Let's see/review those 2019 kx450s

Almus72
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Almus72 5/26/2021 9:50pm
5/26/2021 9:50pm
js8thegreat wrote:
So a little update on my 2019 Kx450. My vibration hour meter said I had 114 hours on my kx450 so i took it in for...
So a little update on my 2019 Kx450. My vibration hour meter said I had 114 hours on my kx450 so i took it in for a new top end. I also had my steering stem bearings lock up completely so thought it was a good sign to finally do the top end and Steering Stem Bearings. The dealership said my bike actually has 83 hours on it! Cost me $1,220.09 for a top end and new steering stem bearings plus a tube install!
1.2k? Why? 150 the piston, 50 the gaskets, 50 the chain, some 80 the nut. 100 for the work. Never paid more for my old ‘16.
js8thegreat
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js8thegreat 5/26/2021 10:15pm
5/26/2021 10:15pm
js8thegreat wrote:
So a little update on my 2019 Kx450. My vibration hour meter said I had 114 hours on my kx450 so i took it in for...
So a little update on my 2019 Kx450. My vibration hour meter said I had 114 hours on my kx450 so i took it in for a new top end. I also had my steering stem bearings lock up completely so thought it was a good sign to finally do the top end and Steering Stem Bearings. The dealership said my bike actually has 83 hours on it! Cost me $1,220.09 for a top end and new steering stem bearings plus a tube install!
Almus72 wrote:
1.2k? Why? 150 the piston, 50 the gaskets, 50 the chain, some 80 the nut. 100 for the work. Never paid more for my old ‘16.
So roughly 950 for top end and 270 for steering stem bearings and tube install.
Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 5/31/2021 3:34pm
5/31/2021 3:34pm
Can anyone recommend an exhaust that doesn't give the bike more power? Sounds like a crazy request, but I love the feel of the stock pipe. Makes the bike so smooth and manageable that I can really ride it hard. I just don't like the look of the huge silencer and the sound isn't great. I recently fitted a full HGS system but it's so loud and makes the bike more powerful and responsive that I don't like it
WDSRCR
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WDSRCR 6/1/2021 6:05am
6/1/2021 6:05am
Well, my 450 experiment is now over. My 2021 KX450XC went to it's new owner this past Thursday. It's a great bike but not really suited to tight, eastern style, enduro racing. At least, not for me...

I am carrying on with a 21 KX250XC that is set up essentially the same aside from only doing a Pro Circuit T6 slip on as opposed to the full FMF Ti system.
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stax199
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stax199 6/1/2021 6:38am
6/1/2021 6:38am
Grovesy98 wrote:
Can anyone recommend an exhaust that doesn't give the bike more power? Sounds like a crazy request, but I love the feel of the stock pipe...
Can anyone recommend an exhaust that doesn't give the bike more power? Sounds like a crazy request, but I love the feel of the stock pipe. Makes the bike so smooth and manageable that I can really ride it hard. I just don't like the look of the huge silencer and the sound isn't great. I recently fitted a full HGS system but it's so loud and makes the bike more powerful and responsive that I don't like it
try the pro circuit t 6 slip on.. louder but not huge power change..
1
Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 6/1/2021 6:47am
6/1/2021 6:47am
Grovesy98 wrote:
Can anyone recommend an exhaust that doesn't give the bike more power? Sounds like a crazy request, but I love the feel of the stock pipe...
Can anyone recommend an exhaust that doesn't give the bike more power? Sounds like a crazy request, but I love the feel of the stock pipe. Makes the bike so smooth and manageable that I can really ride it hard. I just don't like the look of the huge silencer and the sound isn't great. I recently fitted a full HGS system but it's so loud and makes the bike more powerful and responsive that I don't like it
stax199 wrote:
try the pro circuit t 6 slip on.. louder but not huge power change..
Cheers, yeh that was the option I've been looking at
2
Zeke27G
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Zeke27G 6/1/2021 12:22pm
6/1/2021 12:22pm




So, BNG's for 2022, confirms this current KX450 generation as 2019-2022, with 2023 being a re-designed model? Assuming that happens, what's the smart move for a guy with a 2019 with 45 hours? Sell it and snag a discounted 2021, or a 2022 or wait to see what the 2023 is all about?
Moto520
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Moto520 6/1/2021 12:27pm
6/1/2021 12:27pm
Zeke27G wrote:
[img]https://cdn-0.motocrossactionmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2022-KAWASAKI-KX450RIGHT.jpeg[/img] So, BNG's for 2022, confirms this current KX450 generation as 2019-2022, with 2023 being a re-designed model? Assuming that happens, what's the smart move for...




So, BNG's for 2022, confirms this current KX450 generation as 2019-2022, with 2023 being a re-designed model? Assuming that happens, what's the smart move for a guy with a 2019 with 45 hours? Sell it and snag a discounted 2021, or a 2022 or wait to see what the 2023 is all about?
I would keep the bike with 45 hours. Freshen it up....ride it (gasp) for the rest of the season. If you were putting 100 hours on it per season then i would go new.
2
freds4
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freds4 6/1/2021 12:29pm
6/1/2021 12:29pm
Zeke27G wrote:
[img]https://cdn-0.motocrossactionmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2022-KAWASAKI-KX450RIGHT.jpeg[/img] So, BNG's for 2022, confirms this current KX450 generation as 2019-2022, with 2023 being a re-designed model? Assuming that happens, what's the smart move for...




So, BNG's for 2022, confirms this current KX450 generation as 2019-2022, with 2023 being a re-designed model? Assuming that happens, what's the smart move for a guy with a 2019 with 45 hours? Sell it and snag a discounted 2021, or a 2022 or wait to see what the 2023 is all about?
45 hours? Why would you need another bike at all, it's just well-broken-in?
Mr. Afterbar
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Mr. Afterbar 6/1/2021 12:32pm
6/1/2021 12:32pm
Zeke27G wrote:
[img]https://cdn-0.motocrossactionmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2022-KAWASAKI-KX450RIGHT.jpeg[/img] So, BNG's for 2022, confirms this current KX450 generation as 2019-2022, with 2023 being a re-designed model? Assuming that happens, what's the smart move for...




So, BNG's for 2022, confirms this current KX450 generation as 2019-2022, with 2023 being a re-designed model? Assuming that happens, what's the smart move for a guy with a 2019 with 45 hours? Sell it and snag a discounted 2021, or a 2022 or wait to see what the 2023 is all about?
I’d definitely wait.
Moto520
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Moto520 6/1/2021 12:33pm
6/1/2021 12:33pm
So.....this is my motor after one of the Rekluse sleeves fell off the basket mid-moto. The bike ran for 20 minutes before i shut it down. The piece is stainless steel. It damaged the head, cam journal, and intake cam. Could be worse but still a kick in the gonads (i have another bike to ride.....don't feel too bad for me).






Moto520
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Moto520 6/1/2021 12:35pm
6/1/2021 12:35pm

Zeke27G
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Zeke27G 6/1/2021 1:30pm
6/1/2021 1:30pm
Moto520 wrote:
So.....this is my motor after one of the Rekluse sleeves fell off the basket mid-moto. The bike ran for 20 minutes before i shut it down...
So.....this is my motor after one of the Rekluse sleeves fell off the basket mid-moto. The bike ran for 20 minutes before i shut it down. The piece is stainless steel. It damaged the head, cam journal, and intake cam. Could be worse but still a kick in the gonads (i have another bike to ride.....don't feel too bad for me).







Damn, I still feel bad for you. If anyone needs a freshie, it's definitely you!
Nate_Z
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Nate_Z 6/1/2021 2:14pm
6/1/2021 2:14pm
I've used those same basket sleeves for several years without issue...what exactly happened?
Moto520
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Moto520 6/1/2021 7:50pm
6/1/2021 7:50pm
Nate_Z wrote:
I've used those same basket sleeves for several years without issue...what exactly happened?
I don’t know. I could have put in on wrong or the part could have broken
soopah noviss 6/1/2021 8:25pm
6/1/2021 8:25pm Edited Date/Time 6/1/2021 8:28pm
What year OEM lower chain roller are folks using to replace this garbage gear shaped one?


2016 was it?

...and should be fine on my 250, correct?
quadzrulebro 6/2/2021 9:53am
6/2/2021 9:53am Edited Date/Time 6/2/2021 9:54am
soopah noviss wrote:
What year OEM lower chain roller are folks using to replace this garbage gear shaped one? 2016 was it? ...and should be fine on my 250...
What year OEM lower chain roller are folks using to replace this garbage gear shaped one?


2016 was it?

...and should be fine on my 250, correct?
I can’t remember which one I got, but any of the aftermarket ones (with a bearing) will be an improvement over the stock one. Just make sure it lines up with the chain properly. The one I got required a spacer.
Moto520
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Moto520 6/2/2021 11:56am
6/2/2021 11:56am
Moto520 wrote:
So.....this is my motor after one of the Rekluse sleeves fell off the basket mid-moto. The bike ran for 20 minutes before i shut it down...
So.....this is my motor after one of the Rekluse sleeves fell off the basket mid-moto. The bike ran for 20 minutes before i shut it down. The piece is stainless steel. It damaged the head, cam journal, and intake cam. Could be worse but still a kick in the gonads (i have another bike to ride.....don't feel too bad for me).






Zeke27G wrote:

Damn, I still feel bad for you. If anyone needs a freshie, it's definitely you!
Thanks brother! I appreciate the sentiment.

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Jbulz
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Jbulz 6/10/2021 9:40am
6/10/2021 9:40am
FYI, I posted this fix for the KX steering stem bearings in the "Greasing your bike" thread last night and figured I should share it here too. So far this seems to have cured my crunchy stem bearing issues!

---
The reason your kx stem bearings are rusting is water intrusion - it's not your fault, it's just a shit design. Water is getting in between the upper bearing inner race and the preload nut. Look closely and you'll see it is not an effective sealing joint. I've never had a problem on my other bikes, but could barely get 10-15 hrs out of my 19 & 21 KX450s before they locked up!

No amount of grease will protect from that because once water is past the seals it has no way out. It gets emulsified into the grease and breaks it down (even waterproof grease).

The cure for the kx stem bearings rusting is to use some Teflon plumbers tape on the thread of the preload nut, and a thin o-ring between the preload nut and inner race. I don't have the measurement in front of me but I believe it was a 28 mm x 1 mm o-ring that I used. You can buy them from any industrial supply like MSC or McMaster.
3
Moto520
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Moto520 6/10/2021 10:01am
6/10/2021 10:01am
Jbulz wrote:
FYI, I posted this fix for the KX steering stem bearings in the "Greasing your bike" thread last night and figured I should share it here...
FYI, I posted this fix for the KX steering stem bearings in the "Greasing your bike" thread last night and figured I should share it here too. So far this seems to have cured my crunchy stem bearing issues!

---
The reason your kx stem bearings are rusting is water intrusion - it's not your fault, it's just a shit design. Water is getting in between the upper bearing inner race and the preload nut. Look closely and you'll see it is not an effective sealing joint. I've never had a problem on my other bikes, but could barely get 10-15 hrs out of my 19 & 21 KX450s before they locked up!

No amount of grease will protect from that because once water is past the seals it has no way out. It gets emulsified into the grease and breaks it down (even waterproof grease).

The cure for the kx stem bearings rusting is to use some Teflon plumbers tape on the thread of the preload nut, and a thin o-ring between the preload nut and inner race. I don't have the measurement in front of me but I believe it was a 28 mm x 1 mm o-ring that I used. You can buy them from any industrial supply like MSC or McMaster.
Good advice. Mine needed to be replaced at 85 hours. It was still functional but as long as i had it apart i replaced the bearings and races. I thought 85 hours with a pressure wash every 2 hours was pretty good. Gotta be careful not to spray this area of the bike.
50dippin
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50dippin 6/10/2021 10:07am
6/10/2021 10:07am
Jbulz wrote:
FYI, I posted this fix for the KX steering stem bearings in the "Greasing your bike" thread last night and figured I should share it here...
FYI, I posted this fix for the KX steering stem bearings in the "Greasing your bike" thread last night and figured I should share it here too. So far this seems to have cured my crunchy stem bearing issues!

---
The reason your kx stem bearings are rusting is water intrusion - it's not your fault, it's just a shit design. Water is getting in between the upper bearing inner race and the preload nut. Look closely and you'll see it is not an effective sealing joint. I've never had a problem on my other bikes, but could barely get 10-15 hrs out of my 19 & 21 KX450s before they locked up!

No amount of grease will protect from that because once water is past the seals it has no way out. It gets emulsified into the grease and breaks it down (even waterproof grease).

The cure for the kx stem bearings rusting is to use some Teflon plumbers tape on the thread of the preload nut, and a thin o-ring between the preload nut and inner race. I don't have the measurement in front of me but I believe it was a 28 mm x 1 mm o-ring that I used. You can buy them from any industrial supply like MSC or McMaster.
Moto520 wrote:
Good advice. Mine needed to be replaced at 85 hours. It was still functional but as long as i had it apart i replaced the bearings...
Good advice. Mine needed to be replaced at 85 hours. It was still functional but as long as i had it apart i replaced the bearings and races. I thought 85 hours with a pressure wash every 2 hours was pretty good. Gotta be careful not to spray this area of the bike.
my stock bearings lasted about 20 hours, I had the bars relatively tight. My second set has been on for a couple years and still feels great. The only difference was this time I have the bars set pretty free and they will fall to one side with a slight push. Still pressure wash the bike once or twice a week. Not sure if the added pressure had anything to do with it.
Almus72
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Almus72 6/10/2021 10:19am
6/10/2021 10:19am
Jbulz wrote:
FYI, I posted this fix for the KX steering stem bearings in the "Greasing your bike" thread last night and figured I should share it here...
FYI, I posted this fix for the KX steering stem bearings in the "Greasing your bike" thread last night and figured I should share it here too. So far this seems to have cured my crunchy stem bearing issues!

---
The reason your kx stem bearings are rusting is water intrusion - it's not your fault, it's just a shit design. Water is getting in between the upper bearing inner race and the preload nut. Look closely and you'll see it is not an effective sealing joint. I've never had a problem on my other bikes, but could barely get 10-15 hrs out of my 19 & 21 KX450s before they locked up!

No amount of grease will protect from that because once water is past the seals it has no way out. It gets emulsified into the grease and breaks it down (even waterproof grease).

The cure for the kx stem bearings rusting is to use some Teflon plumbers tape on the thread of the preload nut, and a thin o-ring between the preload nut and inner race. I don't have the measurement in front of me but I believe it was a 28 mm x 1 mm o-ring that I used. You can buy them from any industrial supply like MSC or McMaster.
Moto520 wrote:
Good advice. Mine needed to be replaced at 85 hours. It was still functional but as long as i had it apart i replaced the bearings...
Good advice. Mine needed to be replaced at 85 hours. It was still functional but as long as i had it apart i replaced the bearings and races. I thought 85 hours with a pressure wash every 2 hours was pretty good. Gotta be careful not to spray this area of the bike.
50dippin wrote:
my stock bearings lasted about 20 hours, I had the bars relatively tight. My second set has been on for a couple years and still feels...
my stock bearings lasted about 20 hours, I had the bars relatively tight. My second set has been on for a couple years and still feels great. The only difference was this time I have the bars set pretty free and they will fall to one side with a slight push. Still pressure wash the bike once or twice a week. Not sure if the added pressure had anything to do with it.
30 hours on mine.

BTW, do you know if the '21 250 triple clamps fit our bike?
WDSRCR
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WDSRCR 6/10/2021 10:54am
6/10/2021 10:54am Edited Date/Time 6/10/2021 10:55am
Almus72 wrote:
30 hours on mine.

BTW, do you know if the '21 250 triple clamps fit our bike?
I don't believe they do. I wanted to move the Showa stuff from my 450 to the 250 I have and the clamps were a different part number from what my regional Kaw rep told me.


On second thought, I would bet the clamps will work on the bike but will require the KYB forks. I think the Showas may be a little larger diameter.
Nystrom7
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Nystrom7 6/10/2021 9:53pm
6/10/2021 9:53pm
Grease the bearings when the bike is new and its not a problem. Did my 19 new and then att 50 something hours and still looked like new. Over 80 hours when i sold it without an issue. always pressure wash it.

This cant be anything but a poor maintenance problem.
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dancolvin633
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dancolvin633 6/10/2021 10:41pm
6/10/2021 10:41pm
Almus72 wrote:
30 hours on mine.

BTW, do you know if the '21 250 triple clamps fit our bike?
WDSRCR wrote:
I don't believe they do. I wanted to move the Showa stuff from my 450 to the 250 I have and the clamps were a different...
I don't believe they do. I wanted to move the Showa stuff from my 450 to the 250 I have and the clamps were a different part number from what my regional Kaw rep told me.


On second thought, I would bet the clamps will work on the bike but will require the KYB forks. I think the Showas may be a little larger diameter.
The clamping diameter is the same
For the showa forks and KYB forks... so you can put showa forks in a 250 and vice versa.... this is for 19-22 KX450 and 21-22 KX250. Oem part number may differ between the 2 as one could slightly differ in thickness or something like that..
Almus72
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Almus72 6/10/2021 11:34pm
6/10/2021 11:34pm
Almus72 wrote:
30 hours on mine.

BTW, do you know if the '21 250 triple clamps fit our bike?
WDSRCR wrote:
I don't believe they do. I wanted to move the Showa stuff from my 450 to the 250 I have and the clamps were a different...
I don't believe they do. I wanted to move the Showa stuff from my 450 to the 250 I have and the clamps were a different part number from what my regional Kaw rep told me.


On second thought, I would bet the clamps will work on the bike but will require the KYB forks. I think the Showas may be a little larger diameter.
dancolvin633 wrote:
The clamping diameter is the same For the showa forks and KYB forks... so you can put showa forks in a 250 and vice versa.... this...
The clamping diameter is the same
For the showa forks and KYB forks... so you can put showa forks in a 250 and vice versa.... this is for 19-22 KX450 and 21-22 KX250. Oem part number may differ between the 2 as one could slightly differ in thickness or something like that..
Found these from a 250 ‘21 nearly new. I have to check the steering angle.

dancolvin633
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dancolvin633 6/10/2021 11:39pm
6/10/2021 11:39pm
WDSRCR wrote:
I don't believe they do. I wanted to move the Showa stuff from my 450 to the 250 I have and the clamps were a different...
I don't believe they do. I wanted to move the Showa stuff from my 450 to the 250 I have and the clamps were a different part number from what my regional Kaw rep told me.


On second thought, I would bet the clamps will work on the bike but will require the KYB forks. I think the Showas may be a little larger diameter.
dancolvin633 wrote:
The clamping diameter is the same For the showa forks and KYB forks... so you can put showa forks in a 250 and vice versa.... this...
The clamping diameter is the same
For the showa forks and KYB forks... so you can put showa forks in a 250 and vice versa.... this is for 19-22 KX450 and 21-22 KX250. Oem part number may differ between the 2 as one could slightly differ in thickness or something like that..
Almus72 wrote:
Found these from a 250 ‘21 nearly new. I have to check the steering angle. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/06/10/497232/s1200_61B9EB79_A178_48B7_A50B_F8B6531F7EB8.jpg[/img]
Found these from a 250 ‘21 nearly new. I have to check the steering angle.

They should work fine. Stock offset is 23mm on both 450 and 250
1
soopah noviss 6/12/2021 8:06pm
6/12/2021 8:06pm
soopah noviss wrote:
What year OEM lower chain roller are folks using to replace this garbage gear shaped one? 2016 was it? ...and should be fine on my 250...
What year OEM lower chain roller are folks using to replace this garbage gear shaped one?


2016 was it?

...and should be fine on my 250, correct?
quadzrulebro wrote:
I can’t remember which one I got, but any of the aftermarket ones (with a bearing) will be an improvement over the stock one. Just make...
I can’t remember which one I got, but any of the aftermarket ones (with a bearing) will be an improvement over the stock one. Just make sure it lines up with the chain properly. The one I got required a spacer.
Thanks for the reply,

...but isn't there a previous year OEM (2016??) one that most people were using to replace the current? Pretty sure I read that within this monstrosity of a thread at some point.

It worked well and did not require shimming .
JB479
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JB479 6/12/2021 9:19pm
6/12/2021 9:19pm
Would it be worth me trying a 5.2 shock spring if im 155 without gear? Im a fast b rider but i feel the shock is putting to much weight on the front end making the forks dive. Im running 104 with about 45 static at the moment.
quadzrulebro 6/13/2021 6:55am
6/13/2021 6:55am
JB479 wrote:
Would it be worth me trying a 5.2 shock spring if im 155 without gear? Im a fast b rider but i feel the shock is...
Would it be worth me trying a 5.2 shock spring if im 155 without gear? Im a fast b rider but i feel the shock is putting to much weight on the front end making the forks dive. Im running 104 with about 45 static at the moment.
I wish I had your problem! At 6’4”, 215 lbs without gear, I had to bump up to at 6.0!
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