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Giving up the 350 life?… man I don’t know what to do
I'm guessing you have a 350 at the moment? What are your reasons for wanting to try the new kx?
So I’ve gone back and forth lately 350 to 450 and back again.
right now I’ve noticed I just prefer to be in the low end, I don’t like hitting sections heavy throttle and high rpm’s.
also it’s a chassis/suspension thing. I’ll get the 350 feeling great one day and completely struggle the next, and repeat.
every time I consider getting the suspension set up, then my brain says but “spring forks” and then the 600 revalve turns into 2k… and then I just don’t get it done, and then I continue the cycle lol.
so for me going kawi came down to, I prefer the low end style of a 450, and all the reviews seem to really stress how comfortable and consistent the kawi platform is. It sounds like get springs for my weight, set the sag, get a vortex to dial in the power and that’s essentially all it would need.
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I've been doing something similar, going back and forth with 250/300 2 strokes then back to 450s. This KX in the stock form is the best 450 I've ever had. I really love it. Its time to get my suspension sent off and it will be even better.
The power is very similar to my KTM when running the aggressive map and traction control. Mellow then hits in mid to top end.
I can hands down say the 24 kx450 is the best 450 I've ever owned or ridden but for me still took more to get setup than my 350. Yes my 350 has kyb forks but besides that is stock and I ride multiple tracks without touching a single click.
I also don't feel you need to ride the 23+ 350sxf super high in the revs like you used to. I personally ride both my 350 and 450 very similar in the meat of the powerband and still go faster on 350.
Either way I don't think you'd be disappointed with the kx it's an awesome bike. Even though I'll probably be selling mine I definitely don't regret trying it.
I have a '23 MC 350 with Cone Valves and revalved shock. This is my fifth 350. Been on them since 2015. I love the easy to ride power but have constantly chased my tail with setting it up over the 30+ hours. I have been putting some effort into training (ok, lightly) and riding more and I have noticed as my speed has increased, the more I struggled. I'm 41, 6'1 165 lbs. +40 B/C rider.
So where things took a turn. I bought a like new 2012 RMZ 450. Just thought I'd ride it for fun here and there. Threw some springs for my weight in it and BAM! I love the thing. I never liked 450's ever! I'm skinny, old and by definition, shouldn't be a "450" rider at all. I feel like my corner speed is faster (some of that is just Suzuki) and my technique is better because I don't have to ride it as hard. I ride rough, rutted, east coast style tracks too. I know the RMZ is down on power compared to new 450's (rode a '24 YZ 450 and that's a no bueno for me) but I can stay in 3rd gear more and the chassis reacts better. I know I can probably put down a faster lap on the 350 but I feel like I can go faster consistently on the 450. I just cannot get the 350 to do the same thing every time.
So here I am. Intrigued by the KX for its easy to ride power and consistent chassis. I have ridden the older gen KX and loved the way they felt. I have not ridden a '23+ 350 and that's my other issue. I know the motor is better but I'm afraid I will still struggle with the chassis, even with my Cone Valves. YZrider133 and I are probably similar in speed and ride a lot of the same tracks and we buy a lot of unnecessary crap so there's that too...LOL
Rear is very stiff. I’m 175 pounds and having a softer shock spring than put on this week
Try going out a half a turn on the high speed compression. It made my bike feel much more compliant on chop.
We did that one. We’ve played with the shock a decent amount and it feels better, but gonna try this one
Tried that but still seems like the bike, overall, needs stiffer fork or a softer rear spring for me.
I hear ya on buying alot of unnecessary crap, I just call it an expensive learning curve ha ha.
I have had a few 350's over the years aswell and always struggled a bit with a vague front end feel, even with ohlins, dal soggio and kyb suspension, I think it was just a ktm thing. I feel with the new 23 chassis, although not completely gone I have alot more trust in the front now. The thing with the 23+ ktm's is people seem to either love them or hate them. I personally don't feel any of the rigidness everyone talks about.
But back to the kx, it's funny the thing I liked about it the most at the start which is the easy to use very manageable power is now becoming something I'm starting to dislike. My bike has Ti6 exhaust, opened airbox and 51 tooth rear and it is by no means lacking in power its just the way it is delivered makes the bike feel even heavier than it is.
My suggestion with the fact you already have conevalve forks and at your weight would be a 23+ 350sxf but I also don't think you'd be disappointed with the kx either as it is still an awesome bike.
My solution when I have these dilemmas is to buy both bikes, but I have wasted more money than i care to admit on bikes so maybe don't listen to me 🤣
You can determine whether the shock spring rate is right or wrong by setting your sag then measuring the static sag. It should be between about 30 and 40mm. If it is more than 40mm or so, you would benefit from a softer spring. I have a stiffer shock spring and one stiffer fork spring installed, but I’m 6’3” and weight 215.
https://motocrossactionmag.com/bare-bones-how-static-sag-can-help-you-choose-the-right-spring-rate/
KX Rebate ends @ end of June! I’m wondering if they’ll do more or just go away? I’m gona gamble on more rebate next mo!
I’m guessing $2500 rebate until sold out.
What are we thinking resale will be for a 24 after rebates are over? New 25s will be 10k plus
I’d say they would be over. They pulled the big 250 rebate earlier this month.
Just picked up my 24 kx450 last weekend. Went in to get my boy a CRF125F and just couldn’t turn down the deal. Worked out a deal for the two of them that got the price on the 450 to $6500 😁
Pit Row
Don't wait to long. New upper management @ k.M.C is not real big on rebates. Get em while you can.
Rebates are supposed to expire 6/30
They’ll do one more round late fall to get the 25’s moving in to dealership floors
Yep yep, thats a big reason i know the spring is too stiff for me. My suspension guy has been telling me since i got the bike that i need a softer spring but i just rode it anyway. But now its time to get it all fancied up.
I have no idea what the future holds for rebates, but my dealer told me he already ordered his 2025 KXs about 2 weeks ago.
People are broke they still have inventory they can’t push out.
had I waited another month could’ve bought at this price from Sport Cycles, paid $7889 plus tax and doc fee on 3/23/24
even KTM is offering $2500 rebates and special financing right now to move the 24’s
If your in SoCal go to chatsworth and get one cheap at wheels in motion. They are a volume Kawasaki dealer so they have extra incentives
Package secured. Take it home, grease it, throw springs in it, grips, and some other odds and ends, and first ride Wednesday.
Paid too much because I’m impatient….✅ But oh well, I love it!!🤘🏻
Me, too! Racing mine tomorrow morning.
Racing GH?
If he is I hope he left couple days ago bro
Lmao his location says USA so idk maybe he doing the sprint enduro
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