Let's see/review those 2019 kx450s

Moto520
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Moto520 9/10/2021 2:00pm
9/10/2021 2:00pm
Markus422 wrote:
I was thinking about a 19-22 KX450 but I have a few concerns so I figured I should consult this thread. I guess my main concern...
I was thinking about a 19-22 KX450 but I have a few concerns so I figured I should consult this thread. I guess my main concern is soft front forks. I’m 6’3” 220 lbs and ride both moto and off road at an A class level. Are there good set ups for me, or should I be shooting for for something like a YZ450. I’m willing to obviously be a little softer on the moto side in exchange for forks I can go ride in the mountains with, but I don’t want to be blowing through the stroke or feeling unsafe on the moto track.
Yes....there are setups for bigger dudes for sure. Bike is great if you are taller....i'm 6'3" and this fits me better than the YZ450F (i have a 2020). I used Factory Connection and it was good right away.
quadzrulebro 9/10/2021 2:35pm
9/10/2021 2:35pm
Markus422 wrote:
I was thinking about a 19-22 KX450 but I have a few concerns so I figured I should consult this thread. I guess my main concern...
I was thinking about a 19-22 KX450 but I have a few concerns so I figured I should consult this thread. I guess my main concern is soft front forks. I’m 6’3” 220 lbs and ride both moto and off road at an A class level. Are there good set ups for me, or should I be shooting for for something like a YZ450. I’m willing to obviously be a little softer on the moto side in exchange for forks I can go ride in the mountains with, but I don’t want to be blowing through the stroke or feeling unsafe on the moto track.
I’m 6’3” 215lbs. I just finished on the podium in the B class at Vet Fest, so it sounds like we’re about the same speed. I put in .53 fork springs which made the front hold up in the chop, then increased the fork oil level to 350ml to eliminate bottoming. In the back, because of my height mostly, I went up to a 6.0 spring on the advice of Factory Connection. No other suspension work was necessary. I’m very happy with how my bike handles, and I always have better results in the second moto when the track gets rougher. Between the excellent suspension and the adjustability of the chassis, I’ve never owned a bike more comfortable than this one.
Kyle978
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Kyle978 9/10/2021 2:50pm
9/10/2021 2:50pm Edited Date/Time 9/10/2021 2:52pm
6’1 205 lbs. 31 years old A off-road and moto, revalve/spring from Pro Circuit on a ‘21. It’s a WORCS setting and honestly some of the best suspension I’ve had, and all around the best bike I’ve ever owned. It’s held up great so far on 50 hours of off road and moto.

At that weight, springs are literally mandatory. You’re not riding in the right part of the stroke. Your frame geometry is off, your suspension doesn’t act right when it hits bumps in that part of the stroke. If you are an A rider, it’s really not safe to ride and race without revalved suspension. it should be part of the deal no matter what bike you choose.
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Almus72
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Almus72 10/2/2021 7:50am
10/2/2021 7:50am
Hi guys, my 2019 has 100hrs. I guess it's time for a new piston. I am getting a METEOR forged standard compression piston. The size will depend on the diameter when I take down the engine.
I am also changing the drive chain and gaskets (and rubber rings on valves), probably both from ATHENA.

Do I need to change the tensioner? Does it have one?



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sebastianer 10/6/2021 11:44am
10/6/2021 11:44am
So is this bike one of the most realieble bikes eginge wise ever built? i mean after 174 pages and cant seem to find anyone that has had much engine problems that is not the norm now days.
1
Moto520
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Moto520 10/6/2021 12:42pm
10/6/2021 12:42pm
I'm at 125 hours right now. I had the motor looked at and a new top end installed at 85 hours. Bike still feels good. No major issues with the exception of the sub-frame muffler mount. I go through the stock rear brake pads pretty quickly...i switched from stock to EBC and the EBC has held up much better than stock. They squeek like an mfer though.....

I have 2 sets of stock wheels so they have held up well. Seriously.....no maintenance complaints on the bike. I'm not a Kawasaki guy but this has really been one of the better bikes i've owned. The fork is really good imo.
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Cygrace74
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Cygrace74 11/22/2021 2:58pm
11/22/2021 2:58pm Edited Date/Time 11/22/2021 3:10pm
Anyone here get a 450SR yet? Seen a handful on Facebook in the Midwest, waiting for mine to come in. Also got a 2021 today with 45 minutes on it today with a TI-6 for $6,000 today deal of the century. Also in search of XTrig clamps and Pro circuit ignition covers if anyone has any for sale
2
Broughton859
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Broughton859 11/23/2021 6:53am
11/23/2021 6:53am
Markus422 wrote:
I was thinking about a 19-22 KX450 but I have a few concerns so I figured I should consult this thread. I guess my main concern...
I was thinking about a 19-22 KX450 but I have a few concerns so I figured I should consult this thread. I guess my main concern is soft front forks. I’m 6’3” 220 lbs and ride both moto and off road at an A class level. Are there good set ups for me, or should I be shooting for for something like a YZ450. I’m willing to obviously be a little softer on the moto side in exchange for forks I can go ride in the mountains with, but I don’t want to be blowing through the stroke or feeling unsafe on the moto track.
I'm 6'2" 220-225 without gear and I'm running .55 fork springs and 6.4 shock spring. Vet B level MX guy and I was trying to decide between the YZ450 and the KX450 as well. I ended up getting a better deal on a KX even with a $1000 in suspension so I went that option. I rode the YZ450 and I would have been fine on their stock suspension but in the end I'm happy with my purchase. The YZ engine is amazing but honestly I don't need all of that and I still use the mellow KX map all the time unless the the is really deep.

Both bikes are great but you will need to add in additional money for suspension on the KX but we pretty much always have to do that at our size.
1
Moto520
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Moto520 11/23/2021 8:28am
11/23/2021 8:28am
sebastianer wrote:
So is this bike one of the most realieble bikes eginge wise ever built? i mean after 174 pages and cant seem to find anyone that...
So is this bike one of the most realieble bikes eginge wise ever built? i mean after 174 pages and cant seem to find anyone that has had much engine problems that is not the norm now days.
It's pretty reliable. It's also noisy as fuck and sounds clunky. As far as i'm concerned....great reliability on the engine at 135 hours. I change my oil/ filter/ air filter at proper intervals and treat the bike right. For me....it's been great.
1
hititpind
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hititpind 11/23/2021 10:33am
11/23/2021 10:33am
Cygrace74 wrote:
Anyone here get a 450SR yet? Seen a handful on Facebook in the Midwest, waiting for mine to come in. Also got a 2021 today with...
Anyone here get a 450SR yet? Seen a handful on Facebook in the Midwest, waiting for mine to come in. Also got a 2021 today with 45 minutes on it today with a TI-6 for $6,000 today deal of the century. Also in search of XTrig clamps and Pro circuit ignition covers if anyone has any for sale
6k! What a steal.Blink
1
Superdave19
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Superdave19 11/23/2021 1:26pm
11/23/2021 1:26pm
Cygrace74 wrote:
Anyone here get a 450SR yet? Seen a handful on Facebook in the Midwest, waiting for mine to come in. Also got a 2021 today with...
Anyone here get a 450SR yet? Seen a handful on Facebook in the Midwest, waiting for mine to come in. Also got a 2021 today with 45 minutes on it today with a TI-6 for $6,000 today deal of the century. Also in search of XTrig clamps and Pro circuit ignition covers if anyone has any for sale
My friend took delivery of one.

I rode it back to back with his 2020, and yeah it's way faster. The bike is so new its hard to tell how it will shake down once broken in.

Killer scoot tho.
Markopolo400
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Markopolo400 11/30/2021 10:07am
11/30/2021 10:07am
Interesting that the subframe on the SR looks to have a different muffler mount after all, and a different PN.

Anyone with an SR already wanna snap a close up pic of it?
mshea397
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mshea397 11/30/2021 11:35am
11/30/2021 11:35am
I picked mine up last week, but didn't notice the subframe muffler mount area. I'll take a look and a picture later this week.
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Zeke27G
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Zeke27G 11/30/2021 12:26pm
11/30/2021 12:26pm Edited Date/Time 11/30/2021 12:28pm
A few weeks back I noticed AC9 running this longer header and I contacted PC to see if they were offering to the public for the 19-22's. The guy who took the call didn't seem to fully understand what I was asking for an essentially said AC is using the same PC header that I have, but these photos say different. I just shot an email to the PC service/tech department, so pending their reply, do any of you have any insight on this? Is it a factory only header, or something that will eventually be available to us common folk?!

Circa November 17th, 2021


Circa February 22nd, 2020


Zeke27G
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Zeke27G 12/3/2021 5:40am
12/3/2021 5:40am Edited Date/Time 12/3/2021 5:49am


UPDATE:

Heard back from a friend of mine who works part time at PC. He spoke with Mitch and the header that AC9 is running is a "Team Only" part. What a buzz kill!

C'mon Mitch, put 'em into production for us vet guys!!
1
freds4
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freds4 12/3/2021 5:52am
12/3/2021 5:52am
Zeke27G wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/11/30/520496/s1200_AC9_KX450_PC_Header.jpg[/img] UPDATE: Heard back from a friend of mine who works part time at PC. He spoke with Mitch and the header that AC9 is running...


UPDATE:

Heard back from a friend of mine who works part time at PC. He spoke with Mitch and the header that AC9 is running is a "Team Only" part. What a buzz kill!

C'mon Mitch, put 'em into production for us vet guys!!
Oh no Zeke! How does Mitch expect you to keep up with the rest of the old guys on the SoCal practice track circuit? LOL! Tongue
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wrc777
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wrc777 12/3/2021 6:02am
12/3/2021 6:02am
Zeke27G wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/11/30/520496/s1200_AC9_KX450_PC_Header.jpg[/img] UPDATE: Heard back from a friend of mine who works part time at PC. He spoke with Mitch and the header that AC9 is running...


UPDATE:

Heard back from a friend of mine who works part time at PC. He spoke with Mitch and the header that AC9 is running is a "Team Only" part. What a buzz kill!

C'mon Mitch, put 'em into production for us vet guys!!
That header may run like shit on a stock engine. It might also be a lightweight replace monthly (or weekly) part.
Zeke27G
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Zeke27G 12/3/2021 6:03am
12/3/2021 6:03am Edited Date/Time 12/3/2021 6:04am
freds4 wrote:
Oh no Zeke! How does Mitch expect you to keep up with the rest of the old guys on the SoCal practice track circuit? LOL! Tongue
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mshea397
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mshea397 12/3/2021 7:13pm
12/3/2021 7:13pm
Here is the new muffler mount on the 22 SR
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hititpind
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hititpind 12/3/2021 7:19pm
12/3/2021 7:19pm
mshea397 wrote:
Here is the new muffler mount on the 22 SR [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/12/03/521046/s1200_IMG_5428.jpg[/img]
Here is the new muffler mount on the 22 SR
That’s how it should of been on the 19-22
7
cmotodad
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cmotodad 12/3/2021 7:58pm
12/3/2021 7:58pm
I have a Yosh sytem on my 20 and it is a long header similar to the PC pipe. Available to the public, makes a smoother torquier power. Great for this old guy.
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Presley155
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Presley155 12/4/2021 9:33am
12/4/2021 9:33am
I recently picked up a really clean low hour 21' for $7k. Coming off a 17' CRF450. The CRF turns a bit easier, but the KX is super stable and the frame is so much more compliant than the CRF. The hydraulic clutch and e-start are awesome as well. So far I'm super happy with it.



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dancolvin633
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dancolvin633 12/4/2021 9:59am
12/4/2021 9:59am
Another look at AC head pipe. Too bad someone couldn’t just start building some head pipes 🤷🏻‍♂️ Could use a PC head pipe and cut it and lengthen it to customize the power. Typically vet guys like a lot of bottom end if you can smooth out the power transition so it’s not “jerky” feeling.
1
adamw21
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adamw21 12/4/2021 10:20am
12/4/2021 10:20am
dancolvin633 wrote:
Another look at AC head pipe. Too bad someone couldn’t just start building some head pipes 🤷🏻‍♂️ Could use a PC head pipe and cut it...
Another look at AC head pipe. Too bad someone couldn’t just start building some head pipes 🤷🏻‍♂️ Could use a PC head pipe and cut it and lengthen it to customize the power. Typically vet guys like a lot of bottom end if you can smooth out the power transition so it’s not “jerky” feeling.
Buy a 250f. Best decision you’ll make and it won’t be jerky and you’ll be faster
dancolvin633
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dancolvin633 12/4/2021 10:30am
12/4/2021 10:30am
dancolvin633 wrote:
Another look at AC head pipe. Too bad someone couldn’t just start building some head pipes 🤷🏻‍♂️ Could use a PC head pipe and cut it...
Another look at AC head pipe. Too bad someone couldn’t just start building some head pipes 🤷🏻‍♂️ Could use a PC head pipe and cut it and lengthen it to customize the power. Typically vet guys like a lot of bottom end if you can smooth out the power transition so it’s not “jerky” feeling.
adamw21 wrote:
Buy a 250f. Best decision you’ll make and it won’t be jerky and you’ll be faster
I couldn’t agree more. I have bought (3) 21 KX250 this year. Best decision I have ever made. Including this full PC bike. So fun!


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adamw21
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adamw21 12/4/2021 12:15pm
12/4/2021 12:15pm
dancolvin633 wrote:
Another look at AC head pipe. Too bad someone couldn’t just start building some head pipes 🤷🏻‍♂️ Could use a PC head pipe and cut it...
Another look at AC head pipe. Too bad someone couldn’t just start building some head pipes 🤷🏻‍♂️ Could use a PC head pipe and cut it and lengthen it to customize the power. Typically vet guys like a lot of bottom end if you can smooth out the power transition so it’s not “jerky” feeling.
adamw21 wrote:
Buy a 250f. Best decision you’ll make and it won’t be jerky and you’ll be faster
dancolvin633 wrote:
I couldn’t agree more. I have bought (3) 21 KX250 this year. Best decision I have ever made. Including this full PC bike. So fun! [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/12/04/521130/s1200_6AE2F994_1105_404E_8BE0_318271740FCE.jpg[/img]...
I couldn’t agree more. I have bought (3) 21 KX250 this year. Best decision I have ever made. Including this full PC bike. So fun!


That pc bike is sweet. I was blind at one time to ride 450’s for 5-6 years. Took me one ride on a new modern 250f to realize I was going slower because the 450 was way more then I needed. Bought a 250f and loved it. Felt more confident right out of the box and I was coming from a Suzuki to a kx
Zeke27G
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Zeke27G 12/7/2021 1:04pm
12/7/2021 1:04pm

Seriously considering putting my 2019 KX450 up for sale and purchasing a 2022 KX450 SR.

Being that the 2022's are now "MSO" only, I'm guessing it'd be worth a trip to an AZ Kawasaki dealer to avoid the ridiculous CA sales tax?

Can any of you recommend a Kawasaki dealership in AZ?

And for those of you who have purchased an SR, what sorta OTD prices are we talkin?!

Thank you!
Chris99Flannery 12/7/2021 1:31pm
12/7/2021 1:31pm
dancolvin633 wrote:
Another look at AC head pipe. Too bad someone couldn’t just start building some head pipes 🤷🏻‍♂️ Could use a PC head pipe and cut it...
Another look at AC head pipe. Too bad someone couldn’t just start building some head pipes 🤷🏻‍♂️ Could use a PC head pipe and cut it and lengthen it to customize the power. Typically vet guys like a lot of bottom end if you can smooth out the power transition so it’s not “jerky” feeling.
adamw21 wrote:
Buy a 250f. Best decision you’ll make and it won’t be jerky and you’ll be faster
dancolvin633 wrote:
I couldn’t agree more. I have bought (3) 21 KX250 this year. Best decision I have ever made. Including this full PC bike. So fun! [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/12/04/521130/s1200_6AE2F994_1105_404E_8BE0_318271740FCE.jpg[/img]...
I couldn’t agree more. I have bought (3) 21 KX250 this year. Best decision I have ever made. Including this full PC bike. So fun!


Downvoted because it’s not in my garage!
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dancolvin633
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dancolvin633 12/7/2021 1:33pm
12/7/2021 1:33pm
Zeke27G wrote:
Seriously considering putting my 2019 KX450 up for sale and purchasing a 2022 KX450 SR. Being that the 2022's are now "MSO" only, I'm guessing it'd...

Seriously considering putting my 2019 KX450 up for sale and purchasing a 2022 KX450 SR.

Being that the 2022's are now "MSO" only, I'm guessing it'd be worth a trip to an AZ Kawasaki dealer to avoid the ridiculous CA sales tax?

Can any of you recommend a Kawasaki dealership in AZ?

And for those of you who have purchased an SR, what sorta OTD prices are we talkin?!

Thank you!
Finding one will be tough... a reputable dealer in Oregon quoted 10k OVER msrp...... absolutely ridiculous. 13k is a good deal, 23k not so much
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mshea397
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mshea397 12/7/2021 1:57pm
12/7/2021 1:57pm
I called about a dozen dealers in MN, ND, WI and IA a few days after the announcement. Most said they wouldn't be getting one. A couple thought they were. One already had multiple deposits and I was the first to put a deposit on one at the other. I was told there were only going to be 3 of them delivered to MN. I paid retail + delivery ($600 ... which i think is bullshit btw) and a $200 doc fee (also bs). Plus MN tax (really bs). So, $14,400 otd. Stupid, but wtf.
3

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