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Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
Thicker would help but I personally think the material they use is a bit too dense as well.
No its not. There are different parameters on the 25 and 26 compared to the 2024.
Thank you. I guess that’s what I’m trying to clarify - those parameters on the updated ecu will not carryover to the 2024 is what you’re saying?
Don't see why it wouldn't? Think he misunderstood your question? The changes are in the ECU.
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I do suck at communication haha. Also think you answered it for me.
Yeah long story short, I’m wanting to know if I can direct swap a 25/26 ecu in to get the larger range of variability on mapping changes in the rideology app. Would like to guinea pig this option before going all in on a vortex.
Have you checked to make sure the airbox surface is not warped in that spot? Have you tried using a flat edge right there with the feeler gadge. Mine fits perfectly all the way around, I even tried the feeler gadge and it was tight fit everywhere.
Remember Keefer saying last year that the SR ECU worked good on the standard bike. Said the stock exhaust tamed the initial crack of the throttle the SR had if I remember correctly?
Any body else experience a head failure and cam failure. Raced a gncc bike ran fine when shut off, came back home serviced the bike and within one lap of my first moto of the day at the track, bike Started rattling and sounding funny. Pulled it in and called it a day. 130hr with minimum issues. Was checking eBay looking for a good usable head to have serviced. Most of the heads I’ve found have the same damage to head and cam in the same journal.
Mine was making funny noises last time I rode, sounded like the head pipe was loose. I think it was coming from the bottom end. You're post makes me want to pull the valve cover and check it out.
Just a thought but did the bike run on it's side for an extended period?
Confirmed direct swap with Keef on the ecu. Snagged one off mxlocker for a good price and will report back once I upload his 25/26 map and get a feel. Thank you @alycium102 and @crmx105 for the input.
Any update?
Why wouldn't you just use the stock stuff? I've seen multiple dyno runs that show backfire screens don't restrict the air enough to matter, and I like having a filter that seals.
Should be here end of this week via snail mail. Have some arrangements out of town this weekend but hope to have an update early next week.
The consensus was lack of sealing from most if not all bike journalists on the stock unit.
So the stock one doesn't seal, but neither does the aftermarket one? New design coming in 27!
People on here seem to have good luck with the Tusk unit, me, not so much. I have the Twin Air setup ready to go in.
Desert racing where I'm at we have a lot of silt and filters are a major issue.
I didn’t see any that said they had issues. They all mentioned how quirky the design is and they thought it could have issue eventually.
Pit Row
I chose it because I liked the way the cage and filter mates together vs stock as well as the thick neoprene seal. The lack of a screen was just a potential bonus, though, I have not felt any increase in power. Mine seals perfectly (checked using a feeler gauge) and is very convenient to clean and change. I have recommended it to multiple riding buddies.
The bike was used by Polisport for development of plastics. You can see the scanner marks all over the bike.
There’s zero problem with the stock cage set up sealing or otherwise. I drilled the side panel and air box itself to let it breathe more, and still no sealing issues.
Yes the filter gets dirty when the conditions are dusty, but don’t they all?
Issue is overblown and the magazines do what they do which is recommend aftermarket $$$ products.
I thought the filter was easy to change. Not as easy as a Ktm but certainly easier than most of the other brands where you need to unbolt either the side panel or the seat.
I’m not a big fan of the cage and filter design. I don’t think it will let dirt past its just kinda janky to me. I actually really liked the 19-23 design of the filter. If they could have just made that where you didn’t need tools that would have been cool. I know some of the air box changes were for the sound stuff though.
Headed home early this weekend to beat a winter storm. Got the 25 ECU swapped in and confirmed the below map provided by Kawi is programmed/doesn’t revert back to only +/-1 ignition parameters. Also confirmed Keefers 25/26 map works. Won’t be able to ride for a bit to test out because of the snow.
Ah okay okay. This makes sense. I think i misunderstood when he told me that the parameters for 25/26 wont go onto the 24 ecu. Just gotta get the different ecu. I are sorry, me not know how to read good.
Riding my family farm track today and finally getting to play around with things. Pretty noticeable difference between the two maps I posted, albeit the track I’m currently on is short and very choppy. The Kawi map has a lot more engine braking and lower grunt/punch. Keefers makes second and third feel linear and not arm ripping - likely better suited on a longer track where you can climb through the gears. Both are fun. I haven’t really messed with mapping before so this has been a fun little experiment. Gonna get back at it now 🫡
Hi from Italy,
2025 KX 450 with approx 40 hrs here.
This is what happened to me today. Did 5/6 laps then noticed a metallic noise while jumping in a downhill... checked the bike and went outside the track slow... without noise... so I guessed about a rock stuck with chain...
Back on track, did 1 lap and bike lost power before (lucky) a small jump... oil pump closed > engine failure.
Asked a friend who own a Kawasaki team and he told me this is a common issue (not for me), they change disk plates every 8 hrs... 🙀
Others that faced this problem?
Andrea
It’s not common at all. I’m about as hard as you can be on a clutch and only had it happen once. I was in a bind and was running a Tusk clutch when the plate snapped.
40hrs on a clutch is insane. I’d say you’re to blame for this.
I know the other guy said that this is not common at all. But I’ve seen this happen on a ton of Kawasaki‘s. I’d say the opposite. I’ve actually seen it happen so much that I put a full Hinson in all of my bikes pretty much right when I get them. I’m also racing off-road so the long races are pretty extreme heat on the clutch.
I've never seen a speck of dust in my air boot, but f you're looking for a cheap way to make yourself feel better about things, buy a Twin Air filter. Not only is it domed (more surface area), but it has a bigger sealing lip.
Trying to put my bike back together and it seems Hinson is back ordered on baskets and plates.
God damnit. This will be my last Kawasaki, I can't afford to destroy a 450 in 60 hours. If this was a KTM I wouldn't be needing anything at 60 hours, much less a complete rebuild plus new clutch basket.
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