Sneak Peek: 2019 Kawasaki KX450F in the flesh...

tempura
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4/7/2018 5:31pm
Nozuka back in the Nationals after his brief spell in MXGP


tempura
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4/7/2018 5:32pm
Kawasaki being a bit secretive this morning


Markee
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4/7/2018 5:35pm
Feel like I'm waiting to ride a log flume at busch gardens.
GoproDrew24
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4/7/2018 6:07pm
tempura wrote:
Kawasaki being a bit secretive this morning [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/04/07/254199/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
Kawasaki being a bit secretive this morning


Do you think they could still be changing and testing different things from what we have seen already?

The Shop

Crush
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4/7/2018 8:54pm
Tell you what, frame graphics do not help many bikes, including ^^^^^^^ that one. Just makes em look fat.
tempura
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4/7/2018 8:55pm
tempura wrote:
Kawasaki being a bit secretive this morning [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/04/07/254199/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
Kawasaki being a bit secretive this morning


Do you think they could still be changing and testing different things from what we have seen already?


4/7/2018 9:35pm
That can't be production shrouds. The shape doesn't match the lines of the frame.
mxb2
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4/7/2018 10:16pm
Any idea the color of the production forks for the new kawy? Silver or rmz gold?
bvm111
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4/7/2018 10:21pm
Why are there Hondas in this thread.... AngryAngryBlink
dirtmike86
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4/7/2018 10:26pm
I dont know if its been brought up somewhere but the cases on the kawi dont even have the area that allows the kickstarter. So they are saving weight there. And the pictures of the honda look like they did away with it also which could mean some engine updates for them as well.

tempura
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4/7/2018 10:27pm
bvm111 wrote:
Why are there Hondas in this thread.... AngryAngryBlink
Because they are faster than Kawi??..lol
280driver
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4/8/2018 8:03am Edited Date/Time 4/8/2018 8:05am


Solid results for the bikes debut. One rider finished second overall and the other crashed in moto 1 and then got 2nd in moto 2.
ML512
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4/8/2018 8:43am
mxb2 wrote:
Any idea the color of the production forks for the new kawy? Silver or rmz gold?
They'll either be silver or the faded bronze like prior forks, not the RM-Z gold.
4/8/2018 9:01am
Really curious about the airbox. It appears to be angled off to the left side of the bike. Possibly a leftward (maybe even toolless) airbox removal instead of up through the subframe? Just remove the left number plate and pop her out (a la KTM and Husky)?

That would be a huge plus in my book.
ML512
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4/8/2018 9:07am
Really curious about the airbox. It appears to be angled off to the left side of the bike. Possibly a leftward (maybe even toolless) airbox removal...
Really curious about the airbox. It appears to be angled off to the left side of the bike. Possibly a leftward (maybe even toolless) airbox removal instead of up through the subframe? Just remove the left number plate and pop her out (a la KTM and Husky)?

That would be a huge plus in my book.
You have to remove the two side panel bolts and that whole side comes off, the filter is angled in there like a KTM.
bvm111
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4/8/2018 1:33pm
bvm111 wrote:
Why are there Hondas in this thread.... AngryAngryBlink
tempura wrote:
Because they are faster than Kawi??..lol
ShockedShockedShockedShocked

wash your mouth out with soap for telling those LIES!!!

TongueLaughing
mxb2
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4/8/2018 1:57pm
mxb2 wrote:
Any idea the color of the production forks for the new kawy? Silver or rmz gold?
ML512 wrote:
They'll either be silver or the faded bronze like prior forks, not the RM-Z gold.
Thanks
tempura
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4/8/2018 2:53pm
He wasn't too pleased I took a burst of photo's of the bike coming back from the wash bay.
The whole Kawasaki paddock was on lock down.
I asked a staff member why are you being so private, he answered by saying the staff were cold so they had to close up...lol I had to laugh at that..
kiwifan
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4/8/2018 3:12pm Edited Date/Time 4/8/2018 3:13pm
bvm111 wrote:
Why are there Hondas in this thread.... AngryAngryBlink
because the OP of this thread also states possible frame changes for the Honda ?
bvm111
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4/8/2018 3:25pm
or maybe I was joking?
kiwifan
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4/8/2018 4:29pm Edited Date/Time 4/8/2018 4:31pm
bvm111 wrote:
or maybe I was joking?
given you did the emoticons you did (2 angry ones and 1 blinking one), then I suspect not
billyp330
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4/9/2018 5:52am
Problem with that: Tooling for injection molded plastics can easily cost up to 50-100k $/piece. Don`t think Kawi would pay that just to disguise it for...
Problem with that: Tooling for injection molded plastics can easily cost up to 50-100k $/piece. Don`t think Kawi would pay that just to disguise it for 2/3 race events max. And comparing to the current plastics, the shrouds and numberplates are similar but definitely not the same.
You don't need production run quality dies for prototyping plastic parts. Someone mentioned 3D printing, which is definitely possible, however I would think they would just make a cheap, low quality die so as they refine their shroud design for apperance and fitment, they can also test their production line variables (material flow, temps, load volume, time, etc).

Not an expert in plastic injection molding as I work with fiberglass composites, but I'd imagine they would follow similar steps in creating a production run part.
kb228
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4/9/2018 6:00am
tempura wrote:
He wasn't too pleased I took a burst of photo's of the bike coming back from the wash bay. The whole Kawasaki paddock was on lock...
He wasn't too pleased I took a burst of photo's of the bike coming back from the wash bay.
The whole Kawasaki paddock was on lock down.
I asked a staff member why are you being so private, he answered by saying the staff were cold so they had to close up...lol I had to laugh at that..
Thats a very real answer. Pro circuit had the same setup at indy last year
kb228
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4/9/2018 6:03am
Problem with that: Tooling for injection molded plastics can easily cost up to 50-100k $/piece. Don`t think Kawi would pay that just to disguise it for...
Problem with that: Tooling for injection molded plastics can easily cost up to 50-100k $/piece. Don`t think Kawi would pay that just to disguise it for 2/3 race events max. And comparing to the current plastics, the shrouds and numberplates are similar but definitely not the same.
billyp330 wrote:
You don't need production run quality dies for prototyping plastic parts. Someone mentioned 3D printing, which is definitely possible, however I would think they would just...
You don't need production run quality dies for prototyping plastic parts. Someone mentioned 3D printing, which is definitely possible, however I would think they would just make a cheap, low quality die so as they refine their shroud design for apperance and fitment, they can also test their production line variables (material flow, temps, load volume, time, etc).

Not an expert in plastic injection molding as I work with fiberglass composites, but I'd imagine they would follow similar steps in creating a production run part.
All companies make tooling for protoype parts. Yes its expensive and yes they still do it. Usually proto tools are about 1/2 cost. For example waterjet fixtures and check fixtures might just be made of pine and plywood instead of aluminum and stainless steel. Form tools are usually single cavity and dont have all the sensors and shit that a production tool would. -im a tool & die designer
NJKawi913
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4/9/2018 6:06am
I am pumped for the return of spring forks. But the hydraulic clutch and e-start really dont thrill me.

I guess its my 23 year old persepctive, who really can't apprciate easier clutch pull, and luxury of pressing a button to start.
billyp330
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4/9/2018 6:44am
Problem with that: Tooling for injection molded plastics can easily cost up to 50-100k $/piece. Don`t think Kawi would pay that just to disguise it for...
Problem with that: Tooling for injection molded plastics can easily cost up to 50-100k $/piece. Don`t think Kawi would pay that just to disguise it for 2/3 race events max. And comparing to the current plastics, the shrouds and numberplates are similar but definitely not the same.
billyp330 wrote:
You don't need production run quality dies for prototyping plastic parts. Someone mentioned 3D printing, which is definitely possible, however I would think they would just...
You don't need production run quality dies for prototyping plastic parts. Someone mentioned 3D printing, which is definitely possible, however I would think they would just make a cheap, low quality die so as they refine their shroud design for apperance and fitment, they can also test their production line variables (material flow, temps, load volume, time, etc).

Not an expert in plastic injection molding as I work with fiberglass composites, but I'd imagine they would follow similar steps in creating a production run part.
kb228 wrote:
All companies make tooling for protoype parts. Yes its expensive and yes they still do it. Usually proto tools are about 1/2 cost. For example waterjet...
All companies make tooling for protoype parts. Yes its expensive and yes they still do it. Usually proto tools are about 1/2 cost. For example waterjet fixtures and check fixtures might just be made of pine and plywood instead of aluminum and stainless steel. Form tools are usually single cavity and dont have all the sensors and shit that a production tool would. -im a tool & die designer
What company? I'm a M.E at Molded Fiberglass in Ashtabula
tempura
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4/9/2018 7:17am
kb228 wrote:
Thats a very real answer. Pro circuit had the same setup at indy last year
Umm, no it wasn't... They were wearing tshirts and he said it with a smirk on his face as he realised I wasn't that dumb...
If you were there, perhaps you would have believed him.
4/9/2018 7:19am
NJKawi913 wrote:
I am pumped for the return of spring forks. But the hydraulic clutch and e-start really dont thrill me. I guess its my 23 year old...
I am pumped for the return of spring forks. But the hydraulic clutch and e-start really dont thrill me.

I guess its my 23 year old persepctive, who really can't apprciate easier clutch pull, and luxury of pressing a button to start.
I've got a decade on you. Hydraulic clutch and e-start are stupid.

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