2024 Kawasaki KX450 and KX450X

MX529
Posts
76
Joined
3/26/2024
Location
Wilmington , NC US
5/11/2024 11:45am Edited Date/Time 5/11/2024 11:46am
MX529 wrote:
You shouldn’t be spraying water directly into the air box inlet, sure you’ll get residual water but it normally drips out the weep hole in the...

You shouldn’t be spraying water directly into the air box inlet, sure you’ll get residual water but it normally drips out the weep hole in the bottom of the air box 

 

several decades I’ve never had an issue with water getting in the air box during cleaning? 

I personally don’t think you can get the air box completely clean without a wash cover. Sure you can wash the bike with a filter in...

I personally don’t think you can get the air box completely clean without a wash cover. Sure you can wash the bike with a filter in, but you will never get the backside of the box clean with it in. For me persoanlly, I change a filter every time I ride. I think it’s cheap insurance to keep engines running longer and keeping valves in spec. So I might as well use a wash cover to keep my air box clean as well. To each their own

Don’t expose the intake till you’ve hit it with compressed air and a shop rag

todays ride at Jimmy Weinerts training facility, it’s a deep sand track  

 

2
BRZ
Posts
503
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
BR
5/11/2024 12:56pm

First ride on mine today and was pleasantly surprised. Turns really well and very user friendly power. Only mods so far are taking out the rubber plate on the airbox and removing all the restrictions on the silencer. Plus new grips (more below).  

This is the version sent to Brazil, so Nissin front brake and regular grips (terrible) instead of ODIs. 
 


 

9
Village Idiot
Posts
2384
Joined
5/19/2023
Location
MXoN - a term used by newbs, goobs and rubes, PW US
5/11/2024 3:39pm
BRZ wrote:
First ride on mine today and was pleasantly surprised. Turns really well and very user friendly power. Only mods so far are taking out the rubber...

First ride on mine today and was pleasantly surprised. Turns really well and very user friendly power. Only mods so far are taking out the rubber plate on the airbox and removing all the restrictions on the silencer. Plus new grips (more below).  

This is the version sent to Brazil, so Nissin front brake and regular grips (terrible) instead of ODIs. 
 


 

The blue looks sharp on it; nice retro look. Good job!Cool

2
MX529
Posts
76
Joined
3/26/2024
Location
Wilmington , NC US
5/11/2024 4:19pm

Throttle Therapy today at JWTF.. track is so fun to rail those sand berms 

7

The Shop

rpm.15
Posts
58
Joined
12/26/2018
Location
Wenatchee, WA US
5/12/2024 7:10pm

Well I picked up a 2024 KX 450 to go along with my 23 350sxf. The KX is awesome! Power is smooth, it turns great, and doesn't beat me up. I'm able to do longer Moto's with out getting worn out like on previous 450's I've owned. Some may say the 24 KX 450 doesn't have enough excitement. For this 57 year old man it's perfect! 

14
Smith246
Posts
416
Joined
1/21/2024
Location
Jerramungup , WA AU
5/12/2024 11:40pm
rpm.15 wrote:
Well I picked up a 2024 KX 450 to go along with my 23 350sxf. The KX is awesome! Power is smooth, it turns great, and...

Well I picked up a 2024 KX 450 to go along with my 23 350sxf. The KX is awesome! Power is smooth, it turns great, and doesn't beat me up. I'm able to do longer Moto's with out getting worn out like on previous 450's I've owned. Some may say the 24 KX 450 doesn't have enough excitement. For this 57 year old man it's perfect! 

I have the same two bikes. I'm interested to hear your thoughts comparing the two after you've got a few hrs on the kx. I'm only planning on keeping one of mine and trading one for a 2 stroke but struggling to decide which one to keep 🤣

1
rpm.15
Posts
58
Joined
12/26/2018
Location
Wenatchee, WA US
5/13/2024 5:45am
rpm.15 wrote:
Well I picked up a 2024 KX 450 to go along with my 23 350sxf. The KX is awesome! Power is smooth, it turns great, and...

Well I picked up a 2024 KX 450 to go along with my 23 350sxf. The KX is awesome! Power is smooth, it turns great, and doesn't beat me up. I'm able to do longer Moto's with out getting worn out like on previous 450's I've owned. Some may say the 24 KX 450 doesn't have enough excitement. For this 57 year old man it's perfect! 

Smith246 wrote:
I have the same two bikes. I'm interested to hear your thoughts comparing the two after you've got a few hrs on the kx. I'm only...

I have the same two bikes. I'm interested to hear your thoughts comparing the two after you've got a few hrs on the kx. I'm only planning on keeping one of mine and trading one for a 2 stroke but struggling to decide which one to keep 🤣

I'm keeping both. I like the 450 on sand or deep tracks. 350 for short tracks or harder dirt.  I also have a 23 300XC. I have set up and use specifically for woods riding. I prefer 4 strokes for Moto. The 300 xc/sxf would probably work good for Moto. Lots of low end grunt out of corners. My XC pulls my 6'1" 235 pounds butt around with ease. To be honest the 300 is probably faster than the 350. 

1
Smith246
Posts
416
Joined
1/21/2024
Location
Jerramungup , WA AU
5/13/2024 6:38am
rpm.15 wrote:
Well I picked up a 2024 KX 450 to go along with my 23 350sxf. The KX is awesome! Power is smooth, it turns great, and...

Well I picked up a 2024 KX 450 to go along with my 23 350sxf. The KX is awesome! Power is smooth, it turns great, and doesn't beat me up. I'm able to do longer Moto's with out getting worn out like on previous 450's I've owned. Some may say the 24 KX 450 doesn't have enough excitement. For this 57 year old man it's perfect! 

Smith246 wrote:
I have the same two bikes. I'm interested to hear your thoughts comparing the two after you've got a few hrs on the kx. I'm only...

I have the same two bikes. I'm interested to hear your thoughts comparing the two after you've got a few hrs on the kx. I'm only planning on keeping one of mine and trading one for a 2 stroke but struggling to decide which one to keep 🤣

rpm.15 wrote:
I'm keeping both. I like the 450 on sand or deep tracks. 350 for short tracks or harder dirt.  I also have a 23 300XC. I...

I'm keeping both. I like the 450 on sand or deep tracks. 350 for short tracks or harder dirt.  I also have a 23 300XC. I have set up and use specifically for woods riding. I prefer 4 strokes for Moto. The 300 xc/sxf would probably work good for Moto. Lots of low end grunt out of corners. My XC pulls my 6'1" 235 pounds butt around with ease. To be honest the 300 is probably faster than the 350. 

Yeah i had a 23 300sx but just didn't gel with it on mx tracks, was great in the bush but hardly ride any of that. 

I'm finding my lap times are almost identical on the 350 and the kx on all track types. I can just ride longer on the 350 but I do love the extra torque of the 450.

I guess the only solution is to keep both and just add a 2 stroke to the garage ha ha.

2
rpm.15
Posts
58
Joined
12/26/2018
Location
Wenatchee, WA US
5/13/2024 10:14am
Smith246 wrote:
I have the same two bikes. I'm interested to hear your thoughts comparing the two after you've got a few hrs on the kx. I'm only...

I have the same two bikes. I'm interested to hear your thoughts comparing the two after you've got a few hrs on the kx. I'm only planning on keeping one of mine and trading one for a 2 stroke but struggling to decide which one to keep 🤣

rpm.15 wrote:
I'm keeping both. I like the 450 on sand or deep tracks. 350 for short tracks or harder dirt.  I also have a 23 300XC. I...

I'm keeping both. I like the 450 on sand or deep tracks. 350 for short tracks or harder dirt.  I also have a 23 300XC. I have set up and use specifically for woods riding. I prefer 4 strokes for Moto. The 300 xc/sxf would probably work good for Moto. Lots of low end grunt out of corners. My XC pulls my 6'1" 235 pounds butt around with ease. To be honest the 300 is probably faster than the 350. 

Smith246 wrote:
Yeah i had a 23 300sx but just didn't gel with it on mx tracks, was great in the bush but hardly ride any of that. ...

Yeah i had a 23 300sx but just didn't gel with it on mx tracks, was great in the bush but hardly ride any of that. 

I'm finding my lap times are almost identical on the 350 and the kx on all track types. I can just ride longer on the 350 but I do love the extra torque of the 450.

I guess the only solution is to keep both and just add a 2 stroke to the garage ha ha.

First world problems 😉😂

2
5/13/2024 2:36pm

Would the stock valving be enough for a C level vet rider at 240 lbs with gear? Plan would be to replace the forks and shock springs, maybe add more fork oil if necessary.

The more I ride my 350 the more I hum-and-haw over replacing it. I just do not want to spend the 2 grand plus for a WP 6500 spring conversion and associated valving at both ends. Cdn dollars we are talking around 2500-2800 for a full spring conversion with corresponding valving work, which I am told I would require for my weight. 

5/13/2024 2:46pm
Would the stock valving be enough for a C level vet rider at 240 lbs with gear? Plan would be to replace the forks and shock...

Would the stock valving be enough for a C level vet rider at 240 lbs with gear? Plan would be to replace the forks and shock springs, maybe add more fork oil if necessary.

The more I ride my 350 the more I hum-and-haw over replacing it. I just do not want to spend the 2 grand plus for a WP 6500 spring conversion and associated valving at both ends. Cdn dollars we are talking around 2500-2800 for a full spring conversion with corresponding valving work, which I am told I would require for my weight. 

I would say no. I’m 250 and the stock stuff was ok at slow sleep but no holdup on any of the hard hits or G outs. But everyone is different. 

5/13/2024 4:07pm Edited Date/Time 5/13/2024 4:09pm
Would the stock valving be enough for a C level vet rider at 240 lbs with gear? Plan would be to replace the forks and shock...

Would the stock valving be enough for a C level vet rider at 240 lbs with gear? Plan would be to replace the forks and shock springs, maybe add more fork oil if necessary.

The more I ride my 350 the more I hum-and-haw over replacing it. I just do not want to spend the 2 grand plus for a WP 6500 spring conversion and associated valving at both ends. Cdn dollars we are talking around 2500-2800 for a full spring conversion with corresponding valving work, which I am told I would require for my weight. 

Yes.  I’m a 220lb fast Vet B rider myself, and think the stock valving is fine.  I’ve been winning races with mine.  Before you throw a ton of money away on a revalve, try this.  
Go on the Race Tech spring rate calculator and figure out the correct spring rates and order them.  It is easy to change them out yourself.  While you have the fork caps off, add 50ml of oil to each fork tube.  
The valving is far more balanced than previous generations, so I bet if you get the appropriate spring rates in there, you will be able to fine tune the suspension with your clickers.  After you install the heavier springs, dial in your rebound a few clicks to compensate for the faster rebound due to the heavier springs.

1
Ed_C29
Posts
24
Joined
10/29/2022
Location
Rubicon, WI US
5/13/2024 6:38pm

Anyone have thoughts on the Tickle map? Improvement? Or any other maps that work good on the app? 
 

I’m searching for more exciting hit and pull. May just put a vortex on it.

rpm.15
Posts
58
Joined
12/26/2018
Location
Wenatchee, WA US
5/13/2024 6:57pm
Ed_C29 wrote:
Anyone have thoughts on the Tickle map? Improvement? Or any other maps that work good on the app?    I’m searching for more exciting hit and...

Anyone have thoughts on the Tickle map? Improvement? Or any other maps that work good on the app? 
 

I’m searching for more exciting hit and pull. May just put a vortex on it.

Personally I like the stock power, but I'm old. If you want more excitement a full after market exhaust, opened up airbox, and  Vortex should do the trick. 

MX529
Posts
76
Joined
3/26/2024
Location
Wilmington , NC US
5/13/2024 8:23pm
Ed_C29 wrote:
Anyone have thoughts on the Tickle map? Improvement? Or any other maps that work good on the app?    I’m searching for more exciting hit and...

Anyone have thoughts on the Tickle map? Improvement? Or any other maps that work good on the app? 
 

I’m searching for more exciting hit and pull. May just put a vortex on it.

Run the Chavez map with full PC T6 exhaust. 

1
Smith246
Posts
416
Joined
1/21/2024
Location
Jerramungup , WA AU
5/13/2024 9:27pm
Ed_C29 wrote:
Anyone have thoughts on the Tickle map? Improvement? Or any other maps that work good on the app?    I’m searching for more exciting hit and...

Anyone have thoughts on the Tickle map? Improvement? Or any other maps that work good on the app? 
 

I’m searching for more exciting hit and pull. May just put a vortex on it.

I'm guessing you've opened up the airbox and exhaust already? That's where biggest gains will be made on this bike.

You will find very little gains with the kx app. By all means try a few maps but if you want anything significant it won't be had with the stock ecu.

5/14/2024 4:25am
Yes.  I’m a 220lb fast Vet B rider myself, and think the stock valving is fine.  I’ve been winning races with mine.  Before you throw a...

Yes.  I’m a 220lb fast Vet B rider myself, and think the stock valving is fine.  I’ve been winning races with mine.  Before you throw a ton of money away on a revalve, try this.  
Go on the Race Tech spring rate calculator and figure out the correct spring rates and order them.  It is easy to change them out yourself.  While you have the fork caps off, add 50ml of oil to each fork tube.  
The valving is far more balanced than previous generations, so I bet if you get the appropriate spring rates in there, you will be able to fine tune the suspension with your clickers.  After you install the heavier springs, dial in your rebound a few clicks to compensate for the faster rebound due to the heavier springs.

Thank you! 

MX529
Posts
76
Joined
3/26/2024
Location
Wilmington , NC US
5/14/2024 6:00am

Insert the Chavez map from Keefer inc.. it’s super easy to do 

once the app syncs to the bike you just push the numbers into the chart and push the send  button on upper right hand side of screen, at that point its loads to the bikes ECM 

it’s super easy and takes less then 2 minutes to complete 

 

3
Brosho
Posts
481
Joined
1/31/2011
Location
Los Angeles, CA US
5/14/2024 7:10am
Smith246 wrote:
I have the same two bikes. I'm interested to hear your thoughts comparing the two after you've got a few hrs on the kx. I'm only...

I have the same two bikes. I'm interested to hear your thoughts comparing the two after you've got a few hrs on the kx. I'm only planning on keeping one of mine and trading one for a 2 stroke but struggling to decide which one to keep 🤣

rpm.15 wrote:
I'm keeping both. I like the 450 on sand or deep tracks. 350 for short tracks or harder dirt.  I also have a 23 300XC. I...

I'm keeping both. I like the 450 on sand or deep tracks. 350 for short tracks or harder dirt.  I also have a 23 300XC. I have set up and use specifically for woods riding. I prefer 4 strokes for Moto. The 300 xc/sxf would probably work good for Moto. Lots of low end grunt out of corners. My XC pulls my 6'1" 235 pounds butt around with ease. To be honest the 300 is probably faster than the 350. 

Smith246 wrote:
Yeah i had a 23 300sx but just didn't gel with it on mx tracks, was great in the bush but hardly ride any of that. ...

Yeah i had a 23 300sx but just didn't gel with it on mx tracks, was great in the bush but hardly ride any of that. 

I'm finding my lap times are almost identical on the 350 and the kx on all track types. I can just ride longer on the 350 but I do love the extra torque of the 450.

I guess the only solution is to keep both and just add a 2 stroke to the garage ha ha.

Keeping both keeps your engine hours lower on both. 😍💪🏾

1
mx317
Posts
5283
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
TN US
5/14/2024 8:49am
Yes.  I’m a 220lb fast Vet B rider myself, and think the stock valving is fine.  I’ve been winning races with mine.  Before you throw a...

Yes.  I’m a 220lb fast Vet B rider myself, and think the stock valving is fine.  I’ve been winning races with mine.  Before you throw a ton of money away on a revalve, try this.  
Go on the Race Tech spring rate calculator and figure out the correct spring rates and order them.  It is easy to change them out yourself.  While you have the fork caps off, add 50ml of oil to each fork tube.  
The valving is far more balanced than previous generations, so I bet if you get the appropriate spring rates in there, you will be able to fine tune the suspension with your clickers.  After you install the heavier springs, dial in your rebound a few clicks to compensate for the faster rebound due to the heavier springs.

Thank you! 

Adding 50mL or 50cc is a lot! I would only add 10cc at a time to test.

4
Cdubya
Posts
47
Joined
2/4/2024
Location
Sacramento, CA US
5/14/2024 3:04pm

Stock is 321cc, I added 30 to put me at 350 which is decent and Im not clancking them. Somewhere in the 340-360cc range is good depending on your tracks and ability. 50cc is on the high side for sure but still in an acceptable range.

Smith246
Posts
416
Joined
1/21/2024
Location
Jerramungup , WA AU
5/14/2024 4:07pm
rpm.15 wrote:
I'm keeping both. I like the 450 on sand or deep tracks. 350 for short tracks or harder dirt.  I also have a 23 300XC. I...

I'm keeping both. I like the 450 on sand or deep tracks. 350 for short tracks or harder dirt.  I also have a 23 300XC. I have set up and use specifically for woods riding. I prefer 4 strokes for Moto. The 300 xc/sxf would probably work good for Moto. Lots of low end grunt out of corners. My XC pulls my 6'1" 235 pounds butt around with ease. To be honest the 300 is probably faster than the 350. 

Smith246 wrote:
Yeah i had a 23 300sx but just didn't gel with it on mx tracks, was great in the bush but hardly ride any of that. ...

Yeah i had a 23 300sx but just didn't gel with it on mx tracks, was great in the bush but hardly ride any of that. 

I'm finding my lap times are almost identical on the 350 and the kx on all track types. I can just ride longer on the 350 but I do love the extra torque of the 450.

I guess the only solution is to keep both and just add a 2 stroke to the garage ha ha.

Brosho wrote:

Keeping both keeps your engine hours lower on both. 😍💪🏾

That is a good point. I just wonder if keeping both and swapping back and forth is really doing me any good. Maybe I'm better off just having one and getting completely comfortable with it.

It's a tough life when this is the stuff that keeps me up at night 🤣🤣🤣

1
5/15/2024 3:51am Edited Date/Time 5/15/2024 4:02am
Yes.  I’m a 220lb fast Vet B rider myself, and think the stock valving is fine.  I’ve been winning races with mine.  Before you throw a...

Yes.  I’m a 220lb fast Vet B rider myself, and think the stock valving is fine.  I’ve been winning races with mine.  Before you throw a ton of money away on a revalve, try this.  
Go on the Race Tech spring rate calculator and figure out the correct spring rates and order them.  It is easy to change them out yourself.  While you have the fork caps off, add 50ml of oil to each fork tube.  
The valving is far more balanced than previous generations, so I bet if you get the appropriate spring rates in there, you will be able to fine tune the suspension with your clickers.  After you install the heavier springs, dial in your rebound a few clicks to compensate for the faster rebound due to the heavier springs.

Thank you! 

mx317 wrote:

Adding 50mL or 50cc is a lot! I would only add 10cc at a time to test.

They come stock with 321ml (same as the previous gen KX450 that had the same forks).  Being that he and I are both big boys, I’m confident that the oil volume I recommended is correct, although he could certainly go up in smaller increments if he wishes.  That is the oil volume Race Tech set my forks at when they revalved my 2019, and the 2024 has the same forks with slightly firmer fork valving.  Based on what I’ve seen and heard, 370ml is a pretty standard fork oil volume on this bike.  He could increase the oil volume 10ml at a time, but I don’t feel it is necessary.

5/15/2024 7:24pm

Does anyone know if the 19-23 kx450 pro pegs will fit on the 24?

Cdubya
Posts
47
Joined
2/4/2024
Location
Sacramento, CA US
5/15/2024 8:30pm

Does anyone know if the 19-23 kx450 pro pegs will fit on the 24?

Yes they fit

3
Markee
Posts
3658
Joined
4/15/2013
Location
Suffolk, VA US
5/16/2024 4:47am Edited Date/Time 5/16/2024 4:48am

Thank you! 

mx317 wrote:

Adding 50mL or 50cc is a lot! I would only add 10cc at a time to test.

They come stock with 321ml (same as the previous gen KX450 that had the same forks).  Being that he and I are both big boys, I’m...

They come stock with 321ml (same as the previous gen KX450 that had the same forks).  Being that he and I are both big boys, I’m confident that the oil volume I recommended is correct, although he could certainly go up in smaller increments if he wishes.  That is the oil volume Race Tech set my forks at when they revalved my 2019, and the 2024 has the same forks with slightly firmer fork valving.  Based on what I’ve seen and heard, 370ml is a pretty standard fork oil volume on this bike.  He could increase the oil volume 10ml at a time, but I don’t feel it is necessary.

Not exactly the same. The fork has more changes than I thought compared to the 23. Interesting video.

 

 

4
5/16/2024 6:32am
mx317 wrote:

Adding 50mL or 50cc is a lot! I would only add 10cc at a time to test.

They come stock with 321ml (same as the previous gen KX450 that had the same forks).  Being that he and I are both big boys, I’m...

They come stock with 321ml (same as the previous gen KX450 that had the same forks).  Being that he and I are both big boys, I’m confident that the oil volume I recommended is correct, although he could certainly go up in smaller increments if he wishes.  That is the oil volume Race Tech set my forks at when they revalved my 2019, and the 2024 has the same forks with slightly firmer fork valving.  Based on what I’ve seen and heard, 370ml is a pretty standard fork oil volume on this bike.  He could increase the oil volume 10ml at a time, but I don’t feel it is necessary.

Markee wrote:
Not exactly the same. The fork has more changes than I thought compared to the 23. Interesting video.    

Not exactly the same. The fork has more changes than I thought compared to the 23. Interesting video.

 

 

Good info!

Brosho
Posts
481
Joined
1/31/2011
Location
Los Angeles, CA US
5/16/2024 7:49am
Smith246 wrote:
Yeah i had a 23 300sx but just didn't gel with it on mx tracks, was great in the bush but hardly ride any of that. ...

Yeah i had a 23 300sx but just didn't gel with it on mx tracks, was great in the bush but hardly ride any of that. 

I'm finding my lap times are almost identical on the 350 and the kx on all track types. I can just ride longer on the 350 but I do love the extra torque of the 450.

I guess the only solution is to keep both and just add a 2 stroke to the garage ha ha.

Brosho wrote:

Keeping both keeps your engine hours lower on both. 😍💪🏾

Smith246 wrote:
That is a good point. I just wonder if keeping both and swapping back and forth is really doing me any good. Maybe I'm better off...

That is a good point. I just wonder if keeping both and swapping back and forth is really doing me any good. Maybe I'm better off just having one and getting completely comfortable with it.

It's a tough life when this is the stuff that keeps me up at night 🤣🤣🤣

Well I know guys who have just  one bike and puts ton of wear on that one bike.  Heck if you eventually do 2 top ends on one bike that is about $4,000. Right? About half the price of a bike in just top ends.  That’s not including other wear parts. In the long run with 2 bikes I feel you can just about spend close to less of maintenance cost. Even less tires. And if one bike do break you always have a spare. 
 

if you are trying to become a pro racer you have a point on getting good with just one bike. But if you are not getting paid to race and getting free bikes. I believe you can save lots of money and headaches by having 2.

3
FGR01
Posts
5996
Joined
10/1/2006
Location
AZ US
Fantasy
5/16/2024 7:52am
mx317 wrote:

Adding 50mL or 50cc is a lot! I would only add 10cc at a time to test.

They come stock with 321ml (same as the previous gen KX450 that had the same forks).  Being that he and I are both big boys, I’m...

They come stock with 321ml (same as the previous gen KX450 that had the same forks).  Being that he and I are both big boys, I’m confident that the oil volume I recommended is correct, although he could certainly go up in smaller increments if he wishes.  That is the oil volume Race Tech set my forks at when they revalved my 2019, and the 2024 has the same forks with slightly firmer fork valving.  Based on what I’ve seen and heard, 370ml is a pretty standard fork oil volume on this bike.  He could increase the oil volume 10ml at a time, but I don’t feel it is necessary.

Markee wrote:
Not exactly the same. The fork has more changes than I thought compared to the 23. Interesting video.    

Not exactly the same. The fork has more changes than I thought compared to the 23. Interesting video.

 

 

Good info.  It's worth noting that none of those new changes really affect the oil volume in the outer chamber.

2
denis26
Posts
9
Joined
2/4/2024
Location
Dueville, VI IT
5/16/2024 8:07am

Hi guys, yesterday my motorbike and that of a friend of mine arrived, as regards the recall to the frame I noticed that one had an additional weld done while on the other unfortunately they used putty.

Have any of you had fractures even after putting the putty on?

1

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