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This is where I am at. I have 15 hours on my '23 MC350 which is the last generation engine, so lacks that extra bottom-end. I don't find it has enough low-end for my liking despite having played with gearing (13/50, 13/51, 14/52). I am reluctant to spend the money on an ECU and spring conversion because I suspect I will still not be satisfied. I am 6'3 and 215 lbs and do not feel as comfortable with the ergo's on the GasGas (lowered fastway pegs, taller bars).
I had a '19 KX 450 I put a few hours on before I bought the 350. Didn't care for the touchy abrupt throttle response at the slightest touch, but was also getting myself back into riding shape and wanted something more forgiving. Have rode my buddies '22 KX 250 a several times the past couple of months and feel more comfortable on it then 15 hours on the Austrian bike. It has a surprisingly smooth power delivery and pull for a 250.
If the new KX450 in stock form could be considered more comparable to a 350 than the traditional 450 nature of the other bikes in the class - that very well could be the direction worth going for this spring.
My 24 kx450 has noticeably more torque than my 22 ktm 350sxf. That said the 350 seemed to rev a little quicker. I dont need anymore pwr or tq on the kx just need to be at the right rpm. I'm going to try the 51T sprocket. Just so I know how the bike feels. I'm happy with the stock setup so far though. (2 rides) Just getting back into riding after 9 months of riding the couch.
Yesterday I rode a 23 350 with exhaust and ECU as well as the 24 Kawi with exhaust and ECU. The Kawi has much more roll on power than 350, but didn't feel like a stock Yamaha or Honda 450. I say it feels in the middle, Kawi 400cc. Very easy to ride, roll on power and connected.
Better than a 23 sr kawy ,450?
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That's my # as well. Your bday Jan. 26? lol
Kawi’s have always been this way. Bought a 95KX 125 brand new, and I had to do the same thing. It was a bulletproof bike though, and never locked up. Also, had a used 06 450,that had to go through as well. But again solid bike no problems.
Hey Joe,
I know you spent quite a bit of time 350's, maybe you still ride one? If you were to choose between the two, which would you choose and why? 23+ 350 or the '24 KX 450?
On a related note - how do guys feel about the weight feeling of the new 450? Does it still exhibit that traditional 450 heavier inertia feel? I suspect that is something inherit with any 450 and maybe will always be prevalent. My limited 450 experience is, that feeling is more pronounced on bikes with heavier engine braking. Which as I understand, the '24 KX 450 has fairly heavy engine braking compared to some of the other '24 450s. Can anyone comment on that?
Hey, I'm on a 23 YZ450 now, I sold my 350 after Mammoth.
23 350 vs 24 KX, I'd take the KX all day over the 350 because the motor character, suspension and chassis compliance. It was very easy to ride and need less mods to get it competitive against the rest of the bikes. Yes the downside is the weight and heavier feel while riding, but the amount of money and parts I put into my 350 just to get it "OK" isn't worth it to me.
With that being said, I'm also interested in going to try a 2021 350 or the 23 GasGas 350 to see if I like that older frame more, but I'd still be in the boat of having to get now forks. Overall, right now I think the Kawi and the Yamaha 450 (with Twisted tame/rideable ECU) are the 2 best bikes out of the box for me.
The latest Keefer podcast dropped yesterday and has a lot of KX450 (mod and stock) vs YZ450f info.
Not a 2024 but she wants to ride.
I have a ‘23 MC 350 also. With 14/52 gearing and an exhaust, I don’t really have any complaints about the power. I did have a Vortex on a previous 350 and it was awesome. I also have Cone Valves and they work really well.
My biggest reasoning for wanting to go to the KX is the chassis. I’ve ridden a ‘23 250 and ‘22 450 and loved both of them. I’m tall, lanky and really move around the bike. They suit me well. The second reason is my last two 350’s blew up under 30 hours with no explanation. KTM warrantied both but as the hours go up on my ‘23 , I get concerned. I have had no problems with this one tho. Lastly, I don’t like the ‘23+ KTM chassis. The ‘25 might be better but I don’t feel like spending all the time to dial it in.
I really feel like this ‘24 KX 450 might be just right for me with minimal mods. The 350’s are great but like CarlinoJoe has said they take some mods to get there.
Any one know of a down and back foot peg for the KX?
Don't really need them. You can move the stock peg mount down and back on the frame.
Think when you move the mount they go down and forward? Size 14 boot not happy about that.
DT1 filters through mxfilters.com has filters available for the 450 now on the site. No pictures though.
The pegs are same as Hondas, so lots of choices.
Ok thanks!
Spent the day on the dyno and this bike is actually really strong. Power curve is flat and the torque numbers are really strong. Seeing about 5.5 HP gain with tuned Vortex ECU and Pro Circuit T6 system. She LOVES air. We saw 1.5 HP increase if you pulled the side panel off and removed the filter. Some holes in the side panel with a good aftermarket air filter kit should be a good addition.
Pit Row
There is a new intake boot and air filter set up that is on the way…. Can’t say much more then that but it should “fix” the air issue everyone seems to think this bike has. I could see in some deep loam or sand where the bike needs more power, but for our west coast tracks the bike with a pipe and T4 seems to be tough to beat IMO.
Can you give us some baseline dyno numbers stock vs each mod you have done and tested? Does your dyno have a load cell?
They just go down, not forward. Size 14 here as well. I still use a Hammerhead +20mm shift lever on any bike I buy no matter what. Best $50 you’ll ever spend.
Thanks much for the info!
Yes, load cell. I don't like to give actual numbers because every dyno is different......we look for gains. That being said, stock bike was in the 52.5-53.5 range stock. With a mapped Vortex and PC T6 we were getting 57-57.8. Numbers would depend on how heat soaked the bike was. I dont think the air boot is an issue. I think a better air filter cage, better filter, and some venting in the side panel and you are good to go.
On reference when we dynoed the air filter cage we made - a rockstar husky 450 was 55hp- the stock 24 kx was 54.
Looks like we would be right in line with what you are seeing. The amazing thing on this Kawi is how linear and smooth the power curve is. No dips or jumps like most of the bikes have. It had really solid torque numbers as well.
Where can we find the vortex ecu for sale? I’d also like to assume the green tip ti6 isn’t available for amateur riders atm?
I have the Vortex available. You can call Racin' Station at 208-354-2777. We built a really good map for the Pro Circuit full system that we can program into it for you.
Have you tried a slip on exhaust? I’m wondering if you could get close to the same results just by switching out the muffler. If the baffles inside the muffler are the real issue, a slip on sure would save a ton of money over a full system.
Getting rid of the baffles would cost even less.
The slip on is a good upgrade from the stock rear half. I usually just do dyno testing etc with full system because they are built as a matched set. A lot of times the slip on is just designed to fit, not for max performance.
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