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Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
Decided to join in on the KX450 fun. “Let the good times roll”.
At $7,000 shipped to my house, it was a deal too good to pass up. Fit and finish on the bike is really good and I didn’t notice anything concerning while performing new bike prep work. Super excited to get it out on the track to see how it performs. I’m generally a 125 rider, so the softer/smoother power should suit me well.
I've gone green as well. Just picked up a brand new 2024 450 for 6700 out the door. Rode it on a turn track today and all I can say is wow...it is exactly what I was hoping for. Much easier to ride than any 450 I've tried before. Perfect motor for a 50+ mid pack guy like me!!
I've seen a lot of people talk about going up a tooth to a 51 but has anyone tested a 52 yet? I've yet to find much around it and am curious if anyone has tried it out yet.
I’ve just left it as is. 2nd gear on slow corners, 3rd everywhere else. No complaints . Opened up airbox and side panel for sure huge improvement.
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Ive used a 52 before I did any mods to mine and it wasnt bad, way better for holeshots and tigher corners. I am running a 51 now, with a slip on, high comp piston and airbox and filter stuff done and its solid, still slightly lacking right off gate for me but Im also 300 lbs lol.
I have 92 hours on mine and the only mechanical failure Ive had is a countershaft seal.
I'm 210lbs, and I like the stock gearing. I can carry 3rd through all but the tightest corners.
Where did you get this at?
Babbitt’s Sports Center in Michigan.
Twisted just told me I can use the vortex from my 19-22 Husky 450 for the Kawi with a 400 remap. Didn't know that. Pretty stoked to hear, I'm going to send it off this week, excited to see the difference it can make on this bike vs stock ECU with upgraded mapping.
Keefer just posted up a new map for the 2025 and 2026 KX450. Link is copied below to his website.
https://www.keeferinctesting.com/2025-2026-kawasaki-kx450-optional-map/
I havent been keeping up with the changes, did they update any ecu changes from the 24 to the 25 and 26? Otherwise this should work for the 24 too?
14/53 has been the best combo i found.
The ECU was updated in 2025 to allow a wider range of ignition timing adjustment. The below description is from Keefer’s website……
This map will only work for the 2025 and 2026 KX450 because Kawasaki updated the ECU to increase ignition timing limit from +1 to +10 in 2025. If you try to install this map into a 2024 KX450, it will reduce ignition side to +1.
That ratio is damn near identical to stock. What improvements did you feel? Did you have any clearance issues?
Redondi also runs 14/53 at the NGPC series. I believe these top guys switch gearing here & there depending what round but at least at GH NGPC he had a 14/53 on because i saw how big the rear sprocket was & went over & talked to them. i still have yet to try it.
I run a 13-49 with a Vortex from Chad at XPR. Run 2nd gear in most the turns but it pulls for a long time. I tried getting the bike to be a 3rd gear bike but i felt like i was still hitting the turns in 2nd then just having to shift way soooner.
Crush washer or no crush washer on the drain plug? I’ve seen 3 of them come from factory with no washer, but the oem parts diagram shows one.
Washer
Does it matter ? Mine usually sticks to the case and randomly falls off during the oil change. I never put one back on.
Pit Row
Send to XPR. Chad (I think ) the owner is a great dude. I called late one night thinking no one would answer and he did. We’ve talked for about a hr and he answered tons of my questions, bs’ed a bit and genuinely a good dude. I never felt comfortable with the answers I got at twisted.
The threads in the case can get messed up over time not using one. Or you could get a stuck plug without it.
Care to elaborate on what and what the other rations you tested were like?
Has anyone played around with the engine mount bolt variations? Where are you running yours - forward or back? Why and what changes did you feel when testing the two options?
I thought the rear were just for the kawi soft mounts
Longer 2nd and third gear is what I have found
Keep us posted if it works!
What did it spit out for suspension settings?
This is all based on my weight and skill level.
This is really cool, thanks for sharing
Yeah no worries. I’ve ran two of the three tracks and it was with in a click or so. I had to put in some info about the tracks and my preference for setup but it was pretty accurate.
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