Posts
374
Joined
2/17/2015
Location
Morehead City, NC
US
Edited Date/Time
3/28/2024 8:25am
So I’m In the market for new bike and wanted to hear your opinions on each bike. I’ve never ridden either of the current generations. Just curious on input.
Keefer has talked about it in a couple of his podcasts.
I had KX450's for the last couple of years. I loved the bike and it did everything I wanted it to do. It was a little flimsy but the bike wound up with great durability....i got over 100 hours on the bike with very few issues. for this year.....i got the 2024 Yamaha yz450f. That bike is really good. I have only heard good things about the 2024 KX450 chassis.
I did and would get the YZ450F all over again....the bike is really good man.
Look on his website. There is actually a comparison between those two exact bikes.
I got to sneak a ride on both a couple of weeks ago and a Honda. For my old 5'7 140 I didn't get tired as fast on the Yamaha and the forks felt more planted. Granted all 3 bikes weren't set up for me and the Yamaha was closest spring wise so it got an advantage early. Some guys wanted me to test their setups. Blue, green , or 350 . Personally, I'm small enough that my trusty YZ250F gets er done for me.
The Shop
I'm interested in this comparison. I have a 21 Honda, but these new YZ's and KX's are beginning to really interest me.
Smooth and tame - kx
Racier and killer motor - yz.
I have yet to ride a 24 kawi but im definitely intrigued by the reported characteristics. But, not intrigued enough to not buy another blue one that i know ill love (had a 23).. ive found myself to be a big fan of kyb stuff. My yz handled like a 250f on steroids.
When I was on the Honda, With my size, I could physically tell I didn't have enough ass on the seat to make the suspension work. Kawi worked better but after a few simulated vet motos with transponders, I could tell the Kawi was riding me. I ended up being fastest on the Yamaha but dude is closer to my size so I could at least use the suspension. Truth be told, Fastest laps were on my 250F. It was the first time I had ridden it in a long time so it was a great comparison.
Sometimes I get the impression he's being negative on the Yamaha just to prove he's not employed/sponsored by them, while buying and racing one for personal use... He always says he's going to ride the kawi more, and then gives it to a buddy to ride and long term review.
Wow. I really don’t care which one you buy, I’m just trying to help the consumer if I can. That’s what my business is built on. I’m not employed by Yamaha. Do I like the bike, yes! Do I like the Kawasaki, yes! In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been riding/racing the shit out of the new KX. I’m a pretty transparent person. No need to BS you all on bikes. You’ll eventually find out anyway. With that being said, there’s a ton of KX and YZ info on my site and my shows. If you want to check it out, great! If you guys don’t, no problem, I’m here to help when/if I can.
Would you wager the Kx would make a better off road platform for GNCC given the stability?
This year he has spent a lot of time on the KX and will answer any question you ask of him usually in the matter of hours. Don't know how you can knock that?
Yes, sir.
Have both bikes in the shop right now. Yamaha has more power and is harder to hang on to. Kawasaki is excellent in the handling department. A PC Pipe and a Vortex and it is competitive in the power dept. with any of the new 450s. My lap times are better on the KX. The YZ is awesome and has so much juice, but wears you out more. KX is more predictable and handles soooo good. If I was doing it all over, I would grab a new 24 KX with the rebate for around 8K and get the pipe and Vortex and be into it the same price as the YZ.
Keefer is Great! Helped me via email set up my 2022 SR 450 and followed up! Was super helpful .... Im a Keefer fan for life.. think hes very transparent and a much needed brain/ voice in the sport! Ty Kris. Braappp
OP's name is Dan.
Fuckin tell Dan to just go buy a bike and quit fuckin around.
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