2024 Kawasaki KX450 and KX450X

6/6/2023 2:26pm
Yep. More cost cutting. Did it to the 250 a few years ago. Pay more, get less. It's the new marketing strategy being embraced by every...

Yep.

More cost cutting. Did it to the 250 a few years ago.

Pay more, get less. It's the new marketing strategy being embraced by every industry (and popularized at the grocery store).

Safe to say there have been price increases on everything. In the case of the 2024 KX450, reading the specs, it looks like the consumer is...

Safe to say there have been price increases on everything.

In the case of the 2024 KX450, reading the specs, it looks like the consumer is getting more tech, features etc than the previous generation.

That may or may not be a good thing. Change is not always progress or increased value. But they are definitely losing a standard feature that...

That may or may not be a good thing. Change is not always progress or increased value.

But they are definitely losing a standard feature that is very expensive to replace in the aftermarket.

This is true, but I think the tuning of the motor via an app is a huge plus for many. Time will tell. 

That being said, my KX250F used to have the fancy fork coating, new one does not. I can say with 100% certainty I didn't even notice. What I did notice was how much better the fork was over my old bike.

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Village Idiot
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6/6/2023 2:36pm
Is it any more expensive to replace in aftermarket than what they are adding? Seems to me aftermarket tunable ECUs and aftermarket Brembo conversions are both...

Is it any more expensive to replace in aftermarket than what they are adding? Seems to me aftermarket tunable ECUs and aftermarket Brembo conversions are both significantly pricier than fork coatings.

Not apples to apples. They aren't providing the brakes and tuning from the '23 along with the additional Brembos and tuner like you would have if you purchased aftermarket replacments. They're replacing them and the cost difference to them isn't aftermarket retail pricing, it's their wholesale difference in price. 

The fact remains that they've eliminated a feature they previously had that will cost a good bit to add if you want it on your bike, since your only option to obtain it is the aftermarket (since it's not an optional upgrade from the manufacturer). 

If you don't care about the coating then it won't factor into your buying decison that you're getting a lower cost fork on a more expensive bike.

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6/6/2023 2:43pm Edited Date/Time 6/6/2023 2:57pm
Is it any more expensive to replace in aftermarket than what they are adding? Seems to me aftermarket tunable ECUs and aftermarket Brembo conversions are both...

Is it any more expensive to replace in aftermarket than what they are adding? Seems to me aftermarket tunable ECUs and aftermarket Brembo conversions are both significantly pricier than fork coatings.

Not apples to apples. They aren't providing the brakes and tuning from the '23 along with the additional Brembos and tuner like you would have if...

Not apples to apples. They aren't providing the brakes and tuning from the '23 along with the additional Brembos and tuner like you would have if you purchased aftermarket replacments. They're replacing them and the cost difference to them isn't aftermarket retail pricing, it's their wholesale difference in price. 

The fact remains that they've eliminated a feature they previously had that will cost a good bit to add if you want it on your bike, since your only option to obtain it is the aftermarket (since it's not an optional upgrade from the manufacturer). 

If you don't care about the coating then it won't factor into your buying decison that you're getting a lower cost fork on a more expensive bike.

Same with the coatings.

They aren't providing unfinished metal forks. They are still coating them, just not in the coatings you want at wholesale. You are comparing aftermarket to wholesale on one option, but not the others.

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Village Idiot
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6/6/2023 3:02pm
Same with the coatings. They aren't providing unfinished metal forks. They are still coating them, just not in the coatings you want at wholesale. You are...

Same with the coatings.

They aren't providing unfinished metal forks. They are still coating them, just not in the coatings you want at wholesale. You are comparing aftermarket to wholesale on one option, but not the others.

No.

On the forks, they aren't supplying a perceived higher value component at a price comparable to or lower than an aftermarket replacement.

They are deducting a higher value product from the existing model than they are providing on the new model and increasing the price. That's a net loss on that component if you just want to get back to where you started in '23, because it will cost you additional money to get what you previously got at a lower price.

You're arguing the price increase is justified because the new brakes and tuner would cost that much (or more) in the aftermarket.

How do you argue the uncoated fork would cost more (or is more expensive to obtain) in the aftermarket than the DLC one?

It's really not that complicated - 

The brakes and tuner are percived as an upgrade, therefore more money is justified, by some.

The loss of the coating is not perceived as an upgrade, since the coated forks cost more. So, more money isn't justified for them (by anyone paying for either).

Again, the buyer can decide what's important to them, but the fork is definitely a downgrade, cost-wise. 

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The Shop

6/6/2023 3:05pm
Same with the coatings. They aren't providing unfinished metal forks. They are still coating them, just not in the coatings you want at wholesale. You are...

Same with the coatings.

They aren't providing unfinished metal forks. They are still coating them, just not in the coatings you want at wholesale. You are comparing aftermarket to wholesale on one option, but not the others.

No. On the forks, they aren't supplying a perceived higher value component at a price comparable to or lower than an aftermarket replacement. They are deducting...

No.

On the forks, they aren't supplying a perceived higher value component at a price comparable to or lower than an aftermarket replacement.

They are deducting a higher value product from the existing model than they are providing on the new model and increasing the price. That's a net loss on that component if you just want to get back to where you started in '23, because it will cost you additional money to get what you previously got at a lower price.

You're arguing the price increase is justified because the new brakes and tuner would cost that much (or more) in the aftermarket.

How do you argue the uncoated fork would cost more (or is more expensive to obtain) in the aftermarket than the DLC one?

It's really not that complicated - 

The brakes and tuner are percived as an upgrade, therefore more money is justified, by some.

The loss of the coating is not perceived as an upgrade, since the coated forks cost more. So, more money isn't justified for them (by anyone paying for either).

Again, the buyer can decide what's important to them, but the fork is definitely a downgrade, cost-wise. 

Not really sure what you're saying other than that we agree that they added some high aftermarket cost bits, and subtracted another.

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Village Idiot
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6/6/2023 3:10pm

Not really sure what you're saying other than that we agree that they added some high aftermarket cost bits, and subtracted another.

I think we figured it out.

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WarrenMX
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6/6/2023 3:36pm

Interested to know what aftermarket parts will transfer over from the current generation, foot pegs, suspension etc? 

6/6/2023 4:01pm
WarrenMX wrote:

Interested to know what aftermarket parts will transfer over from the current generation, foot pegs, suspension etc? 

Word is that you can fit the even-larger silencer from the '24 on any team green model.

You can even give the Kawazooka look to your 1990 kx125. Don't try to downsize, though. Won't fit.

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Gravel
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6/6/2023 4:12pm
WarrenMX wrote:

Interested to know what aftermarket parts will transfer over from the current generation, foot pegs, suspension etc? 

Maybe the lower fork legs will transfer?

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ATKpilot99
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6/6/2023 4:33pm

Bikes just keep getting uglier . Guess I'm old .

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6/6/2023 4:34pm
WarrenMX wrote:

Interested to know what aftermarket parts will transfer over from the current generation, foot pegs, suspension etc? 

Word is that you can fit the even-larger silencer from the '24 on any team green model. You can even give the Kawazooka look to your...

Word is that you can fit the even-larger silencer from the '24 on any team green model.

You can even give the Kawazooka look to your 1990 kx125. Don't try to downsize, though. Won't fit.

I’ve been laughing for 20 mins at this comment. Comedian I tell ya. 

Brad460
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6/6/2023 4:35pm
quadmx301 wrote:

First thing I thought - Green KTM. 
 

can’t wait to hear the reviews!

In no way does it even closely resemble a KTM..

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6/6/2023 4:38pm
quadmx301 wrote:

First thing I thought - Green KTM. 
 

can’t wait to hear the reviews!

Brad460 wrote:

In no way does it even closely resemble a KTM..

Shrouds are a dead ringer for the current CRF.

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6/6/2023 6:19pm

Shrouds are a dead ringer for the current CRF.

Previous right?

Mur-Dog 585
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6/6/2023 6:25pm

No mention of adjustable ergos, pegs & bar mounts. 

Village Idiot
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6/6/2023 6:40pm
ATKpilot99 wrote:

Bikes just keep getting uglier . Guess I'm old .

I'm with you.

Not a fan of the flat, slab-sided look with angular features. Nor the castrated side panel look (Beta is extreme in this department).

Don't see them being held in the same esteem 35-40 years from now as the bikes from 35-40 years ago are now.

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6/6/2023 6:53pm
ATKpilot99 wrote:

Bikes just keep getting uglier . Guess I'm old .

I'm with you. Not a fan of the flat, slab-sided look with angular features. Nor the castrated side panel look (Beta is extreme in this department)...

I'm with you.

Not a fan of the flat, slab-sided look with angular features. Nor the castrated side panel look (Beta is extreme in this department).

Don't see them being held in the same esteem 35-40 years from now as the bikes from 35-40 years ago are now.

Sure they will.  Crotchety old guys like you will be dreaming of their glory days 35-40 years from now just like you are today.

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Village Idiot
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6/6/2023 6:56pm

Sure they will.  Crotchety old guys like you will be dreaming of their glory days 35-40 years from now just like you are today.

Everyone has their preferences.

Some of us guys like good-looking bikes and good-looking women.

Other guys like men and quads.

To each his own.

 

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7
6/6/2023 6:57pm

Sure they will.  Crotchety old guys like you will be dreaming of their glory days 35-40 years from now just like you are today.

Everyone has their preferences.

Some of us guys like good-looking bikes and good-looking women.

Other guys like men and quads.

To each his own.

 

Ohhh such a harsh burn.  So clever, gramps.

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ML512
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6/6/2023 6:59pm
WarrenMX wrote:

Interested to know what aftermarket parts will transfer over from the current generation, foot pegs, suspension etc? 

I'd say wheels, footpegs, and forks are a safe bet. Shock looks to be a no-go, and maybe on the triple clamps?

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redshark
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6/6/2023 7:52pm
Gravel wrote:
Does the 450 and 450X share a transmission? As a desert guy, I don’t see any value in an X model that doesn’t have a wider...

Does the 450 and 450X share a transmission? As a desert guy, I don’t see any value in an X model that doesn’t have a wider range transmission, either through a 6 speed or a wider spaced 5 speed. Even a moto 5 speed with a lowered 1st gear would work..

Same transmission, The X just has one more tooth on the back. 

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Bruce372
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6/6/2023 7:55pm

Why can't Japan make a decent front brake? It's not like it's a major engineering impossibility?!?!?!!??.

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Zoom
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6/6/2023 8:13pm

Another feature not discussed is the adjustable top engine mounts. There are additional holes where the top rear engine mounts are. Kawasaki is not suppling additional mounts, but some can be made to slightly move the engine. 

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WarrenMX
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6/6/2023 8:17pm
Zoom wrote:
Another feature not discussed is the adjustable top engine mounts. There are additional holes where the top rear engine mounts are. Kawasaki is not suppling additional...

Another feature not discussed is the adjustable top engine mounts. There are additional holes where the top rear engine mounts are. Kawasaki is not suppling additional mounts, but some can be made to slightly move the engine. 

I noticed that on the GP bikes, but figured it wouldn't make it to the production bikes.

6/7/2023 3:49am
NSP139 wrote:

Has any manufacturer ever used two different brake systems on a production bike just curious?

TM has used this Brembo front with Nissin rear combo for a number of years.

 

Love this new Kawi by the way.

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kNewc
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6/7/2023 5:21am

If the kx250 gets all these changes I'm trading in or selling mine and getting it for sure. Seems like they fixed all the major complaints from the '21+ models. 

soggy
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6/7/2023 6:06am
kNewc wrote:
If the kx250 gets all these changes I'm trading in or selling mine and getting it for sure. Seems like they fixed all the major complaints...

If the kx250 gets all these changes I'm trading in or selling mine and getting it for sure. Seems like they fixed all the major complaints from the '21+ models. 

Won’t be till next year. 

mx317
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6/7/2023 6:19am Edited Date/Time 6/7/2023 6:23am
Zoom wrote:
Another feature not discussed is the adjustable top engine mounts. There are additional holes where the top rear engine mounts are. Kawasaki is not suppling additional...

Another feature not discussed is the adjustable top engine mounts. There are additional holes where the top rear engine mounts are. Kawasaki is not suppling additional mounts, but some can be made to slightly move the engine. 

If it's like Yamaha, they may share a frame with the 250 and the mounts are for the 250. Just a guess. Also, it couldn't move the engine unless the lower and front mounts were changed also. It would most likely change the flex characteristics of the bike though.

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Nate_Z
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6/7/2023 6:35am

Pretty excited for this new KX450! After having a 19, 21 and 22, the changes seem to be a good mix of addressing areas for improvement while preserving what makes the current generation awesome! I have a Rekluse in my 22 and it appears the clutch may still be the same?

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