Let's see/review those 2019 kx450s

Shaggin589
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Shaggin589 3/15/2021 6:16am
3/15/2021 6:16am
lawson34 wrote:
What replacement battery are u guys using, mine took a dump
cwolf96 wrote:
Firepower makes a great OEM replacement battery at a reasonable cost.
I second this. Put one in my 19 and my 20 and had 0 issues
1
stax199
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stax199 3/16/2021 3:42pm
3/16/2021 3:42pm
Put some hours on the 2020 kx450. Hinson clutch kit was great. Pull at lever was stiffer than oem on the stand but did not notice while riding. Also ran mx53 up front and 33 in rear. Great traction in every condition. I noticed or enjoyed a pinch of power from PC slip and the clutch. Went up 1 tooth at rear sprocket which allowed 3rd to be used and 4th at times.


8
1
DJS721
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DJS721 3/16/2021 3:50pm
3/16/2021 3:50pm Edited Date/Time 3/16/2021 3:51pm
stax199 wrote:
Put some hours on the 2020 kx450. Hinson clutch kit was great. Pull at lever was stiffer than oem on the stand but did not notice...
Put some hours on the 2020 kx450. Hinson clutch kit was great. Pull at lever was stiffer than oem on the stand but did not notice while riding. Also ran mx53 up front and 33 in rear. Great traction in every condition. I noticed or enjoyed a pinch of power from PC slip and the clutch. Went up 1 tooth at rear sprocket which allowed 3rd to be used and 4th at times.


I have always wanted to hear feedback on the MX53 front, you say great traction in any condition...can you elaborate?

I am picturing your area may be similar to Ohio; clay base, can be very good (deep, grippy, perfect blend of moist and dry), to burned out and cement like....to slop. Not wondering about the slop conditions

Feedback? And thanks!

Good lookin scooter
1
stax199
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stax199 3/16/2021 5:09pm
3/16/2021 5:09pm
stax199 wrote:
Put some hours on the 2020 kx450. Hinson clutch kit was great. Pull at lever was stiffer than oem on the stand but did not notice...
Put some hours on the 2020 kx450. Hinson clutch kit was great. Pull at lever was stiffer than oem on the stand but did not notice while riding. Also ran mx53 up front and 33 in rear. Great traction in every condition. I noticed or enjoyed a pinch of power from PC slip and the clutch. Went up 1 tooth at rear sprocket which allowed 3rd to be used and 4th at times.


DJS721 wrote:
I have always wanted to hear feedback on the MX53 front, you say great traction in any condition...can you elaborate? I am picturing your area may...
I have always wanted to hear feedback on the MX53 front, you say great traction in any condition...can you elaborate?

I am picturing your area may be similar to Ohio; clay base, can be very good (deep, grippy, perfect blend of moist and dry), to burned out and cement like....to slop. Not wondering about the slop conditions

Feedback? And thanks!

Good lookin scooter
Yes we have wet loam in AM and by day end concrete jump faces hard ruts and bumps. This combo was great all day. Tracked and provided confidence upfront. Always struggled with front sliding or staying planted. This 53 was great i also was nervous to mix tires but would run this combo going fwd.
3

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Jbulz
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Jbulz 3/16/2021 5:22pm
3/16/2021 5:22pm
stax199 wrote:
Put some hours on the 2020 kx450. Hinson clutch kit was great. Pull at lever was stiffer than oem on the stand but did not notice...
Put some hours on the 2020 kx450. Hinson clutch kit was great. Pull at lever was stiffer than oem on the stand but did not notice while riding. Also ran mx53 up front and 33 in rear. Great traction in every condition. I noticed or enjoyed a pinch of power from PC slip and the clutch. Went up 1 tooth at rear sprocket which allowed 3rd to be used and 4th at times.


DJS721 wrote:
I have always wanted to hear feedback on the MX53 front, you say great traction in any condition...can you elaborate? I am picturing your area may...
I have always wanted to hear feedback on the MX53 front, you say great traction in any condition...can you elaborate?

I am picturing your area may be similar to Ohio; clay base, can be very good (deep, grippy, perfect blend of moist and dry), to burned out and cement like....to slop. Not wondering about the slop conditions

Feedback? And thanks!

Good lookin scooter
I run this combo in NY. I don't like it when the track has moisture in it, it seems to grab edges of ruts to me and it feels like it packs up a bit. It is my go to tire for harder dry 2nd moto conditions.
1
Monk
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Monk 3/17/2021 3:30pm
3/17/2021 3:30pm
lawson34 wrote:
What replacement battery are u guys using, mine took a dump
Antigravity AG-801
Almus72
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Almus72 3/17/2021 11:26pm
3/17/2021 11:26pm
The 53 is good but, for me, there is nothing like the pirelli 32 midsoft front. The rear is equally good but tears apart on clay. Hence I prefer the 32 midhard rear.
Monk
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Monk 3/20/2021 6:20pm
3/20/2021 6:20pm
2-40min motos in the books for today... Some face slappers out there resulting in a broken handguard and some beat up fingers but overall feeling good on the bike. Tank is noticeable only when you sit on the bike, but when you start riding, it disappears. Used about 2/3rds of a tank in fuel...21.5mm clamps definitely make it easier to bend the bike around tight trees...







2
Kyle978
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Kyle978 3/20/2021 8:00pm
3/20/2021 8:00pm
I want your tank so bad! Awesome looking ride, glad you’re enjoying it 👊🏼
2
Almus72
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Almus72 3/23/2021 6:14am
3/23/2021 6:14am
Has anybody tried the ride engineering linkage? Opinions on cornering? I am 6ft, So I am not really looking to lower my bike.
freds4
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freds4 3/25/2021 7:39am
3/25/2021 7:39am
So, back in December my youngest Son Kyle decided he liked 250Fs better than 450s and so he gave me his 2019 KX450 with 54 hours on it and got a 2021 KX250. He is not known for his meticulous maintenance so I brought it home and tore it down to the frame and began a very slow rebuild while checking everything out. I greased everything (steering head bearings were the worst) and added a bunch of parts and although it is not yet finished, I have it back together enough to have fired it up and done a quick test ride.
A big "thank you" to Lou, who told me about this thread when I had trouble with that damned red clip in the fuel line. Today I finally finished reading all 168 pages and the information has been SO valuable and appreciated!
I rode this bike a couple of times before in SoCal (I live in Tennessee) and absolutely LOVED it, but since then my Son had changed BOTH fork springs to a higher rate and I am now waiting for him to send me the stock ones so I can put one back in, as I only weigh about 163 pounds.
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freds4
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freds4 3/25/2021 7:42am
3/25/2021 7:42am
My first time riding this bike, back before I knew I was going to own it. Afterwards I told him it was the best MX bike I have ever ridden and I began racing in 1975.
https://vimeo.com/374175354
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Almus72
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Almus72 3/25/2021 10:49am
3/25/2021 10:49am
Hi guys, this mi latest setup. I changed fork seals and put 350cc of showa oil. not it seems to hold the stroke a lot better.
Who can give me some feedback on the ride engineering link? I am 6ft and 160st. How does the bike change entering tight curves?

WDSRCR
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WDSRCR 3/25/2021 11:06am
3/25/2021 11:06am
We recently bought my wife a KX250XC to go along with my 450XC.

After one ride she realizes it is definitely not something she wants.

I am going to ride it at different races that I feel the 450 won't be great at.

I am wondering if anyone has moved the 450 Showa stuff over to the 250 and what is required. I confirmed the triple clamps are, in fact, different. I am guessing that means the forks would require swapping triples also. Anyone know of any differences in the shock dimensions or if they are a direct swap?

1
Nate_Z
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Nate_Z 3/25/2021 2:44pm
3/25/2021 2:44pm
WDSRCR wrote:
We recently bought my wife a KX250XC to go along with my 450XC. After one ride she realizes it is definitely not something she wants. I...
We recently bought my wife a KX250XC to go along with my 450XC.

After one ride she realizes it is definitely not something she wants.

I am going to ride it at different races that I feel the 450 won't be great at.

I am wondering if anyone has moved the 450 Showa stuff over to the 250 and what is required. I confirmed the triple clamps are, in fact, different. I am guessing that means the forks would require swapping triples also. Anyone know of any differences in the shock dimensions or if they are a direct swap?

I would be curious the other way around...Keefer's 250 testing talked about how much better he felt the 250 forks were. BTW, good strategy for a second bike. Honey, I bought you a new bike. Ah, too bad you don't like it. Let's just keep it for a spare.
2
DB505
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DB505 3/25/2021 5:43pm
3/25/2021 5:43pm
WDSRCR wrote:
We recently bought my wife a KX250XC to go along with my 450XC. After one ride she realizes it is definitely not something she wants. I...
We recently bought my wife a KX250XC to go along with my 450XC.

After one ride she realizes it is definitely not something she wants.

I am going to ride it at different races that I feel the 450 won't be great at.

I am wondering if anyone has moved the 450 Showa stuff over to the 250 and what is required. I confirmed the triple clamps are, in fact, different. I am guessing that means the forks would require swapping triples also. Anyone know of any differences in the shock dimensions or if they are a direct swap?

How do you like the 250x?
cwolf96
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cwolf96 3/26/2021 5:59am
3/26/2021 5:59am
What is everyone running for fork height? 5mm, 2.5mm, or flush with the caps?

Pit Row

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Sipes #412
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Sipes #412 3/26/2021 7:53am
3/26/2021 7:53am
I have a 19 and I am looking to get a new clutch soon. Should I upgrade to the 21 style clutch or go aftermarket?
WDSRCR
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WDSRCR 3/26/2021 8:21am
3/26/2021 8:21am
WDSRCR wrote:
We recently bought my wife a KX250XC to go along with my 450XC. After one ride she realizes it is definitely not something she wants. I...
We recently bought my wife a KX250XC to go along with my 450XC.

After one ride she realizes it is definitely not something she wants.

I am going to ride it at different races that I feel the 450 won't be great at.

I am wondering if anyone has moved the 450 Showa stuff over to the 250 and what is required. I confirmed the triple clamps are, in fact, different. I am guessing that means the forks would require swapping triples also. Anyone know of any differences in the shock dimensions or if they are a direct swap?

DB505 wrote:
How do you like the 250x?
@DB505

I have almost 5 minutes on it. I had the suspension lowered and setup for my wife and after one ride she jumped ship and decided on something different.

I had the opportunity a couple days ago to ride my 450xc, 250xc, a CRF250F, and my KTM 250XC (2 Stroke) all back to back.

The KX250 engine has the black coupler on it as it was delivered. It was smooth off the bottom and pulled very good in the midrange and through the top end.. Once I get the suspension sent back and raised back up and setup for me, I can give a better impression of the KYB stuff. The 450 Showa stuff is probably the best suspension I have EVER rode and I had Cone Valves and have ridden TRAX shocks, etc.

@NateZ I saw that from Keefer and all I can figure on that is Keefer loves the Yamaha, and KYB so much that it is a more familiar feel to him. My previous KYB bikes all seemed super plush but seemed to want to wallow around and settle into the midstroke and stay there. The Showas ride higher and seem as plush without wanting to bottom.
1
datkin128
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datkin128 3/26/2021 8:50am
3/26/2021 8:50am
cwolf96 wrote:
What is everyone running for fork height? 5mm, 2.5mm, or flush with the caps?
I have tried all those and like around 2 or 3mm the best. I think I am running 2mm and like it. I found 5mm to oversteer in ruts and thought it was too much.
1
the kid 857
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the kid 857 3/26/2021 11:35am
3/26/2021 11:35am
Sipes #412 wrote:
I have a 19 and I am looking to get a new clutch soon. Should I upgrade to the 21 style clutch or go aftermarket?
If it where me I would buy the full Hinson for the 21. ( this should fit in the 19 just converts it to 21. Call Hinson to confirm. Little more expensive but that clutch is bullet proof. Had it in my last 19 with 70 hours no issues. Little bit stiffer clutch pull. But if you use the stock springs it lighter.
quadzrulebro 3/28/2021 12:05pm
3/28/2021 12:05pm
Does anyone know if I need to remove the base valve assembly to change my fork oil? I’m not changing seals and bushings, just oil. The service manual says that I need to, but for one, it doesn’t feel like there is any oil in the cylinder unit (the bike has been sitting for 2 weeks), and two, I don’t have the 40 mm socket that is required to pull the base valve assembly from the cylinder unit.
wrc777
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wrc777 3/28/2021 12:31pm
3/28/2021 12:31pm
You can pour the fork oil out of the legs without taking apart the damper, but there is a lot of oil in the damper unit too. It doesn’t get as dirty as the oil in the leg but it gets mechanically beat up, and it is what controls the damping action. Ideally change both.
quadzrulebro 3/28/2021 12:33pm
3/28/2021 12:33pm
quadzrulebro wrote:
Does anyone know if I need to remove the base valve assembly to change my fork oil? I’m not changing seals and bushings, just oil. The...
Does anyone know if I need to remove the base valve assembly to change my fork oil? I’m not changing seals and bushings, just oil. The service manual says that I need to, but for one, it doesn’t feel like there is any oil in the cylinder unit (the bike has been sitting for 2 weeks), and two, I don’t have the 40 mm socket that is required to pull the base valve assembly from the cylinder unit.
Please disregard this question. I feel like an idiot for asking. Problem solved and base valve assembly removed. The manual shows a guy using a 40mm socket, but my 19mm wrench worked just fine 🤦🏼‍♂️
DB505
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DB505 3/28/2021 4:39pm
3/28/2021 4:39pm
Got a 20, for sale!
Monk
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Monk 3/28/2021 4:56pm
3/28/2021 4:56pm
Really starting to get this KX dialed in, with small glimpses of the old racer in me poking through time to time. One thing I really like about this bike is how easy it is too ride over a long period of time. The bike is extremely predictable and doesn't do anything crazy...

4
BobPA
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BobPA 3/28/2021 5:12pm
3/28/2021 5:12pm
I am really in the market for one...But the dealers are asking top damn dollar. Been on the phone all last week and everyone wants 10,600+ OTD. I can go out of state to save tax, but man...pries are through the roof.
49weasel
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49weasel 3/28/2021 5:40pm
3/28/2021 5:40pm
Has anyone went up 2 teeth on the rear ?
WDSRCR
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WDSRCR 3/29/2021 4:19pm
3/29/2021 4:19pm
49weasel wrote:
Has anyone went up 2 teeth on the rear ?
I have a 52 on my 450XC. It works good in very tight east coast style enduro like that. On an MX model, on a track, I’d think it would make 1st useless.

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