2024 Kawasaki KX450 and KX450X

alycium102
Posts
145
Joined
11/14/2017
Location
USA, MN, USA
8/16/2024 11:25am
This must be a inconsistent thing, mine works extremely strong. In fact, i have had a 280mm aftermarket rotor on everything i have owned. This is...

This must be a inconsistent thing, mine works extremely strong. In fact, i have had a 280mm aftermarket rotor on everything i have owned. This is the first bike i don't think i need it on. 

yz133rider wrote:

Wipe the rotor down with contact cleaner and install braking cm46 pads.

Mine is just super spongey and just not strong. I am also coming off a husky that had an extremely strong front brake. I will keep...

Mine is just super spongey and just not strong. I am also coming off a husky that had an extremely strong front brake. I will keep trying. Thanks!

Bleed it, might be necessary. But yeah definitely clean that rotor. Has a film on it that takes a bit to burn off. 

1
NicNak
Posts
1142
Joined
2/18/2019
Location
Palm Desert, CA, USA
8/16/2024 11:46am

What has everyone been doing regarding the piss poor front brake on these things right off the showroom floor? Anything other than just keep bleeding it?

I took mine off & put on my old front brake off my 23 haha. works great!

1
Duke28
Posts
222
Joined
12/18/2019
Location
Moto town, TX, USA
8/16/2024 12:47pm

My front is more spongy than my Ktm but still very strong. Locks up the wheel if not careful. 

1
8/16/2024 1:25pm
This must be a inconsistent thing, mine works extremely strong. In fact, i have had a 280mm aftermarket rotor on everything i have owned. This is...

This must be a inconsistent thing, mine works extremely strong. In fact, i have had a 280mm aftermarket rotor on everything i have owned. This is the first bike i don't think i need it on. 

yz133rider wrote:

Wipe the rotor down with contact cleaner and install braking cm46 pads.

Mine is just super spongey and just not strong. I am also coming off a husky that had an extremely strong front brake. I will keep...

Mine is just super spongey and just not strong. I am also coming off a husky that had an extremely strong front brake. I will keep trying. Thanks!

This is exactly how mine has been too. I tried bleeding it the normal direction out of the bleeder and that didn't help. Going to try a syringe and bleed it from the bottom, pushing the air up out of the master cylinder next. If that doesn't get rid of the spongeiness, my old Nissin is getting swapped on. 

1

The Shop

Village Idiot
Posts
2622
Joined
5/19/2023
Location
MXoN - a term used by newbs, goobs and rubes, PW, USA
8/17/2024 8:49am
yz133rider wrote:

Wipe the rotor down with contact cleaner and install braking cm46 pads.

Mine is just super spongey and just not strong. I am also coming off a husky that had an extremely strong front brake. I will keep...

Mine is just super spongey and just not strong. I am also coming off a husky that had an extremely strong front brake. I will keep trying. Thanks!

alycium102 wrote:

Bleed it, might be necessary. But yeah definitely clean that rotor. Has a film on it that takes a bit to burn off. 

If it's what I think it is, you don't want to "burn it off" because it will contaminate the pads. It's likely Cosmoline - a rust preventive (essentially a dry grease) they coat it with at the factory to prevent corrosion on the trip across the ocean. The dealer is supposed to clean it as part of pre-delivery prep... at least we did and that was all the way back in the '80s.

1
motomike894
Posts
1577
Joined
9/6/2009
Location
Waterloo, IN, USA
8/17/2024 7:21pm

I have 25 hours on mine and didn’t even replace the chai n and sprockets until 22, the rest of my drive chain is in great shape still, the lower chain guide is about half worn I’ll replace that sometime soon, but the bottom slider and Main one around swingarm look new still. 

4
Mr. Afterbar
Posts
2431
Joined
5/13/2019
Location
Green Bay, WI, USA
8/18/2024 2:08am

Here’s my lower slider with 18 hours and the Polisport slider with 2.6 hours on it. I typically replace all drivetrain components at once, but $70 for the lower slider is ridiculous in my opinion  

IMG 8969 0.jpeg?VersionId= rFR9wD6vIMG 8971.jpeg?VersionId=hij53rZgQ2R21BJTs3FwWG2xi5WqIMG 8972IMG 8973 3.jpeg?VersionId=lSJssWtzSiF2Ve2
8/18/2024 3:25am

What has everyone been doing regarding the piss poor front brake on these things right off the showroom floor? Anything other than just keep bleeding it?

My front brake works great.  Lots of power and great modulation. 

8/18/2024 6:19am Edited Date/Time 8/18/2024 6:20am
Here’s my lower slider with 18 hours and the Polisport slider with 2.6 hours on it. I typically replace all drivetrain components at once, but $70...

Here’s my lower slider with 18 hours and the Polisport slider with 2.6 hours on it. I typically replace all drivetrain components at once, but $70 for the lower slider is ridiculous in my opinion  

IMG 8969 0.jpeg?VersionId= rFR9wD6vIMG 8971.jpeg?VersionId=hij53rZgQ2R21BJTs3FwWG2xi5WqIMG 8972IMG 8973 3.jpeg?VersionId=lSJssWtzSiF2Ve2

That is interesting. Just curious on what chain you run and also your method of adjusting your chain slack. Are you using the old fingers trick or are you using calibers or a ruler? Also how often is the chain being lubed, and what riding condition is it  


Only asking these questions to determine the route cause of this for education on my behalf. I will check my bike again later but I’m at 15 hours and I have none to little wear on both of these 


I have a buddy with over 35 hours on 2 of them and he is still on the stock stuff. 

1
Mr. Afterbar
Posts
2431
Joined
5/13/2019
Location
Green Bay, WI, USA
8/18/2024 2:07pm
Here’s my lower slider with 18 hours and the Polisport slider with 2.6 hours on it. I typically replace all drivetrain components at once, but $70...

Here’s my lower slider with 18 hours and the Polisport slider with 2.6 hours on it. I typically replace all drivetrain components at once, but $70 for the lower slider is ridiculous in my opinion  

IMG 8969 0.jpeg?VersionId= rFR9wD6vIMG 8971.jpeg?VersionId=hij53rZgQ2R21BJTs3FwWG2xi5WqIMG 8972IMG 8973 3.jpeg?VersionId=lSJssWtzSiF2Ve2
That is interesting. Just curious on what chain you run and also your method of adjusting your chain slack. Are you using the old fingers trick...

That is interesting. Just curious on what chain you run and also your method of adjusting your chain slack. Are you using the old fingers trick or are you using calibers or a ruler? Also how often is the chain being lubed, and what riding condition is it  


Only asking these questions to determine the route cause of this for education on my behalf. I will check my bike again later but I’m at 15 hours and I have none to little wear on both of these 


I have a buddy with over 35 hours on 2 of them and he is still on the stock stuff. 

I ride mostly sand. I adjust my chain every other moto at minimum depending how loose it gets. I lubricate as needed. Before I ride and usually once between motos, using PJ1 currently. I’m running a Regina non-sealed chain at the moment and stock before that. I use my trusty snap-on ruler to adjust to spec. I tend to wear stuff out faster than most so I’ll never get 35 hours, but I am curious to hear what others are doing. 

8/18/2024 2:30pm
Here’s my lower slider with 18 hours and the Polisport slider with 2.6 hours on it. I typically replace all drivetrain components at once, but $70...

Here’s my lower slider with 18 hours and the Polisport slider with 2.6 hours on it. I typically replace all drivetrain components at once, but $70 for the lower slider is ridiculous in my opinion  

IMG 8969 0.jpeg?VersionId= rFR9wD6vIMG 8971.jpeg?VersionId=hij53rZgQ2R21BJTs3FwWG2xi5WqIMG 8972IMG 8973 3.jpeg?VersionId=lSJssWtzSiF2Ve2
That is interesting. Just curious on what chain you run and also your method of adjusting your chain slack. Are you using the old fingers trick...

That is interesting. Just curious on what chain you run and also your method of adjusting your chain slack. Are you using the old fingers trick or are you using calibers or a ruler? Also how often is the chain being lubed, and what riding condition is it  


Only asking these questions to determine the route cause of this for education on my behalf. I will check my bike again later but I’m at 15 hours and I have none to little wear on both of these 


I have a buddy with over 35 hours on 2 of them and he is still on the stock stuff. 

I ride mostly sand. I adjust my chain every other moto at minimum depending how loose it gets. I lubricate as needed. Before I ride and...

I ride mostly sand. I adjust my chain every other moto at minimum depending how loose it gets. I lubricate as needed. Before I ride and usually once between motos, using PJ1 currently. I’m running a Regina non-sealed chain at the moment and stock before that. I use my trusty snap-on ruler to adjust to spec. I tend to wear stuff out faster than most so I’ll never get 35 hours, but I am curious to hear what others are doing. 

I mostly ride a glen Helen my self. I lube my chain before ever moto. And adjust chain slack to 48-54mm. Im getting anywhere from 10-14 hours on chain and sprockets. I run rental sprockets and DID ert3 chain. 

Doing this my sliders look great

2
Mr. Afterbar
Posts
2431
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5/13/2019
Location
Green Bay, WI, USA
8/19/2024 11:47am
I mostly ride a glen Helen my self. I lube my chain before ever moto. And adjust chain slack to 48-54mm. Im getting anywhere from 10-14...

I mostly ride a glen Helen my self. I lube my chain before ever moto. And adjust chain slack to 48-54mm. Im getting anywhere from 10-14 hours on chain and sprockets. I run rental sprockets and DID ert3 chain. 

Doing this my sliders look great

Thanks for your reply. It sounds like you are getting similar life to me, but my sliders aren’t holding up as well. I do ride in a lot of sand, like I said, and there was a couple mud days in there as well. I’m sure that contributed. 

I was just listening to the Keefer tested 2025 KX 450 podcast. Funny enough, Eddie on the podcast read my comments and said I’m doing something wrong. Feel free to chime in here with your thoughts Eddie, instead of going on the podcast and making snide remarks about the guys on vital. I’m not “complaining” about the slider wearing out quickly, but you can call it complaining that I think $70 is too much for a replacement if you must. 

1
soggy
Posts
9039
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
USA
8/19/2024 11:54am

What has everyone been doing regarding the piss poor front brake on these things right off the showroom floor? Anything other than just keep bleeding it?

Deglaze your disc and give the pads a quick scour with some sand paper. 

1
8/19/2024 12:56pm

What has everyone been doing regarding the piss poor front brake on these things right off the showroom floor? Anything other than just keep bleeding it?

I did Change mine to a nissin.. love it.

They do got some coating on the brake discs on the showroom floor so you need a lot of brake cleaner and try to wipe it off with a rag or something. 

You also need to push in the caliper maximum before every ride for the brembo to work as good as possible.. 

1
8/19/2024 12:59pm

I got 30h on my chain and sprockets and they still looks fine. 

2
Mr. Afterbar
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2431
Joined
5/13/2019
Location
Green Bay, WI, USA
8/19/2024 1:22pm
mx4all wrote:

I got 30h on my chain and sprockets and they still looks fine. 

Size and skill level? What conditions do you ride in?

8/19/2024 11:36pm
mx4all wrote:

I got 30h on my chain and sprockets and they still looks fine. 

Size and skill level? What conditions do you ride in?

Weigh 197 lbs, former pro since I got kids and stuff nowadays but probably going as fast as ever.. still ride 3 times a week. 

Conditions variates but it has been raining a lot this summer so not to many dry ride days. 

I've been riding mostly mx but also some enduro. Got steel sprocket  not aluminum so that makes a difference ofcourse. And the first thing I did was to throw a x ring chain on there..  

1
1
quadmx301
Posts
506
Joined
9/23/2014
Location
Murrieta, CA, USA
8/20/2024 7:13am

27 hours on stock sprockets and sliders. They look fine to me. 

1
Mr. Afterbar
Posts
2431
Joined
5/13/2019
Location
Green Bay, WI, USA
8/20/2024 8:13am
mx4all wrote:
Weigh 197 lbs, former pro since I got kids and stuff nowadays but probably going as fast as ever.. still ride 3 times a week. Conditions variates...

Weigh 197 lbs, former pro since I got kids and stuff nowadays but probably going as fast as ever.. still ride 3 times a week. 

Conditions variates but it has been raining a lot this summer so not to many dry ride days. 

I've been riding mostly mx but also some enduro. Got steel sprocket  not aluminum so that makes a difference ofcourse. And the first thing I did was to throw a x ring chain on there..  

That sounds impossible based off my experience and the time others seem to be getting out of their drivetrain. Feel free to share any of your other secrets. I’ve been riding / racing for 35 years. I don’t feel I’m doing anything wrong with my chain maintenance. Do you feel an X-ring chain helps the other components last longer? I’m thinking that it would only help chain life. My sprockets and sliders are shot before the chain. That’s why I went non-sealed this time. 

alycium102
Posts
145
Joined
11/14/2017
Location
USA, MN, USA
8/20/2024 8:21am
mx4all wrote:

I got 30h on my chain and sprockets and they still looks fine. 

Size and skill level? What conditions do you ride in?

mx4all wrote:
Weigh 197 lbs, former pro since I got kids and stuff nowadays but probably going as fast as ever.. still ride 3 times a week. Conditions variates...

Weigh 197 lbs, former pro since I got kids and stuff nowadays but probably going as fast as ever.. still ride 3 times a week. 

Conditions variates but it has been raining a lot this summer so not to many dry ride days. 

I've been riding mostly mx but also some enduro. Got steel sprocket  not aluminum so that makes a difference ofcourse. And the first thing I did was to throw a x ring chain on there..  

Same same. I just changed chain and sprockets and I have 40 hours on mine. The rear sprocket is barely starting to bend, the front sprocket has a bit more bend to it. Even the chain didn’t have much side to side movement on it. Changed the chain guide just for looks to an acerbis one. Whoever makes the stock chain and sprockets did a damn good job it seems. I ride twice a week and race once a week. It’s such a solid bike. Love it. 

2
Markee
Posts
3669
Joined
4/15/2013
Location
Suffolk, VA, USA
8/21/2024 2:21am
That sounds impossible based off my experience and the time others seem to be getting out of their drivetrain. Feel free to share any of your...

That sounds impossible based off my experience and the time others seem to be getting out of their drivetrain. Feel free to share any of your other secrets. I’ve been riding / racing for 35 years. I don’t feel I’m doing anything wrong with my chain maintenance. Do you feel an X-ring chain helps the other components last longer? I’m thinking that it would only help chain life. My sprockets and sliders are shot before the chain. That’s why I went non-sealed this time. 

Just a thought, if you use that sticky chain lube in the sand, it basically turns your chain into 36 grit sand paper. 

Try a x ring and wd40?

2
8/21/2024 4:38am
mx4all wrote:

I got 30h on my chain and sprockets and they still looks fine. 

Size and skill level? What conditions do you ride in?

mx4all wrote:
Weigh 197 lbs, former pro since I got kids and stuff nowadays but probably going as fast as ever.. still ride 3 times a week. Conditions variates...

Weigh 197 lbs, former pro since I got kids and stuff nowadays but probably going as fast as ever.. still ride 3 times a week. 

Conditions variates but it has been raining a lot this summer so not to many dry ride days. 

I've been riding mostly mx but also some enduro. Got steel sprocket  not aluminum so that makes a difference ofcourse. And the first thing I did was to throw a x ring chain on there..  

My last 450 had an X-ring chain and Dirt Tricks sprockets that were put on at 10 hours and still looked fine when I sold the bike with 100 hours.

8/21/2024 6:01am
That sounds impossible based off my experience and the time others seem to be getting out of their drivetrain. Feel free to share any of your...

That sounds impossible based off my experience and the time others seem to be getting out of their drivetrain. Feel free to share any of your other secrets. I’ve been riding / racing for 35 years. I don’t feel I’m doing anything wrong with my chain maintenance. Do you feel an X-ring chain helps the other components last longer? I’m thinking that it would only help chain life. My sprockets and sliders are shot before the chain. That’s why I went non-sealed this time. 

Markee wrote:
Just a thought, if you use that sticky chain lube in the sand, it basically turns your chain into 36 grit sand paper. Try a x ring...

Just a thought, if you use that sticky chain lube in the sand, it basically turns your chain into 36 grit sand paper. 

Try a x ring and wd40?

This is what I do.  X-ring and after I wash the bike, I blow the water off the chain with my air compressor then spray it with WD-40 and wipe it with a rag.  Never touch the chain again until the next time I wash the bike.

1
soggy
Posts
9039
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
USA
8/21/2024 7:27am

If you guys haven’t tried the dirt tricks sprockets give them a shot. The rear is incredible.

1
lumpy790
Posts
11824
Joined
9/18/2007
Location
York, SC, USA
8/21/2024 8:17am

Local SC dealer Rock Hill Powersports installed the new Moto Hose Works Y hose kit on a new 2025 KX450

IMG 4525 1.jpeg?VersionId=RYV.IMG 4526 0.jpeg?VersionId=IMG 4530.jpeg?VersionId=HZ8qd WgRgCY7GIySoqXKd2AhSQJnfXIMG 4528 0
6
3
8/21/2024 8:53am

What is the cost of the kit?

yz133rider
Posts
5027
Joined
8/1/2013
Location
Avondale, PA, USA
8/21/2024 10:15am

What is the cost of the kit?

alycium102 wrote:

400 dollhairs

Is anyone having actual trouble or is this a solution in search of a problem?

1
TooTallJason
Posts
626
Joined
11/10/2020
Location
Denver, CO, USA
8/21/2024 10:30am

I don't know exactly how big of a problem I'd consider it, but the t junction in the line is definitely the weak point in the system.  I have a 1.8 bar radiator cap and when I rode the bike up in Leadville (10,000 ft elevation moto track), I had coolant drop on my header.  Hasn't leaked a drop down here in Denver though. 

coastie44
Posts
564
Joined
1/19/2013
Location
NorCal, CA, USA
8/21/2024 12:47pm
This is what I do.  X-ring and after I wash the bike, I blow the water off the chain with my air compressor then spray it...

This is what I do.  X-ring and after I wash the bike, I blow the water off the chain with my air compressor then spray it with WD-40 and wipe it with a rag.  Never touch the chain again until the next time I wash the bike.

I've been doing this since about 2008. DID x-ring chains and WD-40 and air. I added the Dirt Tricks rear sprockets a while back.  No need to waste time and $...I rarely if ever even adjust the chain. 

2

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