monk 3/9/2021 5:12am
3/9/2021 5:12am
WDSRCR wrote:
Do we think 2022 will be significantly changed?
Based on Kawi's history, yes...

But maybe a late release?
1
Tim507
Profile picture for user Tim507
Posts
3491
Joined
6/8/2010
Location
Oregon City, OR, USA
Tim507 3/9/2021 5:43am
3/9/2021 5:43am
Monk wrote:
https://youtu.be/0dqLuZkq5H4
Very nice! Just mounted my Ride Engineering 21.5 on Saturday. I much prefer the ability turn in tighter on corners. I'm just shy of 70 and not a high speed guy anymore. Still have good skills, so turning in helps to cut under another rider. Suppose if I was a faster rider I could push them out.......Wink Whistling
1
DB505
Profile picture for user DB505
Posts
741
Joined
12/5/2013
Location
Rowlett, TX, USA
DB505 3/9/2021 6:02am
3/9/2021 6:02am
Monk wrote:
https://youtu.be/0dqLuZkq5H4
Tim507 wrote:
Very nice! Just mounted my Ride Engineering 21.5 on Saturday. I much prefer the ability turn in tighter on corners. I'm just shy of 70 and...
Very nice! Just mounted my Ride Engineering 21.5 on Saturday. I much prefer the ability turn in tighter on corners. I'm just shy of 70 and not a high speed guy anymore. Still have good skills, so turning in helps to cut under another rider. Suppose if I was a faster rider I could push them out.......Wink Whistling
No head shake?
Monk
Profile picture for user Monk
Posts
864
Joined
1/11/2017
Location
CA
Monk 3/9/2021 6:05am
3/9/2021 6:05am
Monk wrote:
https://youtu.be/0dqLuZkq5H4
Tim507 wrote:
Very nice! Just mounted my Ride Engineering 21.5 on Saturday. I much prefer the ability turn in tighter on corners. I'm just shy of 70 and...
Very nice! Just mounted my Ride Engineering 21.5 on Saturday. I much prefer the ability turn in tighter on corners. I'm just shy of 70 and not a high speed guy anymore. Still have good skills, so turning in helps to cut under another rider. Suppose if I was a faster rider I could push them out.......Wink Whistling
Nice. Just shy of 70? Dam... My dad is around 65 and still motos regularly. I was talking to someone a couple years ago and mentioned that only in about the last 7yrs have I actually been able to beat him. My dad is that guy that is all about YZ250s too. "got this new 450 dad"..."that's nice, but it's not a YZ250". Prior toj that is was 92-96 CR250s. I convinced him to get a YZ250f—he liked it but didn't love it and went back to a YZ250.

Because I race exclusively off-road, and our races are tight, I figure the 21.5mm would be a better choice. The funny thing is maybe less than a handful of guys race 450s around here because they are just too much bike.

I got my KX450 working pretty well in the tight stuff while using the stock triples but as a trade off a bit of oversteer mid-corner. One thing I really like about the forks is the holdup on them. Much better then any KTM I've owned on the past
2
WDSRCR
Profile picture for user WDSRCR
Posts
349
Joined
7/10/2017
Location
USA
WDSRCR 3/9/2021 6:11am
3/9/2021 6:11am
Monk wrote:
Nice. Just shy of 70? Dam... My dad is around 65 and still motos regularly. I was talking to someone a couple years ago and mentioned...
Nice. Just shy of 70? Dam... My dad is around 65 and still motos regularly. I was talking to someone a couple years ago and mentioned that only in about the last 7yrs have I actually been able to beat him. My dad is that guy that is all about YZ250s too. "got this new 450 dad"..."that's nice, but it's not a YZ250". Prior toj that is was 92-96 CR250s. I convinced him to get a YZ250f—he liked it but didn't love it and went back to a YZ250.

Because I race exclusively off-road, and our races are tight, I figure the 21.5mm would be a better choice. The funny thing is maybe less than a handful of guys race 450s around here because they are just too much bike.

I got my KX450 working pretty well in the tight stuff while using the stock triples but as a trade off a bit of oversteer mid-corner. One thing I really like about the forks is the holdup on them. Much better then any KTM I've owned on the past
100% agree about the "hold up" with the forks. They settle in nicely but don't have that "pitchy" "divey" feeling that the WPs on my KTM had. I have had KYBs on the KTM as well as Cone Valves and none of them work as good as these Showas.
1
Tim507
Profile picture for user Tim507
Posts
3491
Joined
6/8/2010
Location
Oregon City, OR, USA
Tim507 3/9/2021 6:21am
3/9/2021 6:21am
Monk wrote:
Nice. Just shy of 70? Dam... My dad is around 65 and still motos regularly. I was talking to someone a couple years ago and mentioned...
Nice. Just shy of 70? Dam... My dad is around 65 and still motos regularly. I was talking to someone a couple years ago and mentioned that only in about the last 7yrs have I actually been able to beat him. My dad is that guy that is all about YZ250s too. "got this new 450 dad"..."that's nice, but it's not a YZ250". Prior toj that is was 92-96 CR250s. I convinced him to get a YZ250f—he liked it but didn't love it and went back to a YZ250.

Because I race exclusively off-road, and our races are tight, I figure the 21.5mm would be a better choice. The funny thing is maybe less than a handful of guys race 450s around here because they are just too much bike.

I got my KX450 working pretty well in the tight stuff while using the stock triples but as a trade off a bit of oversteer mid-corner. One thing I really like about the forks is the holdup on them. Much better then any KTM I've owned on the past
WDSRCR wrote:
100% agree about the "hold up" with the forks. They settle in nicely but don't have that "pitchy" "divey" feeling that the WPs on my KTM...
100% agree about the "hold up" with the forks. They settle in nicely but don't have that "pitchy" "divey" feeling that the WPs on my KTM had. I have had KYBs on the KTM as well as Cone Valves and none of them work as good as these Showas.
I rode my sons KX 450 and had to get off it as it was so nice. I've been a KTM guy for nearly 15 years and I 'm looking forward to these forks......never could get the WP's to my liking either.

Yes there might be a bit of head shake, however I can deal with that. I like to brake late and turn sharp and the 21.5 will help. I'm not much of rail the corner kind of rider anymore.

As far as overall moto speed, I'm don't have that as much as I used to. I'm more into the exercise and fun of riding a dirt bike.
beamer
Profile picture for user beamer
Posts
879
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Squaw River, CA
beamer 3/9/2021 6:28am
3/9/2021 6:28am
Doing a shock service, is someone able to post up the service manual pages on this? Please and thank you!
DB505
Profile picture for user DB505
Posts
741
Joined
12/5/2013
Location
Rowlett, TX, USA
DB505 3/9/2021 7:42am
3/9/2021 7:42am
Monk wrote:
https://youtu.be/0dqLuZkq5H4
Tim507 wrote:
Very nice! Just mounted my Ride Engineering 21.5 on Saturday. I much prefer the ability turn in tighter on corners. I'm just shy of 70 and...
Very nice! Just mounted my Ride Engineering 21.5 on Saturday. I much prefer the ability turn in tighter on corners. I'm just shy of 70 and not a high speed guy anymore. Still have good skills, so turning in helps to cut under another rider. Suppose if I was a faster rider I could push them out.......Wink Whistling
Monk wrote:
Nice. Just shy of 70? Dam... My dad is around 65 and still motos regularly. I was talking to someone a couple years ago and mentioned...
Nice. Just shy of 70? Dam... My dad is around 65 and still motos regularly. I was talking to someone a couple years ago and mentioned that only in about the last 7yrs have I actually been able to beat him. My dad is that guy that is all about YZ250s too. "got this new 450 dad"..."that's nice, but it's not a YZ250". Prior toj that is was 92-96 CR250s. I convinced him to get a YZ250f—he liked it but didn't love it and went back to a YZ250.

Because I race exclusively off-road, and our races are tight, I figure the 21.5mm would be a better choice. The funny thing is maybe less than a handful of guys race 450s around here because they are just too much bike.

I got my KX450 working pretty well in the tight stuff while using the stock triples but as a trade off a bit of oversteer mid-corner. One thing I really like about the forks is the holdup on them. Much better then any KTM I've owned on the past
Useing your kx for tight of road, what have you done to the forks to ge them to work better?
I have mine working better ( revalved ) but still need some work to handle the rocks & roots better
Monk
Profile picture for user Monk
Posts
864
Joined
1/11/2017
Location
CA
Monk 3/9/2021 7:51am
3/9/2021 7:51am
Tim507 wrote:
Very nice! Just mounted my Ride Engineering 21.5 on Saturday. I much prefer the ability turn in tighter on corners. I'm just shy of 70 and...
Very nice! Just mounted my Ride Engineering 21.5 on Saturday. I much prefer the ability turn in tighter on corners. I'm just shy of 70 and not a high speed guy anymore. Still have good skills, so turning in helps to cut under another rider. Suppose if I was a faster rider I could push them out.......Wink Whistling
Monk wrote:
Nice. Just shy of 70? Dam... My dad is around 65 and still motos regularly. I was talking to someone a couple years ago and mentioned...
Nice. Just shy of 70? Dam... My dad is around 65 and still motos regularly. I was talking to someone a couple years ago and mentioned that only in about the last 7yrs have I actually been able to beat him. My dad is that guy that is all about YZ250s too. "got this new 450 dad"..."that's nice, but it's not a YZ250". Prior toj that is was 92-96 CR250s. I convinced him to get a YZ250f—he liked it but didn't love it and went back to a YZ250.

Because I race exclusively off-road, and our races are tight, I figure the 21.5mm would be a better choice. The funny thing is maybe less than a handful of guys race 450s around here because they are just too much bike.

I got my KX450 working pretty well in the tight stuff while using the stock triples but as a trade off a bit of oversteer mid-corner. One thing I really like about the forks is the holdup on them. Much better then any KTM I've owned on the past
DB505 wrote:
Useing your kx for tight of road, what have you done to the forks to ge them to work better? I have mine working better (...
Useing your kx for tight of road, what have you done to the forks to ge them to work better?
I have mine working better ( revalved ) but still need some work to handle the rocks & roots better
Right now, just spring and stock valving... None of our upper technical off-road is open due to snow, but out lower more roughed out stuff is. So currently its working pretty good.
lawson34
Profile picture for user lawson34
Posts
719
Joined
1/19/2019
Location
London, KY, USA
lawson34 3/14/2021 2:52pm
3/14/2021 2:52pm
What replacement battery are u guys using, mine took a dump
cwolf96
Profile picture for user cwolf96
Posts
99
Joined
8/12/2019
Location
Delavan, WI, USA
cwolf96 3/15/2021 6:13am
3/15/2021 6:13am
lawson34 wrote:
What replacement battery are u guys using, mine took a dump
Firepower makes a great OEM replacement battery at a reasonable cost.
1

Post a reply to: Let's see/review those 2019 kx450s