Reading lots of comments about how the '24 KX450 is said to be like a 350. At least in stock form (airbox plug, exhaust insert). How accurate is this statement? I assume it is safe to say it is going to feel heavier with the 450 crank mass's inertia at play?
How does one compare it to the previous generation 350 before the bottom end increase the KTM/Husqvarna received in '23?
I have some limited time on a '19 KX450 and I did not care for the immediate, almost abrupt power off an idle. Just found it too touchy for me.
I am selling a '23 MC350F after 20 hours and the '24 KX450 is high on my list. I am apprehensive that it will still exhibit a lot of the traditional 450 traits though. Specifically, that heavier feeling in turns, heavy engine braking, snappy off-idle throttle and arm wrenching power which may not be well suited to a Vet novice C class rider.
My consideration towards the '24 KX450 is I want a bike that can easily pull me around (230-240lb with gear) without having to rev the snot out of it. I am 6'4 so ergonomic comfort is important to me, which is why the KX ranks high on my list. The power of the 350 is manageable, just not so much its delivery characteristics. I feel I have to ride it harder to go the same pace. I do not have a problem admitting to being lazy these days. I like the lug-ability factor of the 450, and by the sounds of it, keeping the '24 KX450 chocked up with the airbox and exhaust plugs/inserts may keep it manageable.
Unfortunately, nobody I know has one to test ride. Being in Canada, they are still going for around 15k all in - no discounts for Canadian customers. So not sure we are going to see a ton of them at the tracks this season.
Would love to hear some thoughts.
It's probably worse than a 350 in stock form. It's heavier and when it's choked up, it doesn't want to pull 3rd gear. It's much easier to ride once you open up the exhaust, gives you a choice between 2 gears in turns. The 24 is mapped really good, better than my 22. The 22 would do the weird hurky jurky when riding 1st gear through the pits. 24 does vibrate more, I have to check seat bolts between motos.
Does Kawasaki have a tuning module or are they still using the different plugs? My thought is that you could try retarding the timing and/or go a tooth or two smaller on the rear sprocket. That would soften the power delivery a little.
Or, go for the gold and buy a YZ250 2-stroke.
Its not a 350. Pull the airbox grommet and put a slip on exhaust on it and it is right there with any 450. Chassis is excellent. Right now with the rebate, I would get a Vortex ECU and a full Pro Circuit system as well as a Twin Air Powerflow kit and you will be ripping!
any 450 will never be a 350 … it will always be a heavy pig with too much rotating mass!
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I rode a Beta RX 450 a couple weeks ago. To me it felt very similar in ergos and power to my mates 24 ktm 350
I've got a 2024 KX450 and still think all this underpowered stuff is overblown. Yeah it's not as much of a hit down low. But hey I'm still 6'7" and 250lbs. and there isn't a single jump that I did on my KTM that I can't do on my KX with the stock exhaust (I've only removed the airbox plug) at elevation here in Colorado. In fact, I'm turning better lap times than I did on the KTM which I mainly attribute to being more comfortable on the chassis. The KX easier to ride, I just don't short shift and try not to lug the bike around.
Regarding tuning, there's an app now.
Rode one back to back with my 22 SXF 450 and to me it felt like similar power. Didn't feel slow but not crazy fast either.
My last KX was a 19 and I felt comfortable immediately. Loved the fork. Didn't feel like a 350. I've ridden 350s and it's not like one.
after riding the 24 kx450 and owning a 350(before my current bike), I think the power feels similar in stock form but a tad more low and and not as much up top. The bottom on the 24 is smooth like a 350. I never thought my 350 turned that great and actually think my kx turns better than my ktm 350 did but I know im alone on that thought. At your weight I would think you would have more fun on the 450.
There is a tuning app.
I never even rode my bike before putting the Pro Circuit T-6 on it and ripping the rubber plug out of the airbox, and I’m glad I didn’t because my bike flat rips! The roll on power is much more controlled than the prior generation, which improves my corner speed, but I can still pull 3rd through all but the tightest 180 corners with stock gearing. I also love the contingency payouts Kawasaki is offering this year. Go find a buddy that bought one and try it. Everyone that has ridden mine has come away very impressed. It pulls harder and further than my 2019 did from mid to top for sure.
I’m 6’3” myself, and at our height, there really isn’t a better choice than green. The chassis adjustability is a game changer for tall guys.
In theory, all the bikes will be corked up next year, anyway. Since Kaw introduced a new bike this year, they built it to meet the 2025 FIM sound requirements that everyone will need to meet in 2025.
How's the long term durability/reliability?
I had a 22 kx450 for a few weeks (odd story lol) and it was cleary abused prior. But, i also hear guys talk about them being of lesser quality than other bikes.. i reeaally enjoyed the way it handled.. I'm also 6 3 and it fit perfectly. I pretty much overkill maintenance and put maybe 4-6 hours a month on a bike.. So with all that said, would I be safe getting a 24??
That’s a myth. Some wear parts on old model needed replacing earlier than other oem slides for example but it’s fixed with the 24. The important parts of the kx have been as reliable as other bikes.
I've ridden Pre-23 350s and now +23 and new 350s as well as the 24 KX450. The inertia / gryo feel on the 24 KX450 was VERY noticeable. Its still a very good bike and I can see why some people really like them. The engine on the 24 KX450 is nice and can be adapted to make plenty of power.
But if it is the Ergo's and power delivery, I would ride a 24 YZ450F and work on the power tuner app to make the power what you want it to be like. I would also recommend riding a KTM 300SX or Husky TC300 and see how you like those bikes. The ergonomics of the KTM/Husky will obviously be similar to the Gasgas, but who knows you might like it. I think the 24 YZ450F tuned to your liking is your best option though. I really struggled with the gyro/inertia feel on the KX450. JMHO
I agree that the gyro is very noticeable. Bike definitely feels heavy but haven’t ridding ither 450s to compare.
Definitely love the ergos and chassis tho. Much better than 22 gen ktm. I’ll likely sell my 24 Kawi and get the 25 kawi 250 with the same changes.
Kawasaki has underrated reliability.
And very easy pass ability if your on - of these Red Turbo Rockets
Although I cannot compare it to a 350, all I can tell you is it feels as fast as my old 2012 KX 450 F felt, but better in every single way. It doesn't have the heavy feeling and heavy engine braking that the old 2012 has. Plus, with the mellow map and traction control, it is really manageable.
I own a 23 350 sxf and the 24 KX 450. I prefer the KX 450. Easy to ride as an older Vet rider it's perfect. The 350 is a great bike, but you have to ride it aggressively to realize it's potential. You can ride the KX 450 lazy or aggressively. Rewarding either way.
Pit Row
I disagree you do NOT have to be aggressive on a 350, but you do need to be smooth, maintain momentum through corners and roll the throttle on before the apex and let it eat, yes you can actually give it full throttle and it won’t try to spit you off the bike! They are WAY easier to ride than any 450 fast for longer saving energy, yes you CAN ride third gear around the track and even hit inside lines with stock gearing… 450s are big lethargic shit boxes. If you think a 450 is easier to ride I would invest in a 125 and riding schools and learn better technique!
Being an older rider and fortunate to be able to ride a few different bikes, I maintain the 24 KX450 is the best 450 for laps times. After riding the 24, I felt that most riders would have their best lap times on it. May not feel like a rocket but it is sneaky fast if you turn the throttle. For me it is easier to get on the gas earlier in the turn.
“Controllable”
It comes down to personal preference in the end. I agree it's not the bIke so much as the rider. I recall watching a guy at an oldtimers race in Fernely NV 50 A or B class not 100% sure. It's been awhile. Blow everyone away on a DRZ 400 with 606's on it.
I'm starting to lean in this direction as well. I too have a '23 350 sx-f and a '24 kx450. I find the 450 very easy to ride. You can ride it hard without the unforgiving penalizing nature of some of the other 450s like the Yamaha or Honda.
That said, I am a bigger guy at 6'4 and 250 with gear, so I am sure that has some bearing on it. But the KX450 has more forgiving recovery and in some ways is easier to ride then the 350. It's not as light and nimble feeling, but has power on tap to recover quicker when you make a mistake and lose your momentum. And you can still push it without fear of being quickly thrown to the dirt.
I think it has a bit more plush and forgiving chassis too.
I also own both a 23 350sxf and a 24 KX 450 and for me the 350 is a better all round bike. If you want to be super lazy and not really improve on your riding or technique then go the 450. If you want to have the most fun, keep good riding technique, ride longer and more than likely faster then go the 350.
I always take both bikes to the track, if i ride the 350 first i never ride the 450 because im having that much fun and have no desire to ride the 450. If i ride the 450 first i always end up riding the 350 aswell, and 9 times out of 10 ill be faster on the 350.
I really believe that on a moto track the only people that benefit from a 450 are the super lazy or the super fast. The rest would be faster and safer on 350's but most have too big egos to admit it.
1st world problems I guess.
We are definitely very privileged when these are our main problems.
All this is fascinating lol i went on a "try every bike" tour and this is what i learned:
I'm 6'3", 210, try my best to ride with good technique over speed, and I get after it hard as I can within my limits.
I'm just as fast if not faster on my 22 crf250r (suspension, pipe and sprocket) in a 20 min session than any bike I've owned. I can just ride it harder longer with ZERO ARM PUMP. That's the biggest perk. Some of my 450s I could probably sprint faster, but who cares about 1 lap.. I've only come across 1 jump in all my local tracks I don't have the power to hit and its an uphill triple out of a 180. That's it..
I've had 250 2s, 450s, a 350, and now this 250f. Sure, I don't like ringing out the 250f so hard, but after 50 hrs the piston looked amazing. My point is, we all think we need all this power, when it is probably the actual limiting factor to our riding... if I could find a 450 I can ride as smoothly and well as a 250f, sign me up, I'l try that too lol
I found it. It's the 2024 Kawasaki KX450. j/k 😉
I did the same thing, 5 bikes of all different sizes in the last 2 years searching for the perfect bike and i ended up back on a 350 where i started 🤦♂️
I still believe the 350 is the best all round size for most people but the shit part that i completely understand is some people dont want to own a ktm group bIke.
But to actually answer the original question, no the 24 KX450 is definitely not a 350 in disguise. I wouldnt compare it to a 350 in any way at all.
I agree 100% on the 350 being the best bike overall and likely the best fit for most riders at the track (the 450 riders anyway). The big thing that held me back was the AER forks, which in all honesty have improved greatly. And now, there are the 6500s and KYB spring options for WP forks. The 350F engine got a lot better in 23 and newer. To me, it is potentially the perfect bike. And this talk about "you have to ride it aggressively" is BS. You can still lug it around the track and clear 98% of the jumps no problem - or add an exhaust, remap, holes in air box and a tooth larger on the rear sprocket and I assure you it will be plenty to just lug around the track and ride it lazy. The greater reality is, you can much more easily ride it more aggressively than most anyone (except Pros) can a 450. And to most, that is more fun (at least it is to me). To be clear to everyone who hasn't ridden a 350F, you don't have to ride it aggressively to hit all the jumps, etc. What I noticed the most immediately is the power is so much more controllable than a 450F, you don't have to have perfect throttle control. So my cornering got faster because I wasn't on/off/on/off the throttle trying to get my throttle control right. I could more easily roll it on and carry momentum through the corners. That made me faster. Now, a 250F, I have to ride it more aggressively to be as fast. A 450F doesn't tire me out as I'm in pretty good shape, I just lack the talent to really control the power of it - mainly in corners. Lugging the bike slow through corners then point and shoot at jumps doesn't make a rider faster.
On the Kawi, I think it is a great option if a rider wants a 450F. The power is much more controllable similarly to the 350F power being that it is more controllable. Its definitely not a 350F, but more smooth power for a 450F. That translates to better corner speed = faster lap times. Kawi is greatly under valued in terms of reliability. I just couldn't get past the gyro feel. Its extremely noticeable and I couldn't get used to the feel of it.
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