2024 Kawasaki KX450 and KX450X

Dirty Points wrote:

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.

Village Idiot wrote:

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. 

Dirty Points wrote:

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.

Village Idiot wrote:

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. 

GrapeApe wrote:

You're really caught up with the new brakes and tuner, and sort of forgetting about the rest of the bike. There's a lot more that goes...

You're really caught up with the new brakes and tuner, and sort of forgetting about the rest of the bike. There's a lot more that goes into setting MSRP, not the least of which is R&D. They addressed almost every component of the bike to improve what was already a solid platform, that comes with a price. If you don't want to pay for development, buy a Suzuki (not being a smart ass).

 

Village Idiot wrote:

I'm assuming this was directed at me, but if not then please disregard. I didn't bring up the brakes and tuner, just responded to the comment...

I'm assuming this was directed at me, but if not then please disregard.

I didn't bring up the brakes and tuner, just responded to the comment about them.

My original comment was addressing another remark about the tubes no longer being DLC coated and how it was a cost cutting move, yet the price went up significantly. So, even if the buyer likes all the other "new" features, they downgraded that area on a more expensive bike.

Nothing about not liking paying more for development, etc.

DLC gone = cost savings. If you still want them, add that aftermarket cost to your budget. If you don't, happy trails. Period.

Hope this clarifies things. This poor horse has been beaten so much you can't even upholster a cross bar pad with what's left of him.

Take care.

RCMXracing wrote:

Be cool if there was a date to expect to see these in dealerships

cappelmans wrote:

Very good inprovements, once you get used to the toolless access on KTM’s its not fun to switch brands anymore. Now there is a great alternative...

Very good inprovements, once you get used to the toolless access on KTM’s its not fun to switch brands anymore. Now there is a great alternative, good job by Kawasaki improving in that area

cappelmans wrote:

Very good inprovements, once you get used to the toolless access on KTM’s its not fun to switch brands anymore. Now there is a great alternative...

Very good inprovements, once you get used to the toolless access on KTM’s its not fun to switch brands anymore. Now there is a great alternative, good job by Kawasaki improving in that area

Teejay wrote:

Yamahas have had tool-less filters for years as well. 

Lightning78 wrote:

Wonder how much the 450sr is gonna go for with a price increase like that on the regular model

wwdiii wrote:

I’m guessing about 12.4k out the door best guess.  

cappelmans wrote:

Very good inprovements, once you get used to the toolless access on KTM’s its not fun to switch brands anymore. Now there is a great alternative...

Very good inprovements, once you get used to the toolless access on KTM’s its not fun to switch brands anymore. Now there is a great alternative, good job by Kawasaki improving in that area

Teejay wrote:

Yamahas have had tool-less filters for years as well. 

wrc777 wrote:

Are you forgetting about the shop vac to get the dirt that falls down the air boot when you pull the filter off? 

Are you forgetting about the shop vac to get the dirt that falls down the air boot when you pull the filter off? 

Vet57 wrote:

I think the big question is....can the 24' beat the 19' KX450 thread?

wwdiii wrote:

I’d guess the 2025 KX250 will get same treatment as the 24 KX450.  All I know about green bikes is what I read in the tests...

I’d guess the 2025 KX250 will get same treatment as the 24 KX450.  All I know about green bikes is what I read in the tests etc.  I take the KX250 as a little bit of a high rev power band as opposed to the YZF.  I’m not a 450 guy, but these green bikes seem to be going in the right direction.  Be cool to see vet friendly KX250, I’m not a high rev guy.  

CBE wrote:

October 

wrc777 wrote:

Are you forgetting about the shop vac to get the dirt that falls down the air boot when you pull the filter off? 

Are you forgetting about the shop vac to get the dirt that falls down the air boot when you pull the filter off? 

wrc777 wrote:

Are you forgetting about the shop vac to get the dirt that falls down the air boot when you pull the filter off? 

Are you forgetting about the shop vac to get the dirt that falls down the air boot when you pull the filter off? 

tmauto769 wrote:

Maybe change the filter BEFORE it gets that much dirt on it to fall off. I don't seem to have this problem on mine.

motoxxx599 wrote:

I keep hearing about the release of the 2024 KX 450 SR but no details yet. Any word on the media release?

JoJmoto wrote:

Wonder if they'll be an SR edition for 2024 too?

 

wrc777 wrote:

Are you forgetting about the shop vac to get the dirt that falls down the air boot when you pull the filter off? 

Are you forgetting about the shop vac to get the dirt that falls down the air boot when you pull the filter off? 

tmauto769 wrote:

Maybe change the filter BEFORE it gets that much dirt on it to fall off. I don't seem to have this problem on mine.

wrc777 wrote:

I am sure that is fine for 15 minute motos on a prepped track. Try a 2-3 hour hare scramble in heavy dust and changing the...

I am sure that is fine for 15 minute motos on a prepped track. Try a 2-3 hour hare scramble in heavy dust and changing the filter before it is caked up is not possible. I raced Ironman GNCC last year and a KTM filter was caked up after 90 minutes. The Yamaha filter has less surface area than pretty much all their competitors. It is a drawback to the front intake.