2014 kawasaki's

Bigoldbeef
Edited Date/Time 6/20/2013 2:30pm
Links Below!
|
JJO741
Profile picture for user JJO741
Posts
2917
Joined
10/7/2010
Location
Orange, CA US
Fantasy
3035th
JJO741 6/17/2013 5:03pm
6/17/2013 5:03pm
Kawasaki is the king of motors these days. If they were a bit more durable I would love to own one.
Bigoldbeef 6/17/2013 5:30pm
6/17/2013 5:30pm Edited Date/Time 6/17/2013 5:31pm
JJO741 wrote:
Kawasaki is the king of motors these days. If they were a bit more durable I would love to own one.
I'd say they are the king of the engine powerband, but not maximum horsepower.

I do agree about the durability part, I have an 04 ktm 200 exc and my buddy has a 12 kx250f and 450f, both look like they are totally ragged out and they only have about 100 hours on each of them.
Dirtysmile56 6/17/2013 6:14pm
6/17/2013 6:14pm
Bigoldbeef wrote:
I'd say they are the king of the engine powerband, but not maximum horsepower. I do agree about the durability part, I have an 04 ktm...
I'd say they are the king of the engine powerband, but not maximum horsepower.

I do agree about the durability part, I have an 04 ktm 200 exc and my buddy has a 12 kx250f and 450f, both look like they are totally ragged out and they only have about 100 hours on each of them.
Do they still run good? I can see the cosmetics getting shabby but what about functional durability? BTW I just bought a 13 250f KX and really really like it and with the $1,000 rebate and costco rebate I ended up at $5,750 OTD ! I almost bought the 13 350sx for $8,000 when the rebate was released. This is my first Kawi, I've always been a Honda/Yamaha rider.

The Shop

See All »
Paul333
Profile picture for user Paul333
Posts
1838
Joined
2/15/2012
Location
Virginia Beach, VA US
Paul333 6/17/2013 7:08pm
6/17/2013 7:08pm
I've seen zero reliability issues with KXF's. I own a 2012 450 and know of at least five more owners of 2010-2013's. None of us have experienced any issues.
mx510
Profile picture for user mx510
Posts
1973
Joined
2/26/2011
Location
Gig Harbor, WA US
Fantasy
1744th
mx510 6/17/2013 7:14pm
6/17/2013 7:14pm
Dirtysmile56 wrote:
Do they still run good? I can see the cosmetics getting shabby but what about functional durability? BTW I just bought a 13 250f KX and...
Do they still run good? I can see the cosmetics getting shabby but what about functional durability? BTW I just bought a 13 250f KX and really really like it and with the $1,000 rebate and costco rebate I ended up at $5,750 OTD ! I almost bought the 13 350sx for $8,000 when the rebate was released. This is my first Kawi, I've always been a Honda/Yamaha rider.
Damn thats a good deal. I wonder what the 450s are going for through Costco?
Dirtysmile56 6/17/2013 7:33pm
6/17/2013 7:33pm
therealjonon wrote:
ya i just bought my 2013 for 5899 OTD. stoked!
It's tough to beat! The winner of all the shootouts and the cheapest OTD price! I'm stoked Smile
YZ125H1
Profile picture for user YZ125H1
Posts
707
Joined
1/31/2012
Location
Elizabethtown, PA US
YZ125H1 6/17/2013 7:35pm
6/17/2013 7:35pm
JJO741 wrote:
Kawasaki is the king of motors these days. If they were a bit more durable I would love to own one.
QFT Kawis always have a hard hitting motor but they look like a pros practice bike after a few rides. The motor is great on the 250f i dont think any of the other brands are even close stock. Kawi just needs to lose some weight and get the KXF to turn and handle better and they got a better bike.
Dirtysmile56 6/17/2013 7:36pm
6/17/2013 7:36pm
mx510 wrote:
Damn thats a good deal. I wonder what the 450s are going for through Costco?
A buddy of mine just picked up the 13' KX 450 he didn't get the costco $250 rebate but still ended up $6,850 OTD that's in Oregon with no sales tax or DMV fees (if you pay cash and get MSO instead of title) If you go title route it's an extra $100.
PJ205
Profile picture for user PJ205
Posts
1280
Joined
2/16/2008
Location
Fallbrook, CA US
PJ205 6/17/2013 7:45pm
6/17/2013 7:45pm
You guys got some good deals on your new Kawis!

After my 2010 Kawi A. is paid off or B. blows up, Ill probably try to get a 2013. The motors are good and I like the size of them so I might as well take the good parts off of my current bike and toss them on a fresh 450.
yz414
Profile picture for user yz414
Posts
1031
Joined
5/30/2012
Location
CA
yz414 6/17/2013 7:54pm
6/17/2013 7:54pm
saw rock river yamaha at the LL quali in millville, they had a '13 YZ250F for 4995$ if the '14s hadnt been released i woulda bought one
JJO741
Profile picture for user JJO741
Posts
2917
Joined
10/7/2010
Location
Orange, CA US
Fantasy
3035th
JJO741 6/17/2013 8:04pm
6/17/2013 8:04pm
JJO741 wrote:
Kawasaki is the king of motors these days. If they were a bit more durable I would love to own one.
YZ125H1 wrote:
QFT Kawis always have a hard hitting motor but they look like a pros practice bike after a few rides. The motor is great on the...
QFT Kawis always have a hard hitting motor but they look like a pros practice bike after a few rides. The motor is great on the 250f i dont think any of the other brands are even close stock. Kawi just needs to lose some weight and get the KXF to turn and handle better and they got a better bike.
Imagine the KX engine in RMZ chassis.... damn that would be a dream stock bike!
Falcon
Profile picture for user Falcon
Posts
10107
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
Fantasy
798th
Falcon 6/17/2013 8:43pm
6/17/2013 8:43pm
mx510 wrote:
Damn thats a good deal. I wonder what the 450s are going for through Costco?
Dirtysmile56 wrote:
A buddy of mine just picked up the 13' KX 450 he didn't get the costco $250 rebate but still ended up $6,850 OTD that's in...
A buddy of mine just picked up the 13' KX 450 he didn't get the costco $250 rebate but still ended up $6,850 OTD that's in Oregon with no sales tax or DMV fees (if you pay cash and get MSO instead of title) If you go title route it's an extra $100.
I work at a Kawasaki dealer. The Costco program is a pre-negotiated price on the units (a very deep deal, by the way - so deep that the salespeople basically get screwed and the buyer goes straight to the manager,) and then Costo also provides a $250 cash card. (It may be good only at Costco, but I'm not sure.) Add in the $1,000 rebate that comes from Kawasaki and you are golden.
Dirtysmile56 6/17/2013 10:05pm
6/17/2013 10:05pm
Falcon wrote:
I work at a Kawasaki dealer. The Costco program is a pre-negotiated price on the units (a very deep deal, by the way - so deep...
I work at a Kawasaki dealer. The Costco program is a pre-negotiated price on the units (a very deep deal, by the way - so deep that the salespeople basically get screwed and the buyer goes straight to the manager,) and then Costo also provides a $250 cash card. (It may be good only at Costco, but I'm not sure.) Add in the $1,000 rebate that comes from Kawasaki and you are golden.
The boys at my dealer set the whole thing up, I didn't even know it (costco deal) existed. He just quoted me on a 450 and I'm seriously considering one just because the price is so freaking good! Low $6k OTD I paid just under that on a bro deal back in 06 on a new Honda 450.
JW381
Profile picture for user JW381
Posts
10642
Joined
7/21/2009
Location
Harrisburg, OR US
JW381 6/17/2013 10:29pm
6/17/2013 10:29pm
My buddy and his brother ride green and they've both experienced big engine failures after low hours. Just adding to the convo, some say no durability issues, others say there are. My two friends aren't hillbillies that don't maintain their bikes either haha.

Oh, and my ex girlfriend rides a kawi and she's just downright awful at life, so no go on the kawis for I.
anzzz73
Profile picture for user anzzz73
Posts
167
Joined
10/9/2008
Location
Elda ES
anzzz73 6/18/2013 1:55am
6/18/2013 1:55am
why kawi only sent to mxa???that it´s rare
JeepnMike
Profile picture for user JeepnMike
Posts
2528
Joined
10/18/2012
Location
Enumclaw, WA US
JeepnMike 6/18/2013 7:40am
6/18/2013 7:40am
Dirtysmile56 wrote:
It's tough to beat! The winner of all the shootouts and the cheapest OTD price! I'm stoked Smile
Instagram photos definitely changed from the bulldogs and GFs to new Kawasaki's and gear really fast with that one.. LOL. I wish I could buy the exact same thing... Moreso, wish there was still places to ride here.

Pit Row

See All »
Torco1
Profile picture for user Torco1
Posts
6591
Joined
4/27/2007
Location
Corona, CA US
Torco1 6/18/2013 8:33am
6/18/2013 8:33am
In the past I've had a 2004 KX250f, 05 KX250f, 05 KX250 2-stroke, I just got ride of my 11' KX250f and I currently have an 11' KX450f. I've never had any reliability issues with any of them......yeah, the black on the 11's gets beat up pretty bad but I'm not out there to look pretty. The motors have always been beasts......especially on my 450. I guess you could say I'm somewhat of a Kawi guy and the main reason is because I've never had any problems with them. I'll be getting either a 13 or a 14 450 pretty soon here as well.
nytsmaC
Profile picture for user nytsmaC
Posts
5959
Joined
8/10/2009
Location
Frig Off CA
nytsmaC 6/18/2013 9:33am
6/18/2013 9:33am
MXA's opinion isn't always right, but at least they aren't afraid to be negative if they feel something deserves it rather than just sucking everyone's cock all the time like some of the other mags.

Sometimes I question their test riders' opinions, tests are poorly written/edited and sometimes a direct copy/paste job from the previous model year.

It's nice that they dyno all of the bikes but you can tell that they run them on the dyno before they ride them. The dyno numbers seem to help them form their opinion of the bike's powerplant before they even ride it, comparing it to other models which were dyno'd on different days under different conditions. They compare (for example) today's RMZ numbers to the KXF numbers they got a month ago and knock the RMZ for being down 2 horsepower. But it means nothing unless they dyno the two bikes back to back. And as we saw with the KTM 250F/450F this year, the dyno king isn't always the fastest engine.

Take a look at their weight and HP charts. They list the bikes from highest to lowest in HP but it's really not a fair comparison. I notice that when Dirt Bike does some of their tests of the same low HP bikes they rave about the engine, saying the complete opposite of MXA. All I can figure is it's because MXA has a preconceived notion from their unreliable dyno number comparisons.

Granted sometimes they will dyno all of them together during a shootout but it's usually not what happens.
Dirtysmile56 6/19/2013 11:12am
6/19/2013 11:12am
Do any of you guys know a good source to figure out spring rates for the 13 250f? I am just under 200lbs and falling and need to bump the rates a tad on the front and rear. I want to get rate info from someone who has tested. I'm racing the old timer nats at Washougal in July and want to have them changed by then.
Dirtysmile56 6/19/2013 12:24pm
6/19/2013 12:24pm
Thanks Scotty Smile No specifics there but I just called the dealer and they are sending me the Team Green specs. I noticed they have optional springs on the OEM parts fische as well. Just have to figure out which ones are best for my fat ass.
scott_nz
Profile picture for user scott_nz
Posts
5318
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
NZ
Fantasy
655th
scott_nz 6/19/2013 1:05pm
6/19/2013 1:05pm
Dirtysmile56 wrote:
Thanks Scotty :) No specifics there but I just called the dealer and they are sending me the Team Green specs. I noticed they have optional...
Thanks Scotty Smile No specifics there but I just called the dealer and they are sending me the Team Green specs. I noticed they have optional springs on the OEM parts fische as well. Just have to figure out which ones are best for my fat ass.
they have an optional softer spring, and a optional harder spring for the front (9.4n/mm is standard)

the option harder 9.8 is part number 44026-0176,

the optional harder rear spring is a 5.5n/mm and is part number 92145-0889-10
mgifracing
Profile picture for user mgifracing
Posts
1517
Joined
1/25/2007
Location
Newton, KS US
Fantasy
346th
mgifracing 6/19/2013 1:47pm
6/19/2013 1:47pm Edited Date/Time 6/19/2013 1:48pm
You can always use the spring calculator on Race Tech's site. BTW, Jonon, You making a comeback. Would be cool to see you shred around Kansas again.
Dirtysmile56 6/20/2013 1:34pm
6/20/2013 1:34pm
mgifracing wrote:
You can always use the spring calculator on Race Tech's site. BTW, Jonon, You making a comeback. Would be cool to see you shred around Kansas...
You can always use the spring calculator on Race Tech's site. BTW, Jonon, You making a comeback. Would be cool to see you shred around Kansas again.
I did the race tech calculator but it's saying it recommends softer than stock for me?

FRONT FORK SPRINGS
Recommended Fork Spring Rate: 0.94 kg/mm (use closest available)
Stock Fork Spring Rate: .96 kg/mm(stock)


REAR SHOCK SPRINGS
Recommended Shock Spring Rate: 5.35 kg/mm (use closest available)
Stock Shock Spring Rate: 5.4 kg/mm (stock)

Weird? I hope that's right.
sharkey
Profile picture for user sharkey
Posts
2446
Joined
7/28/2008
Location
Marysville, WA US
sharkey 6/20/2013 1:57pm
6/20/2013 1:57pm Edited Date/Time 6/20/2013 1:58pm
mgifracing wrote:
You can always use the spring calculator on Race Tech's site. BTW, Jonon, You making a comeback. Would be cool to see you shred around Kansas...
You can always use the spring calculator on Race Tech's site. BTW, Jonon, You making a comeback. Would be cool to see you shred around Kansas again.
Dirtysmile56 wrote:
I did the race tech calculator but it's saying it recommends softer than stock for me? FRONT FORK SPRINGS Recommended Fork Spring Rate: 0.94 kg/mm (use...
I did the race tech calculator but it's saying it recommends softer than stock for me?

FRONT FORK SPRINGS
Recommended Fork Spring Rate: 0.94 kg/mm (use closest available)
Stock Fork Spring Rate: .96 kg/mm(stock)


REAR SHOCK SPRINGS
Recommended Shock Spring Rate: 5.35 kg/mm (use closest available)
Stock Shock Spring Rate: 5.4 kg/mm (stock)

Weird? I hope that's right.
i dont think thats right. i have a 5.5 and thats rated for 190. seems kind of light for 200 lbs
Dirtysmile56 6/20/2013 2:21pm
6/20/2013 2:21pm
sharkey wrote:
i dont think thats right. i have a 5.5 and thats rated for 190. seems kind of light for 200 lbs
That's what I was thinking, I jacked up the weight to 210(on the calculator) and it still recommended (stock) spring rates front and rear. I have a call in to those guys to get the accurate rates.
davidgrip
Profile picture for user davidgrip
Posts
273
Joined
10/7/2011
Location
Indianapolis, IN US
davidgrip 6/20/2013 2:30pm
6/20/2013 2:30pm
Just what I need to keep my 2012 from getting lonely.



My wife had back surgery,fusion, and is still recovering. Art work, currently.
I will need a 2013 or 2014 to race for contingency money. Thought is there already.

Post a reply to: 2014 kawasaki's